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 4203: From Flips to Fortune: A Real Estate Journey ft. J Scott

Ash Patel & Amanda Cruise interview J Scott to discuss the shift from multifamily to ground-up development, building a high-caliber development stack, and how to educate investors about the risks and timing of development projects. They dive into Jay’s 351-unit ground-up project outside Dallas, the mechanics of a HUD 221D4 loan (40-year fixed-rate, fully amortized, with construction-period interest-only), and the importance of aligning with experienced partners. The conversation also covers ...

Mar 11, 202632 minEp. 4203

JF 4202: Dynamo Capital's Real Estate Secrets ft. Caitlin Waldschmidt

Richard McGirr interviews Caitlin Waldshmidt as she shares her insights on the realities of lending to small multifamily and fix-and-flip projects, highlighting why straightforward, transparent relationships trump flashy marketing. You'll learn how to recognize the hidden opportunities during a deal drought, including the value of servicing the top-tier borrowers who prioritize certainty and reliability over price. Caitlin also discusses her unique strategy of staying out of crowded marketing ch...

Mar 09, 202627 minEp. 4202

JF 4201: The Five-Year CRE Outlook, AI Disruption and Market Risks with John Chang

John Chang shares his five-year outlook for commercial real estate and reflects on the future forces that could shape the industry. He explains how AI, geopolitical uncertainty, and stock market valuations may influence economic growth, investor behavior, and commercial real estate demand. Chang also breaks down sector-specific expectations, noting that multifamily may offer strong opportunities at today’s repriced valuations, while office and industrial will likely remain more selective and mar...

Mar 08, 202638 minEp. 4201

JF 4200: EV Charging as a Multifamily Amenity, Financing Infrastructure and Future-Proofing Assets ft. Ben Kanner

John Casmon interviews Ben Kanner, founder of Three V Infrastructure, about the growing intersection between EV charging and multifamily real estate. Ben shares his journey from subprime mortgages to Deutsche Bank portfolio management and eventually into renewable infrastructure, where he identified a major financing gap in EV charging for commercial properties. He explains why EV charging should be viewed primarily as an amenity rather than a direct NOI driver and how operators can use it to at...

Mar 07, 202640 minEp. 4200

JF 4199: The Office as a Service: Third-Party Management and the Future of CRE ft. Matt Faupel

Matt Faircloth interviews Matt Faupel about how most commercial real estate investors overlook one of the most dynamic and resilient asset classes: office space. In this eye-opening episode, Matt Faupel from Cushman & Wakefield reveals how the future of office management is being revolutionized by cutting-edge tools, including AI, and why understanding the nuances of this market can unlock hidden value and protect your investments. Imagine transforming your approach to office management with...

Mar 06, 202641 minEp. 4199

JF 4198: Navigating Macro Trends in Real Estate ft. Judd Dunning

Pascal Wagner interviews Judd Dunning, who breaks down how American small and mid-cap businesses can leverage sale-leaseback deals to unlock 100% financing, grow their brands, and create win-win outcomes. He shares behind-the-scenes insights from closing billion-dollar deals with Deutsche Bank, the secret advantages of cost segregation accelerated depreciation, and why AI is transforming underwriting cutting days into minutes. You’ll discover the key red flags to avoid, how to assess customer co...

Mar 05, 202627 minEp. 4198

JF 4197: How Living in a Mobile Home Park Accelerated My Entrepreneurial Success ft. Ryan Narus

Ash Patel & Amanda Cruise interviews Ryan Narus as he shares his journey from a middle-class upbringing and a $60,000 MBA to the founder of a multimillion-dollar mobile home park portfolio. He explains why traditional education and slow, safe growth often limit entrepreneurs and how living in a mobile home park, teaching himself Spanish, and doing what's uncomfortable can accelerate learning and grit. You'll discover the importance of trailblazing, the power of doing things no one else will,...

Mar 04, 202653 minEp. 4197

JF 4196: Secrets of Fund Management ft.Tyson Cobb

Richard McGirr interviews Tyson Cobb from Timberview Capital, diving deep into the world of fund management and investment strategies. Tyson shares his unique journey from being a semi-retired orthopedic surgeon to becoming a successful real estate investor and fund manager. The discussion highlights the importance of building a strong team culture. A key focus of the episode is on designing investor-centric solutions, such as tax-efficient Roth rollovers, to maximize returns. Tyson discusses th...

