In a recent episode of On The Move, Dustin sat down with Marv McGuire, Investor Relations Lead at Grovia Capital, to discuss his journey into multifamily real estate, the importance of building the right team, and why trust remains the foundation of successful investing.
What emerged from the conversation was a reminder that multifamily investing is ultimately a people business—one built on relationships, shared values, and long-term credibility.
Investing in Markets You Know
Grovia Capital focuses on multifamily investments across Central Florida, Southern Georgia, and the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metroplexes.
For Marv, those markets weren’t chosen by accident.
The company intentionally invests in areas where its leadership team has personal connections and local knowledge. Marv and his wife, Victoria, spent years living in Florida, have strong ties to Georgia, and maintain family connections in Texas.
Rather than chasing every hot market, Grovia prioritizes locations they understand firsthand.
That familiarity helps the team make better investment decisions and maintain confidence in the markets where they operate.
From Single-Family Rentals to Multifamily
Although Grovia Capital is now focused on multifamily, Marv and Victoria have been investing in real estate for more than two decades.
Like many investors, they began with single-family properties. Over time, however, they reached a point where they wanted to scale their portfolio without continuing to accumulate the operational headaches that often accompany single-family investing.
That desire led them into multifamily real estate.
Initially, the couple partnered with established sponsorship teams, bringing their own strengths to the table. Marv focused on investor relations and capital raising, while Victoria developed expertise in underwriting and deal analysis.
Over time, those experiences laid the groundwork for something bigger.
Creating Grovia Capital
After working alongside other operators for several years, Marv and Victoria decided they wanted to build a platform of their own.
That opportunity came through relationships they had developed inside Rod Khleif’s Warrior Program mastermind community.
Eventually, they joined forces with three experienced professionals from complementary backgrounds—including law, accounting, and corporate consulting—to create Grovia Capital.
Today, the firm manages approximately 2,000 units and more than $150 million in assets.
The experience reinforced a lesson Marv believes is critical in multifamily investing:
Real estate is a team sport.
Success rarely comes from one person’s expertise alone. Strong partnerships often bring together different skill sets that allow the organization to operate more effectively.
Finding the Right Role
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation centered around how Marv and Victoria discovered where they fit within the business.
For Marv, the path was obvious.
After serving 25 years in the military and transitioning into corporate sales, he knew relationship-building and investor relations would be a natural fit.
Victoria’s journey looked very different.
Initially unsure where she belonged in the multifamily industry, she eventually gravitated toward underwriting and financial analysis. What began as uncertainty evolved into a skill set she now enjoys and excels at.
Their story highlights an important reality for many aspiring operators: not everyone enters the industry knowing exactly what role they’ll play.
Sometimes the best fit is discovered through experience.
Raising Capital Isn’t About Selling
One of the biggest challenges Marv faced early on was convincing sponsors to give him an opportunity to participate in deals.
As a new capital raiser, he encountered plenty of skepticism.
Potential partners questioned whether he could truly raise meaningful capital, especially in a market environment where investors were becoming increasingly cautious.
Eventually, one sponsor gave him a chance.
On his very first multifamily deal—a 160-unit property in Savannah, Georgia—Marv raised nearly $2 million in investor capital.
That success created momentum and opened doors to future opportunities.
But Marv emphasized that capital raising isn’t really about selling.
It’s about trust.
The Three Trust Curves
One of the most valuable concepts discussed during the interview was Marv’s framework for understanding investor confidence.
He described three separate “trust curves” investors evaluate before committing capital:
- Trust in the sponsor
- Trust in the market and asset class
- Trust in the specific deal
Of those three, sponsor trust carries the greatest weight.
Investors may like a market and appreciate a business plan, but ultimately they are placing their capital with people.
The stronger the relationship and credibility, the easier it becomes to overcome uncertainty surrounding market conditions or individual opportunities.
For Marv’s first deal, most investors were friends, family members, veterans, and longtime professional contacts—people who already knew and trusted him.
That foundation proved invaluable.
Staying in Front of Investors
Building trust doesn’t end after someone invests.
Marv shared that Grovia Capital maintains consistent communication with investors through weekly newsletters, educational content, phone calls, webinars, and regular updates.
The firm’s onboarding process also includes a series of educational emails that help prospective investors understand multifamily investing concepts, performance metrics, and investment terminology.
The goal isn’t simply to raise capital.
It’s to help investors become more informed and confident over time.
Marv believes consistent communication strengthens relationships long before a deal opportunity appears.
The Value of Personal Connection
While technology and automation play a role in investor relations, Marv still believes personal conversations matter most.
He regularly calls investors and prioritizes one-on-one interactions whenever possible.
Grovia has even hosted investor field trips, bringing investors together to tour properties, meet the team, and gain firsthand insight into the assets they own.
Those experiences create stronger relationships than any email campaign ever could.
Looking Ahead
As Grovia Capital continues to grow, the team’s focus remains straightforward: find quality opportunities, maintain strong partnerships, and continue building trust with investors.
While market conditions may change, Marv’s philosophy remains consistent.
Success in multifamily investing isn’t just about finding great deals.
It’s about surrounding yourself with the right people, communicating transparently, and earning trust one relationship at a time.
For investors and operators alike, it’s a lesson worth remembering.