"Nobody out there will mentor you like a parent. They're not afraid to tell you when you're wrong." – Tim Siemer, USAFA ‘06 Tim Siemer is an Air Force veteran, aviator, and partner at SMB Equity, a real estate private equity firm investing in stabilized and development projects nationwide. At SMB, Tim focuses on evaluating new opportunities and managing investor relationships, applying a disciplined risk management approach shaped by years in military and commercial aviation.

He works alongside his father, Mike Siemer, who transitioned into real estate investing after a career as a CPA and corporate CFO for both public and private companies. Over the past 24 years, Mike has helped lead SMB Equity through more than $3 billion in transactions, scaling the firm through long-term partnerships, disciplined underwriting, and a focus on tangible, value-driven assets. Together, they combine generational experience, financial expertise, and risk discipline to offer individual investors access to institutional real estate opportunities.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Mike and Tim about:

• Scaling a Multi-Billion-Dollar Real Estate Platform: Mike’s transition from CPA and corporate CFO to leading more than $3 billion in real estate transactions over the past two decades.
  

• Choosing Ownership Early: Tim investing his Academy loan into real estate instead of spending it, reinforcing a long-term asset-based wealth strategy.
  

• Risk Management in Real Estate: Applying aviation discipline to deal evaluation, downside protection, and structured decision making.
  

• The Power of Relationships: SMB’s emphasis on trusted operators, repeat partnerships, and character as the first filter in any investment.
  

• Alternative Investments with Discipline: Positioning private real estate as a complementary asset class within a diversified portfolio.

Timestamps:

01:02 SMB Equity Overview

01:45 Origins And Early Deals

05:35 Selling Before The 2008 Crash

06:54 Post Recession Pivot

09:24 Investor Base And Tax Edge

11:36 Tim Joins The Business

17:53 Deal Sniff Test Framework

24:27 Deal Types And Structure

30:45 2026 Goals And Investor Mindset Connect with Mike and Tim:

• LinkedIn | Tim Siemer 

• LinkedIn | Mike Siemer
  

If you found value in today's episode, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you're a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we'd love for you to join our community and get started today.

Make sure you never miss an episode subscribe now and help support the show:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Leave us a 5-star review!
  

A special thank you to Tim for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA '01