The Insider's Edge To Real Estate Investing: Recent Episodes
James Nelson
You’ll learn how to get started and level up in real estate investing on “The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing.”
Hosted by James Nelson, Principal and Head of Avison Young’s Tri-State Investment Sales Group in New York City, the show features legends in the business and industry experts who share their experiences and advice. Nelson is also a WSJ bestselling author and investor with a 25-year career, during which he has sold more than 500 properties and loans totaling over $5 billion. His accolades include being named the #1 broker at Avison Young globally, a Commercial Observer’s Power 100, a CoStar’s Power Broker, and a REBNY Deal of the Year award winner.
Join the audience and follow along to gain insight into every step of the process, from building partnerships and spotting opportunities to repositioning and making smart investment decisions.
You'll learn about finding opportunities in industrial real estate in this episode with Ori Schwartz, co-founder and Director of Acquisitions at Box Equities, and Chris Skibinski, Managing Director, Principal and Co-Lead of Avison Young's National Industrial Capital Markets Group. Box Equities is a vertically-integrated privately-held real estate investment firm focused on acquiring undervalued industrial properties in primary and secondary US markets. To date it has purchased more than 50 assets and its portfolio consists of nearly 9 million square feet across more than 15 states.
You'll hear about the key factors that can drive industrial demand, including highway systems, freight flows, labor, power availability, and major manufacturing and data center projects. Ori and Chris explain how infrastructure can make certain properties difficult to replicate and why seller motivation can lead to off-market opportunities.
You can connect with Ori on LinkedIn, and his company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
In this 250 th episode of The Insider's Edge to Real Estate Investing, you'll hear segments from some of the most popular recent conversations on the podcast. These guests share insights on finding opportunities, building investment platforms, revitalizing properties, understanding local markets, and creating long-term value.
You'll hear from: - Stephen Palmese, CEO of Legacy Equity Holdings - Jim Diamond, CEO of Diamond Properties - Paul Salib, co-founder of Castellan Real Estate Partners and CRP Affordable Housing and Community Development - Ashley Stiles, CEO and founder of Tribe Development - Don Tepman, Founder and Managing Partner of TownCentre Capital and widely known online as "Strip Mall Guy" - Robert Dunn, Managing Director at Fairstead - Greg Fournier, Managing Principal of Greenbrook Partners - Jed Resnick, CEO of New York City-based Douglaston Development
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn about following trends and where the market is going in this conversation with Jonathan Yormak, Founder of East End Capital and East End Studios based in New York and Los Angeles. East End Capital is a fully integrated real estate investment firm and East End Studios is a premier independent studio management and development company.
You'll hear about identifying emerging neighborhoods before they become mainstream, the future of film production and AI, and why Jonathan believes office real estate is entering a new investment cycle. He also shares lessons from transitioning from law to real estate investing, raising institutional and private capital, and building a business by staying focused on long-term demographic and market trends.
You can connect with Jonathan at his company website and on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'lll learn about the advantages in todays office market in this conversation with Larry Botel, Managing Partner of JOSS Realty Partners and President of Alliance Sports LLC. JOSS Realty Partners has made real estate acquisitions of over $1 billion since its founding and executed more than 30 deals throughout the country.
Learn about the importance of focusing on market fundamentals instead of headlines, developing a strong investment strategy, and creating a track record that attracts investors. Larry also explains how real estate and sports investments intersect and trends in stadium projects.
You can connect with Larry at his company website, and on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn how an Olympic mindset can translate into building one of the nations premier industrial real estate platforms in this conversation with Joe Vargas, President of Wonderful Real Estate. After winning a silver medal in water polo at the 1984 Olympic Games, Joe built a distinguished career in commercial real estate. Wonderful Real Estate is part of The Wonderful Company, and it develops, constructs, acquires, and manages a diverse portfolio of real estate focused on industrial, research, and development/flex, manufacturing, and office properties in California.
You'll gain insight into how amenities, transportation infrastructure, and workforce development can create a lasting competitive advantage. Joe also discusses how AI is becoming a tool to make professionals more productive and ways to focus on finding solutions when leasing.
You can connect with Joe at his company website and on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn why a great attitude remains one of the most valuable assets in commercial real estate in this conversation with Rob Naso, Managing Partner and Head of Asset Management at BGO in New York. With more than $80 billion assets under management, BGO operates in 25 cities worldwide.
