Yuval Shram, founder and CEO of TAY Investments, recently appeared on the Mr. Deed Podcast to share insights from over 15 years of building a multifamily real estate portfolio. Starting with small properties after the 2008 financial crisis, Shram has grown TAY Investments into a private equity firm with over 1,550 residential units and a market value exceeding $475 million across North America and Europe.
Shram emphasized a patient, incremental approach, advising investors to stop trying to time the market. 'Sometimes the waves are high, sometimes the waves are low. You just got to be in the water. If you’re in the water long enough, you’ll catch the right wave,' he said. His philosophy centers on acquiring properties in desirable locations with affordable units and long-term profitability, avoiding overcomplication.
Central to TAY's strategy is what Shram calls the 'forever hold' mentality. Unlike firms that flip properties every five to seven years, Shram evaluates acquisitions through a multigenerational lens, asking whether he would be comfortable leaving the building to his children. This approach drives investment in quality materials and proactive maintenance, avoiding short-term cost-cutting that erodes value. 'When you’re building for yourself, every corner you cut is going to bite you eventually,' Shram noted.
A standout feature of TAY's recent work is the 'Sanctuary' amenity concept, premiered at Hue Soul, the company's 116-unit development in East Orange, New Jersey. Inspired by a hotel experience in Thailand, Shram designed a ground-floor wellness hub with a gym, dry and wet sauna, cold plunge, and outdoor pool. The goal is to give tenants everything needed for physical and mental health without leaving the building, believing that healthy, happy tenants become long-term residents, reducing turnover and strengthening community. 'You wake up, you take care of yourself, you go to work as a better version of yourself. Everybody wins,' he said.
Shram's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to walk their own path, resist copying competitors, and trust in consistency. His vision underscores the importance of building for generations, not just immediate returns, as the rental housing market evolves toward wellness-driven development.
