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The Dealmakers Edge with A.Y. StraussAuthor: A.Y. Strauss
The Dealmakers Edge with A.Y. Strauss dives deep into the world of commercial real estate, bringing you exclusive stories, insights, and strategies from the industrys top investors, developers, and dealmakers. Hosted by Aaron Strauss, founder and managing partner of A.Y. Strauss, a leading real estate law firm, this podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at what drives success in commercial real estate. From uncovering the unique edge of industry leaders to exploring the challenges and triumphs theyve faced, this podcast is a must-listen for commercial real estate investors, developers, brokers, and professionals looking to sharpen their skills and stay ahead in the competitive market.Whether youre navigating real estate law, structuring deals, or scaling your portfolio, The Dealmakers Edge delivers actionable insights and inspiring stories to help you take your career to the next level. Tune in to gain valuable knowledge and discover what it takes to thrive in commercial real estate today. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Investing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Contrarian Investing and Building for the Long Term with James Ryan
Episode 73
Thursday, 8 January, 2026
James Ryan founded RYCO Capital in 2018 and has led the firm since its inception. Since establishing the company, James has personally overseen all aspects of its growth and operations. His team has grown and expanded, and he has been a contrarian to great success, acquiring multifamily properties across New York City.Prior to founding RYCO Capital, James held leadership and finance roles across real estate development and early-stage technology firms. He earned his BA in Political Science from Yale University.Insights from James Ryan on Contrarian Investing in New York City MultifamilyWhen New York passed the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act in 2019, capital fled the multifamily market overnight. When COVID hit in early 2020, the exodus accelerated. James Ryan saw something different: supply constraints in the tightest housing market in the country, with assets trading at prices that still cash-flowed even if rents stayed flat.RYCO Capital's family office structure gave James an advantage most syndicators don't have - he could say no to deals that didn't make sense and wait for the right opportunities. Between 2020 and 2024, while others stayed on the sidelines, he bought across Brooklyn and Manhattan, raised capital by showing protected downside scenarios, and built a team capable of executing complex, multi-year value-add projects.In this episode of The Dealmakers' Edge, Aaron and James discuss contrarian investing, raising capital without fee pressure, building quality assets that can hold through market cycles, and managing the grind of daily operations while staying focused on long-term goals.1:40 - Growing up in Rochester and starting in Brooklyn real estate after Yale3:31 - Family office background in Rochester and buying out father’s partner after a tragic loss5:33 - Looking at secondary markets in 2019 and finding everything overpriced6:10 - How the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act changed the NYC market overnight7:35 - Closing on four Brooklyn properties in January 2020 and what happened next8:48 - The thesis: supply constraints and New York City isn't dead11:21 - Raising capital and focusing on deals the team believes in12:28 - Underwriting for downside protection and returning principal to investors15:38 - Why having institutional backing prevents deal-making adrenaline18:41 - Building a vertically integrated team that executes at a high level23:22 - Managing adversity, the daily grind, and staying focused on long-term vision26:08 - Work-life balance, family time, and avoiding hustle cultureMentioned In Contrarian Investing and Building for the Long Term with James RyanRYCO Capital | LinkedInJames Ryan on LinkedInEnjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at podcast@aystrauss.com to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode. Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team: Our website (www.AYStrauss.com) Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page) Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn) Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)