You'll hear practical insights into asset management, working in global cities, and career development. Rob explains why strong relationships with tenants, brokers, partners, and colleagues often matter more than technical expertise alone. He also discusses prop tech investing, property operations, and the importance of creating a culture where people feel empowered to learn and grow.
You can connect with Rob at his company website and LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn how data, technology, and market intelligence can lead to better informed commercial real estate decisions in this conversation with Lonnie Hendry, Chief Product Officer at Trepp, Inc. Trepp is the leading provider of data, insights, and technology solutions to the structured finance, commercial real estate, and banking markets.
You'll gain insight into evaluating markets and leveraging AI to analyze trends more efficiently. Lonnie explains why job growth and population growth remain two of the strongest indicators of market performance and also discusses the impact of regulation and supply cycles.
You can connect with Lonnie at his company website and on LinkedIn.
You'll learn about entrepreneurship and value creation in this conversation with Gaurav Khanna, founder of Val-Add Partners, adjunct professor at NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate, and former executive at Vornado Realty Trust and Le Pain Quotidien. Gaurav shares his journey from studying architecture in India to building a career in New York real estate, including the hustle that helped him land his first job.
You'll hear about expanding Le Pain Quotidien, creating value through architecture and real estate strategy, and combining design, leasing, development, and finance into a holistic approach to real estate. Gaurav also discusses why professionals should develop interests beyond their careers, including his decision to learn the drums and perform live on stage.
You can connect with Gaurav on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn about finding value in real estate in this conversation with Joshua Benaim, founder and CEO of Aria Development Group and author of Real Estate, A Love Story. Joshua shares how his background as an opera singer influenced his real estate career, and how his family's real estate legacy played a role in his approach to the business.
You'll hear how Joshua finds overlooked opportunities, from complex ownership structures to oceanfront lands. He discusses the importance of creating housing that makes people feel good and using design to deliver value for both residents and investors.
You can connect with Joshua at his company website.and LinkedIn
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn how institutional real estate investors evaluate opportunities across markets and asset classes in this conversation with Page Gostling, Managing Director and Head of Transactions for New York Life Real Estate Investors, which is an $800 billion investment management platform that sits under the Fortune 100 company. The platform fits within the company's broader investment management business and carries out direct equity investments, joint ventures, and acquisitions across the country.
Page talks about how her team uses data, local expertise, and disciplined underwriting to identify opportunities in asset classes including office, multifamily, and industrial. She discusses why New York Life was willing to move early into San Francisco office, how the firm thinks about value-add versus development, and what it takes to invest across a broad range of markets while staying selective.
You can connect with Page at her company website and on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn about gaining an Insider's Edge in retail real estate in this conversation with Don Tepman, Founder and Managing Partner of TownCentre Capital and widely known online as "Strip Mall Guy." Tepman shares how his firm built its portfolio by focusing on neighborhood strip centers, starting with suburban retail properties and then expanding across the United States.
You'll hear the story behind the "Strip Mall Guy" brand and how Tepman's anonymous social media account became a platform for sharing practical real estate insights. Tepman discusses the value of specializing, and how focusing on a niche can create a lasting competitive advantage.
You can connect with Don on X, and LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn about building wealth through disciplined, fundamentals-driven investing in this conversation with Ben Reinberg, Founder and CEO of Alliance Consolidated Group of Companies. Ben is a trailblazing entrepreneur, commercial real estate visionary, and wealth- building expert with over 30 years of transformative experience in the industry.
You'll hear how Ben evaluates certainty of close and tenant credit before committing to an investment. He shares why medical office remains resilient, how tax strategies bring benefits for investors, and why protecting the downside can create long-term, generational wealth.
You can connect with Ben at his website and LinkedIn
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn about creating the foundation for a long-term real estate portfolio in this conversation with Jim Diamond, CEO of Diamond Properties, which was founded in 1995 and has acquired more than 125 properties, including office, warehouse, retail, residential, and land. Its affiliate Diamond Hospitality Group also owns and operates businesses under Save Haven Self Storage, Velocity Flexible Workspace, Spins Bowl, District Social, and other brands.
You'll hear about shifting into industrial real estate, buying below replacement cost, and holding assets for decades rather than chasing short-term exits. Jim explains how long-term, buy-and- hold structures align investor incentives and how operating businesses like self-storage and solar installations fit into a broader model to generate cash flow and returns.
