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

JF 3873: UC Berkeley Focus, Student Housing Strategy, Value-Add Execution ft. Nhan Nguyen Le

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Slocomb Reed interviews Nhan Nguyen Le, CEO of Valiant Capital. Nhan shares his journey from growing up in federally assisted housing to leading a $300M student housing portfolio focused exclusively on UC Berkeley. He explains why his firm targets high-demand, location-driven assets and executes a vertically integrated, value-add strategy that includes both renovations and ground-up developments. Nhan also addresses potential risks like university housing polici...

Apr 12, 202528 minSeason 1Ep. 3873

JF 3872: House Hacking, Syndication Strategies, and Maximizing Real Estate Equity ft. Chris Lopez

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Chris Lopez, a real estate entrepreneur who transitioned from a tech-savvy internet marketer to a successful real estate broker and investor. Chris shares how he built a modern real estate brokerage by leveraging digital marketing and BiggerPockets forums to attract clients in Denver. He discusses his evolution from active investing into passive syndication opportunities, including educating clients on return on equity and “lazy 1031” ...

Apr 11, 202525 minSeason 1Ep. 3872

JF 3871: Vetting GPs, Stabilized Yield, and Hidden Risks Every LP Should Know ft. The Real Estate God

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Pascal Wagner interviews The Real Estate God, a private equity investor with $30–40 million in assets under management. Known for his sharp insights and anonymous presence online, Michael shares how LPs can think like GPs by breaking down deal evaluation, spotting hidden risks, and understanding the importance of stabilized yield versus market cap rates. He dives deep into evaluating market rents, verifying assumptions, and managing debt risk—especially...

Apr 10, 20251 hr 7 minSeason 1Ep. 3871

JF 3870: Strategic Development, Market Shifts, and Build-to-Hold Philosophy ft. Victor Menasce

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Victor Menasce, senior partner at Y Street Capital. Victor shares his transition from electrical engineering to full-time real estate development, focusing on why he pivoted from value-add deals to ground-up development across multifamily, industrial, and land projects. He dives into challenges with rising construction costs due to tariffs, converting historic buildings, and the complexities of repurposing office sp...

Apr 09, 202525 minSeason 1Ep. 3870

JF 3869: Wholesaling to $20M Deals, RV Park Rollups, and Scaling Smarter ft. Ben Simon

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Ben Simon, CEO of Archer Acquisitions. Ben shares his unique path from wholesaling in Boston to scaling a 500+ unit multifamily and 12 RV park portfolio. He breaks down his transition from small deals to $20M+ projects, the strategic value of partnerships, and how RV parks became a major focus after accidentally discovering the asset class. Ben also unpacks one of his toughest deals and a massive win from a 200-unit portfolio refinance, h...

Apr 08, 202540 minSeason 1Ep. 3869

JF 3868: Class A Success, Off-Market Deals, and Multifamily Resilience ft. Judd Standage

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Judd Standage, founder of Aztex Management Group, who shares his journey from an IT career to owning and managing a 1,000-door multifamily portfolio. Judd discusses lessons from his first heavy value-add deal, why he shifted toward stabilized Class A and B+ properties in tertiary markets, and how his partnership with a longtime friend allows them to efficiently manage their entire operation. He also shares creative strategies to ...

Apr 07, 202536 minSeason 1Ep. 3868

JF 3867: Stock Market Tumbles, Treasury Yields Drop, Real Estate Stands Firm

On this episode of The Horizon, John discusses the sweeping impact of the new U.S. tariff hikes—dubbed "Liberation Day"—and their cascading effects on inflation, unemployment, and commercial real estate. He breaks down the economic fallout from increased tariffs on China, Vietnam, and other major trade partners, highlighting the resulting stock market plunge, potential recession, and shifts in investor sentiment. John explores how real estate might weather the turbulence better than equities, of...

Apr 06, 202531 minSeason 1Ep. 3867

JF 3866: Tariffs, Treasury Trends, and Multifamily Recovery

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless flies solo and dives into the latest Best Ever newsletter with updates and insights on the commercial real estate market. Joe breaks down the impact of new tariffs, treasury rate movements, and the state of multifamily trends across markets like DFW, Florida, and the Sunbelt. He highlights affordable housing challenges, national vacancy trends, and a standout case study of a 2X value-add deal in South Carolina generating 110% annual cash-on...

