Why Most Real Estate Renovations Destroy Investor Returns

Most investors obsess over spreadsheets, but ignore the one decision that quietly drives rent, demand, and retention.

In this episode, multifamily investor Eliav Kling reveals how a debated $250,000 repaint transformed leasing traffic, eliminated marketing spend, and allowed rents above comps, without over-renovating.

From starting in IT to scaling value-add multifamily across the U.S., Eliav breaks down how data-driven renovation decisions, disciplined underwriting, and design restraint protect investor returns, especially in volatile markets.

You’ll learn why over-improving kills ROI, how to measure design impact, and the mindset shift separating scalable investors from emotional ones.

This conversation challenges conventional renovation thinking, and reframes design as a financial weapon, not an expense.

⏱️ YouTube Chapter Timeline (Editor-Ready)

00:00 — From IT to Multifamily: The Unexpected Path

04:40 — Buying Condos After the 2008 Crash

09:30 — Pulling All the Cash Out (The Refinance Moment)

13:40 — Why Condos Don’t Scale

17:10 — First Multifamily Deal in Chicago

22:30 — The 48-Unit Deal That Almost Fell Apart

28:10 — “There Is Always a Way” (Investor Mindset Shift)

33:40 — Why Agility Beats Big Institutions

38:20 — What Separates Good Investors in Bad Markets

42:50 — What a “Good” Return Really Is

47:10 — The Renovation Mistake Investors Keep Making

52:30 — When Upgrades Destroy ROI

57:40 — The $250K Repaint Debate

1:02:40 — How Design Replaced Marketing Spend

1:07:50 — Charging Above Comps (Even in a Down Market)

1:12:40 — Why Tenants Stay Longer

1:17:30 — Eliav’s 3 Rules for Multifamily Investors

1:26:20 — Final Advice: Discipline Beats Emotion

🎙 @eliavkling shares his thoughts and experiences, offering valuable insights.

The ROI Masterclass Podcast Playlists 👇LINK IN THE COMMENT

#MultifamilyRealEstate,#RealEstateInvesting,#ValueAdd,#RealEstateROI,#DesignROI,#PropertyRenovation,#InvestorMindset,#MultifamilyInvesting,#WealthCreation,#DataDrivenInvesting,#PassiveIncome,#RealEstatePodcast,#RentalProperty

Why Building Authentic Towns Is Illegal in Most Places

What if the reason most places feel soulless isn’t bad design, but the system itself?

In this episode, visionary developer David Horwath reveals why authentic towns are often illegal to build, how zoning codes and debt structures quietly destroy community, and why speed-driven development kills long-term value.

David shares lessons from building towns around the world, the difference between transactional vs legacy-driven development, and why the places we love most were never built “efficiently.”

This conversation challenges everything investors, developers, and designers think they know about ROI, and reframes it as something deeper than money.

If you care about real community, long-term value, and building places that last generations, this episode will change how you see development forever.

YouTube Chapter Timeline

00:00 — “Why Real Communities Are Illegal to Build”

The shocking truth about zoning, cities, and why authentic towns don’t exist anymore.

03:45 — David’s Origin Story: Choosing the Hardest Path

Why a civil engineer chose complexity — and how it shaped his worldview.

08:10 — Thrown Into the Deep End of Development

Managing 2,000 acres, failing fast, and learning how cities really work.

13:30 — The Lightbulb Moment: Cities Don’t Want What You Think

Why listening to municipalities changed everything.

18:40 — The Zoning Code Problem Nobody Talks About

How zoning laws made real communities illegal by accident.

25:20 — “Show Me What You’re Afraid Of”

The PTSD moment that changed how David approaches public partnerships.

31:50 — Speed vs Soul: How Debt Destroys Places

Why fast, transactional development kills long-term value.

38:40 — Why the Places We Love Were Built ‘Wrong’

Mistakes, imperfections, and the secret behind timeless cities.

45:30 — Build-to-Rent, Cottages, and the Housing Debate

Why some housing models fail — and how they could work.

52:10 — Land Partners vs Transactions

The radical model that replaces quick exits with generational legacy.

58:40 — Why Banks Quietly Shape Suburban Sprawl

The hidden financial system driving soulless development.