Mar 02, 202631 minEp. 4196

JF 4195: Sunbelt Slowdown, Institutional Capital and What’s Next with John Chang

In this solo Horizon episode, John breaks down the Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs, the subsequent policy shifts, and what it all means for the broader economy and commercial real estate. While tariffs don’t directly hit property owners, he explains how the ripple effects—particularly uncertainty—are slowing job creation, household formation, and overall space demand. He highlights how weaker migration and hiring trends are creating headwinds in overbuilt Sunbelt markets, while pent-up demand ...

Mar 01, 202635 minEp. 4195

JF 4194: Why Relying Only on Deal Analysis Can Limit Your Multifamily Growth ft. Mitchell Rice

John Casmon interviews Mitchell Rice about how he mastered the art of capital raising through door-to-door sales, why analyzing deals is only half the battle, and the importance of building deep relationships with brokers and sellers. Discover how he evaluates deal viability using practical metrics like yield on cost, and why understanding local market nuances is vital even when out-of-state investors want in. Mitchell Rice Current role: Managing Partner, Elkstone Capital Based in: Salt Lake Cit...

Feb 28, 202644 minEp. 4194

JF 4193: Strategic Insights for Savvy Investors in Today's Market ft. Liz Faircloth and Amanda Han

Liz Faircloth takes over Next Level CRE and interviews Amanda Han. They share how even seasoned investors are navigating a market of extremes from deals no longer penciling out to newfound opportunities that are finally coming to fruition. You'll discover actionable insights on when to sell a struggling property to reclaim losses, how to redeploy capital strategically, and the critical role tax planning plays in maximizing your wealth. She breaks down common mistakes investors make like confusin...

Feb 27, 202624 minEp. 4193

JF 4192: How Central Banks' Silver Strategy Is Reshaping the Global Metal Market ft. Collin Plume

Pascal Wagner sits down with Colin Plume, the founder and CEO of Noble Gold Investments, to explore the dynamic world of precious metals amidst today's volatile economic landscape. They delve into how recent geopolitical shifts, central bank strategies, and supply shortages are influencing the demand for gold and silver. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the risks and opportunities in buying precious metals at near all-time highs, along with practical advice on evaluating metals prov...

Feb 26, 202658 minEp. 4192

JF 4191: How Buying Messy Parks with Challenging Features Creates Big Opportunities ft. Chad Freeman

Ash Patel & Amanda Cruise have a conversation with Chad Freeman about how most mobile home park investors struggle with overpaying and navigating a fragmented market where prices skyrocket once deals hit broker listings. Chad Freeman reveals the counterintuitive strategies that keep him hunting for off-market gems, focusing on fundamentals like location, the interest rate-cap rate spread, and distressed properties others overlook. If you're tired of chasing thin deals in a crowded space, thi...

Feb 25, 202631 minEp. 4191

JF 4190: Scaling Capital Aggregation, Launching Trident and Fund to Funds Growth ft. Brittany Barchalk

Seth Bradley interviews Brittany Barchalk, Vice President of Operations at TribeVest, live from the Best Ever Conference 10 in Salt Lake City. They discuss how the fund-to-funds model has evolved from a niche concept requiring heavy education to a more widely understood and increasingly adopted capital-raising strategy. Brittany shares how market shifts and heightened compliance awareness have driven demand for infrastructure, professionalism, and scalable systems. The conversation also highligh...

Feb 24, 202622 minEp. 4190

JF 4189: A New Approach to Fund Management ft. Brian and Gina Roth

Richard McGurr sits down with Brian and Gina Roth, two successful investors who quickly went from LPs to raising a $1.2 million debt fund in just three months. Their journey reveals how genuine storytelling, strategic-networking, and leveraging your own portfolio can unlock extraordinary capital-raising results even if you're starting from zero. This episode is perfect for aspiring fundraisers, real estate investors looking to scale, or anyone tired of endless chasing with little payoff. Brian a...