Apr 05, 202523 minSeason 1Ep. 3866

JF 3865: Garage Condos, Flex Space, and Building a Category of One ft. Ben Lapidus

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Ben Lapidus, a seasoned real estate investor and innovator behind a unique new concept called Playground. They dive into Ben’s journey from self-storage investments to pioneering the emerging asset class of garage condos—flexible, purpose-built spaces that can serve as luxury storage, personal gyms, hobby studios, or workspaces. Ben explains how Playground caters to affluent buyers looking to own, not rent, and discusses why selling in...

Apr 04, 202553 minSeason 1Ep. 3865

JF 3864: LP Red Flags, Market Trends, and Multifamily Wins ft. Andrew Cushman

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Pascal Wagner interviews Andrew Cushman, founder of Vantage Point Acquisitions. Andrew shares his journey from chemical engineer to successful multifamily investor, highlighting how he transitioned from flipping homes to acquiring nearly 3,000 multifamily units across the Southeast. He breaks down his firm's buy box strategy, emphasizing the importance of management value-add, demographic targeting, and property size for operational efficiency. The conv...

Apr 03, 20251 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 3864

JF 3863: IOS Storage, SBA Financing, and the Power of Partnerships ft. Christopher Long

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Christopher Long, CEO of Long Yards. Christopher shares how he scaled Long Yards from a contractor’s solution to a $12 million industrial outdoor storage (IOS) business serving contractors and service-based businesses. He explains the evolution from a franchise model to flexible joint ventures, offering a unique blend of land ownership and lease strategies backed by SBA financing. The conversation dives deep into id...

Apr 02, 202532 minSeason 1Ep. 3863

JF3862: Vetting Sponsors, Multifamily in Tennessee, and Value-Add Plays ft. Brent Barcus

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Brent Barcus, Managing Partner at I-65 Capital. Brent shares how he transitioned from the entertainment industry into real estate, focusing on capital raising and strategic partnerships with experienced operators. He breaks down his process for vetting sponsors, discusses lessons learned from a challenging early deal in Georgia, and highlights a promising new 232-unit acquisition in a Nashville suburb. Brent also explores market trends in...

Apr 01, 202530 minSeason 1Ep. 3862

JF3861: Passive Investing, AI Due Diligence, and Risk Mitigation ft. Sam Giordano

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Sam Giordano, a practicing gastroenterologist, real estate investor, and co-founder of PassiveAdvantage.com. Sam shares his journey into real estate syndications as a limited partner (LP), highlighting how his meticulous vetting process led him to create an AI-driven platform to help high-income professionals assess passive investments. He discusses the importance of sponsor evaluation, risk assessment, and market diversification...

Mar 31, 202531 minSeason 1Ep. 3861

JF3860: Economic Uncertainty, Inflation Risks, and the Real Estate Outlook ft. John Silvia

On this episode of The Horizon, John Chang interviews economist John Silvia to discuss economic uncertainty, inflation risks, and their implications for real estate investors. Silvia highlights concerning trends, including slowing consumer spending, falling consumer sentiment, and the potential for a negative GDP print in the first quarter. He also analyzes the impact of new tariffs, which could raise inflation and weaken economic growth, leading to a higher risk of recession. The discussion tur...

Mar 30, 202533 minSeason 1Ep. 3860

JF 3859: Protecting LPs, Building Trust, and Growing Through Mentorship ft. Christion Sadler

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Christion Sadler, CEO of PreIShare, a platform revolutionizing liquidity for LP investors in real estate syndications. Christion explains how PreIShare allows passive investors to list and sell their positions through a secondary market, providing a critical option for accessing capital mid-hold. They also discuss the evolving needs and expectations of LPs, including succession planning, post-tax yield, and geographic investment preferenc...

