Chris Borden, Rise Capital Investments
The #1 Mistake Investors Make in CRE
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Guest: Chris Borden, Rise Capital Investments
My guest this week, Chris Borden, thought he was heading for a quiet retirement after stepping down as CEO of a multi-billion-dollar grocery chain. Instead, he found himself on a fast track to becoming a real estate investor and capital allocator.
What started as a few rental properties evolved into capital deployment, including a $5M+ debt fund and co-GP positions across thousands of multifamily units. Through Rise Capital Investments, he’s working with investors to generate steady returns while navigating the complexities of debt and equity investments.
Building a Debt-Focused Investment Model
Chris structured his fund to prioritize debt, specifically first-lien lending. His looks to provide a steady income stream for investors with reduced volatility. By carefully selecting borrowers and structuring loans with conservative loan-to-value ratios, he’s built a resilient portfolio that has successfully been generating consistent returns.
The Art of Capital Allocation
Chris has also established partnerships with sponsors he has co-GP’d with on multifamily and commercial real estate opportunities, leveraging his investment club model that allows investors to pool capital and participate in opportunities he sources.
Lessons from a Shifting Market
The past year has been a test for many investors, and Chris’s experience is no exception. With several equity deals pausing distributions due to rising interest rates, he’s seen firsthand the importance of working with strong sponsors, maintaining liquidity, and ensuring portfolio diversification. His biggest takeaway? Relationships matter more than ever - especially when times get tough.
Mastering the Investor Game
So where does Chris find investors? Forget paid advertising on social media, Chris’s most successful networking for investors come from LinkedIn, local real estate meetups, and other in-person groups.
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Chris’s journey is a masterclass in adapting to market conditions, mitigating risk, and making real estate work on your own terms. If you want to learn how to navigate debt, equity, and capital allocation like a pro, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
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