Getting started in real estate with no money, no contacts, and no experience sounds almost impossible, but that’s exactly how Matthew Ricciardella did it.
Today, he’s the founder and CEO of Crystal View Capital, a real estate investment firm that manages over $500 million in assets.
His story begins with cold calls and door knocking and ends with a powerful strategy focused on manufactured housing and self-storage real estate.
In this blog, you’ll learn how Matthew grew from a solo realtor to the leader of a high-performing real estate fund, and what lessons his journey holds for new investors.
Want to hear Matthew’s journey in his own words? Watch the video below for a firsthand look at how he built a $500M real estate empire from the ground up.
Matthew’s journey began at the age of 20, after he moved from New York to Southern California. He had no experience, no family ties in the business, and no connections. What he did have was persistence.
He became a residential realtor, earning only from commission. That meant no income unless he closed a deal. So, Matthew focused on cold calling off-market real estate leads, knocking on doors, and building rapport with sellers.
“I had to figure out how to make money from nothing,” he says. “That meant talking to people—lots of them.”
There were days when he couldn’t afford gas or food. But over time, deals closed, commissions rolled in, and he gained the capital and confidence to take a bigger step.
With some savings, Matthew began flipping homes. He used his prospecting skills to find off-market properties, bought them below market value, and sold them quickly, often without major renovations.
“I learned to buy the home right, stick a sign in the ground, and sell it the next day,” he explains.
Matthew’s method was a smart take on how to flip off-market properties without risk-heavy remodels. His goal was speed and margin, not perfection. It worked, and it built his foundation for larger-scale investing.
Looking for passive income through self-storage and other assets, Matthew began exploring commercial real estate. He tested office buildings, industrial spaces, retail centers, and multifamily housing.
But he found the most opportunity in manufactured housing communities and self-storage facilities.
These assets were often owned by mom-and-pop operators and had inefficient management. With better systems and operations, Matthew saw a chance to increase income, boost value, and scale.
These sectors also had high demand and low competition, ideal for consistent returns.
By 2014, Matthew launched Crystal View Capital’s Fund One to raise investor money and expand. That first fund delivered a 47% return, catching attention from investors and opening the door to future funds.
“Other people’s money is more valuable than my own,” Matthew says. “They put their faith in me, and I take that seriously.”
Instead of chasing capital, Matthew focused on delivering real estate fund performance. Satisfied investors reinvested and referred others, creating a steady stream of growth.
Today, Crystal View Capital is raising capital for Fund Four, continuing its track record of performance and trust.
Crystal View Capital now focuses heavily on a manufactured housing investment strategy. Matthew sees this as a solution to America’s affordable housing crisis and a strong opportunity for investors.
Unlike apartments, mobile homes allow residents to own their homes and build equity. They’re more affordable and offer stable communities.
With limited new development and rising demand, manufactured housing offers investors pricing power and the chance to fill vacant sites, add new homes, and improve operations.
Matthew doesn’t believe in trying to predict the market. Instead, he asks simple questions:
“Where are we today with supply, demand, and interest rates? Can we realistically create value for investors right now?”
This mindset, inspired by Warren Buffett, helps Crystal View Capital stay focused on fundamentals instead of market speculation.
Even with new tools and platforms, Matthew believes real estate will always be about people.
“Face-to-face meetings and real phone calls build real trust,” he says. “Technology can’t replace that.”
Strong relationships continue to be the foundation of Matthew’s success, especially when working with investors and property sellers.
Q1: How did Matthew Ricardella get started in real estate?
He began as a residential realtor at 20, making cold calls and knocking on doors to find off-market real estate leads with no prior experience or network.
Q2: What is Crystal View Capital’s investment focus?
The firm invests in manufactured housing communities and self-storage facilities to deliver long-term passive income and stable returns.
Q3: Why does Matthew Ricardella avoid market timing?
He focuses on current conditions like supply, demand, and capital costs rather than trying to guess future trends.
Q4: How do manufactured home communities create value?
They offer affordable living, allow residents to own their homes, and provide investors with high demand and consistent cash flow.
Q5: Is self-storage a good real estate investment?
Yes. Self-storage properties are recession-resistant, low-maintenance, and often have operational inefficiencies that investors can fix for higher returns.
Matthew Ricardella’s story shows that you don’t need a head start to win in real estate. You need consistency, integrity, and smart strategy.
From cold calling strangers to building a $500 million real estate empire, he’s followed a clear path: create value, build trust, and treat every dollar like it matters.
Whether you’re just starting or scaling your business, there’s a lesson in Matthew’s playbook. Show up, invest wisely, and always keep your word!
Happy Deal Finding!