You can connect with Jim at his company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn about shaping a disciplined, cycle-aware investment approach in this conversation with Paul Salib, co-founder of Castellan Real Estate Partners and CRP Affordable Housing and Community Development. Paul shares how early experiences in currency trading and affordable housing finance laid the foundation for building a vertically integrated multifamily platform, acquiring over 80 properties and knowing when to sell as capital markets shifted.
You'll also hear about the logistics and complexities related to affordable housing. Paul discusses underwriting, risk management, and operating across cycles, along with scaling an affordable housing development business.
You can connect with Paul at LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn about urban development and housing in this episode with Doug Elenowitz, co- founder and principal of Trailbreak Partners, a Denver-based vertically integrated firm focusing on residential and multifamily investments and developments. Doug shares how their hands-on, investor-first approach has created a loyal capital base of high-net-worth individuals and family offices.
You'll hear about navigating complexities when transforming forgotten properties into places where people want to live and work. Doug also offers insight into building a strong internal culture and designing spaces that fit the neighborhood rather than repeating a brand template.
You can connect with Doug at his company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn how a national family office thinks about growth, partnerships, and market selection in this conversation with Adrian Berger, Managing Director of Acquisitions at Cyprus Equity Investments, a national multifamily portfolio with transactions that exceed $13 billion built across market-rate, affordable housing, and selective self-storage investments. Adrian explains why Cyprus focuses on top MSAs and how co-GP partnerships have enabled disciplined expansion.
You'll also hear about an affordable housing strategy, including low-income housing tax credit development and solving equity gaps in complex capital stacks. Adrian discusses how regulatory environments shape opportunity and how zoning changes, ADUs, and inclusionary housing are creating new paths forward.
You can connect with Adrian at LinkedIn
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
In this episode, we uncover how to spot the high-potential opportunities that most investors miss. We're joined by Billy Haddad, Managing Director of Partners Path, to discuss his family office's approach to identifying partnerships built for sustainable, long-term growth.
Billy opens up his playbook on evaluating political risk, structuring resilient partnerships, and identifying markets poised for returns. From the nuances of sponsor communication to executing value-add strategies in the industrial sector, this is a deep dive into the power of patient capital.
You can connect with Billy at his company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll hear about retail's changing landscape in this conversation with Liz Holland, CEO of Abbell Associates, and Amy Sands, partner and head of investments at 11 North Partners. They discuss post-COVID retail trends, including why open-air, grocery-anchored centers are thriving and how work-from-home and data-driven site selection are boosting rents and occupancy. You'll learn how consumer data can be used for acquisitions and the factors that can impact the value of a center. You'll also gain insights into merchandise mix, leasing relationships, and light- touch value-add. Liz and Amy share ways to break into commercial real estate and take on leadership roles.
You can connect with Liz at her company website, and Amy on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn how to turn legacy buildings into modern, in-demand workplaces in this conversation with Craig Deitelzweig, President and CEO of Marx Realty, a vertically integrated, hospitality-driven owner-operator with more than 60 properties across 16 states. Craig explains why he believes the best office today feels more like a luxury hotel or favorite restaurant than a traditional tower, and how that strategy has led to full occupancy and strong rent growth.
You'll hear about being hands-on as an owner, and how smart building tech and AI can improve operations. Craig shares how Marx focuses on building its culture, as well as staying highly selective and long-term in their acquisition strategy.
You can connect with Craig at his company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn how to combine social impact with investing in this conversation with Ron Beit, Founding Partner and CEO of RBH Group. His firm is known for developing large-scale public- private partnerships that revitalize communities, including the acclaimed Teachers Village project in Newark, New Jersey.
Ron shares how RBH structures complex financing for workforce housing, and how to use tools like tax-exempt bonds and Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) investments to create risk- managed, tax-advantaged returns. You'll hear how his team balances financial performance with placemaking, ensuring that developments serve local residents through education, engagement, and long-term community partnerships.
You can connect with Ron at his company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn how ultra wealthy families allocate, vet, and structure deals in this conversation with Richard Wilson, founder and CEO of the Family Office Club. Since its start nearly two decades ago, the network has hosted more than 300events, published 13 books, and interviewed more than 40 billionaires and 60 pro athletes.
You'll hear where new wealth is being created and how real estate remains in the top three, along with ways that families are diversifying their portfolios. Richard also breaks down practical ways to raise capital, how his team uses AI to spot red flags, and questions to ask before meeting in person.
