Senior Construction Project Manager @ VareCo

I am the Founder &amp; CEO of Investor Acquisitions. In short, I help real estate executives be known. What I've found is the best operators in real estate often neglect marketing. Marketing is important enough to wish you were better but not important enough to take it on on your own. Put another way: If operations fall apart? You don't have a business to market. If marketing falls apart? You've survived this long without it. However, there's a catch 22 to this approach to marketing. The modern real estate sponsor, broker &amp; lender needs marketing. They need to be known. Social media expedites 2 key aspects of deal making: 1. Building awareness of you. 2. Building trust in you. My business is taking the hard work of figuring social media out off your hands, &amp; replacing it with all the benefits. 1. Being trusted and known. 2. Generating quality leads. 3. Raising capital/Closing deals. The fun stuff that comes from being known. Whether you're the CEO, an executive team, or a broker, our team at Investor Acquisitions can level up your brand &amp; content on LinkedIn. Our business is telling your story.

Cole Baker

Emmitt Smith earned $61,300,000 during his NFL career. 

He's quietly turned that into $100,000,000 in real estate. 

Here's how he did it: 

1) He LEARNED from the BEST. 

• Emmitt played 15 years for the Dallas Cowboys. 
• He leveraged the notoriety to get an internship. 
• Followed Roger Staubach around for 2 years. 
• (Roger has transacted on $26,000,000,000+ in CRE)
• This was the foundation of his knowledge. 

2) He TOOK ACTION. 

• Leveraging the experience with Staubach, 
• He started a JV with Staubach's company. 
• He started his own firm in Baltimore. 

Most of us don't have $63mm to start investing with. 

But, anyone can learn from the best: 

• Podcasts. 
• YouTube. 
• Books. 

& anyone can take action. 

P.S. The real question everyone wants to know? 

Will the Cowboys ever win a Super Bowl Again?

Founder + CEO of Investor Acquisitions | I help real estate executives build their brand & attract investors | Trusted by 44 Firms | DM “Intro” to schedule a meeting with Investor Acquisitions

I left my W-2 to start my business 14 months ago.

• I have had days I didn't think I'd make it.
• I have had weeks no money came in.
• I have had moments I messed up. 

• I have messed up with clients. 
• I have messed up sales calls. 
• I have messed up on hiring. 

I have lived a lot of the fears that held me back from starting sooner. 

But, I can say this:

I am filled with more purpose than I have felt in a very long time. 

& something about that makes the pain worth it. 

So here's to you taking the leap in 2026! 

The year you finally do it. 

Whatever it is!

P.S. If this was the year, what would you do?

I spoke to an RIA who’s helped his clients sell $14,000,000 worth of businesses to private equity.

I asked him what owners should look out for in the terms of their purchase agreements. 

Here’s what he told me: 

1) If you are presented with a dual share class structure within your agreement, it’s standard for the controlling investor to hold the senior class. What’s not standard? When Class-B shares have no participation rights to maintain their percentage of ownership. 

2) Ensure your "earn out" is tied to performance metrics that are higher up the income statement (i.e. gross revenue or recurring revenue). The higher up the income statement you go, the more the "earn out" is in your control.

3) If a buyer defers payment on your acquisition, lock in interest on top of you’re deferred payment. Otherwise the buyer is using your cash flow to pay you with no compensation for your additional risk. 

4) Ensure the waterfall structure in the purchase agreement defines the hurdle rate. The RIA has seen multiple agreements where the hurdle rate is left undefined at the point of sale. 

5) If you have buyout terms within your purchase agreement, define the “fair market value” of the business at the point of sale. & ensure that definition is defined at your full discretion. 

6) If your sale price is formulaic, ensure you define what’s being multiplied. If the buyer is paying a multiple on “adjusted EBITDA,” you set the definition for adjusted EBITDA.

7) Rolling equity into a deal doesn’t = money in your pocket in the future. Do you’re diligence on the buyer as well. It could be the difference in millions of dollars.

