The Best Ever CRE Show - podcast cover

The Best Ever CRE Show

Joe Fairlesswww.bestevercre.com
Welcome to the Best Ever CRE Show, the world’s longest-running daily COMMERCIAL real estate podcast. Founded by Joe Fairless, a co-founder of Ashcroft Capital who went from buying $35,000 homes to controlling more than $2.7 billion in real estate assets, the Best Ever CRE Show provides commercial real estate expert insights, education, and timely information to our community of active and passive investors who want to build wealth, build a legacy, and do more good in the world. So if you want the real stories behind the good, the bad, and the worst ever deals — plus, insights into what really goes on in commercial real estate investing — you’re in the right place. Our hosts interview commercial real estate experts every day to uncover secrets and strategies YOU can use to become a better, more informed investor. This is the Best Ever CRE show.
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Episodes

JF3843: LP Survival Guide: Avoiding Sponsor Red Flags, Verifying Track Records, & Building Multi-Deal Success with Hans Box

On this episode of The Passive Income Playbook, Pascal Wagner interviews Hans Box, co-founder of Box Wilson Equity, who has invested in close to 100 real estate deals as both a general and limited partner. Hans shares his journey from recovering CPA to real estate investor, including the pivotal story of taking over his first deal as an LP when the original sponsor underperformed. He provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating investment opportunities, emphasizing the importance of assessi...

Mar 13, 20251 hr

JF3842: Boutique Hotel Investment Strategy, Alternative Asset Monetization, & Creative Arbitrage Approaches ft. Adam Dailey

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Adam Dailey, Managing Director of Bronco Surf, based in San Diego. Adam shares his journey from sports event organizer to real estate investor, focusing on boutique hospitality assets that offer unique value-add opportunities. He discusses his strategy of identifying properties where he can potentially triple the income through creative repositioning, explains the challenges of managing a small RV park with long-ter...

Mar 12, 202526 minSeason 4Ep. 3840

JF3841: Retail Investing Advantages, Office Market Opportunities, & Commercial Tenant Selection Strategies ft. Ash Patel

On this episode of The Horizon, John Chang interviews Ash Patel from the Best Ever Conference 2026. They talk about his contrarian investment approach focusing on retail, office, and medical properties while avoiding residential tenants. Ash shares insights on why he prefers commercial tenants who treat properties professionally, explains how suburban office spaces in walkable areas are outperforming urban core locations, and reveals strategies for finding value-add retail opportunities with lim...

Mar 11, 202528 minSeason 2Ep. 3841

JF3840: Multi-Market Portfolio Expansion, Debt Refinance Strategies, & Operation-Focused Value Creation ft. David Iglewicz

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews David Iglewicz (known as "Iggy"), co-founder of Lake City Equity. David shares his journey from pediatric dentist to multifamily investor with a current portfolio of 2,800 units across 15-20 properties primarily in the Southeast. He discusses the challenges of navigating floating rate debt in a high interest rate environment, their success in refinancing into fixed-rate debt through operational improvements, and his approach to a...

Mar 10, 202531 min

JF3839: B & C-Class Multi-Family Acquisitions, Midwest Market Dynamics, & Unexpected Renovation Challenges ft. Stan Remling

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Slocomb Reed interviews Stan Remling, co-founder of Follow the Deal Investing. Stan shares his journey from W-2 employee to multifamily investor, focusing on value-add properties in Indiana and Michigan. He explains their strategy of targeting cash-flowing properties from day one, discusses their transition from small multifamily to larger complexes in the 30-70 unit range, and reveals how they've grown to over 700 units since 2020. Stan candidly shares...

Mar 09, 202528 minSeason 1Ep. 3841

JF3838: Market Cycle Navigation, Distressed Property Acquisition Strategy, & Value-Add Execution Mastery ft. JP Newman

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Slocomb Reed interviews JP Newman, CEO and founder of ThriveFP. JP shares his perspective on the current real estate market, describing it as being in simultaneous contraction and expansion phases. He explains how his team strategically reduced their portfolio from 10,000 to 1,500 units to prepare for new opportunities, discusses indicators to watch for market recovery, and outlines his approach to finding distressed assets in the coming 24 months. JP a...

Mar 08, 202524 minSeason 1Ep. 3838

JF3837: Workforce Housing Strategy, Distressed Property Acquisition Tactics, & C-Class Turnaround Mastery ft. Bruce Fraser

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Bruce Fraser, co-founder of Elkhorn Partners. Bruce shares his strategy of focusing on underperforming C-Class multi-family properties in markets with strong affordability metrics rather than chasing trendy investment hotspots. He explains how his team identifies distressed assets with significant upside potential, handles property security and crime issues, navigates specialized financing options, and creates value through strategic i...

Mar 07, 20251 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 3837

JF3836: Due Diligence Red Flags, Lower Middle Market Inefficiencies, & Critical LP Investment Strategies ft. Aleksey Chernobelskiy

On this episode of the The Passive Income Playbook, host Pascal Wagner interviews Aleksey Chernobelskiy, former executive at Store Capital and founder of GPLP Match, about navigating the complex relationship between limited partners and general partners in commercial real estate investing. Chernobelskiy draws from his experience at Store Capital, where he helped deploy 1-2 billion dollars annually, to explain how LPs should approach due diligence differently when evaluating smaller versus instit...

Mar 06, 202538 minSeason 1Ep. 3836

JF3835: Asset Class Diversification Strategy, Opportunity Zone Warehouse Acquisition, & Commercial Retail Value-Add Analysis ft. Ryan Wittig

On this episode of the Beyond Multifamily, hosts Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Ryan Wittig, principal of Kinvara Capital, about his journey from residential development to acquiring a diverse portfolio of commercial assets. Wittig shares how he pivoted from building single-family homes and townhouses to strategically acquiring a 28,000 sq ft warehouse through an Opportunity Zone structure, a boutique lodging house near Harvard, short-term rentals, and an office condo. The conversation of...

Mar 05, 202529 minSeason 1Ep. 3826

JF3834: Economic Uncertainty Analysis, Multifamily Supply-Demand Forecast, & Commercial Real Estate Investment Timing Strategy ft. John Chang

On this episode of The Horizon, host John Chang shares key insights from his recent workshop at the Best Ever Conference about critical market trends impacting real estate investment in 2025. Chang analyzes how the new Trump administration's potential policies on tariffs and immigration could impact economic growth, construction costs, and labor markets. He explains why multifamily fundamentals are strengthening as construction pipelines drop dramatically (with starts down 75% from peak) while d...

Mar 04, 202531 minSeason 1Ep. 3834

JF3833: Operating Amusement Parks vs. Multifamily Investing, Cash Flow Comparison, & Private Capital Raising Strategy ft. James Harhi

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, host Slocomb Reed interviews James Harhi, CEO of JFH Technologies, about his unique investment approach spanning both multifamily properties and amusement businesses. Harhi shares insights on managing a portfolio that includes 600+ apartments in Indiana alongside water parks and amusement facilities in the Northeast. He discusses the financial advantages of operating water parks (projecting 300% returns over 10 years versus 12-16% annually on apartments...

Mar 03, 202522 minSeason 4Ep. 3833

JF3832: Forensic Engineering Insights, Preventative Maintenance Strategies, & Critical Property Inspection Tips ft. Stanley Stoll

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, host Joe Cornwell interviews Stanley Stoll, CEO and principal engineer of Knott Laboratories, about the critical role of engineering in real estate investment. Stoll, who leads a forensic engineering firm specializing in aging infrastructure assessment, shares valuable insights on evaluating existing buildings before purchase and throughout their lifecycle. He emphasizes that 99% of structural problems stem from water-related issues and explains how ear...

Mar 02, 202532 minSeason 1Ep. 3832

JF3831: Fund Model Advantages, Capital Flow Analysis, & Multifamily Development Timing Strategies ft. Marcin Drozdz

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, host Slocomb Reed interviews Marcin Drozdz, managing partner of M1 Real Capital, about navigating today's commercial real estate market. Drozdz, who entered private equity during the 2008 financial crisis, shares insights on his transition from syndications to a fund model approach that allows him to secure significant discounts through ready capital. He explains his current focus on multifamily development in the Southwest, particularly Arizona and Tex...

Mar 01, 202523 minSeason 4Ep. 3831

JF3830: Cultivating Excellence Through Vertical Integration, Resident-Focused Management, & Multi-Generational Family Succession Planning ft. Arleen Garza

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, host Matt Faircloth interviews Arleen Garza, founder of REEP Equity, about her journey growing a multifamily portfolio to over 4,400 units across Texas markets. Garza shares valuable insights on bringing property management in-house, emphasizing how vertical integration provides greater control, financial oversight, and resident satisfaction. She discusses her approach to creating an exceptional company culture that earned REEP recognition as a Top Work...

Feb 28, 20251 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 3830

JF3829: Multifamily Market Analysis, Risk-Adjusted Return Evaluation, & LP Investment Strategy for Today's Real Estate Climate ft. Michael Blank

On this episode of the Passive Income Playbook, host Pascal Wagner interviews Michael Blank, founder of Nighthawk Equity, about navigating multifamily investments in today's market. Blank, who manages over $300 million in assets across nearly 2,000 units, provides insights on how the multifamily landscape has evolved since the 2022 market peak, explaining why current opportunities offer better risk-adjusted returns with lower leverage and improved market outlook. He shares lessons from his journ...

Feb 27, 202551 minSeason 3Ep. 3829

JF3828: Multifamily Value-Add Strategy, Secondary Market Analysis, & Boiler System Emergency Management ft. Grant Reigner

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, host Slocomb Reed interviews Grant Reigner, founder of Peak Three Properties, about his journey from small residential investments to commercial multifamily deals. Grant shares the story of acquiring a 41-unit apartment building in Kokomo, Indiana, detailing how he structured the deal with creative financing, including seller financing and bank participation in the capital expenditure budget. He discusses the challenges of navigating a nine-month closin...

Feb 26, 202524 minSeason 1Ep. 3828

JF3827: Capital Market Opportunities, Multifamily Absorption Trends, & Lender Relationship Strategy for Market Distress ft. Joe Fairless

On this episode of The Horizon, host John Chang interviews Joe Fairless, co-founder of Ashcroft Capital, about navigating today's complex commercial real estate landscape. Fairless, who manages over $2.8 billion in assets across 14,000 apartment units, shares insights on finding opportunities amid market distress by cultivating relationships with lenders seeking capable operators for distressed properties. They discuss the record-breaking apartment absorption in late 2023, the decreasing constru...

Feb 25, 202531 minSeason 1Ep. 3825

JF3826: Creative Deal Structuring Insights, Seller Financing Strategy, & Leveraging Low-Rate Mortgages for Portfolio Growth ft. Casey Mericle

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, hosts Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel talk with Casey Mericle about his innovative approach to commercial real estate investing through creative financing. Mericle shares his strategy of acquiring properties at higher prices in exchange for favorable seller financing terms, which he then leverages by moving the mortgages to other value-add properties. He explains how he structures deals to solve multiple parties' problems simultaneously, particularly in hel...

Feb 24, 202531 minSeason 1Ep. 3826

JF3825: Multifamily Theater Redevelopment Case Study, Public-Private Partnership Strategy, & Construction Complexity Analysis ft. Anderson Morgan - Part 2

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, host Joe Cornwell and his business partner Anderson Morgan dive into their current redevelopment project - transforming a historic 11,000 sq ft theater in Reading, Ohio's Bridal District into a modern multifamily complex. They discuss navigating complex construction challenges, securing crucial city partnerships for tax abatement and parking solutions, and their market analysis methodology for determining optimal unit mix and pricing. The conversation o...

Feb 23, 202533 minSeason 1Ep. 3825

JF3824: Passive Real Estate Investing Framework, Goal Setting Strategies, & Capital Appreciation Path Selection for Beginners

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, host Slocomb Reed provides a comprehensive foundation for new passive real estate investors looking to deploy significant capital. Reed breaks down the essential decision-making framework between income-focused investing (targeting monthly or annual returns for current lifestyle needs) versus wealth-building strategies (compounding capital for future milestones). He explains three key methods to accelerate capital growth in real estate: forcing apprecia...

Feb 22, 202531 minSeason 1Ep. 3824

JF3823: Multifamily Market Cycle Insights, Investment Strategy Shifts, & International Real Estate Capital Flow Analysis ft. Reed Goossens

On this episode of Next Level CRE, host Matt Faircloth interviews Reed Goossens, head of RSN Property Group and veteran of 27 syndications totaling over $900 million in transactions. Goossens shares insights on navigating the current multifamily downturn, including how his firm closed five deals over the past two challenging years by focusing on positive leverage and agency debt. The conversation explores distressed opportunities emerging in the market, lessons from both successful and challengi...

Feb 21, 202552 minSeason 1Ep. 3823

JF3822: How Fund Managers Think: A Guide for LPs Seeking Smarter Investments ft. Sanjay Vora

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show's Passive Income Playbook, host Pascal Wagner interviews Sanjay Vora, CEO of Avestor and advisor to over 200 fund managers. Vora shares his evolution from tech executive to fund manager, offering deep insights into private fund evaluation, discussing key due diligence strategies, and emphasizing the importance of diversification in passive investing. Drawing from his experience with over 25 syndications and 100+ debt deals, Vora provides actionable advic...

Feb 20, 202550 minSeason 3Ep. 3821

JF3821: Leveraging Construction Expertise in Real Estate, Building Contractor Relationships, & Value-Add Investment Strategy ft. Anderson Morgan

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, host Joe Cornwell sits down with his business partner Anderson Morgan to discuss how investors can leverage construction expertise to enhance their real estate investments. Morgan shares his journey from a live-in flip to developing a successful construction company, offering insights on building reliable contractor relationships, managing expectations between GCs and investors, and why controlling the construction aspect of real estate investing has be...

Feb 19, 202532 minSeason 4Ep. 3821

JF3820: Market Recovery Insights, Investment Timing Strategy, & Total Return Expectations ft. Brian Murdy

On this episode of The Horizon with John Chang, Brian Murdy draws from over 40 years of commercial real estate experience to analyze current market dynamics and future opportunities. With multiple market cycles under his belt since Black Monday in 1987, Murdy explains why the bid-ask spread is finally narrowing and why private capital has advantages over institutional investors in today's market. He shares his bullish outlook on multifamily, predicting an 11% unlevered IRR over the next five yea...

Feb 18, 202534 minSeason 1Ep. 3820

JF3819: Inside Cardone Capital: Portfolio Growth, Investment Strategy, & Bitcoin Integration ft. Ryan Tseko

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Ryan Tseko, Executive Vice President of Cardone Capital, shares insights from managing a 15,000-unit portfolio valued at over $1.6 billion. Drawing from his unique journey from commercial airline pilot to Grant Cardone's right-hand man, Tseko discusses their strategy of combining fixed-rate financing with 10-year hold periods to weather market cycles. He reveals details about their innovative approach of bundling Bitcoin with multifamily investments, th...

Feb 17, 202548 minSeason 1Ep. 3819

JF3818: Nashville Market Dynamics, C+ to B- Value-Add Strategies, & Workforce Housing Opportunities ft. Sam Froerer

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Sam Froerer, Managing Partner of Compass Capital, shares his strategic approach to workforce housing investments in Nashville. Starting his firm in 2021 after working at a multi-billion dollar REIT, Froerer explains why he targeted Nashville as an emerging market with similar characteristics to Austin from 7-10 years ago. He discusses his focus on C+ to B- properties located 5-15 minutes from downtown, where his renovated units at $1,250-1,300 per month...

Feb 16, 202538 minSeason 1Ep. 3818

JF3817: Industrial Investment Mastery: Target Markets, Tenant Strategy, & Development Dynamics ft. Brent Lieberman

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Brent Lieberman, founding principal of Levelan Partners, shares his expertise in industrial real estate investment and development across the Midwest and Southeast. Specializing in single-tenant net lease deals under 150,000 square feet, Lieberman discusses his firm's flexible approach to both stabilized acquisitions and ground-up development. He provides detailed insights into key industrial property metrics, including clear height requirements, office...

Feb 15, 202527 minSeason 1Ep. 3817

JF3816: Success Through Mindset Evolution, Capital Strategy Shifts, & HUD Development Tactics ft. Jerome Maldonado

On this episode of the Next Level CRE, Jerome Maldonado shares his journey from value-add multifamily investor to ground-up developer, and how he's adapted his strategy to thrive in changing market conditions. Starting as a dyslexic student who became a serial entrepreneur, Maldonado explains his transition from self-funding deals to raising capital, including how he turned his first capital raise into a $12.6 million profit through strategic development. He provides detailed insights into his c...

Feb 14, 202546 minSeason 1Ep. 3816

JF3815: Introducing The Passive Income Playbook with Pascal Wagner — Running Your Wealth Like a Business ft. Christopher Nelson

Introducing The Passive Income Playbook, a new series hosted by Pascal Wagner focused on helping passive investors build and manage wealth like a business. Drawing from his experience deploying over $150 million in venture capital and building his own passive portfolio generating $250,000+ annually, Wagner brings strategic insights to help listeners avoid common pitfalls and accelerate their path to financial independence. In this inaugural episode, Christopher Nelson shares his evolution from t...

Feb 13, 20251 hr 7 minSeason 1Ep. 3815

JF3814: Market Cycle Navigation, Value-Add Evolution, & Capital Preparation Strategies ft. JP Newman

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, JP Newman, CEO and founder of ThriveFP, discusses navigating the current market cycle in multifamily real estate. With over 20 years of experience and 20,000 units under his belt, Newman shares why his firm strategically reduced their portfolio from 10,000 to 1,500 units to position for upcoming opportunities. He predicts 24 months of market distress ahead, projecting another 10-20% price decline unless interest rates decrease significantly, while empha...

Feb 12, 202527 minSeason 4Ep. 3814
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