Experience
Seasoned asset managers with a passion for uplifting others through real estate investing opportunities.
Education
Build confidence in your ability to invest wisely with the free educational resources
Connection
Stay informed and up to date with the latest investment opportunities and company developments
About us
Maricela Soberanes and Chris Linger bring together decades of leadership, operational expertise, and real estate investing experience. Maricela began investing in real estate in 2006 by building her own rental portfolio in Austin, Texas before expanding into larger investment opportunities and business ownership. A Navy veteran, author, and healthcare professional, she is passionate about helping others understand wealth-building through real estate, financial strategy, and ownership. Chris, who holds an MBA, brings more than 27 years of military leadership and operational experience from his service in the U.S. Navy. He now focuses full-time on real estate acquisition analysis, underwriting, and asset strategy with an emphasis on disciplined execution and long-term value creation. Together, they combine service-driven leadership, education, and investment expertise to create opportunities that positively impact families, investors, and communities.
Experience
Seasoned asset managers with a passion for uplifting others through real estate investing opportunities.
Education
Build confidence in your ability to invest wisely with the free educational resources
Connection
Stay informed and up to date with the latest investment opportunities and company developments
Be the First to Know
Receive exclusive investment opportunities, and the latest investing strategies ...right to your inbox.
About Chris and Maricela
Maricela Soberanes and Chris Linger bring together decades of leadership, operational expertise, and real estate investing experience. Maricela began investing in real estate in 2006 by building her own rental portfolio in Austin, Texas before expanding into larger investment opportunities and business ownership. A Navy veteran, author, and healthcare professional, she is passionate about helping others understand wealth-building through real estate, financial strategy, and ownership. Chris, who holds an MBA, brings more than 27 years of military leadership and operational experience from his service in the U.S. Navy. He now focuses full-time on real estate acquisition analysis, underwriting, and asset strategy with an emphasis on disciplined execution and long-term value creation. Together, they combine service-driven leadership, education, and investment expertise to create opportunities that positively impact families, investors, and communities.
Be the First to Know
Receive exclusive investment opportunities, and the latest investing strategies ...right to your inbox.
Hear From Our Investors
My wife and I thank our lucky stars that we worked with Chris and Maricela, they are so organized and always willing to make a win-win situation.
- S. McDonald -
McDonald Homes
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it 100 times. We
owe our success to you both. Great mentors like you [Chris & Maricela] have
helped tremendously!
- S. Enyard -
Anchor Atlas Properties Founder
After seeing and relating to some of my frustrations, they drove two hours to help
with our four-plex renovation. Chris & Maricela are always a wealth of knowledge.
- C. Byler -
Passive Patriots Founder
Low Operational Costs
Facilities require minimal maintenance and management compared to other real estate.
High Profit Margins
Steady cash flow with low overhead leads to strong returns.
Value-Add Opportunities
Simple upgrades like security or climate control can boost income and property value.
Scalability
Easily expand by adding units or acquiring new facilities.
3 Investing Tips
Start Now
The best time to invest in real estate is now and with the right investment, you can see amazing growth in just 18 months.
Trust in Proven Returns
The best time to invest in real estate is now and with the right investment, you can see amazing growth in just 18 months.
Start Just With $50K
It takes less than you think to get started and with the right team you'll shorten your learning curve and increase your returns.
3 Investing Tips
Start Now
The best time to invest in real estate is now and with the right investment, you can see amazing growth in just 18 months.
Trust in Proven Returns
The best time to invest in real estate is now and with the right investment, you can see amazing growth in just 18 months.
Start Just With $50K
It takes less than you think to get started and with the right team you'll shorten your learning curve and increase your returns.
Schedule A Free Consultation
Invest with confidence. We’ll help you understand how to evaluate if a certain asset is right for you.
Schedule A Free Consultation
Invest with confidence. We’ll help you understand how to evaluate if a certain asset is right for you.
Our Assets
We strategically focus on a variety of asset types in order to create a strong and diverse portfolio of assets that can hedge against economic uncertainties. Creating safer investment opportunities for our investors.
Our Assets
We strategically focus on a variety of asset types in order to create a strong and diverse portfolio of assets that can hedge against economic uncertainties. Creating safer investment opportunities for our investors.
FREE Educational
Materials
Learn important investing concepts and strategies at your own pace with our "Savvy Passive Investor" series on YouTube
FREE Educational Materials
Learn important investing concepts and strategies at your own pace with our "Savvy Passive Investor" series on YouTube
Latest News
Do LLCs Really Protect Your Personal Assets? “A message from our lawyer that it’s worth sharing”
Many business owners and real estate investors have heard the same advice:
"Just form an LLC and your personal assets are protected."
