Episode 47: Scaling From Zero to Almost 900 Units Starts With Taking the First Step

What happens when you trade a secure healthcare career for the uncertainty of real estate?

On this episode of the Forge In Fire Podcast, we’re joined by Lee Yoder, Founder & CEO of Threefold Real Estate Investing, whose journey from physical therapist to real estate syndicator shows the power of perseverance, partnerships, and methodical scaling.

Lee’s story began in 2017 with a single house flip while still working his W-2 job. That project revealed a crucial insight: flipping houses was just another job, not the passive income path he wanted. From there, he pivoted to rental properties — starting with a duplex and eventually building a 34-unit portfolio.

The turning point came at the end of 2020, when Lee sold all 34 units, quit his job, and went all-in on syndications. Starting 2021 with zero units, he scaled rapidly through capital raising and partnerships. Today, Threefold Real Estate Investing owns nearly 900 units worth about $70M across Ohio and Indiana, with a focus on value-add multifamily housing.

Lee also shares why he decided to vertically integrate property management, how his team tracks weekly metrics to stay on top of operations, and the mindset he calls the “compound effect” — momentum that builds slowly before accelerating into exponential growth.

Key insights from Lee:

• Why persistence is the most important trait of successful entrepreneurs.
• The role of strategic networking in gaining an “unfair advantage.”
• How to scale smartly without losing control of operations.

Lee’s journey is a reminder that ordinary professionals can achieve extraordinary results by sticking with it, surrounding themselves with the right people, and staying disciplined in their approach.

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