You can connect with Richard on LinkedIn
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll hear strategies to move the needle for brokers and investors in this episode with investment-sales icon Bob Knakal, founder of BK Real Estate Advisors, and coaching pioneer Rod Santomassimo, founder and president of The Massimo Group. They discuss strategies including accountability, specialization, market presence, and most importantly, relationships. You'll hear how Bob increased his income and gained family time after engaging with a coach, why exclusive brokers and maximum exposure create wins for sellers, and how AI is changing the real estate game. Rod and Bob also offer input on what to do next for investors and brokers, and the right mindset to have.
You can connect with Bob at his website, and Rod at his company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn about gaining an Insider's Edge in different markets and finding the right tenants in this conversation with Agustin Barrios Gomez, Founder and President of International Capital Partners. ICP has built a portfolio of nearly 90 properties across 15 U.S. markets by focusing on stable, cash-flowing industrial and suburban corporate office assets.
You'll hear how real estate serves as a tool for generational wealth through tangible, income-producing assets. Agustin discusses how ICP works with trusted local partners, leverages regional banks for debt, and structures each investment to align with both the fund and its operating partners.
You can connect with Agustin at his company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You'll learn about spotting smaller deals and aligning sponsors in this conversation with Steve DeNardo, President and CEO of River Oak Investment Corp. The firm pursues opportunistic and value-add asset purchases and operational opportunities on behalf of a diverse set of investors ranging from institutions to individuals.
You'll learn about raising fund versus deal-by-deal capital, and how trust is built through transparent reporting and consistent distributions. Steve shares lessons learned from investing in student housing, along with expanding from equity to high-yield debt as banks pulled back after Covid.
You can connect with Steve at his company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
In this episode, You'll learn how major institutional developers navigate cycles in Episode 1 of Season 2.
Meg Brod, Senior Managing Director at Rockefeller Group, shares insight into Rockefeller's dual structure of core assets and development, and how the firm, backed by Mitsubishi Estate, balances independence with long-term strategy across different asset classes. You'll also hear how Meg approaches capital raising, market selection, and design strategy amid changing investor appetite and political uncertainty. She explains how to underwrite in volatile markets, manage risk during entitlement processes, and maintain a long-term focus, especially in complex regions.
You can connect with Meg here on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll gain a data-driven view of U.S. investment sales in this market update with Eric Adeen, principal and senior director of US Investment Sales; Marion Jones, Principal and Executive Managing Director of U.S. Capital Markets; Joe French, Vice President of U.S. Capital Markets Group; and Mike Fay, Chairman of U.S. Capital Markets Group Executive Committee. You’ll hear why 2025 marks a potential pivot point, with transaction volumes picking up, fundraising momentum returning, and REIT earnings projections revised upward. Capital is shifting as private buyers lead office acquisitions and opportunistic and value-add funds raise record levels.
You’ll also get an in-depth look at local market dynamics in Florida, where condo law changes, distressed citrus groves, and underperforming malls are creating unique buying opportunities. In Washington, D.C. there is transformation through data center growth, adaptive reuse, and federal property dispositions. You’ll learn why market strategies are key for positioning in today’s competitive environment.
In this Linedin Live Replay, You’ll learn about market trends and broker insights in this conversation with co-hosts JackStone and Alex Gornik of No Cap by CRE Daily. They share the story behind CRE Daily’s growth, their expansion into podcasting, and why connecting institutional players with rising talent has been so impactful.
Dive into current market conditions across major U.S. cities, including New York, Dallas, and San Francisco. You’ll learn why private buyers are dominating office deals, the role of end-user purchases, and trends in office-to-residential conversions. The conversation closes with practical insights on the broker–principal relationship, how collaboration and integrated databases give a competitive edge, and why transparency and relationships remain at the core of winning deals in today’s real estate market.
You can connect with Jack and Alex at their show No Cap by CRE Daily.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn how affordable housing can create meaningful change in this episode with Robert Dunn, Managing Director at Fairstead. As an institutional and community partner, the firm oversees a national portfolio with in-house expertise in acquisitions, development, construction, property management, and community impact.
You’ll gain insight into how portfolio managers work with local governments, navigate compliance and financing challenges, and create improved environments for residents. Rob shares his journey from syndication to acquisitions to asset management, and why mastering operations can give you an Insider’s Edge.
