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
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Episodes

JF 3945: Fund of Funds, First Big Deal, and Scaling Fast with Chris and Richard

On this episode of Unlimited Capital, Chris Lopez and Richard McGirr break down why they chose the fund-to-funds model for their first major capital raise—and why it's a powerful starting point for aspiring syndicators. They share how they scaled quickly without years of operational experience by leveraging experienced operators, reducing risk, and maintaining compliance through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) structure. They also discuss their first deal: a 34-unit value-add multifamily propert...

Jun 23, 202526 minSeason 1Ep. 3945

JF 3944: Trump Policies, Rising Costs, and Real Estate Growth

On this episode of The Horizon , John Chang discusses why commercial real estate is likely to outperform over the next five years. He attributes this to two major Trump-era policies: increased tariffs and tightening immigration. Tariffs on materials like steel, aluminum, and Canadian softwood lumber are significantly raising construction costs, while stricter immigration policies are reducing the labor pool, further driving up labor expenses. These structural pressures are expected to constrain ...

Jun 22, 202529 minSeason 1Ep. 3944

JF 3943: Relationship Capital, Property Scaling, and SOPs for Success ft. Ashley Garner

On this episode of Multifamily Mastery, John Casmon interviews Ashley Garner, a lifelong real estate investor who transitioned from student rentals and residential brokerage into multifamily investing. Ashley shares how a near-death health scare motivated him to scale his portfolio more aggressively, going from a 10-unit to a 196-unit property through strategic partnerships and capital raising. He explains the mindset shift required to leverage other people’s money and how relationships and trus...

Jun 21, 202536 minSeason 1Ep. 3942

JF 3942: Flywheels, Franchising, and the Future of Real Estate Investing ft. Cameron Herold

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Cameron Herold , founder of the COO Alliance and former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK. They dive into the nuanced roles of CEO versus COO, and why so many entrepreneurs misunderstand what they truly need in a second-in-command. Cameron shares how building 1-800-GOT-JUNK into a globally admired brand came from creating a strong culture, leveraging free PR, and obsessively developing a business “flywheel.” He also offers tactical advice for hiri...

Jun 20, 20251 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 3942

JF 3941: Raising Capital, Avoiding Bad Underwriting, and Building Ethical Real Estate Wealth ft. Matt Picheny

On this episode of the Passive Income Playbook, Pascal Wagner interviews Matt Picheny , a Tony award-winning Broadway producer turned seasoned multifamily GP with over 16 GP deals and 28 as an LP. Matt shares how his path from acting and digital marketing led to real estate success, including a pivotal first deal where he quadrupled his investment. They dive deep into lessons learned from early LP mistakes, why conservative underwriting (especially around cap rates) is critical, and how today’s ...

Jun 19, 20251 hr 8 minSeason 1Ep. 3941

JF 3940: Accountability, Deal Droughts, and Spouse Dynamics with Amanda and Ash

On this episode of Beyond Multifamily, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview each other in a candid, off-the-cuff solo episode. They reflect on insights from their recent mastermind retreat in Nashville, emphasizing the value of real, in-person networking and the importance of accountability in both personal and professional growth. Amanda shares how she and her husband manage work-life balance while running a business together, and Ash opens up about his structured accountability partnership wi...

Jun 18, 202544 minSeason 1Ep. 3940

JF 3939: Operational Excellence, Blue Ocean Strategy, and Vertical Integration ft. Nick Stageberg

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Nick Stageberg, owner of Black Swan Real Estate. Nick shares how 2024 marked their best acquisition year ever, with 2025 already on pace to surpass it, thanks to a focus on fixed-rate debt and operational excellence. He dives deep into their vertically integrated model, drawing on lessons from software development and Japanese lean manufacturing to run a highly efficient, team-based property management system. Nick also shares a tough les...

Jun 17, 202554 minSeason 1Ep. 3939

JF 3938: Real Estate Capital, Fiduciary Duty, and the Power of Partnerships - Introducing Chris Lopez and Richard McGirr

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Matt Faircloth is introducing another new segment! Matt introduces Chris Lopez and Richard McGirr, the new co-hosts of Unlimited Capital. Together, they dive deep into the fund-to-funds model, discussing how Chris and Richard built Property Llama to raise and deploy over $60 million in capital across institutional-grade real estate deals. They share how their entrepreneurial roots, complementary skills in software and marketing, and a deep fiduciary min...