1:05:30 — Craftsmanship, Builders, and Authentic Design

Why you can feel when something is built with care.

1:12:10 — “We’re the Land of Misfit Toys”

Why David built a team that never fit anywhere else.

1:18:00 — Brazil Changed Everything

The defining leadership lesson from coordinating global teams.

1:25:10 — The Real Definition of ROI

Why return on investment is about people — not just money.

1:30:40 — David’s 3 Rules for Developers & Investors

Grit, partnerships, and why connection beats efficiency.

1:35:30 — Final Thought: Building Places That Outlive Us

What legacy-driven development really means.

🎙 David Horwath shares his thoughts and experiences, offering valuable insights.

#RealEstateDevelopment #CommunityBuilding #Placemaking

#RealEstateInvesting #UrbanDesign #podcast

Mike Clapper shares his personal journey from being stranded on a cruise ship due to accessibility challenges to building a business that helps hospitality brands unlock a $100–500B untapped market. In this episode, he reveals why accessibility is more than compliance, it’s a powerful growth multiplier that drives longer stays, bigger spending, and unforgettable guest experiences.

Learn how human-centered design, elevated guest service, and scalable systems can transform your property and brand. Mike also dives into universal design principles for aging populations, leveraging technology and AI, and turning empathy into real business results.

Whether you’re an investor, developer, or hospitality professional, this episode shows how serving everyone isn’t just the right thing, it’s profitable.

Mike Clapper Episode Timeline

00:00 – 02:00 | Introduction Host introduces Mike Clapper as an advocate for universal and human-centric design in hospitality. Emphasis on accessibility as both a people-first approach and a business opportunity.

02:00 – 06:00 | Personal Story / Cruise Mishap Mike recounts being stranded on a cruise ship in Reykjavik due to inaccessible gangway. Highlights the gap between empathy and execution in accessibility. This experience sparks his business idea.

06:00 – 09:00 | Disability Statistics & Market Opportunity 1 in 4 people have a disability (physical, sensory, neurodiverse, allergies). $100B annual market in the U.S.; $500B potential globally factoring aging population. Disabled travelers spend 1.7x more, stay 2.9x longer, and bring companions.

09:00 – 13:00 | Turning Pain into a Business and Human Play Accessibility framed as a growth multiplier, not a compliance checkbox. Importance of combining personal experience + business acumen for consulting success.

13:00 – 18:00 | The 3 Pillars of Accessibility in Hospitality Design That Includes – accessible rooms, door openers, zero-threshold entries. Experience That Elevates – staff training, communication, seamless guest experience. Systems That Scale – tech/AI for reservations, pre-stay communication, guest needs.

18:00 – 22:00 | Senior Living & Aging Population Principles of universal design for residential and senior living spaces. Examples: lower countertops, wider corridors, thoughtful bathroom design.

22:00 – 27:00 | ROI Insights & Market Strategy Disabled travelers as lucrative market segment. Accessibility is a profit multiplier impacting room revenue, F&B, spa, and other services. Importance of branding, marketing, and online-to-offline positioning for accessible properties.

27:00 – 32:00 | Mindset, Faith, and Life Lessons Mike’s upbringing with cerebral palsy shaped solution-oriented mindset. Faith over fear as personal philosophy. Turning disadvantages into unique advantages in business and life.

32:00 – 35:00 | Closing / Call to Action Key message: accessibility benefits everyone, both ethically and financially. Mike shares contact info and thought leadership platforms:

🎙 Eugen Bold shares his thoughts and experiences, offering valuable insights.

The ROI Masterclass Podcast Playlists 👇LINK IN THE COMMENT

#RobertSloop #RestaurantProfitability #HospitalityInnovation #AIinRestaurants #RestaurantAutomation #NoTippingRestaurants #FourDayWorkWeek #RestaurantDesignROI #WorkflowOptimization #RestaurantStrategy #RestaurantMargins #RestaurantOwnerTips #FutureOfDining #ProactiveHospitality #RestaurantOperations #HospitalityInvestment #RestaurantTechnology #FandBStrategy #RestaurantOwnerEducation #StrategicRestaurantDesign #RestaurantAutomationTools #RestaurantCFOInsights