You can connect with Robert at LinkedIn and on his company website
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about growing your presence and knowledge in this conversation with Marion Jones, Executive Managing Director of U.S. Capital Markets at Avison Young. James and Marion explain how thoughtful partnerships can help improve your client skills and ability to execute on deals.
You’ll discover how your platform and learning environment play an important role in a successful career. From leveraging data and new tech to expanding your reach into new markets, James and Marion share examples of how to stay ahead in a rapidly changing business. They also cover how constantly challenging yourself and looking to learn can lead to better client outcomes.
You can connect with Marion at LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariontjones/) and at the
Avison Young website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about making a community impact in this conversation with David Brause, president of Brause Realty Inc., a third-generation real estate business founded in 1927. With a long-term focus on value creation, the company prides itself in preserving the historic character of 20th century buildings while integrating modern technology to revitalize interiors.
You’ll gain insights into the history and development of the Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association in New York, an organization which both David and James have been involved in and have served as former chairman. In addition, David and James have spent time on the Real Estate Board of New York’s Board of Governors. David is chairman on the Long Island City Business Improvement District and on the Board for Union Square Partnership, and continually looks for ways to support both real estate and the city.
You can connect with David at his company’s website (https://www.brauserealty.com).
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about transitioning from brokerage to investing in this conversation with Stephen Palmese, CEO of Integritas Capital, a private equity platform specializing in real estate and credit investments. With a career spanning decades, Stephen shares how his experience as a leading broker in Brooklyn laid the foundation for his success as an investor.
You’ll hear how leveraging market insights, establishing credibility, and building trust can be key when investing. Stephen also delves into his firm's focus on opportunistic investments and credit strategies, along with the value of showing up and maintaining consistency.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about generating outsized value by investing in underappreciated properties in this episode with Brian Ker, Founder and President of Snowball Developments, and Scott Sambade, Head of Capital Markets at Snowball. The company was created to acquire under-utilized and under-invested properties in the Greater NYC urbanized region with the opportunity for immediate renovations and long-term development potential.
You’ll hear how their involvement with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) has been beneficial for mentorship, networking, and growing trusted relationships. Brian and Scott walk you through how Snowball finances deals, communicates with more than 100 investors, and maintains institutional discipline while preserving the agility of a private operator.
You can connect with Brian and Scott at their company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about entrepreneurship and building a long-term real estate business in this conversation with Jordan Vogel, co-founder of Benchmark Real Estate Group. Since its launch in 2009, Benchmark has specialized in purchasing existing multifamily and retail mixed-use assets in targeted U.S. East Coast markets including New York, Florida, Georgia, and Connecticut.
You’ll hear about risk-taking and raising capital, along with insights into contrarian investing and navigating regulatory environments like rent stabilization laws in New York. Jordan discusses ways to create a track of record and how to present properties to investors as opportunities for them.
You can connect with Jordan at his company website and LinkedIn
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn the value of in-depth knowledge and market insight in this episode with Matthew Adell, founder and owner of Adellco, a New York real estate company which covers the entire spectrum of developments, redevelopments, conversions and zoning. The company has developed or redeveloped 1.9 square million feet and rezoned 6 million square feet.
You’ll hear about working with investors and following global trends, along with the factors that are involved with rezoning projects. Matthew explains the differences between ground-up development and conversion projects, and how he forecasts supply, demand, and pricing years in advance based on market cycles and data.
You can connect with Matthew at his company website and LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn how to build a real estate firm from the ground up in this conversation with Greg Fournier, Managing Principal of Greenbrook Partners, a privately-held, vertically integrated real estate operating company that maximizes value by instituting best-in-class management and redeveloping properties. Greg shares his pivot from being a NASDAQ trader to getting involved in real estate and making an entrepreneurial leap.
You’ll hear about following an investment strategy and different ways to raise funds. Greg shares insight into starting hands-on and building a 150-person operation with institutional partners, along with keeping a long-term perspective to real estate investments.
You can connect with Greg at his company website (https://www.greenbrookre.com/ ).
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about understanding data and market cycles in this conversation with Lonnie Hendry, Chief Product Officer at Trepp and host of the TreppWire podcast. Trepp is the leading provider of data, insights, and technology solutions to the structured finance, commercial real estate, and banking markets. You’ll hear why following macroeconomic movements can help you make informed decisions in your local market.