P.S. Was this helpful? Comment below what stuck out the most ⬇️

I spoke to an investor with $300,000,000 in AUM. 
His first deal he bought for $560,000 debt free. 
Here's the breakdown of how he did it: 

1) He started as a leasing agent for a family office. 
• The family office owned a few dozen deals. 
• He was there "Swiss army knife."
• Managing existing tenants. 
• Leasing units. 
• Even identifying new properties to acquire. 
• However, one thing stuck out to him: 
• He knew unless he owned real estate himself, 
• He'd never build true wealth. 

LESSON: 

• Build experience in the asset class you chose. 
• Only once you've built up a knowledge base, 
• Should you take the leap to ownership. 

2) He identified a property. 
• In his work with the family office, he identified a deal. 
• It was outside the buy box of the family office. 
• So he decided to take a shot at it. 
• He brought ~5 investors together, & acquired it. 

LESSON: 

• Be prepared. 
• Only once you've aligned your operations, 
• Should you begin identifying deals. 

P.S. Which lesson resonated with you the most?

My wife & I started a "sugar cleanse" this week. 

No processed carbohydrates. 
No processed sugars. 
No rice...
Starting off the first 4 weeks of the year right.

However... 
We celebrated my brother-in-laws birthday last night. 

They served Korean beef, green beans, and rice. 
(& cake...)
I've never wanted rice more in my life. 

I held strong, but...

I didn't realize how strong my cravings for carbs & sugar were until this week. 

This week's been brutal. But grateful for the reset. 
(& grateful I'm not taking on the cleanse alone)
How's your new year's resolutions going?

I asked an investor who owns a $750,000 6-unit portfolio debt free in Indiana why he didn't sell his properties to get a higher ROE. 

Here's what he told me: 

• He & his wife collect ~ $2,000 a month net. 
• He & his wife are retired. He self-manages.
• It's busy enough to keep him occupied. 
• But not too busy he's overwhelmed. 
• They're content. 

They set out for a specific number to bring home each month, & they achieved it. 

They're debt-free. Living off their hard work over the years, & don't need more. 

They've made it. 

LESSON: 

• There is always more to chase if you want to. 
• But, if you're looking for financial freedom? 
• Pick the number you're looking for. 
• Then fight hard to achieve it. 
• & once you reach it? 
• Either revaluate, 
• or reap the benefits of your hard work. 

P.S. What would you do with a $750,000 debt-free portfolio? 

Sell it & buy a bigger property? Or hold it?

I asked a developer/owner (who's built $300,000,000 of real estate) how he got started. His first deal ever? 
A $60,000 land flip. Here's the breakdown: 

1) The developer started his career at 19-years old. 
• He sourced a raw piece of land in his hometown. 
• He raised $30,000 from his family & friends. 
• His original intention? 
• Build a duplex. 

2) The seller called him back with more land to sell.  
• He raised another $30,000 from family & friends. 
• Now that he was sitting on 2 adjacent lots, 
• He started planning to build. 

3) A local builder identified the land he'd bought. 
• That builder offered $120,000 for the land. 
• What he'd just bought for $60,000? 
• He sold for $120,000...

A 50% return of equity to his investors & a $30,000 pay day for a 19 year old kid!

LESSON: 

• Action pays. No matter your age, get after it. 

P.S. If you had $30K pay day at 19...
What would you have bought?

My client raised $250,000 from 4 posts. 
(And the deal still has 12 days to close)
Here's the exact strategy we used:  

My client has managed $300,000,000 in AUM. 
He posted on LinkedIn & Facebook for years.
But hadn't had any luck raising capital. 
So he hired me. 

• Day 1; We collected stories + track record.
↳ We identified his Ideal Investor Profile. 
↳ Then curated content to this profile. 
• Week 1: Began posting 3-Days a week. 
↳ Every week. 
• Week 16: Posted first promotional post. 
• Week 20: Collected $250K in capital.
↳ & counting. 

