How Lee Yoder Went from Practicing Physical Therapy to Scaling a $75M Real Estate Portfolio in the Midwest

Episode Summary

In this episode of Groundbreakers, Lee Yoder, founder of Threefold Real Estate Investing, shares how he left his career as a physical therapist to build a real estate portfolio that now manages over $75 million in assets. Lee walks through the early steps of learning syndications, scaling his team, and how focusing on core markets in the Midwest helped him grow efficiently while keeping operations tight.

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Key Points Discussed

• Leaving a Stable Career: Lee opens up about his decision to step away from physical therapy—first into a sales job, and then full-time into real estate—to create a business with more freedom and impact.
• Starting Small, Scaling Fast: Lee explains how he went from flipping single-family homes to leading multifamily syndications and raising capital for deals across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
• Building the Right Team: He breaks down his strategy for hiring—why his first hires weren’t from real estate, and how clear expectations and ownership helped them thrive.
• Lessons from $75M AUM: Lee shares the operational lessons he’s learned from managing 600+ units, including deal sourcing, how he evaluates markets, and his thoughts on investor communication.

Guest Information

• Name: Lee Yoder
• Role: Founder & CEO of Threefold Real Estate Investing
• LinkedIn: Lee Yoder
• Website: Threefold Real Estate Investing

Conclusion

Lee’s story is a blueprint for operators looking to transition from W2 careers into multifamily. His methodical approach, strong Midwest focus, and dedication to team building have enabled him to grow quickly—while keeping values and investor trust front and center.