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. Join the Best Ever Community The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria. Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at www.bestevercommunity.com
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

JF3765: Why This $100M Portfolio Owner Says Parking Lots Are The Ultimate Location Play ft. Brian Spear

Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Brian Spear, principal and co-founder of Sunrise Capital Investors. Brian shares his journey from living in a mobile home park at age 10 to building a portfolio of over 20 mobile home parks and $100 million in parking facilities across 14 states. The conversation explores how Sunrise transitioned from a fix-and-flip model to a long-term hold strategy, with Brian explaining their focus on returning capital quickly through refinancing while maintaining infinit...

Dec 25, 202443 minSeason 1Ep. 3765

JF3764: Housing's New Reality: Empty Nesters Stay Put, First-Time Buyers Locked Out, and Build-to-Rent's Big Moment ft. John E Silvia

In this episode of The Horizon with John Chang, John interviews economist John E. Silvia to discuss economic outlook and housing market trends. Silvia shares insights on consumer sentiment improvement and housing affordability challenges, particularly in coastal markets. They explore how high interest rates, construction costs, and labor shortages are impacting housing supply, with Silvia noting significant regional disparities in affordability. The conversation covers rental housing trends, wit...

Dec 24, 202431 minSeason 1Ep. 3764

JF3763: Midwest Multifamily Cash Flow and ‘Big Trouble’ with Bridge Debt ft. Jeff Berlin

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Jeff Berlin joins host Joe Cornwell to discuss his journey from dentist to real estate investor. Berlin shares how reading "Rich Dad Poor Dad" led him to start investing in real estate, beginning with single-family homes in the Midwest before scaling to multifamily properties. He discusses his experience buying and selling a 30-unit property in Cincinnati and a challenging venture into assisted living facilities in California that taught him valuable le...

Dec 23, 202432 minSeason 1Ep. 3765

JF3762: Bridge Debt & New Supply: How One DFW Owner is Weathering the Perfect Storm ft. Stephen Lee-Thomas

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Stephen Lee-Thomas joins host Slocomb Reed to discuss his journey from IT professional to full-time multifamily investor. Lee-Thomas explains how he started as a passive investor in 2017 before transitioning to becoming a GP with a current portfolio of 1,400 units across six properties valued at over $100 million. He focuses on value-add properties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where he has experienced both successes and challenges, particularly with p...

Dec 22, 202426 minSeason 1Ep. 3762

JF3761: The Days of Easy Capital Raising Are Over — Here's How to Adapt ft. Hunter Thompson

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Hunter Thompson, CEO of RaisingCapital.com and Asym Capital, joins host Ash Patel to discuss capital raising in today's market. Thompson shares how his firm pivoted from raising capital for multiple operators to focusing solely on multifamily investments in Phoenix. He discusses the challenges of capital raising in the current environment, emphasizing that difficult periods often present the best wealth-building opportunities. Thompson provides insights...

Dec 21, 202441 minSeason 1Ep. 3761

JF3760: Why Failed 1970s Subdivisions Could Be Your Next Gold Mine ft. Mason McDonald & Dan Haberkost

In this episode of the Next Level CRE Show, Dan Haberkost and Mason McDonald join host Matt Faircloth to discuss land development and investment strategies. They explore different approaches from basic lot flips to complex subdivisions, sharing insights on market selection, financing challenges, and working with local municipalities. The pair explain how they find off-market land deals and overcome traditional financing hurdles through creative funding solutions. They discuss opportunities in "f...

Dec 20, 20241 hr 14 minSeason 1Ep. 3760

JF3759: Ex-Banker's Secret to Getting Bank REO Deals and Landing 'Toxic' Assets ft. Sam Morris

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Sam Morris, CEO of Sunset Capital, joins host Ash Patel to discuss his experience in both multifamily and self-storage investments. Morris leverages his banking background to identify distressed opportunities and work with lenders. He explains how his vertically integrated company focuses on Texas markets, manages properties in-house, and maintains strong relationships with investors. Morris provides insights into the current state of both asset classes...

