From Analysis Paralysis to Action: Ryan Dolliver on Scaling Multifamily in Overlooked Markets

Ryan Dolliver (00:00)
Yes, so I think one very important golden nugget is that you have to take action. I know that when I started this, I definitely didn’t know everything and I wasn’t 100 % sure about how to do everything, but you grow as you learn and as you take action and take on projects, you learn and you become…

a better investor and a yeah, absolutely.

Scott Bursey (02:04)
Welcome back to the Real Estate Pros Podcast powered by Investor Fuel. I’m your host Scott Bursey. And today we’re bringing in some serious high octane fuel for your investment tank. Our guest Ryan Dolliver of Dolliver Elite Investment is a master of scaling and sophisticated deal structures. Ryan is bringing the elite fuel needed to transition from being an investor to a true market leader. We’re diving deep into the strategies that separate the amateurs from the pros.

Ryan, welcome to the show.

Ryan Dolliver (02:35)
Thanks for having me, Scott.

Scott Bursey (02:36)
It is just outstanding having you here. And for our listeners who may not be familiar with your journey, please tell us, how did your career begin and what is your main focus now?

Ryan Dolliver (02:49)
Okay, so I guess my real estate investing career began with ⁓ joining a real estate investing group ⁓ called Wealth Genius. I got introduced ⁓ into, I guess, the magic of real estate, you could say, ⁓ pretty early on from that group. And then shortly after I joined, I started on my first deal, ⁓ multi-family property ⁓ in Saskatchewan.

And I really just got dove in head first and got my hands dirty to start really improving these communities and providing the residents of these communities a nice place to live.

Scott Bursey (03:34)
Absolutely. And from speaking with you earlier, I can just sense your passion. So this is going to be a great conversation, Ryan, ⁓ looking forward to it. So let’s dive right in. Let’s start off by asking this question that all of our listeners would like to hear from you. What is the single biggest operational strength that allows Dolliver Elite Investments to consistently secure off-market deals, do you think?

Ryan Dolliver (04:03)
So ⁓ one of my greatest operational strengths I think would be ⁓ the pride I take in the customer service. We have a very diligent maintenance request procedure. ⁓ There are…

Everybody’s given an email address and phone numbers they can call. There are on-site handymen ⁓ available to help out as required. ⁓ We have contacts in every location that we operate for plumbers and electricians ⁓ to help out with all those things. I really think that ⁓ sets us apart and helps us ⁓ improve these buildings and ⁓

give back to our tenants the service they deserve.

Scott Bursey (05:37)
absolutely, absolutely and I can tell your focus is very high on the customer service. What markets are you tackling right now Ryan?

Ryan Dolliver (05:46)
So I’m tackling Alberta and Saskatchewan. I think those markets are definitely growing markets. ⁓ I usually go for ⁓ small towns because I’m able to find some great opportunities in these small towns and really…

really improve and make a difference in the community and I think a lot of people appreciate that and a lot of these places get overlooked and so but there’s definitely some hidden gems there.

Scott Bursey (06:18)
And Ryan, what do you feel are some of the biggest opportunities in those markets right now?

Ryan Dolliver (06:23)
So I definitely think, like I mentioned, a lot of people overlook these communities, but I think there’s a lot of people that are…

interested to live in these places in Alberta and Saskatchewan. ⁓ From eastern Canada, I know I can speak ⁓ personally for myself. I moved from Nova Scotia, ⁓ eastern Canada about ⁓ five years ago ⁓ to Alberta, ⁓ to one of these small towns specifically for the job market and for the affordability. ⁓

There’s the affordability, like there’s affordable rents in a lot of these places and ⁓ good jobs that are available. And I just wasn’t able to do that as well in Eastern Canada. And I think a lot of other people are going to continue to follow me and notice that and continue to come out to Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Scott Bursey (07:17)
that is some extremely wise strategy. And speaking of strategy, what is your, your short-term outlook and strategy that you’re thinking of employing for the next 12 to 18 months and some long-term strategy, Ryan?

Ryan Dolliver (07:31)
Yes, so I can definitely see within the next 18 months, I’ll be continuing to do some value-add projects in some of these small towns. I definitely enjoy that and it makes a huge impact in the community. ⁓ So I can definitely see that in the near future.

And then maybe five years out, would like to ⁓ expand and grow my business to do land development and new build properties for some of these places as well.

Scott Bursey (08:03)
That is outstanding. That really is. it seems like, well, let me ask you this. How long has the operation been in existence?