While an LLC is an important step, it's only part of the picture.
A properly structured LLC can help separate your business liabilities from your personal assets—but it isn't a guarantee against every legal or financial risk. Understanding what an LLC does (and doesn't do) can help you build a stronger long-term wealth protection strategy.
What Does an LLC Actually Do?
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) creates a separate legal entity from its owners.
In many situations, this means that if the business is sued or incurs debt, the company's assets—not the owner's personal assets—are generally the first source for satisfying those obligations.
That's why LLCs have become one of the most common legal structures for:
Real estate investors
Business owners
Entrepreneurs
Investment companies
When properly formed and maintained, an LLC creates an important legal separation between you and your business.
The Protection Has Limits
An LLC provides protection for business-related liabilities, but it does not shield you from every personal legal risk.
Examples of personal situations that may fall outside LLC protection include:
Personal loan guarantees
Auto accidents resulting in legal judgments
Divorce proceedings
Professional liability claims
Other personal lawsuits
In these situations, creditors may evaluate assets you personally own—including your ownership interest in an LLC.
Understanding the difference between the business being sued and the owner being sued is critical.
Maintaining Your LLC Matters
Simply filing LLC paperwork isn't enough.
To preserve the liability protection an LLC is designed to provide, business owners should operate it as a separate legal entity.
Best practices include:
Maintain separate business bank accounts
Keep accurate financial records
Avoid mixing personal and business expenses
Properly capitalize the business
Document major business decisions
Failing to follow these practices can increase the risk that a court may disregard the LLC's separate legal status in certain situations.
What Happens If You're Sued Personally?
Many investors assume that owning an LLC automatically protects everything inside it.
The reality is more nuanced.
In many states, creditors who obtain a judgment against an LLC owner may be limited to certain remedies rather than taking control of the company itself.
For example, some states recognize charging order protections, which may limit a creditor to distributions that would otherwise be paid to the owner instead of giving them ownership or management rights.
The specific rules vary by state, so legal guidance is important when evaluating your own asset protection strategy.
As Your Wealth Grows, So Should Your Planning
For many entrepreneurs, the conversation eventually shifts from:
"Should I form an LLC?"
to
"Is my ownership structure providing the protection I need?"
As your business grows, additional planning strategies may become appropriate depending on your goals, assets, and level of risk.
These can include ownership structures, trusts, insurance planning, and other legal strategies designed to complement—not replace—an LLC.
The right approach depends on your individual circumstances and should always be discussed with qualified legal and tax professionals.
Is an LLC Right for You?
For many business owners and real estate investors, an LLC can be an excellent foundation if you:
Own investment real estate
Operate a business
Want to separate business and personal liabilities
Plan to grow your investment portfolio
Value long-term asset protection
An LLC is often the first step—but rarely the last—in building a comprehensive legal and financial strategy.
Final Thoughts
An LLC remains one of the most valuable legal tools available to entrepreneurs and real estate investors.
When properly established and maintained, it can provide meaningful protection by separating many business liabilities from your personal assets.
However, effective asset protection doesn't stop with forming an LLC.
As your investments and wealth grow, it's worth periodically reviewing your legal structure to ensure it continues to support your long-term goals.
Building wealth is important—protecting it is just as important.
Building Long-Term Wealth Through Real Estate
At Up Plex, we believe successful investing starts with a strong foundation—including smart legal structures, diversified investments, and disciplined long-term planning.
Whether you're investing in multifamily communities, self-storage facilities, mobile home parks, or diversified real estate funds, understanding how your investments are structured is an important part of protecting your financial future.
Explore Investment Opportunities
Visit our Investor Portal to learn more about our current offerings and professionally managed real estate investments.
👉 Investor Portal: https://up-plex.cashflowportal.com/app
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Consult qualified legal and tax professionals regarding your specific situation.
LEAVE A REPLY
Check Out Our Latest BLOG Post
Do LLCs Really Protect Your Personal Assets? “A message from our lawyer that it’s worth sharing”
Many business owners and real estate investors have heard the same advice:
"Just form an LLC and your personal assets are protected."
While an LLC is an important step, it's only part of the picture.
A properly structured LLC can help separate your business liabilities from your personal assets—but it isn't a guarantee against every legal or financial risk. Understanding what an LLC does (and doesn't do) can help you build a stronger long-term wealth protection strategy.
What Does an LLC Actually Do?
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) creates a separate legal entity from its owners.
In many situations, this means that if the business is sued or incurs debt, the company's assets—not the owner's personal assets—are generally the first source for satisfying those obligations.
That's why LLCs have become one of the most common legal structures for:
Real estate investors
Business owners
Entrepreneurs
Investment companies
When properly formed and maintained, an LLC creates an important legal separation between you and your business.
