In this episode, Suzanne and I sit down with Richard Ross, CEO of Quinn Residences, a leader in the Build-to-Rent (BTR) space. Richard shares his journey from accountant to real estate executive, his lessons on picking the right property types and niches, and his approach to long-term scaling without chasing fads.

We dive into Quinn’s incredible growth to over 5,200 homes across 34 communities, how they’ve crafted a resident-first experience, and why patience, focus, and relationships are everything in today’s real estate market.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your portfolio, this conversation is packed with strategy, wisdom, and real-world advice.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Who is Richard Ross?

01:44 The mission of Quinn Residences

02:24 Providing a completely maintenance-free lifestyle

03:10 How Quinn Residences scaled to 5,200+ homes and 34 communities 04:06 The research behind market selection: jobs, retail, schools 05:38 What residents care about the most

06:24 Smart tech packages: cameras, leak detection, security features 08:25 How getting fired was a turning point in Richard’s life

09:22 Why you should never burn bridges in business

10:02 Why niche focus matters if you want to succeed

11:11 Long-term trends that drive lasting success in real estate 14:07 How Quinn Residences plans to scale from 5,200 to 10,000 homes 15:33 The value of patience to your success

16:35 Why sticking to one property type accelerates growth 17:53 Exploring other niches: ADUs, vacation rentals, senior living

19:14 Hometown Heroes program: offering rent discounts to first responders 20:09 The importance of resident feedback, reviews, and surveys

21:06 Amenities that matter: pet-friendly features and tech access 22:09 The power of networking in trade shows and industry events

Quotables

“We don’t follow fads. We follow long-term trends and fundamentals.”

“Relationships are everything. You never know where your next opportunity will come from.”

“In real estate and life, patience is the secret weapon most people never use.”

Links

Quinn Residences

https://live-quinn.com/

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/