Dec 19, 202444 minSeason 1Ep. 3759

JF3758: Capitalizing on Fear, Overplayed Distress, and Strong Data in the Southeast ft. David Moghavem

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, David Moghavem, director of East Coast Acquisitions for Tryon Properties, joins host Slocomb Reed to discuss multifamily investing in the current market. Moghavem details Tryon's recent acquisitions in Orlando and Atlanta, emphasizing their focus on properties with strong in-place cash flow and positive leverage rather than speculative appreciation. He explains how their vertical integration and market knowledge help them identify opportunities, particu...

Dec 18, 202422 minSeason 1Ep. 3758

JF3757: Why Smart Money is Betting on Strip Malls ft. Gregg Katz

In this episode of Horizon with John Chang, Gregg Katz discusses retail trends and consumer spending. Katz shares insights on holiday retail sales, consumer debt levels, and the evolving retail landscape. They analyze department store performance, with Nordstrom emerging as a strong performer while others like Macy's and Kohl's show concerning signs. The conversation also covers mall transformations, the success of open-air retail centers, and investment opportunities in retail real estate given...

Dec 17, 202430 minSeason 1Ep. 3757

JF3756: How to Test 'Lazy' Brokers, Landing National Tenants, and the Trends Shaping Retail ft. Pete Montgomery & Josh Rothstein

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, retail brokers Pete Montgomery (CMC Properties) and Josh Rothstein (Onsite Retail Group) join host Ash Patel to discuss trends and insights in commercial retail real estate. They cover topics including landing national tenants, repurposing second-generation restaurant spaces, the evolution of shopping centers, and working with local municipalities. The pair emphasize the importance of relationships, responsiveness, and social media presence in successfu...

Dec 16, 202447 minSeason 1Ep. 3756

JF3755: Self Storage vs Apartments in 2025: Why Storage Got Hit Harder ft. Christal deBoer

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Christal Smith DeBoer, founder of Regency Investment Group, joins host Joe Cornwell to discuss her journey in real estate investing. DeBoer shares her experience transitioning from managing her father's single-family portfolio to investing in multifamily and self-storage properties across the Southeast and Midwest. She discusses her approach to raising capital through organic relationship building, the importance of transparency with investors during ch...

Dec 15, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 3755

JF3754: Why AI is Making Tenant Screening Harder Than Ever ft. Sarah May

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Sarah May, founder and principal of Regency Investment Group, joins host Slocomb Reed to discuss changes in Denver's multifamily market since her last appearance in 2022. May shares insights on dealing with new construction supply, negative rent growth, and shifting strategies toward smaller, simpler deals with fewer partners. She discusses challenges with rental fraud, the impact of Denver's affordable housing legislation on new development, and emphas...

Dec 14, 202424 minSeason 1Ep. 3752

JF3753: Investment Fraud Expert's Warning: 'The Only Thing Wrong With Losing Money is Hiding It' ft. James Brandolino

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, James Brandolino, former hedge fund manager and founder of Investment Fraud Solutions, joins host Matt Faircloth. Brandolino shares his personal story of running a fraudulent hedge fund for eight years before turning himself in, and now helps investors and companies prevent fraud. He explains how most investment fraud doesn't start intentionally but evolves from fear and pride when investments underperform. Brandolino provides insights on red flags in i...

Dec 13, 20241 hr 20 minSeason 1Ep. 3753

JF3752: Why Floor Plate Size Makes or Breaks Office Conversions (And Other Insider Design Secrets) ft. Duanne Render

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Duanne Render, design manager at Gensler, joins host Amanda Cruise to discuss office-to-residential conversions. Render explains Gensler's proprietary algorithm for analyzing building conversion suitability, focusing on key factors like floor plate size, mechanical systems, and facade configuration. He shares insights on market conditions that make conversions viable, including construction costs, property values, and rental rates, while highlighting su...

Dec 12, 202430 minSeason 1Ep. 3752

JF3751: The Truth About Bridge Debt & Why This Former Pro Golfer Stopped Doing Office Deals ft. Billy Brown

In this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Billy Brown, founder of The Investors Capital Group LL/C and active investor, joins host Amanda Cruise. Brown shares his journey from professional golf to commercial lending and discusses his diverse portfolio, including an 82-unit multifamily property in Kentucky and a triple-net office building in Wisconsin. He provides valuable insights on the 2024-2025 lending landscape, discussing higher interest rates, bridge debt challenges, and the growing trend...

