The right multifamily real estate brokers can completely transform your investment journey. Multifamily properties attract investors primarily due to their occupancy diversification. These properties are significantly more expensive than single-family homes. This higher barrier to entry makes your connection with experienced multifamily real estate companies a vital part of investment success.
National occupancy rates stand at a healthy 94.5%. The multifamily market remains resilient despite the sales volume of top firms declining compared to previous years.
Below, we outline proven strategies for finding and connecting with top multifamily brokers. They can help you locate ideal properties more quickly and save money during negotiations. We’ve got you covered with practical approaches that work – from free search methods to industry network connections.
Start With Free Search Methods
You should start your search for multifamily real estate brokers using these free methods before investing in paid tools. Public records give you valuable information to identify property owners, analyze potential investments, and make informed decisions without spending a penny.
Use public property records to identify owners
The first step to find multifamily property owners is through public records. These documents provide you with essential ownership details at no cost. They work best if you already have some knowledge about the property or the owner you want to reach.
The most valuable public documents to identify multifamily property owners include:
- Deeds: Legal documents that transfer ownership rights and contain both the seller’s name (Grantor) and the buyer’s name (Grantee)
- Property assessment cards: Official records showing current ownership information
- Business entity filings: Documents that show the individuals behind LLCs and other business entities
The quickest way to utilize these records is to gather as much information as possible about the property. This includes its exact address and parcel number. This identification number has different names based on location – Accessor’s Identification Number (AIN), Accessor’s Property Number (APN), or other regional variations.
Check the local tax assessor and deed registries
Every property owner must pay taxes, which makes tax assessor records a valuable starting point. Most counties now have searchable online databases that show ownership information with just a property address. The Nationwide Environmental Title Research website helps you find out if your target county offers online property searches.
Tax assessor records usually show:
- The property owner’s name and contact details
- Recent property appraisal information
- Square footage and property features
- Property tax payment status
The county recorder’s office (sometimes called the registrar of deeds) lets you search for property deeds. These documents provide information on how the current owner acquired the property and any existing liens.
Properties held by LLCs or other business entities require further investigation. Once you find the company name from the assessor’s records, check your state’s business entity database to find the actual people behind the company. Let’s say the records show “555 Main LLC” as the owner; you’d need to search business filings to find the real people involved.
Explore building permit databases for recent developments
Building permit databases are another valuable free resource for finding recently developed multifamily properties. The Building Permits Survey (BPS) provides statistics on new privately owned residential construction. You can obtain data on a monthly, annual, or by-location basis – from national to county levels.
This method works well if you are looking for specific types of multifamily properties. Say you’re looking for new buildings with at least 50 units – building department records show recently issued permits that match your needs. These records typically include the property owner’s information, allowing you to reach out directly.
Building permit data also shows:
- Properties undergoing major renovations
- New developments just starting
- Areas with rapid growth
- Investment opportunities before they hit the market
Look for properties with permits nearing completion, as owners may be interested in selling or require management services.
Use Paid Tools to Speed Up the Process
Paid tools can speed up your search for multifamily properties and help you connect with top brokers. These platforms provide quick access to data that would otherwise take weeks to gather manually, even though free search methods are also effective.
Search multifamily brokers using Reonomy
Reonomy is a terrific AI-powered platform that helps you get property owner information, records, and company data to close commercial real estate deals. The platform provides access to over 54 million commercial assets nationwide, making it an exceptional tool for finding multifamily properties and their owners.
The real value of Reonomy lies in its ability to “pierce LLCs” and get contact details of actual property owners. Most multifamily properties are owned by limited liability companies, which makes it challenging to identify the real decision-makers. Reonomy addresses this by revealing the individuals behind these corporate entities.
You can filter your multifamily property search on Reonomy by several categories:
- Duplexes
- Triplexes
- Mobile home parks
- Nursing homes
- Dormitories
- Fraternity/sorority houses
The platform enables you to refine searches by building features, including construction year, renovation date, lot size, zoning, total units, and building area. This detailed approach helps you spot properties that match exactly what you want.
Use ProspectNow for predictive analytics
ProspectNow brings something special to property searching with its predictive analytics. The platform looks at thousands of properties sold each week to create profiles of their features, then applies these profiles to unsold properties. This helps identify properties that are more likely to hit the market within the next 12 months.