Mar 29, 202537 minSeason 1Ep. 3859

JF 3858: Creative Partnerships, Risk Mitigation, and the Power of Community ft. Liz Faircloth

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Liz Faircloth, his wife, business partner, and co-founder of both the DeRosa Group and The Real Estate InvestHer. Together, they dive into the diverging investor mindsets in today’s market—some bullish and scaling, others cautious and holding back—and the importance of conservative underwriting and problem-solving over waiting for past market conditions to return. Liz shares how women in her community are thriving through forming stron...

Mar 28, 202547 minSeason 1Ep. 3858

JF 3857: Structuring Smart Syndications, Vetting Operators, and Going Active ft. Bethany LeFlam

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Pascal Wagner interviews Bethany LeFlam, a seasoned SEC attorney who has structured thousands of real estate syndications. They dive deep into LP protections, red flags in PPMs, and what Bethany looks for before investing passively herself. She shares how she transitioned from legal advisor to active hotel investor, what makes boutique hotels attractive, and why operators’ communication styles reveal more than any pitch deck. Bethany also explains the l...

Mar 27, 20251 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 3857

JF: 3856 Multifamily Challenges, Syndication Pitfalls, and Mentoring New CRE Investors ft. Tripp Greene

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Tripp Greene, founder of Trinity Capital CRE and Coast to Coast CRE Academy. Tripp shares how his diverse background across all sides of real estate deals has led him to focus on capital raising, consulting, and mentoring new investors. He dives into the current challenges in multifamily, including broken GP structures, risky syndications, and over-leveraged operators. Tripp also discusses his Academy’s hands-on app...

Mar 26, 202534 minSeason 1Ep. 3856

JF 3855: Rents, Risks, and Real Estate Resilience: John Chang Explains Market Shifts Since 2020

On this episode of The Horizon, John discusses the origins of his signature phrase “keep your eyes on the horizon” and uses commercial real estate data to show the importance of long-term thinking in uncertain times. Reflecting on the five years since the COVID-19 outbreak, John breaks down the performance of office, retail, industrial, and apartment sectors, highlighting which property types have thrived and which have struggled. He emphasizes that despite current economic uncertainty—driven by...

Mar 25, 202532 minSeason 1Ep. 3855

JF: 3854: Rent-Controlled Beginnings, Strategic Partnerships, and Syndication Success ft. David Saxe

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews David Saxe , co-founder and managing principal at Calvera Partners. David shares how he and his co-founders transitioned from working at the $30B institutional fund manager CIM Group to launching Calvera in 2010. They began by investing in small rent-controlled multifamily assets in Silicon Valley and have since scaled to syndicating large 150–300 unit value-add projects across the Sunbelt. David also touches on the institutional...

Mar 24, 202534 minSeason 1Ep. 3854

JF 3853: Real Estate Ethics, Value-Add Strategy, and Smart Capital Raising ft. Bo Diamond

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Bo Diamond, Managing Partner at Caisson Capital Partners. Bo shares his journey from a Wall Street background in structured finance to launching his real estate firm in Northwest Arkansas, focusing on attainable multifamily housing across the Heartland. He details his first 96-unit deal, the importance of strategic partnerships, and how he applies institutional-grade deal structuring to private capital. The conversation dives deep into ma...

Mar 23, 202534 minSeason 1Ep. 3853

JF 3852: Midwest Multifamily, Cash Flow First, In-House Management ft. Matt Brawner

On this episode of Best Ever CRE , Slocomb Reed interviews Matt Brawner of Endurus Capital to explore how his firm built a 2,500-unit portfolio focused on value-add multifamily in the Midwest. Matt shares why he prioritizes cash flow and consistency over high-growth, high-volatility markets, and details recent acquisitions that cash flow out of the gate with fixed-rate debt. He also discusses transitioning to in-house property management to improve operational control, and reflects on how his ap...

Mar 22, 202525 minSeason 1Ep. 3852

JF 3851: Multifamily Investing, International Expansion, and Market Cycles ft. Jonah Bamberger

On this episode of Next Level CRE , Matt Faircloth interviews Jonah Bamberger of Aulder Capital, diving into his journey from growing up in Maryland, serving in the Israeli military, and transitioning into real estate investing. Jonah shares how he started with rent-stabilized multifamily in Brooklyn, expanded to suburban areas along the East Coast, and recently ventured into development in Portugal. The conversation covers the importance of networking, regulatory challenges in different markets...

