WiscoREIA Janesville: Leasing Is the Business Plan: How Better Leasing Driv

Leasing Is the Business Plan: How Better Leasing Drives Better Returns

What if your leasing process is leaving money on the table?

Leasing is often treated as a simple task: list the property, show the unit, find a tenant, and move on. But for investors, leasing can have a major impact on cash flow, NOI, and the long-term value of a property.

Join Ryan Leonard for a behind-the-scenes look at how strategic leasing can become a powerful tool for improving investment performance. Ryan will share the systems, processes, and data-driven strategies his team uses to make better decisions around rents, marketing, lead conversion, vacancy, and tenant demand.

He’ll also walk through the turnaround of a 16-unit Milwaukee property, sharing how changes in leasing strategy helped drive significant rent increases after acquisition—and how those lessons are being applied across larger multifamily portfolios today.

If you own rentals, manage properties, or are looking to scale your portfolio, this is an opportunity to rethink leasing as more than an operational task.

Come learn how better leasing decisions can translate into better properties, stronger NOI, and better returns.

Speaker: Ryan Leonard

Ryan Leonard is a multifamily real estate investor and co-owner of BlackRidge, a Wisconsin-based real estate company focused on multifamily investments and apartment leasing. Its leasing arm, BlackRidge Leasing, provides property owners with a white-glove, lease-only service designed to improve and streamline leasing operations.

Through a combination of creative deal structures and partnerships, Ryan has focused on value-add multifamily investments throughout the greater Milwaukee area, including a 51-unit acquisition currently under contract and set to close in fall 2026.

Between his own investments and his leasing clients, Ryan has developed a particular interest in the systems, data, and strategies behind effective leasing and property operations-and how more organized, intentional execution can translate into stronger overall investment performance.

WiscoREIA Janesville’s Meeting Always Meets on the 4th Wednesday of the Month from 5:30 pm - 8:15 pm!

Make sure to bring tons of business cards as you will be meeting with people that you want to get to know!

Our Agenda:

5:30 PM – Registration Check-In & Networking

• Informal networking with fellow investors

6:00 PM – Meeting Kickoff

• Welcome by Host and/or Co-Host

• WiscoREIA PowerPoint / announcements and updates

• Sponsor Introductions

• Haves & Wants – Share deals, services, and resources

6:30 PM – Deal Case Study

• Breakdown of a real deal with teachable moments (good, bad, ugly)

7:00 PM – Networking Breakouts

• Guest Orientation with Host

• Member & Sponsor general breakout for continued connection

7:15 PM – Main Presentation

• Host introduces Guest Speaker

8:15 PM – Closing Remarks

• Final thoughts and upcoming events

• Invitation to the "Meeting After the Meeting" for more networking

Meeting Location:

Sidelines Sports Pub & Grill

731 S Wuthering Hills Dr

Janesville, WI 53546

Please enjoy food, drinks, and TIP YOUR SERVERS!

The meeting ends at 8:15 PM, but we’ll continue with an informal after-meeting for anyone who’d like to stay.

You can stay after the meeting as well to network! Remember to bring your deals!

Our doors are open to EVERYONE!

***Make sure to pre-register***

Host:

Tim Dougherty | Carlos Sierra