You can uplevel your real estate knowledge at Trepp Connect (in NYC), an in-person conference in Rockefeller Center, May 13-15, 2025. It is designed to connect commercial real estate (CRE) and lending professionals with industry peers, market news with trusted Trepp data, and industry narratives with insights from top experts. Use the discount code nelsontrepp2025 at checkout for $200 off your ticket!
You can connect with Lonnie through his podcast (https://www.trepp.com/the-treppwire-podcast/hosts/lonnie-hendry) and at the Trepp Connect event (https://www.trepp.com/trepp-connect-in-nyc-2025).
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about holding property for the long-term in this conversation with Jason Muss, President of Muss Development, a family real estate firm founded in 1906.
The company evolved from single-family homes to building more than 15 million square feet of commercial, residential, industrial, and retail space. You’ll gain insight into conservative financing and the importance of strong tenant relationships and stable management. Jason also shares strategies for partnering with like-minded investors and how to vet potential collaborators.
You can connect with Jason at the company website and LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn how to take your investment sales career to the next level in this conversation with Marion Jones, Executive Managing Director of U.S. Capital Markets at Avison Young. Marion shares her own career pivot from working at a large institutional firm to joining a smaller shop where she could grow her book of business.
You’ll learn the value of identifying the right platform, specializing in an asset class, building a team, and scheduling your time. Marion and James also discuss the importance of relationships and taking a long-term approach.
You can connect with Marion at LinkedIn and at the Avison Young website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
In this Episode, you’ll learn how to collaborate with others in real estate and learn at every step in this interview with Adam Altman. Adam is the founder and managing member of KABR, which is a vertically integrated private equity real estate firm responsible for the investment, development, and management of real estate. The portfolio includes commercial, multifamily, industrial, hospitality, and development assets. In his role, Adam is instrumental in fundraising, structuring JV partnerships, and sourcing and acquiring real estate property and debt. Adam has participated in transactions totaling approximately 6 million square feet of commercial properties, along with thousands of residential units, hotels, and new development land with over 6,000 units of entitlements.
Prior to joining KABR, Adam focused on acquisitions, development, management and disposition of real estate for a multi-billion-dollar healthcare company. He has also worked with the private wealth team at Deutsche Bank and as a portfolio manager and analyst at Chestnut Ridge Capital. In addition, Adam founded and sold Freshpair.com, an ecommerce company.
Adam was intrigued with real estate from early on, as he walked blocks and neighborhoods while studying at NYU. After college, he went to other ventures, including Wall Street, his own internet company, and a family office, and eventually turned again to real estate. Along the way he learned valuable lessons, such as how to put capital together and the emphasis on personal relationships in real estate. He applied these to his later efforts with his partner at KABR.
Today Adam’s firm focuses on the geographical areas of the New York metro area and the Southeastern region of the U.S. Looking back on his track record, he says, “Being able to trust someone is almost more important than anything else. It doesn’t guarantee outcomes, but it does guarantee alignment.” He also emphasizes the value of teamwork, saying, “It’s about collaborating and making it interesting.”
For beginning investors, Adam shares the importance of looking for ways to be helpful. Part of his success was built on his willingness to reach out and share information with others without expecting anything in return. “If you love real estate, the best way to do something is to go and do it,” he says.
You can connect with Adam at his website KABR Group.
I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn how to break into investment sales brokerage, develop key relationships, and build a successful career in this conversation with Marion Jones, Executive Managing Director of U.S. Capital Markets at Avison Young. Marion shares her journey from starting at CBRE in the debt and equity side to working with industry legends and taking on leadership roles.
You'll hear about the importance of networking, how to land your first job, and what strategies can help you transition and grow during your career. James and Marion also discuss the mindset that supports long-term success, including being proactive, detail-oriented, and continuously learning.
You can connect with Marion at LinkedIn and at the Avison Young website.
You will learn how to identify emerging trends, break out as an entrepreneur, and maintain longevity in the real estate industry in this conversation with Adam Gordon, managing partner at Wildflower Limited, which creates innovative, sustainable and socially beneficial physical infrastructure in New York City. Adam’s career spans a vast array of asset classes, including self-storage, ultra-high-end residential, logistics and EV charging.
You’ll hear about how mentorship and research can shape your career and why bringing value to relationships is key to long-term success. Adam discusses the future of e-commerce logistics, urban infrastructure, and the studio business, including how Wildflower Studios is reshaping content creation in New York City.