Dec 11, 202430 minSeason 1Ep. 3751

JF3750: The Wall of Doom, How the U.S. Treasury Has Changed, and What it All Means for CRE ft. Brian Bailey

In this conversation, John Chang interviews Brian Bailey, CRE Subject Matter Expert in the Supervision, Regulation, & Credit Division at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. They discuss the implications of recent economic policies, particularly tariffs, on commercial real estate. They explore how these tariffs could lead to inflation, affect labor shortages, and impact construction costs. The discussion also covers investor perspectives in a changing market, the influence of interest rates ...

Dec 10, 202439 minSeason 1Ep. 3750

JF3749: Why This Texas Multifamily Owner Started a $3M Debt Fund (And Still Loves Buying Apartments) ft. Jacob Garza

In this episode, Slocomb Reed interviews Jacob Garza, founder of REEP Equity, focusing on the commercial real estate landscape, particularly in Texas. Jacob shares his journey from tech entrepreneur to real estate investor, discussing the operational strategies of REEP Equity, their market focus, and the current acquisition opportunities in Texas. The conversation also delves into the recent launch of a debt fund, its mechanics, and how it fits into the broader investment strategy. Jacob emphasi...

Dec 09, 202430 minSeason 1Ep. 3749

JF3748: Why This Office Investor Is Still Seeing 20% Rent Growth Despite Market Fear ft. Josh Sason

In this episode, Amanda Cruise interviews Josh Sason, who shares his journey from launching a hedge fund at 22 to focusing on commercial real estate. Josh discusses his investment strategies in office properties during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges faced in the office market, and the lessons learned from his experiences. He also explores the small bay industrial market, emphasizing the opportunities in secondary and tertiary markets, and concludes with insights on shifts in investment th...

Dec 08, 202435 minSeason 1Ep. 3746

JF3747: When The City Engineer Gets Personal: A Multifamily Development Nightmare ft. Eduardo Viesca

Joe Cornwell interviews Eduardo Viesca, managing partner of Manglar Capital, who shares his extensive experience in real estate investment. Eduardo discusses his journey from Mexico to the U.S. real estate market, focusing on multifamily investments and land development strategies. He reflects on both successful and challenging deals, emphasizing the importance of adapting to market changes and finding unique investment opportunities. Eduardo also addresses the current challenges in raising capi...

Dec 07, 202427 minSeason 1Ep. 3747

JF3746: Building Real Estate Influence Through Authentic Social Media Strategy ft. David Pere

Matt Faircloth and David Pere discuss the intersection of social media and real estate investing, particularly focusing on how military veterans transition into real estate. They explore the benefits of the VA loan, the importance of house hacking, and the strategies for building a strong social media presence. David shares insights on monetizing social media followings through affiliate marketing and community building, as well as his experiences with boutique hotel investments. The discussion ...

Dec 06, 20241 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 3732

JF3745: Smart Tax Strategy: Breaking Free from 1031 Exchange Limitations ft. Brett Swarts

In this episode, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Brett Swarts, founder and CEO of Capital Gains Tax Solutions. Brett shares his journey from struggling in the real estate market to managing over $150 million in assets. He discusses the Deferred Sales Trust (DST) as an alternative to the 1031 exchange, highlighting its flexibility, tax benefits, and how it can be used for various asset types. The conversation delves into the pros and cons of DSTs, income generation strategies, and the impor...

Dec 05, 202440 minSeason 1Ep. 3745

JF3744: Why Property Management Makes or Breaks Multifamily Success ft. Divya Smith

In this conversation, Divya Smith, founder and CEO of Ascending Avenue Investments, shares her journey from a technology executive to a real estate investor. She discusses the current market trends, investor sentiment, and the challenges faced in capital raising and investor relations. Divya emphasizes the importance of property management and the lessons learned from her experiences in the multifamily space. The discussion also covers the shift in investor focus towards stabilized assets and th...

