Are you looking for ways to generate passive income in real estate? One avenue for generating passive income is through commercial real estate. Investing in commercial properties allows your money to work for you without doing the hard work. Unlike other asset classes, commercial properties often entail longer lease terms, and tenants are responsible for many operating expenses. This translates to a steady stream of passive income while still having the potential for property appreciation. However, the commercial real estate market is not without its challenges. Market returns can be influenced by economic fluctuations, vacancy rates, and regional trends, making it essential for you, an investor, to conduct thorough research and due diligence.
In the conversation, Tim explains that the reason many investors want to be passive is because they don’t want another job. Creating a passive income stream is about knowing the right questions to ask an operator and being in the right deals and market. To achieve this goal, Tim leverages commercial real estate. He invests in three asset classes: multifamily, self-storage, and industrial triple net lease assets, all of which are scalable. According to him, if you are a passive investor, you must do your due diligence, vet sponsors, vet track records, and work with experienced folks to ensure the deals you are involved in are well-capitalized.
Tim started his investment journey with self-education after realizing that trading time for money in two jobs was not conducive to creating the lifestyle he wanted. His drive to get into real estate was inspired by equity and cash flow. Tim’s first investment was a 3-family rental property. He wanted to be a landlord but soon realized he got a third job and wanted a passive income. Tim continued with self-education and pivoted to investing in commercial real estate, where he was able to not only invest in bigger and better properties but also didn’t have to do the “hard work” he did as a landlord.
That is part of what Tim shares with Fuquan today. Passive income is the key to financial freedom, and commercial real estate can be a powerful vehicle to achieve that goal. Tim’s journey exemplifies the transition many investors make from being actively involved in real estate to becoming truly passive investors.
Tune in for an in-depth exploration of Tim’s strategies and insights in capital raising, brokerage deals, and generating passive income through commercial real estate.
Highlights from the interview
- Tim’s career backstory and how he got started in real estate
- Why Tim is passionate about real estate investing
- Tim’s brokerage deal and capital raising services and how they work
- Tim’s vetting process for the sponsors and how they manage the deals
- The asset classes that Tim plays a role in funding
- Tim’s single-asset deals and funds investing model
- Market returns and challenges in the syndication world
About Timothy Lyons
Tim Lyons is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Cityside Capital along with his brother Greg. He is a Registered Representative of Phase One Financial Services, LLC, a broker-dealer based in New York City (member FINRA/SIPC). Tim holds the Series 82 and 63 licenses and is focused on raising capital for multifamily, self-storage and industrial assets that provide great risk-adjusted returns, tax advantages, passive income, and equity upside.
Tim is also an 18 year veteran of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and currently serves as a lieutenant in the borough of Queens. He also worked part-time as an emergency room RN at a level 1 trauma center before starting his real estate investing journey. He brings years of real world management and leadership experience to his real estate investment career.
Tim’s initial goal with real estate was to create passive income and in turn, be able to spend more time with his wife and three little girls. After partnering on a multifamily property he saw first-hand the power of real estate investing as an opportunity to create passive income and build wealth for his family.
He started Cityside Capital with the goal of not only growing his own portfolio but also to help others realize the power that real estate investing can have on creating passive income and building wealth.
Cityside Capital has partnered in over $1.4 billion of commercial real estate assets including more than 6,000 multifamily units. Tim has also invested as a limited partner in several multifamily, self storage, industrial and land opportunities across the United States.
Tim attributes his early success in real estate investing to education, investing in coaches and mentors, and surrounding himself with other like minded people.
In April 2021, Tim became an Amazon #1 bestselling author in a book he co-authored with other authorities such as The Real Estate Radio Guys’ Robert Helms, Jim Rohn’s 18 year business partner and master marketer, Kyle Wilson and many more, called “Bringing Value, Solving Problems and Leaving a Legacy”.
Tim is co-host of The Passive Income Brothers Podcast alongside his brother, and business partner, Greg Lyons. The Passive Income Brothers Podcast highlights the investor journey in creating multiple streams of passive income. Since launching the podcast in December of 2022, The Passive Income Brothers podcast has become a top rated show that has garnered over 130+ 5-star ratings and nearly 40,000 downloads in the first year.
Tim lives with his lovely wife, Kristina, and their 3 amazing little girls. When he is not coaching their sports teams, watching dance recitals or horseback riding competitions, Tim and his girls can be found rooting on the Providence College Friars basketball team.
To learn more about Timothy, you can stay connected with him on his podcast.