Properties tagged by ProspectNow as likely sellers can double your potential listings. This means less time spent on cold calls and more time with promising leads.
ProspectNow’s database packs quite a punch:
- Data on 155 million properties, including 42 million commercial and multifamily properties
- Accurate property owner contact details
- Fresh data updates every 30 days
The platform also spots properties likely to refinance in the coming year. This helps mortgage brokers and investors find properties before they are listed for sale.
Filter by asset type, location, and ownership structure
Reonomy and ProspectNow both offer smart filtering options that save time during your search. These filters make finding multifamily real estate brokers or properties much easier.
Asset type filters enable you to narrow down your search to multifamily properties. You can get specific with subcategories, such as apartment buildings with five or more units or mobile home parks. This means you’ll only see what matters to you.
Location filters work at different levels:
- State
- Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
- City
- County
- Zip code
- Neighborhood
- Street name
Ownership structure filters show how properties are owned. You can see an owner’s full portfolio, including:
- Number of properties owned
- Types of assets in their portfolio
- Total asset value
- Current debt and lender relationships
This complete picture helps you spot promising multifamily real estate brokers and owners based on their current holdings and likely selling plans.
Find Local Multifamily Real Estate Brokers Through Networking
Networking stands out as a powerful yet underused way to connect with seasoned multifamily real estate brokers. Personal relationships often lead to amazing deals you won’t find on listing services. Mark Choey, a successful investor and founder and CEO of Highnote, shared this insight: “I once closed a $1.20 million deal simply because I stayed in touch with a local builder I met at a networking event”.
Contact local chambers of commerce
Chambers of commerce excel at bringing together multifamily specialists in your target market. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce hosts numerous events throughout the year, offering many networking opportunities. These events range from large-scale gatherings, such as annual meetings and legislative receptions, to more intimate, targeted formats like workshops, seminars, and networking sessions. These business groups design their programs to help real estate professionals meet potential clients and partners.
Local chambers run specialized real estate networking groups where multifamily property brokers gather regularly. Chamber Business Networking Groups (CBNs) attract many real estate professionals.
These organizations promote business growth and offer the tools needed to succeed in local markets. Their work helps businesses thrive and communities grow throughout their regions.
Attend real estate investor meetups
Investor meetups create the perfect setting to connect directly with multifamily specialists. The Multifamily Investing Meetup welcomes “apartment investors, real estate professionals, property managers, entrepreneurs, lenders, and everyone pursuing financial freedom”. These groups build communities focused on commercial multifamily real estate.
Industry experts share valuable insights about multifamily investing at these events, while experienced investors discuss their successes and lessons learned.
Dedicated multifamily investment groups exist in many cities. The Ohio Unstoppable Multifamily and Storage Investing group facilitates networking among multifamily investors. These meetings create spaces where connections are created and deals are made..
Use BiggerPockets and LinkedIn to connect with agents
Online platforms make it easy to find and connect with multifamily specialists. BiggerPockets offers forums specifically for multifamily investors seeking connections.
LinkedIn has evolved into a valuable networking tool for real estate professionals. Professionals report great success through this platform.
Look for agents who see real estate investing through a business lens when connecting online. The right broker understands multifamily real estate investing and is thoroughly familiar with the market. They should quickly answer questions about rental potential and stabilized value.
Evaluate Multifamily Real Estate Brokers Before You Commit
Choosing the right multifamily broker takes more than just finding potential candidates. You need to get a full picture of their qualifications and track record before starting to work together.
Check for multifamily specialization
Many investors make a mistake by working with residential brokers who lack expertise in multifamily properties. Look for professionals who specialize in multifamily properties, rather than those handling multiple property types.
To evaluate their specialization, ask about:
- How much of their business involves multifamily deals
- Their grasp of key multifamily metrics (cap rates, GRM, ROI)
- Their knowledge of your target neighborhoods
Brokers who understand the economics of your desired deal will add more value. They should talk about your criteria for cost, cap rate, return, vacancy rates, and risks without missing a beat.
Ask about recent deals and client references
Success in the past often shows what you can expect. Request details about recently closed deals that align with your requirements. The best multifamily brokers keep detailed records of their transactions and share them openly. Openness about transaction volume builds trust.