3 takeaways you can steal today

1. Before you ask for business, build up trust. 
• I learned this concept from Alex Hormozi. 
• & it works beautifully. 
• Post valuable content for your ICP everyday you can
• Then, wait to make an ask for as long as possible. 

2. Write content using these 6 content pillars. 
• I developed this working with 40 + CRE firms.
• Write about deals you've bought or underwritten.
• Write about your personal life (not work related).
• Write about the daily conversations you have.
• Write about the lessons you have learned.
• Write about problems your ICP faces.
• Write about the news.

3. Quality content is better than lots of content. 
• My client had posted content for years. 
• Only after we refined his message, 
• Did he raise capital. 

OPPORTUNITY for 2026: 

When you figure out how to tell your story?  

It can change your business forever. 

P.S. I help sponsors, brokers & lenders build their brands on LinkedIn, if this post resonated with you, DM "Story" to schedule an introduction call.

Here's the 9 steps I took to raise my first $90,000 for a real estate investment without raising capital from friends & family. 

1. Committed to posting on LinkedIn on May 15, 2023. 
2. Posted 484 times before getting my first lead. 
3. Had 25+ conversations with investors. 
4. Identified a trusted fund manager to work with. 
5. Identified a trusted sponsor & property to invest in. 
6. Flew to FL to tour and walk the 230-unit property. 
• I toured the different unit mixes available. 
• I took over 200 photos of the property. 
• I took extensive notes of the property. 
• Then returned home the same day. 
7. Sent out an email to investors. 
8. Booked 3 calls. 2 invested. 
9. Each lead from LinkedIn. 

Admittedly, my first capital raise wasn't much. 
& I could have done better with the raise.
Namely, 
1. More consistent follow-up with investors. 
• During the diligence of the deal. 
2. More consistent follow-up with investors.
• Prior to finding a deal.  

However, it taught me 2 meaningful lessons: 
1. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for business. 
2. I could build trust with investors. 

This deal led me to start Investor Acquisitions.
& now? 18 months later. 
My clients have raised $10,000,000+ of equity. 
My clients have generated $100K+ in revenue. 
My clients have generated 1,200+ ideal leads. 
All from LinkedIn. 

Are you looking to raise capital in 2026? 
We can help. 
DM "capital" to schedule an intro call. 
Or click my calendar link below: 
https://lnkd.in/g92Wj2WT

I submitted an offer for $950,000 on a 9-unit portfolio. 
The asking price was $1,400,000. 
Here's why I sent an offer $450,000 < asking price: 

I posted about this deal a few weeks back, & lots of people were curious about the specific numbers of the deal. 

The portfolio was made up of 6 properties: 
• A 4-unit multifamily property. 
• 5 single family homes. 

The income of the portfolio was as follows: 
• The 4-unit property: 
• The 4-unit was 100% occupied all of 2024. 
• The 4-unit produced $39K of rent in 2024. 
• The 4-unit produced $15.6K in expenses. 
• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟰-𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 $𝟮𝟯𝗞 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗢𝗜. 
• The 5 SFRs combined: 
• The 5-SFRs were ~ 60%  occupied in 2024. 
• The 5-SFRs produced $41K of rent in 2024. 
• The 5-SFRs produced $56K in expenses. 
• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟱-𝗦𝗙𝗥𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 ~ $𝟭𝟰𝗞 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. 
• After paying their debt payments. 
• All-in, they netted 4K in 2024. 
• (No 2025 P&L either)

With the SFRs producing negative cashflow, my intent was to sell the SFRs as single family homes, & keep the 4-unit. 

• Local cap rates for this vintage of asset is 7-10%. 
• Here's how I priced the 4-unit apartment: 
• [(NOI: $23,418)/(cap rate: 8.3%)] 
• = value of asset: $284,200
• The Zillow estimate for the SFRs was: 
• $734,000. 
• Combined: $1,018,200. 

The sellers offered seller financing for 50% LTV @ 6% interest. 

Curious to hear your thoughts on my approach.  