Dec 04, 202422 minSeason 1Ep. 3744

JF3743: Lifestyle Flex, Data Centers, and Emerging Niche Plays in CRE ft. Ben Lapidus

John Chang and Ben Lapidus delve into the world of niche real estate investments, focusing on unique concepts like flex space and data centers. They discuss the challenges of selling these unconventional properties, the potential for growth in niche asset classes, and the opportunities available for small to mid-size investors. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of commercial real estate and the importance of understanding market demands. Sponsors: Altra Running Sunrise Capital L...

Dec 03, 202433 minSeason 1Ep. 3743

JF3742: Mastering Land Development: Safari Glamping & 400-Lot Modular Home Projects ft. Chang Liang

Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Chang Liang, managing partner of Collective Acre, who shares insights into the glamping industry and the business model behind it. Chang discusses the unique experiences offered at their glamping resorts, the financial aspects of running such a business, and the challenges faced in land development and entitlement. The conversation also touches on investment perspectives, best practices for managing a glamping resort, and the future direction of Collective A...

Dec 02, 202431 minSeason 1Ep. 3742

JF3741: Mobile Home Park Value-Add Deal Deep Dive: Turning a $1.3M Contract into a $650K Purchase ft. Amanda Cruise

Ash Patel and Amanda Cruz discuss Amanda's recent acquisition of a mobile home park, detailing the challenges and strategies involved in the deal. They explore the negotiation process, financial insights, and the importance of understanding property dynamics. Amanda shares her experiences with the previous owner, the slumlord, and how they navigated the complexities of the deal. The conversation also touches on funding strategies, lessons learned, and future plans for the property. Sponsors: Alt...

Dec 01, 202426 minSeason 1Ep. 3741

JF3740: Understanding Real Estate Market Phases: Core Multifamily Insights from a $1.8B Portfolio ft. Forrest Corral

Slocomb Reed interviews Forrest Corral, a principal at LTL Multifamily, who shares his extensive experience in the multifamily real estate sector. Forrest discusses his journey from accounting to real estate, the skills that have contributed to his success in acquisitions, and his insights on understanding market cycles. He emphasizes the importance of adapting investment strategies to current market conditions, particularly in light of rising interest rates and changing economic factors. The co...

Nov 30, 202428 minSeason 1Ep. 3740

JF3739: Building Two Niche Real Estate Empires Through Mobile Homes & Parking Lots ft. Kevin Bupp

In this conversation, Kevin Bupp discusses his extensive experience in real estate, particularly in mobile home parks. He shares insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the real estate market, the current trends in mobile home parks, and the financing options available for both park owners and residents. Kevin emphasizes the importance of value-add strategies and the unique structure of ownership in mobile home parks, highlighting the differences between mobile homes and traditional housi...

Nov 29, 20241 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 3739

JF3738: Private Money vs Flipping: Why Lending Beats Being in the Trenches ft. Mike Seidl

Mike Seidl shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from his first company in the medical alert industry to his current role as a private money lender in real estate. He discusses the transition from flipping houses to lending, the advantages of being in a lending position, and insights into the current real estate market. Mike emphasizes the importance of cash flow, building relationships, and being prepared for future opportunities in the market. Mike Seidl | Real Estate Background Co-Foun...

Nov 28, 202428 minSeason 1Ep. 3738

JF3737: Demystifying LIHTC Properties: The Hidden Opportunities in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits ft. Mikhail Kaufman

In this episode, host Slocomb Reed interviews Mikhail Kaufman, COO of Kraft Capital Investments, who specializes in LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit) multifamily properties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Kaufman shares his expertise in managing these specialized properties, explaining how LIHTC deals require unique operational knowledge due to income restrictions and compliance requirements, but can offer better returns due to less competition from buyers. He details how his team creates val...

Nov 27, 202425 minSeason 1Ep. 3737

JF3736: The Secret Life of Interest Rates — Inflation, the Election, and What Comes Next ft. Ben Lapidus

John Chang and Ben Lapidus explore the current state of the real estate market in John's debut episode of "The Horizon with John Chang". They focus on the impact of interest rates, differing regional perspectives, and the long-term outlook for real estate investments. They discuss the importance of understanding market dynamics, the potential for investment opportunities, and the need for investors to keep a forward-looking perspective. The dialogue emphasizes the value of real estate as a consi...

Nov 26, 202430 minSeason 1Ep. 3736
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android