TME 35 | Scaling Through the Downturn and Raising Capital When It’s Hard with Zach Haptonstall

Seth Bradley sits down with Zach Haptonstall, CEO of Rise48 Equity, to break down what it really takes to scale through a down market. Zach shares how disciplined operations, relentless underwriting, and transparent investor communication have allowed Rise48 to acquire over $2 billion in multifamily assets while many operators stalled or failed. The conversation dives deep into buying distressed opportunities, adapting value add strategies, raising capital in a skeptical environment, and why fund of funds structures have become a powerful and compliant path for scaling equity in today’s market.

 

Bullet Points and Highlights:

• Staying consistent with fundamentals matters more than timing the market.
• Buying during downturns requires discipline, patience, and strong operations.
• Most deals fail underwriting before they ever reach the finish line.
• Cash flowing deals still exist but require extreme selectivity.
• Adapting renovation scope can preserve returns when rent growth slows.
• Investor trust is built through proactive and transparent communication.
• Capital calls are better received when operators fight first and explain clearly.
• Fund of funds structures allow compliant scaling of investor networks.
• Removing friction for capital partners accelerates equity growth.
• Vertical integration creates resilience in volatile market cycles.

Seth Bradley’s Links:

https://x.com/sethbradleyesq
https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleysq
www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq
https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq
https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/
https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/
https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq
https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq
https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en

 

Zach Haptonstall's Link:

https://rise48equity.com/team/zach-haptonstall/
https://www.instagram.com/zachhaptonstall/
https://rise48communities.com/zach-haptonstall/
https://www.facebook.com/rise48equity/photos/were-proud-to-share-that-zach-haptonstall-ceo-co-founder-of-rise48-equity-has-be/1641940783746031/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOz3mQSmq5zuinbXxOAwmKHQKhThTquYn