Get better before you get bigger.

Many real estate businesses are entering 2026 with numbers that don’t look promising, and are hoping things will improve magically a few months later. In this episode of the Strength in Numbers podcast, Marcus Crigler explains why that mindset is dangerous and what the data is already telling us.

Listen as he walks you through a pattern he is seeing across pro formas from real estate businesses nationwide, how expanding too fast puts businesses back into survival mode, and why profitability in the slow months is the real test of a healthy operation.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Spot warning signs in your pro formas before it’s too late
• Know when to slow down instead of scaling
• Focus on profitability before expansion
• Build a business that survives low months

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:37) The trend consultants are seeing across real estate businesses

(03:32) Why relying on “month three” is a problem

(04:26) What a pro forma tells you about your future

(05:09) When it’s time to change strategy

(06:46) The danger of expanding without securing profitability

(07:50) How to profit in low months, not just good ones

(09:25) The hustle, secure, expand, exit still matters

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate investors who are worried about the 2026 cash flow
• Business owners who are seeing consecutive losing months
• Operators who scaled too fast
• Entrepreneurs who are trying to stabilize before growing again

Why You Should Listen:

If your numbers are shaky and you are relying on hope instead of profit, this episode delivers a clear wake-up call.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

Most real estate businesses don't fail because of bad deals; they fail because the owner isn't watching the right numbers.

In this episode of the Strength in Numbers Podcast, Marcus Crigler is joined by Caden for a real, unscripted KPI draft built specifically for real estate entrepreneurs heading into 2026.

Instead of rattling off a generic metrics list, they walk through a fantasy-football–style draft, each selecting the KPIs they believe matter most when it comes to control, liquidity, and long-term decision-making.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Track KPIs that drive decisions and not just reports
• Understand why multifamily is an operating business, not a passive investment
• Use liquidity metrics to reduce risk as you scale
• Track KPI trends instead of comparing yourself to others

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(02:21) The 10 KPIs you need to be tracking in 2026

(03:26) CFO vs tax perspectives on business performance

(05:13) 10X thinking vs Atomic Habits

(07:35) Are rentals actually accelerating your wealth?

(09:23) When buying rentals for tax savings can slow you down

(12:48) Why large assets demand weekly execution and strategy

(15:26) Average gross profit margin per deal

(18:24) Months of working capital

(21:47) Cash conversion cycle

(23:23) Why KPI trends matter more than benchmarks

(26:15) Net profit vs cash flow

(28:27) Sale-to-ARV ratio and underwriting accountability

(29:31) Why broken KPIs usually point to broken processes

(31:08) 60-day pipeline by month

(32:38) Break-even point and why every owner must know it

(33:27) The full 10-KPI framework for 2026

(34:52) Bonus KPI: Return on ad spend (ROAS)

Who This Episode Is For:

• Real estate entrepreneurs who are running active businesses
• Investors who are scaling into larger assets or multifamily
• Operators who feel profitable but cash-stressed
• Business owners who want predictability

Why You Should Listen:

If you have ever made money but still felt uneasy about your business, this episode explains why. Marcus and Caden walk through the KPIs that create control so you can plan confidently instead of reacting under pressure.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler

Most business owners think turnover is just part of the game. Most people don't know, this mindset is quietly destroying profitability.

For this episode, Marcus Crigler shares a real, behind-the-scenes look at how core values drive hiring, firing, culture, and long-term retention inside his own company. He explains why peer-driven accountability is one of the most overlooked tools for reducing turnover, strengthening culture, and building a team that actually wants to stay.

Listen and enjoy the show!

You’ll Learn How To:

• Reduce employee turnover without overpaying
• Build a culture your team buys into
• Use core values as a real decision-making tool
• Identify long-term team members early

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

(01:27) How the BEC CFO uses just three core values to run the entire company

(02:44) The TOP framework: Truth Teller, Others First, Pursuit of Excellence

(04:49) How peer-voted core value awards reinforce culture

(07:00) Why core values act like a “cheat code” for retention

(08:32) How your team can help you identify bad fits faster

(09:23) What it means when someone never gets a core value vote

Who This Episode Is For:

• Business owners who are dealing with constant employee turnover
• Leaders who are trying to build a strong remote or distributed team
• Entrepreneurs who want a better culture without more complexity

Why You Should Listen:

If you are tired of cycling through employees and watching profits leak through the cracks, this episode gives you a simple, practical way to fix the root problem.

Connect with Marcus Crigler:

• Website: https://beccfo.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcus.crigler