The Protection Has Limits
An LLC provides protection for business-related liabilities, but it does not shield you from every personal legal risk.
Examples of personal situations that may fall outside LLC protection include:
Personal loan guarantees
Auto accidents resulting in legal judgments
Divorce proceedings
Professional liability claims
Other personal lawsuits
In these situations, creditors may evaluate assets you personally own—including your ownership interest in an LLC.
Understanding the difference between the business being sued and the owner being sued is critical.
Maintaining Your LLC Matters
Simply filing LLC paperwork isn't enough.
To preserve the liability protection an LLC is designed to provide, business owners should operate it as a separate legal entity.
Best practices include:
Maintain separate business bank accounts
Keep accurate financial records
Avoid mixing personal and business expenses
Properly capitalize the business
Document major business decisions
Failing to follow these practices can increase the risk that a court may disregard the LLC's separate legal status in certain situations.
What Happens If You're Sued Personally?
Many investors assume that owning an LLC automatically protects everything inside it.
The reality is more nuanced.
In many states, creditors who obtain a judgment against an LLC owner may be limited to certain remedies rather than taking control of the company itself.
For example, some states recognize charging order protections, which may limit a creditor to distributions that would otherwise be paid to the owner instead of giving them ownership or management rights.
The specific rules vary by state, so legal guidance is important when evaluating your own asset protection strategy.
As Your Wealth Grows, So Should Your Planning
For many entrepreneurs, the conversation eventually shifts from:
"Should I form an LLC?"
to
"Is my ownership structure providing the protection I need?"
As your business grows, additional planning strategies may become appropriate depending on your goals, assets, and level of risk.
These can include ownership structures, trusts, insurance planning, and other legal strategies designed to complement—not replace—an LLC.
The right approach depends on your individual circumstances and should always be discussed with qualified legal and tax professionals.
Is an LLC Right for You?
For many business owners and real estate investors, an LLC can be an excellent foundation if you:
Own investment real estate
Operate a business
Want to separate business and personal liabilities
Plan to grow your investment portfolio
Value long-term asset protection
An LLC is often the first step—but rarely the last—in building a comprehensive legal and financial strategy.
Final Thoughts
An LLC remains one of the most valuable legal tools available to entrepreneurs and real estate investors.
When properly established and maintained, it can provide meaningful protection by separating many business liabilities from your personal assets.
However, effective asset protection doesn't stop with forming an LLC.
As your investments and wealth grow, it's worth periodically reviewing your legal structure to ensure it continues to support your long-term goals.
Building wealth is important—protecting it is just as important.
Building Long-Term Wealth Through Real Estate
At Up Plex, we believe successful investing starts with a strong foundation—including smart legal structures, diversified investments, and disciplined long-term planning.
Whether you're investing in multifamily communities, self-storage facilities, mobile home parks, or diversified real estate funds, understanding how your investments are structured is an important part of protecting your financial future.
Explore Investment Opportunities
Visit our Investor Portal to learn more about our current offerings and professionally managed real estate investments.
👉 Investor Portal: https://up-plex.cashflowportal.com/app
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Consult qualified legal and tax professionals regarding your specific situation.
LEAVE A REPLY
Real Results From Real Businesses
Success Stories From Our Clients
Working with Maricela Soberanes and Chris Linger has truly changed my life. Their ethics, transparency, and leadership create an environment where you genuinely grow and feel like part of a real team. Before this, my world was mainly my 9–5, but within 9 months of committed education, hard work, and applying the skills they teach, I was able to be part of closing my first real estate deal, multiply my money, create impact in communities, and learn how to keep more of what I make. Recently, while capital raising, a potential investor was so impressed by my knowledge and professionalism that I was offered an opportunity to join the board of a national organization. I truly would not be where I am today without their mentorship and the way they push their students to grow.
We met Chris and Marcella Westfall at Grant Cardone’s Real Estate Club event and immediately knew they were quality people. Not only are they extremely knowledgeable in the multifamily space, but they are also genuine, transparent, and generous with their time. Through their mentorship, consistent education, and commitment to helping others grow, we are now in the process of signing our very first GP deal. Their guidance, integrity, and passion for teaching have been incredibly motivating and impactful in our journey.
I've been investing in real estate since 2016 and I want to take a moment to thank my business coach and mentor Chris for his guidance and support. Thanks to him I've been able to successfully navigate the challenges of transitioning from small real estate deals to syndications. Chris has a wealth of knowledge and experience in real estate syndications. He's always been very generous in answering my questions and offering advise. He's been very valuable and has experience to lean on. I highly recommend Chris to anyone looking to take their business to the next level.