Comment below with your thoughts.

I asked a developer who's built $300,000,000 worth of real estate about what capital structure he's raising capital with in 2026. Here's what he told me: 

His "equity" investors invest as a 2nd position loan. 

• He secures a construction loan from a local bank.
• He provides the equity to close the development. 
• His investors come in to fund a subordinate loan.
• His investors receive a fixed 12% on their capital.
• (The 2nd-position loan is secured by the land).

Rather than participate in the upside of the deal. 
Many investors he spoke with wanted certainty. 
So he created a product to fulfill that desire. 

P.S. Do you like the capital structure? 
Or 
Would you have another in mind?

If you're starting a "solo-preneur" business in 2026, you'll beat 99% of the competition doing this: 

1. Pick a niche market to sell to. 
2. Sell to people who can afford to grow with you. 
3. Sell a product you believe in. 
↳Do free work until you believe in it. 
4. Choose a social media platform your clients are on. 
5. Post content every day that solves their problems. 
6. Sell by identifying problems & selling the solution. 
7. REMEMBER: 
↳You haven't won yet, so you have nothing to lose. 

P.S. What's your goal for 2026?

Commercial Managing Director at Phyllis Browning Company | National CRE Educator | Army Veteran & Advocate | Property Operations Whisper | Maximizing Returns for Investors through Operations | Love to help New Agents

Commercial real estate isn’t rocket science. It’s harder.

At least that’s what it feels like when people are throwing around acronyms like IRR, NNN, and CAM as if they’re common sense. They’re not. That’s where I come in.

I help investors stop buying bad deals, business owners stop picking locations based on gut feelings, and new agents stop drowning in spreadsheets they don’t understand. My background? Army leadership + a few billion dollars in commercial transactions + a borderline unhealthy love for operations.

I teach, consult, troubleshoot, and occasionally nerd out about parking ratios. If you want to learn CRE without the ego or the fluff — I’m your guy. Reach out and let’s fix the thing that’s costing you money.

Oh and if you blind pitch me or “pitch slap” me, I am going to give you a hard time.  Try building rapport with me first.  

My 2026 Goals
Personal
1.	Take a Vacation
2.	Do one full day hike
3.	Make it to all my daughter’s school events.
4.	Have a great trip with just my wife. 
5.	Promote to Sr. Instructors with CCIM
6.	Certify to teach the Asset Management Track for IREM
7.	Write a Self-Paced Version to my New to CRE Training
8.	3 Outside Speaking opportunities
9.	Earn FRICS

Browning Commercial
1.	Recruit 2 product leaders
2.	Have 7 solid Jr. Associates
3.	Streamline back-office process
4.     Build social media and gain 1,000 followers

Crossed Sabers Commercial Advisory Group
1.	Hire 2 new Jr. Associates
2.	All existing Team Members Make a CREI List
3.	Streamline Back Office process
4.	12 Podcast Guesting Spots

Crossed Sabers Asset Management  
1.	12 New Property Management Assignments
2.	Build Research Arm and publish twice.  
3.	12 Podcast Guesting Spots

Vets in Real Estate
1.	 Write “Vets in Real Estate Transition Stories” Book
a.	Get this book into Transition Centers and to Service Members for Free
2.	Double responses for Social Media Influencers Awards
3.	Set Up Sponsorship for Podcast/Community
4.	Grow Engagement
a.	Follower/Subscriber Account to 1,000 on all accounts
b.	Build Value in Facebook Group
5.	Set Up 4 Mastermind/Round Table Calls
6.	12 Podcast Guesting Spots

Browning Commercial
1.	Recruit 4 product leaders
2.	Have 7 solid Jr. Associates
3.	Streamline back-office process
4.	Build social media and gain 2,000 followers.

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The Battle

Cole Baker

‏‏‎ ‎Will Curtis, CCIM, CPM

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The Battle

Cole Baker

‏‏‎ ‎Will Curtis, CCIM, CPM

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Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Cole Baker's LinkedIn Performance

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