What does it really take to bring a multifamily project from the drawing board to reality in today’s market? Rising material costs, tariffs, labor shortages, and complex timelines all make development harder than ever. That’s why having the right construction management firm is critical.In this episode of Breaking Ground with Justin Goodin, I sit down with Greg Looney, founder of Inherent Commercial, recognized by Indianapolis Business Journal as one of the Fast 25 fastest-growing companies. With construction experience in healthcare, senior living, commercial, and multifamily projects, Greg has seen it all — and he shares candid insights that most developers and investors never hear from behind the construction fence.Here’s what you’ll learn in this conversation:- The biggest mistakes developers make when hiring GCs and how to avoid them- The impact of tariffs and volatile pricing on multifamily projects in 2025- The #1 thing all passive investors should review before investing in a multifamily development- Why trust between developers and contractors often breaks down — and how to build partnerships that last- Behind-the-scenes of a real multifamily build: surprises, challenges, and lessons learned- Greg’s bold predictions for construction costs and project timelines in the next 12–18 monthsIf you’re a multifamily developer, passive investor, or city leader, this episode gives you an inside look at how projects really get delivered — and what you should watch out for when evaluating partners.🔗 Learn more about Inherent Commercial: https://inherentco.com/🔗 Follow Inherent Commercial on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inherentcommercial/Subscribe to Breaking Ground with Justin Goodin for more insider conversations on multifamily development, construction, and passive real estate investing.🔗 Learn more about Goodin Development: https://goodindevelopment.com/🔗 Follow Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justingoodin/🔗 Follow Justin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.goodin.16
Ethan Fernhaber used a $20K HELOC to buy his first rental. Now Ethan has owned, managed, and built over 4,000 multifamily units. Ethan Fernhaber’s journey is a masterclass in scaling real estate the right way. As the founder of multiple companies in development, management, and modular construction, Ethan has built a mission-driven portfolio that’s transforming communities across Indiana.From meat cutter to banker, to purchasing a double-wide in rural Indiana with a $20K home equity line of credit, to starting a management entity, in-house modular factory, and development company, Ethan is using his sister companies to accomplish a mission that he truly believes in: Restore Hope.In this episode, we cover:- How Ethan scaled from his first rental to 4,000+ units- The challenges and lessons of running development, management, and construction under one mission- The biggest operational truths most investors overlook- What passive investors should really know before backing a multifamily deal- How modular construction will transform the future of housing- How Ethan is giving back to the community and restoring hope with his companiesWhether you’re a developer, operator, or passive investor, Ethan’s story offers tactical lessons and big-picture perspective on building businesses with purpose and scale.🔗 Learn more about Ethan Fernhaber and his companies: - Restore Hope https://www.restorehopeindiana.com/- Volumod @volumod https://www.volumod.com/- RM @RenewingManagement https://www.whereumatter.com/- Helix Development: https://www.helix33.com/Subscribe for more candid conversations with multifamily developers, operators, and investors shaping the future of real estate.🔗 Learn more about Goodin Development: https://goodindevelopment.com/🔗 Follow Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justingoodin/🔗 Follow Justin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.goodin.16
What makes a good multifamily deal… and how do you know if the sponsor behind it can really deliver?Paul Shannon has gone from a W-2 career in surgical sales to building a portfolio of over 1,000+ multifamily units as both an active operator and a passive investor. Along the way, he’s seen the best and worst of multifamily syndications — and he shares what every limited partner (LP) needs to know before wiring their first check.In this episode, we cover:- How Paul transitioned from corporate life into full-time multifamily investing- Why relationships matter more than just “the numbers” in syndications- The biggest red flags passive investors overlook when evaluating deals- A real case study from one of Paul’s investments — what worked, what went wrong, and what he learned- The most important questions LPs should ask sponsors before committing capital- How Paul views the multifamily market in 2025 — and what that means for investors looking for opportunities nowIf you’re a passive real estate investor looking to grow your wealth through apartments, this episode gives you an inside look at how experienced LPs think, the mistakes to avoid, and how to evaluate opportunities with confidence.🔗 Learn more about Paul Shannon: https://www.investwisecollective.com/🔗 Follow Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-shannon-68255530/Subscribe for more conversations with multifamily investors, developers, and operators who share their unfiltered stories and practical advice.🔗 Learn more about Goodin Development: https://goodindevelopment.com/🔗 Follow Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justingoodin/🔗 Follow Justin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.goodin.16
In this episode, I sit down with Jarod Brown, founder of Brown Capital Group. Prior to his involvement in the real estate development business, Jarod practiced law in the area of real estate finance for 8 years, and was a founding partner of the law firm Densborn Blachly LLP.BCG has developed over $500 Million of assets nationwide ranging from student housing, affordable, and workforce to Class A urban projects. In this episode, we dive deep into:- The truth about multifamily development in today’s market- How to structure deals the right way (financing, equity, incentives)- What separates the best sponsors from the rest- Investor red flags and lessons learned from real projects- The challenges (and opportunities) in building new communities across Indiana and beyondIf you’ve ever wondered how major multifamily projects really come together — from land control and entitlement to financing and lease-up — this conversation is packed with insights you won’t find anywhere else.🔗 Learn more about Jarod Brown and Brown Capital Group: https://browncapitalgrp.com/🔗 Follow BCG on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brown-capital-group/posts/?feedView=allSubscribe for more conversations with top developers, investors, and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of multifamily real estate.🔗 Learn more about Goodin Development and our multifamily projects: https://goodindevelopment.com/Tags:multifamily development, multifamily investing, real estate development, commercial real estate, multifamily real estate, passive investing, real estate investing, apartment development, multifamily construction, real estate syndication, development deals, multifamily projects, investor red flags, multifamily sponsor, multifamily due diligence, real estate underwriting, multifamily investing 2025, commercial construction, multifamily pipeline, apartment investing