Ryan Dolliver (08:15)
Yes, so we’ve been in existence for ⁓ three years now. ⁓ We started our first multifamily property in Saskatchewan three years ago. Actually this month, three years, so that’s very exciting. And this property was a perfect example of a diamond in the rough. I think it was really ⁓ kind of passed off for…

overlooked by a lot of people, investors and even local residents of the town included. But the property had great potential. The bones were fantastic. It really needed some TLC, some love and the right team. Like I had to build the team there as well. And they, as we came together, the property has become

is went from some of the maybe more lower quality units in the town to some of the more premium units in the town, just with the upgrades we’ve done. And you definitely see that in the community. And ⁓ some of the tenants that they do walk-throughs and stuff, they’re happy and excited to have a place in their town that is ⁓ higher quality, but yet still affordable rents. It’s amazing.

Scott Bursey (10:14)
Absolutely and I’m so excited for your future in these markets. I’m so excited. ⁓ It’s going to be very fun to follow your journey. And let me ask you this Ryan, any challenges you’re watching closely, like perhaps market risks or access to capital, that sort of thing?

Ryan Dolliver (10:33)
Yes, yes. So, for me personally, I’ve definitely struggled with raising capital in particular. I think that’s definitely been one of my weak points. I can definitely be a little shy.

project confidence or articulate the value you’ve created in these properties.

You have to be confident. You have to be confident and you have to shine that through, I think, to other people. ⁓ you have to be not afraid to tell your story to other people. ⁓ And that’s how the capital is raised for the next project. so I’ve definitely struggled with that a ⁓ lot for sure. But I’m learning and getting better and happy to have this opportunity with you to

tell some of my stories.

Scott Bursey (11:27)
it is just wonderful having you here. And we talked a little bit earlier about your view on mastermind groups, peer groups, that sort of thing. Could you give your perspective on the groups that you’re involved in?

Ryan Dolliver (11:41)
Yes, so I’ve been involved with Wealthgenius, which is an amazing group. They’re a real estate investing group and also like an educational platform. I joined their group before I bought my first property and learned a whole bunch about the industry and the business and met some amazing people like some of the leaders of this group and

are just fantastic. Like they’ve shared so much wisdom with me that I’ve been able to change the course of my life and even my family’s life. it’s a one of a kind experience when you get to meet and mastermind with some truly incredible individuals.

Scott Bursey (12:25)
Those relationships are so vital. And it sounds to me like you value those relationships.

Ryan Dolliver (12:32)
Absolutely, absolutely. Those relationships have been part of the reason I’ve been able to build and grow my business as fast as I have and they’ve been critical. some of the people I’ve met there, I talk to them as much if not more than I talk to my family. They’re just, they’re truly my second family.

Scott Bursey (13:00)
Yes, yes and that’s wonderful that you have that support network as you’re growing your business. Ryan, what sort of advice or golden nuggets perhaps would you like to leave with our listeners here today?

Ryan Dolliver (13:15)
Yes, so I think one very important golden nugget is that you have to take action. I know that when I started this, I definitely didn’t know everything and I wasn’t 100 % sure about how to do everything, but you grow as you learn and as you take action and take on projects, you learn and you become…

a better investor and a yeah, absolutely.

You learn how to operate the business better. I know there’s a lot of people I’ve met in this industry that are stuck in analysis paralysis and their fear prevents them from taking action and they don’t and they never grow as fast as they could if they had just taken that leap of faith or that first step.

Scott Bursey (14:49)
Well, Ryan, you have some excellent systems in place and it is going to be incredibly exciting to follow your journey. This has been a great conversation, an excellent conversation. And for those of our listeners who want to follow your journey or collaborate with you, Ryan, what is the best way that they could reach out to you?

Ryan Dolliver (15:07)
they can definitely find me on Facebook under Ryan Dolliver for sure, or on Instagram. Ryan’s Real Estate and Investments is my Instagram handle. And I would say those are likely the best ways to reach out. ⁓ And I’m always looking to network and mastermind with other investors and ⁓ business operators.

Scott Bursey (15:28)
Ryan, thank you so much for being on the show here today.

Ryan Dolliver (15:32)
Thank you so much for having me, Scott. This has been excellent. I’m very, very happy I had the opportunity to be here.

Scott Bursey (15:39)
And for our listeners, appreciate each and every one of you. If you got value from today’s episode, please subscribe. We’ve got a lineup of exceptional guests, just like Ryan, who are making huge moves in the market.

Until next time, keep your standards high and your vision clear. We’ll see you on the next episode, everyone.