Jun 16, 20251 hr 13 minSeason 1Ep. 3938

JF 3937: Interest Rates on Pause, CRE on the Move, and Immigration’s Economic Role

On this episode of The Horizon, John Chang discusses the delayed impact of new tariffs on inflation and how businesses stockpiling inventory may temporarily mask those effects. He outlines the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on interest rates, noting likely rate stability through Q3, with potential movement in Q4 depending on economic indicators. John also explores how immigration policy and labor shortages—especially in construction and healthcare—pose challenges for commercial real estate. F...

Jun 15, 202530 minSeason 1Ep. 3937

JF 3936: Crafting a 10-Year Vision, Nurturing Partnerships, and Raising Capital with John Makarewicz

On this episode of Multifamily Mastery, John Casmon interviews John Makarewicz, a managing partner at Faris Capital Partners. John shares how he transitioned from a 15-year residential real estate career to multifamily investing after a successful exit from his previous brokerage. He breaks down how his entrepreneurial skill set and passion for improving client and resident experiences laid the foundation for Faris Capital’s early success. They discuss the importance of visionary planning, build...

Jun 14, 202555 minSeason 1Ep. 3936

JF 3935: Bridge Debt, On-Site Turnarounds, and Scaling in Texas ft. Jonathan Nichols

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Jonathan Nichols of Apogee Capital. Jonathan shares how he and his wife scaled from single-family homes to multifamily syndications across Texas and Oklahoma by leveraging broker relationships and applying analytical rigor learned from his engineering background. He recounts the transformation of a distressed 170-unit property in Lubbock—from 68% to 93% occupancy in just a few months—by temporarily relocating on-site and aggressively i...

Jun 13, 202552 minSeason 1Ep. 3935

JF 3934: Real Estate, Startups, and Tax Strategy—Unlocking Opportunity Zones ft. Jimmy Atkinson

On this episode of the Passive Income Playbook, Pascal Wagner interviews Jimmy Atkinson , founder of OpportunityZones.com and host of the Opportunity Zones Podcast. Jimmy breaks down how Opportunity Zones work—from their 2017 creation in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to the powerful tax incentives they offer investors. He shares how these zones have catalyzed billions in investment across the country, not just in multifamily but also in startups, industrial real estate, and community-focused develop...

Jun 12, 20251 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 3934

JF 3933: Elevator Failures, Emotional Investing, and Office-to-Apartment Plays ft. Matt Drouin

On this episode of Beyond Multifamily, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Matt Drouin, managing partner at Oak Grove Development. Matt shares how his asset-agnostic, opportunistic approach has led to a $18 million portfolio across 25 commercial properties in Rochester, NY. He dives into the strategy behind acquiring underperforming office buildings—like a 55,000-square-foot historic skyscraper bought for $1.5 million—and converting them into workforce housing. Matt also discusses the pros and...

Jun 11, 202538 minSeason 1Ep. 3933

JF 3932: Contractor Red Flags, Permits, and Litigation Costs ft. Andy Wyman

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Andy Wyman , a Florida-based attorney and founder of Wyman Legal Solutions, who specializes in construction and real estate law. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience and a background in a family of contractors, Andy shares the most common legal pitfalls property owners and investors face when hiring contractors. He emphasizes the importance of vetting, clear communication, permits, and using contracts that protect both parties. The co...

Jun 10, 202553 minSeason 1Ep. 3932

JF 3931: Scaling to 1,000 LPs, Investor Sentiment Shifts, and the Viking IR Playbook ft. Chris Parrinello

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Chris Parrinello , Vice President of Investor Relations at Viking Capital. Chris shares how Viking scaled their investor relations team from just two people to a five-person department supporting over 1,000 LPs, including their unique intern-to-associate pipeline. He dives deep into investor sentiment in today’s challenging multifamily market, explaining how Viking is rebuilding trust through transparency, new incentive structure...