You should also get references from:
- Sellers who worked with the broker
- Lenders who financed the broker’s deals
- Other real estate professionals they work with
These references are a great way to get insights into the broker’s negotiation style, responsiveness, and results.
Review certifications like CCIM or SIOR
Professional certifications show a broker’s dedication to excellence. The Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation stands for “commercial real estate’s global standard for professional achievement, earned through an extensive curriculum of 200 classroom hours and professional experiential requirements.”
The SIOR designation “is held by only the most knowledgeable, experienced, and successful commercial real estate brokerage specialists.” SIOR professionals adhere to strict ethical guidelines that prioritize client interests.
These designations mean brokers have:
- Showed advanced expertise through intense training
- Built networks with other top professionals
- Keep learning and growing in their field
- Follow ethical standards above what’s required
Research shows that “CCIM Designees significantly outperform non-Designated professionals across key metrics, including compensation.” This suggests that they deliver better results for their clients as well.
Use Off-Market Insights to Your Advantage
You can get a real edge in the multifamily market by finding properties before they hit the market. Savvy investors who find off-market opportunities often secure better deals and avoid bidding wars. Here’s how you can make use of powerful data tools and research methods to find these hidden gems.
Use ESRI and PolicyMap for neighborhood data
You can spot emerging opportunities before other investors by learning about neighborhood patterns. ESRI’s Maps for Public Policy platform provides curated content to support evidence-based decision-making. This resource provides training, best practices, and datasets to establish a solid foundation for your property analysis.
PolicyMap takes it a step further by combining over 75,000 research-ready indicators from hundreds of trusted sources. Their cloud-based mapping platform lets you:
- Combine multiple data sources naturally
- Get neighborhood-level information
- Create shareable reports and visualizations
- Build custom dashboards that track target areas
These tools reveal valuable patterns that many multifamily real estate brokers overlook when they rely solely on standard market reports.
Identify distressed or pre-foreclosure properties
Distressed properties often offer exceptional value. Services like ForeclosureRadar (now PropertyRadar) have helped professionals close over $40 billion in deals by providing detailed foreclosure data. Their platform gives you:
- Daily updates on new judicial and non-judicial preforeclosure notices
- Details about properties with equity where owners might need help
- Alerts when banks take back properties, often weeks before deeds are recorded
Public records searches for foreclosure notices, tax delinquencies, or property liens can also reveal motivated sellers. Distressed owners often sell off-market because they want to avoid public listings.
Look for recent buyers or sellers in your target area
Recent deals often point to future opportunities. Many recent buyers get multiple properties in the same area, while recent sellers might have other holdings they haven’t listed yet. Your relationships with these active market participants can open doors to their future deals.
Think about joining off-market property databases that combine information about unlisted properties. These services complement your networking efforts and help you identify potential opportunities based on ownership history, property age, and market trends.
Leverage Top Multifamily Brokerage Firms
The multifamily investment world has its challenges, but holds massive potential. Our proven strategies will help you find multifamily brokers who understand your goals and can direct complex transactions.
The right multifamily real estate broker can turn your challenging investment into a rewarding one. You’ve learned several ways to connect with professionals who will boost your property acquisition strategy.
As discussed, free search methods work well for multifamily real estate investors with limited resources. Public records, tax assessor databases, and building permit information give valuable insights at no cost. Paid tools like Reonomy and ProspectNow speed up your search with specialized filtering and predictive analytics.
Personal networking packs more power than most realize. Local chambers of commerce, real estate investor meetups, and BiggerPockets create perfect opportunities to meet brokers. These relationships often open doors to exceptional off-market deals.
However, multifamily brokerage firms bring big advantages. The Robert Weiler Company’s local reach, expertise, specialization in multifamily real estate, 87 years in the industry, professional certifications, and comprehensive suite of CRE services offer unique benefits tailored to your investment goals. Our connections often lead to exclusive deals that our clients won’t find anywhere else.
Bring your multifamily investment plans to life. Reach out today for a free consultation: 614-221-4286. Our experienced multifamily real estate brokers will help you tap into the full potential of the market with confidence and guide you through finding and buying a multifamily property.