Yuval Shram, founder and CEO of TAY Investments, recently shared his insights on long-term real estate development during an appearance on the Mr. Deed Podcast. With over 15 years of experience and a portfolio exceeding 1,550 residential units valued at more than $475 million, Shram emphasized a patient and principled approach to building rental housing.
Shram’s entry into real estate came during the 2008 financial crisis. Starting with small residential properties such as duplexes and fourplexes, he gradually expanded his portfolio. “Step by step,” he reflected. That incremental approach has since grown TAY Investments into a private equity real estate company with holdings across North America and Europe.
One of Shram’s key pieces of advice is to avoid trying to time the market. He advocates for staying consistently active rather than chasing the perfect entry point. “Sometimes the waves are high, sometimes the waves are low,” he said. “You just got to be in the water. If you’re in the water long enough, you’ll catch the right wave.” His philosophy prioritizes desirable locations and affordable units that work for long-term profitability.
Central to TAY’s strategy is what Shram calls the “forever hold” mentality. Unlike typical private equity firms that operate on five-to-seven-year flip cycles, Shram evaluates acquisitions through a multigenerational lens. He asks whether he would be comfortable leaving a building to his children and grandchildren. This mindset leads to investments in quality materials and proactive maintenance, avoiding short-term cost-cutting that can erode value over time. “When you’re building for yourself,” Shram noted, “every corner you cut is going to bite you eventually.”
A standout feature of TAY’s recent work is the “Sanctuary” amenity concept, prominently featured at Hue Soul, the company’s 116-unit development in East Orange, New Jersey. Inspired by a hotel experience in Thailand, Shram envisioned a ground-floor wellness hub combining a gym, dry and wet sauna, cold plunge, and outdoor pool in a single space. The goal is to give tenants everything they need for physical and mental health without leaving the building, fostering long-term tenancy and community. “You wake up, you take care of yourself, you go to work as a better version of yourself,” he said. “Everybody wins.”
Shram’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to walk their own path, resisting the urge to copy competitors or chase trends. He believes that knowing what you do, doing it well, and trusting that consistency compounds over time is the key to success. More about TAY Investments can be found at TAY Investments. The podcast episode with Yuval Shram is available on the Mr. Deed Podcast.