Jun 09, 202535 minSeason 1Ep. 3931

JF 3930: Ranking CRE: Urban Office Struggles, Apartment Strength, and Medical Office Dominance

On this episode of The Horizon, John discusses his personal ranking of commercial real estate property types, grading them from F to S based on current performance, long-term potential, and economic headwinds. Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠ . Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE . Terms and conditions apply. Join the Best Ever Community The Best Ever Community is live and growin...

Jun 08, 202537 minSeason 1Ep. 3930

JF 3929: Creative Lending, Off-Market Deals, and Business Acquisitions ft. George Otel

On this episode of Multifamily Mastery, John Casmon interviews George Otel, a commercial real estate finance expert and founder of US Business Funding. George shares his journey from the transportation industry into real estate, detailing his pivot into multifamily and ultimately commercial lending. He explains how his team works with over 1,000 lending sources, including private lenders, family offices, and funds, to help investors navigate complex financing scenarios—especially when traditiona...

Jun 07, 202551 minSeason 1Ep. 3929

JF 3928: Scaling Property Management, Section 8 Strategy, and Philippine Telecom ft. Mike Bonadies

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Mike Bonadies , founder of TerraVestra Property Management. Mike shares his unique journey of scaling a profitable property management company while owning rental properties himself—something he says is rare but critical for alignment. He discusses the importance of hiring investor-minded staff, leveraging offshore talent from the Philippines, and creating systems grounded in landlord-tenant law and municipal code knowledge. The episod...

Jun 06, 202549 minSeason 1Ep. 3928

JF 3927: Avoiding Fraud, Understanding Returns, and Protecting LPs in CRE ft. Paul Moore

On this episode of the Passive Income Playbook, Pascal Wagner interviews Paul Moore , founder of Wellings Capital, to unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in real estate investing: the capital stack. They dive deep into the distinctions between common equity, preferred equity, and mezzanine debt—breaking down how each affects risk, return, and control. Paul shares why his firm has shifted from common to preferred equity over the last five years and explains how LPs can benefit from this...

Jun 05, 202557 minSeason 1Ep. 3927

JF 3926: Passive Investing Pitfalls, Section 8 Woes, and Smarter Vetting ft. Roger Becker

On this episode of Beyond Multifamily, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Roger Becker, founder of Street Smart Success. Roger shares his candid journey from running a successful advertising business to becoming a seasoned passive investor in over 30 deals, the majority of which he’s done in the past five years. He opens up about the mistakes he’s made in both active and passive real estate—ranging from ill-fated Section 8 rentals to trusting the wrong sponsor early on. Despite the setbacks, ...

Jun 04, 202540 minSeason 1Ep. 3926

JF 3925: Ground-Up Condos, Zoning Tricks, and Design-Driven Value ft. Aaron Yassin

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Aaron Yassin , founder of Hive Developers, to explore the intricacies of ground-up condo development in Brooklyn. Aaron shares a detailed breakdown of his latest 10-unit project in Bushwick, including how he sourced and assembled the property, navigated estate complexities, and leveraged zoning laws to maximize buildable square footage. He also highlights design-driven strategies that helped him presell 8 of the 10 units, emphasizing how ...

Jun 03, 202557 minSeason 1Ep. 3925

JF 3924: DFW Market Focus, Legacy Assets, and EOS Frameworks ft. Vince Gethings

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Vince Gethings , a multifamily investor and founder of Tri-City Equity Group. Vince shares how he's scaled a portfolio of 10 apartment communities totaling 800 units and over $100M in assets under management. He discusses his integration of small business ownership—including a flooring company and home installation franchise—to support his real estate operations and cash flow strategy. Vince also dives into the EOS (Entrepreneuri...

Jun 02, 202537 minSeason 1Ep. 3925

JF 3923: Economic Uncertainty, CRE Strategy, and the Bonus Depreciation Opportunity

On this episode of The Horizon, John discusses the recent court ruling striking down President Trump’s tariffs and its broader economic and real estate implications. He explains how the legal back-and-forth introduces uncertainty, raising recession risks and inflationary pressures, which in turn could stall business investment and construction. John then examines how various commercial real estate sectors—apartments, retail, office, and industrial—are likely to be impacted by the economic turbul...

