Maxx Feldman: How a Chemical Engineer Built a Multifamily Portfolio in LA

What does it take to go from chemical engineering to owning 30+ multifamily properties in Los Angeles? In this episode, Maxx Feldman shares how he made an unconventional leap into real estate—and what it takes to survive and grow in today’s challenging market.

Maxx Feldman didn’t start in real estate. With a background in chemical engineering and early ambitions in professional baseball, his path shifted when he was introduced to real estate syndication through close connections. What began as a 60-day trial turned into an 8-year journey building a portfolio of over 30 buildings and 400+ units across Los Angeles.

In this conversation with Bruce Bean, Maxx walks through the realities of scaling a multifamily portfolio during both boom times and market downturns. He shares how his team aggressively acquired deals between 2018 and 2022, then shifted focus to operations as interest rates rose and market conditions tightened.

A major theme of the episode is adaptability. Maxx explains how today’s environment requires operators to prioritize cash flow, manage rising costs like insurance and maintenance, and maintain investor distributions. He also dives into their value-add strategy—renovating older properties, upgrading systems, and adding ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) to increase revenue and long-term value.

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