Episode Summary:
In this episode of Real Investor Radio, Craig Fuhr and Jack BeVier welcome Bruce McNeilage, a seasoned real estate investor with over 35 years of experience. The conversation delves into the current economic landscape, the evolution of build-to-rent housing, and the challenges investors face in today’s market. Bruce shares insights on interest rates, tenant selection, and the impact of legislation on the rental market. The discussion also touches on the role of community banks, the effects of NIMBYism, and the future outlook for real estate investments. Bruce emphasizes the importance of networking and relationships in securing financing and deals, and he provides valuable advice for investors navigating the complexities of the real estate market.
Overview of Episode 91
Bruce McNeilage didn’t set out to be a real estate mogul. In fact, he started in music and drifted into accounting. Then, one house changed everything. He bought it in 2005, rented it out, and realized someone else could pay down his debt.
That first rental lit a fire, and over time, build-to-rent became the strategy he couldn’t walk away from.
Why Build-to-Rent Still Wins
Bruce isn’t flipping homes or timing markets. Instead, he builds entire neighborhoods designed to rent. They lease fast, stay full, and deliver steady returns. As a matter of fact, many of his renters become multi-year tenants without ever asking for upgrades.
For Bruce, the build-to-rent model is all about control. It’s long-term, it’s boring, and that’s the point. No sooner do rates rise or trends shift than rental demand jumps. That’s not theory – it’s been his reality.
How He Scaled Without Losing His Edge
Bruce now develops hundreds of homes across the Southeast, selling some to funds and keeping others for his own portfolio. He leans on experience, not spreadsheets, walks properties, and trusts his gut.
After all, if the numbers look good but the roof’s caving in, that deal won’t age well. And unlike some institutional players, Bruce didn’t sit out the past two years. He kept building, because build-to-rent isn’t a trend for him, it’s the core of his business.
What He Tells New Investors
Start close to home. Buy what you understand. And don’t wait for a perfect moment – it doesn’t exist. Build-to-rent works whether you own one house or one hundred. The sooner you get in, the sooner tenants start paying down your future.
The Bigger Picture: Build-to-Rent
Bruce isn’t just stacking properties; he’s building something that lasts. Not only does the build-to-rent model create cash flow, but it also creates pride.
Renters feel at home. Investors build equity. And neighborhoods stabilize. All in all, Bruce’s story is proof that slow and steady still wins, especially when the house was built to hold.