Jun 01, 202536 minSeason 1Ep. 3923

JF 3922: Why You Should Start With Multifamily, Not End There — Introducing John Casmon

On this episode of Multifamily Mastery, John Casmon interviews Matt Faircloth to celebrate the launch of the new "Multifamily Mastery" segment on the Best Ever CRE Show. They dive into the concept of mastery—not as a destination but as a lifelong journey—and explore how multifamily investing embodies that evolving path. John shares his personal investing journey, from discovering multifamily through books like The ABCs of Real Estate Investing to building a career around scaling operations, acqu...

May 31, 202553 minSeason 1Ep. 3922

JF 3921: Renter Retention, AI Tools, and Breaking the Scarcity Mindset ft. Veena Jetti

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Veena Jetti, powerhouse real estate investor and founder of Vive Funds. They discuss market headwinds facing multifamily operators, including softening rents and homebuyer incentive programs eating into tenant demand. Veena shares how she uses creative concessions, AI-driven insights, and debt assumption strategies to stay ahead. The conversation also dives deep into mindset—why scarcity thinking holds investors back, and how gratitude...

May 30, 202543 minSeason 1Ep. 3921

JF 3920: Long-Term Leases, Reshoring Myths, and Safe Returns ft. Joel Friedland

On this episode of the Passive Income Playbook, Pascal Wagner interviews Joel Friedland, a veteran industrial real estate investor and founder of Brit Properties. Joel shares his journey from cold-calling tenant leads in the 1980s to building a 100+ property portfolio—all purchased without using debt. He explains the appeal and stability of Class B industrial buildings in the Chicago market, his strategy of selling to users rather than investors for premium pricing, and the importance of investi...

May 29, 20251 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 3920

JF 3919: Cost Segregation Secrets, Bonus Depreciation Strategies, and Mobile Home Park Tax Hacks ft. Isaac Weinberger

On this episode of Beyond Multifamily, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Isaac Weinberger , Director at Madison Specs, to unpack the strategic benefits of cost segregation (cost seg) in commercial real estate. Isaac breaks down the mechanics of depreciation, how asset class characteristics impact bonus depreciation, and why cost seg studies remain valuable even as bonus depreciation rates decline. He also shares actionable insights on maximizing depreciation through timing, structuring partn...

May 28, 202542 minSeason 1Ep. 3919

JF 3918: Creative Development, Investor Expectations, and Risk Mitigation ft. Chris Parrinello

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Chris Parrinello , VP of Investor Relations at Viking Capital, live from the Best Ever Conference 2025 in Salt Lake City. Chris shares insights into Viking's strategic pivot toward development, highlighting their latest JV project in Peoria, AZ—a 220-unit garden-style and townhome multifamily deal. They discuss why Viking is still bullish on multifamily, how they’re mitigating risk through conservative underwriting and experienced partner...

May 27, 202527 minSeason 1Ep. 3918

JF 3917: In-House Property Management, Midwest Rent Growth, Floating Rate Fixes ft. Todd Dexheimer

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Todd Dexheimer , a multifamily syndicator and co-founder of Endurus Capital. Todd shares his insights on the steady performance of Midwest markets, emphasizing consistent rent growth and limited new construction compared to Sun Belt markets. He discusses the decision to bring property management in-house due to inefficiencies with third-party managers, and explains how his team structures roles for maximum efficiency. Todd also w...

May 26, 202536 minSeason 1Ep. 3917

JF 3916: Foreign Capital, Value Creation, and EPC’s Long Game ft. Marcelo Margain

On this episode of The Horizon, John Chang interviews Marcelo Margain, managing partner at Eagle Property Capital (EPC), to explore how Mexican capital is fueling U.S. multifamily investments. Marcelo shares how EPC sources 85% of its capital from Mexico, leveraging investor interest in dollar-denominated assets and U.S. economic stability. He emphasizes the value of EPC’s conservative investment strategy, fixed-rate financing, and their in-house management platform, which drives tenant satisfac...

May 25, 202535 minSeason 1Ep. 3916
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