Investment Philosophy

Origin Investments was founded in 2007 by Co-CEOs David Scherer and Michael Episcope. The firm was created to provide an investment platform aligned with their high standards for performance, clarity of communication and investor alignment.

Origin Credit Advisers, founded in 2023 as an affiliate firm of Origin Investments, is an SEC-registered investment advisor¹ specializing in yield-focused multifamily debt investments for qualified purchasers. Origin Credit Advisers offers the Strategic Credit Fund, aiming to provide investors with a consistent stream of risk-adjusted income and capital protection by investing in credit securities and preferred equity, and by issuing private debt in the multifamily real estate market.

1. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the commission, nor does it indicate that the advisor has attained a particular level of skill or ability. 

Origin has $3.6B in assets under management (AUM)¹ and has executed over $4.3B in real estate transactions². Our multifamily portfolio includes over 4,300 units under management³ and 10,200 units under development³. Additionally, Co-CEOs Michael Episcope and David Scherer have personally invested tens of millions of dollars alongside fund investors since Origin’s inception in 2007, demonstrating strong alignment with investors.

1. References to “assets under management” or “AUM” represent the real estate investments managed by Origin Investments’ subsidiaries, including Origin Credit Advisers, an SEC-registered investment advisor, as to which Origin is entitled to receive a fee, preferred return, or carried interest. Origin’s calculation of AUM may differ from the calculations of other real estate asset managers and, as a result, Origin’s measurement of its AUM may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other asset managers. AUM as of 9/30/24.
2. As of 9/30/24.
3. As of 9/30/24. Units under management and units under development represent common equity and preferred equity positions. 

Origin’s co-CEOs have invested tens of millions of their personal capital across Origin’s funds, ensuring alignment with investor goals. Additionally, Origin earns incentive compensation if the funds perform better than the specified preferred return. The Origin team is incentivized in alignment with investors, reinforcing a shared commitment to achieving strong, risk-adjusted returns.

Origin specializes in private real estate investments and offerings, focusing on multifamily in high-growth markets. We leverage proprietary data-driven models to identify and underwrite investments. Our offerings include evergreen open-end funds, individual deals and tax-deferral and elimination strategies such as Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) funds and 1031/721 exchange solutions.

Origin Investments’ strategy is to invest in assets that offer strong risk-adjusted returns and appeal to a stable tenant base. We concentrate on acquiring and developing institutional-quality, Class A multifamily properties, typically comprising 200 to 400 units. These properties generally cater to renters by choice—individuals who prefer the flexibility and amenities of renting high-quality apartments in desirable locations.

We target high-growth markets in the Southeast and Southwest U.S., identified using machine learning and factors like employment growth, population trends and supply-demand fundamentals.

Investments typically range in property value from $25 million to $75 million, though larger or smaller deals may be considered.

We perform rigorous due diligence, reviewing market conditions, property-level net operating income, lease agreements, tenant credit and environmental factors.

Origin Investments is headquartered in Chicago, with regional offices in Denver, Charlotte, Nashville and Dallas, supporting a national investment footprint. Key members of our management team live in our target markets. This local presence fosters relationships with brokers, developers and property owners, giving us access to exclusive opportunities that competitors may not reach.

Origin’s extensive track record and reputation provide early access to deals through a robust network of multifamily owners, operators and experts. Origin Credit Advisers, an affiliate of Origin Investments, has earned the credentials to acquire securitizations directly from Freddie Mac.

• Experienced leadership: Our regional acquisitions officers live in their markets to gain local knowledge and expertise. We believe this boots-on-the ground strategy provides an advantage in acquisition sourcing and investment management. 
• Proprietary data insights: Multilytics® enhances our ability to analyze and select high-growth submarkets accurately.
• Agility: Our flexible approach to investment and fund management strategy enables us to pivot in response to evolving market conditions, ensuring our teams capitalize on the best opportunities for risk-adjusted returns.
• Key relationships: Years of trust-building with multifamily stakeholders—including owners, operators, developers, lenders and brokers—provide us with priority access to exclusive, high-quality investment opportunities. Approximately 50% of investment opportunities are sourced off-market, reflecting the strength and depth of our network.
• Disciplined risk management: Conservative practices and stress testing underpin every decision.

Multilytics® is Origin’s proprietary suite of machine-learning models that analyzes billions of data points to provide accurate, granular rent growth projections. It analyzes submarkets down to the property level, providing data-driven insights for due diligence, deal analysis and stress testing. This tool gives Origin a competitive edge by identifying high-growth opportunities with precision.

Origin mitigates risk through comprehensive underwriting, portfolio diversification, moderate use of leverage and proprietary financial modeling. Our team stress tests assumptions to ensure investments meet rigorous standards.

Origin’s investment strategy evolves with market shifts. While each Origin fund has defined investment parameters, we have adapted our strategy to address changing market conditions, allowing us to identify and pursue the best relative risk-adjusted returns while maintaining disciplined standards.