Mar 21, 202556 minSeason 1Ep. 3851

JF 3850: Cash Flow vs. Equity, Lessons from Losing $50K, and Mastering Passive Income ft. Emma Powell

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show , Pascal Wagner interviews Emma Powell, a real estate investor, homeschool mom of six, and chief investing officer at High Rise Group. Emma shares her strategic journey from being a passive LP investor to an active GP and now back to passive investing, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing cash flow over equity appreciation for early retirement. She discusses the pitfalls passive investors often fall into, why fixed-rate debt and risk management mat...

Mar 20, 20251 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 3850

JF3849: Water Rights, Industrial Development, and Navigating Entitlements in Today’s Market ft. Sean T Flanagan

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Sean T Flanagan of Flanagan Real Estate LLC & Hydrosource Inc, from Denver, Colorado. Sean shares insights into industrial real estate development, speculative investments, and the complexities of water rights in the Western U.S. He dives into his current industrial project—a 40,000-square-foot speculative warehouse in a prime Denver location—discussing entitlement challenges, leasing strategies, and the importa...

Mar 19, 202541 minSeason 1Ep. 3849

JF3848: Tariff Impact Analysis, Institutional Capital Return, & Market Cycle Positioning in Commercial Real Estate

On this episode of The Horizon, John Chang of Marcus & Millichap and Ben Lapidus discuss how recent economic shifts are creating unique investment opportunities in commercial real estate. They analyze how stock market volatility and new tariff policies are alienating international investors while prompting wealthy Americans to seek alternative investment vehicles. John shares insights from institutional players who are beginning to deploy capital into multifamily properties despite negative ...

Mar 18, 202532 minSeason 1Ep. 3848

JF3847: Fund Structure Flexibility, Multifamily Acquisition Strategy, & Strategic Market Selection ft. Percy Nikora

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Percy Nikora, co-founder of Penn Capital, which manages approximately $230 million in multifamily assets. Percy shares insights on their hybrid capital-raising approach, offering both fund and individual deal investment options to accommodate different investor preferences. He explains how they've executed 12 syndications and recently launched a $50 million fund that has already acquired three properties with about $20 million in...

Mar 17, 202527 minSeason 1Ep. 3847

JF3846: Land Data Intelligence Platform, Multi-Variable Parcel Analysis, & Strategic Acquisition Filters ft. Carter Malloy

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Cornwell interviews Carter Malloy, CEO of Acres.com, a comprehensive land intelligence platform that helps investors find, analyze, and purchase land more efficiently. Carter explains how their platform consolidates multiple data sources to provide instant information on any parcel in the United States, including ownership details, comparable sales, mortgage data, topography, flood zones, and more. He discusses how investors can use the platform to ...

Mar 16, 202526 minSeason 1Ep. 3846

JF3845: Fund Creation Strategy, Capital Raising Evolution, & Multi-Asset Portfolio Diversification ft. Jeremy Long

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Slocomb Reed interviews Jeremy Long, founder and managing partner of Axia Partners, a vertically integrated investment firm based in Salt Lake City. Jeremy shares his unique journey from door-to-door sales executive to real estate investor, including his experience taking Vivint Solar public and later being acquired by Sunrun. He explains why he and his partner Dave decided to launch with a fund model rather than individual syndications, allowing them t...

Mar 15, 202528 minSeason 1Ep. 3845

JF3844: Economic Forecast Analysis, Housing Market Supply Constraints, & Personal Investment Philosophy ft. Dave Meyer

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Dave Meyer, Head of Real Estate Investing at BiggerPockets and host of multiple BP podcasts. Dave shares his expert analysis on why mortgage rates haven't dropped despite Fed cuts, explaining how bond yields and inflation fears are keeping rates elevated. He predicts residential real estate will continue seeing price appreciation due to severe supply constraints, with homeowners "trapped" by their low-rate mortgages unwilling to sell. ...

Mar 14, 20251 hr 10 minSeason 3Ep. 3841
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