Feb 23, 202625 minEp. 4189

JF 4188: Diversifying Beyond Real Estate: Exploring New Investment Horizons ft. Sandhya Seshadri

Sandhya Seshadri shares her inspiring journey from being an engineer to becoming a successful multifamily investor. Starting with her first 86-unit deal in 2018, Sandhya discusses the importance of partnering with experienced sponsors, building strong broker relationships, and defining clear acquisition criteria. She emphasizes the value of reputation, credibility, and deep relationships in acquiring deals, and offers practical strategies for managing underperforming assets through communication...

Feb 21, 202656 minEp. 4188

JF 4187: How Long Term Debt Protects Multifamily Investors During Downturns ft. Dwight Dunton

Matt Faircloth interviews Dwight Dunton, founder of Bonaventure, who shares lessons from building a 10,000-unit multifamily portfolio and investing through multiple market cycles since 1999. He explains why multifamily remains resilient during downturns, emphasizing that housing is an essential need and long-term success depends on financing assets with fixed-rate, long-term debt to survive economic volatility. Dwight also discusses how emotional decision-making can hurt investors, encouraging r...

Feb 20, 202645 minEp. 4187

JF 4186: Structuring Income, Growth and Liquidity for 2026 ft. Christopher Nelson

Pascal Wagner interviews Christopher Nelson about how accredited investors can position their portfolios for 2026 while balancing income, growth, and capital preservation. They unpack the realities of living off portfolio income, including rising healthcare costs, taxes, and the importance of clean financial reporting across entities. Pascal shares how his family’s annual expenses increased significantly once depreciation benefits tapered off, prompting a strategic review of asset allocation and...

Feb 19, 202655 minEp. 4186

JF 4185: Mixed-Use Value, Retail Upside and Triple Net Strategy ft. Jamie Thiel and Jeni Burke

Jamie Thiel and Jeni Burke join Ash and Amanda to share how they transitioned from residential real estate and limited partner investing into larger commercial opportunities, leveraging their complementary strengths to build a growing portfolio together. Jamie began as an LP in 2018 while working as a commercial roofer in multifamily, gaining exposure to ownership from the vendor side. Jeni, with over two decades of experience as a licensed real estate agent and a background in small multifamily...

Feb 18, 202650 minEp. 4185

JF 4184: How to Build a Multi-Asset Fund-of-Funds Program at Massive Scale ft. Ben Fraser

Seth Bradley interviews Ben Fraser, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer at Aspen Funds, on how Aspen built a scalable fund-to-funds platform to support more than 40 independent capital aggregators in 2025 alone. Ben breaks down Aspen’s macro-driven investment philosophy, how the firm evolved from distressed mortgage notes after the Great Financial Crisis into a multi-asset platform, and why focusing on tailwinds matters more than sticking to a single asset class. The conversation dive...

Feb 17, 202652 minEp. 4184

JF 4183: The Hidden Power of Content in Raising Capital and Building Your Brand ft. Sean Flanagan

Sean Flanagan shares real, raw lessons from failed land deals, capital raises, and the key mindset shift that can turn setbacks into success. If you're tired of spinning wheels and ready to make high-impact moves in industrial or water rights, this episode reveals how to get in the right room, build undeniable credibility, and create content that attracts your ideal investors and partners. Discover why focusing on one niche can skyrocket your authority and how to leverage simple content strategi...

Feb 16, 202652 minEp. 4183

JF 4182: Tariffs, Wage Growth and the AI Scare Trade with John Chang

John Chang unpacks massive downward revisions to U.S. job growth and what they signal for commercial real estate. He explains how nearly 900,000 jobs were wiped out through revisions, why government data models are struggling in a post-pandemic economy, and how policy uncertainty and tariffs are weighing on hiring. John also addresses the recent AI-driven Wall Street selloff in brokerage stocks, arguing that fears of automation disrupting CRE brokerage and office demand are overstated. Throughou...

Feb 15, 202638 minEp. 4182

JF 4181: Building Dreams: The Art of Affordable Housing Development ft. Michael Oden

Michael Oden shares his journey from Detroit to Atlanta, highlighting his innovative approach to affordable housing development. As a broker developer, Michael focuses on acquiring raw land and leveraging creative zoning strategies to unlock value and increase housing density. He discusses the importance of understanding local market factors, such as area median income, to set affordability thresholds and ensure that new construction projects remain financially viable even in challenging economi...

Feb 14, 202652 minEp. 4181

JF 4180: The Surprising Cost Difference: Building Student Housing vs. Traditional Multifamily ft. Zach Feldman

Zach Feldman joins Matt Faircloth for a conversation about the intricacies of student housing, a niche yet highly profitable sector within real estate. He explains how student housing has evolved from informal setups to institutionalized assets, offering unique investment opportunities.They also talk about the importance of location, amenity design, and market research in achieving rent premiums, and how these factors differentiate student housing from traditional multifamily properties. He also...

Feb 13, 202647 minEp. 4180

JF 4179: Why Mobile Home Parks Are the Most Underappreciated Affordable Housing Asset ft. Amanda Cruise

Pascal is joined by fellow Best Ever host, Amanda Cruise. This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the mobile home park sector, highlighting its unique position as an affordable housing solution with declining supply. Amanda shares her journey from traditional real estate to becoming a successful mobile home park operator, providing valuable insights into the strategic decisions that drive success in this niche market. Listeners will gain an understanding of the critical factors to con...

Feb 12, 20261 hr 3 minEp. 4179

JF 4178: Avoiding Bridge Debt Pitfalls in Self-Storage Investing ft. Fernando Angelucci

Fernando Angelucci joins Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel to share how he scaled from single-family investing into a 55-facility self-storage portfolio by intentionally building three parallel businesses: marketing, capital raising, and operations. He explains why focusing on direct-to-seller acquisitions and seller financing helped insulate his deals from rising interest rates, and how working directly with community banks allows for long-term construction-to-permanent debt. The conversation also co...

Feb 11, 202643 minEp. 4178

JF 4177: The Compliance Minefield in Capital Raising That Will Blow Up Your Deal (and How to Avoid It) with Seth Bradly

Seth Bradley explains why many common capital-raising practices in real estate are quietly illegal and increasingly risky as regulators, investors, and institutions pay closer attention. He breaks down why intent and deal quality do not matter if securities laws are violated, and why compensation tied to capital raised is the fastest way to cross the line. Seth walks through the three legally distinct roles in capital raising active participant, passive participant, and third party and shows how...

Feb 10, 202655 minEp. 4177

JF 4176: Emergency Pawd: AI Agents Are Here and They Change Everything with Richard McGirr

Richard McGirr records an emergency solo episode explaining why 2026 will be the year AI agents fundamentally change how real estate businesses operate. He introduces OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent framework, and explains how agents differ from chat tools by having memory, tool access, and the ability to run autonomous workflows. Richard shares real examples from his own business, including tracking legal document revisions, generating daily sales intelligence across CRM, email, and calls, an...

Feb 09, 202648 minEp. 4176

JF 4175: The Surprising Role of AI & Data Centers in 2026 Economic Growth with John Chang

John Chang breaks down the economic trends set to define 2026 from tepid job growth, declining population growth, and geopolitical uncertainty to the surprising resilience of certain real estate sectors. Discover why AI investments, despite fueling GDP growth, aren't creating jobs, and what that means for commercial real estate demand. Book your free demo today at bill.com/bestever and get a $100 Amazon gift card. Visit ⁠www.tribevestisc.com⁠ for more info. Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your...

Feb 08, 202633 minEp. 4175

JF 4174: How Capital Velocity Accelerates Real Estate Growth ft. Matthew Pezon

John Casmon interviews Matthew Pezon, who shares his journey from being told he was the “worst employee” in his engineering job to building a vertically integrated multifamily portfolio in Pennsylvania. Matthew explains how early mentorship, relentless deal touring, and making dozens of offers helped him build confidence and land his first deals through distressed single-family and small multifamily properties. The conversation digs into Matthew’s shift away from long-term buy-and-hold thinking ...

Feb 07, 202647 minEp. 4174
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