You can connect with Adam at his company’s website and LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about structuring the capital stack in this conversation with Scott Singer, co-lead of Tri-State Debt & Equity Finance at Avison Young. Scott walks you through the diverse sources of equity—from individual investors and family offices to institutional funds and sovereign wealth funds—while breaking down the capital stack into LP, GP, and coGP components. You’ll gain insight into how preferred equity, promote structures, and fee arrangements come together to form the backbone of successful real estate deals.
Scott also shares valuable insights on assembling the right capital structure and navigating complex negotiations, emphasizing the importance of a sponsor’s track record and the role of a debt equity advisor.
You can connect with Scott on LinkedIn and the company website
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll hear about building a $1 billion commercial real estate investment portfolio in this conversation with Dennis Cisterna, Co-founder of Sentinel Net Lease. The firm was founded in 2019 and focuses on opportunistically acquiring assets that produce ongoing cash flow from long-term leases. These assets are expected to be resistant to certain market disruptions while offering potential outsized returns for investors.
You’ll also hear about the mindset shift that you can have when transitioning from corporate leadership to running your own firm. Dennis also highlights the importance of building a track record, making strategic alignments, and understanding market cycles.
You can connect with Dennis his company website and on his LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll hear about how to identify opportunities and reach out to others in this episode with Peter C. Lewis, Chairman and President of Wharton Equity Partners, a real estate and private equity investment firm which draws on over 35 years of experience to identify opportunities ahead of others which capitalize on where the world is headed.
You’ll learn about ways to work with partners and tap industry experts to navigate complex transactions. Peter emphasizes the importance of having conviction in your investment strategy, learning from industry veterans, and surrounding yourself with the right team when entering new asset classes.
You can connect with Peter at his company website and on LinkedIn .
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about managing real estate development and building a pipeline in this episode with Jed Resnick, CEO of New York City-based Douglaston Development, which for more than 40 years has focused on a wide range of projects and specializes in both market-rate and affordable housing.
You’ll hear about the “three-legged stool” of development: design, legal and regulatory frameworks, and financing. Jed explains his firm’s vertically integrated model, which includes construction through Levine Builders and property management via Clinton Management. For new developers, Jed emphasizes the importance of flexibility, creative problem-solving, and teamwork.
You can connect with Jed at LinkedIn, and his company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about transitioning from brokerage to investing in this conversation with Stephen Palmese, CEO of Integritas Capital, a private equity platform specializing in real estate and credit investments. With a career spanning decades, Stephen shares how his experience as a leading broker in Brooklyn laid the foundation for his success as an investor.
You’ll hear how leveraging market insights, establishing credibility, and building trust can be key when investing. Stephen also delves into his firm's focus on opportunistic investments and credit strategies, along with the value of showing up and maintaining consistency.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about innovative approaches to multifamily housing development in this episode with Sean Burton, CEO of Cityview, a vertically integrated real estate investment management and development firm focused on multifamily housing in gateway markets in the Western U.S. The company has a mission to create sustainable, high-quality housing while maintaining a connection to each community it serves.
You’ll hear about public service, as Sean reflects on his work with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors and as President of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, and how those experiences have shaped his leadership in real estate. He also discusses the rebuilding efforts following natural disasters, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and focusing on solutions.
You can connect with Sean on LinkedIn and his company’s website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about the Build-to-Rent market in this interview with Adam Wolfson, founder and CEO of Wolfson BTR. Adam explains how Build-to-Rent bridges the gap between multifamily and single-family rentals by offering purpose-built communities for renters. He discusses his company’s strategic approach to selecting a site, balancing costs, navigating zoning regulations, and understanding tenant demand.
You will hear about the long-term housing shortage and how it can be solved. Adam talks about the value of mentorship and offers advice on building meaningful partnerships.
You can connect with Adam on LinkedIn and his company website
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about helping others through properties in this conversation with Cat Greenleaf, creator and host of the podcast Soberness and founder of The Restorative Housing Organization, which turns distressed waterfront properties into affordable housing, providing employment opportunities onsite to formerly incarcerated New Yorkers.
You’ll learn about renovating and restorative housing initiatives, and how Cat has created affordable housing in waterfront properties. She shares her journey of working in television and broadcasting, and interviewing celebrities who discuss fame and sobriety.
You can connect with Cat on LinkedIn Here.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about shaping a brand and building a legacy in this conversation with Jonathan Iger, CEO and President of Sage Realty, a centennial family-founded firm which has a portfolio of Class A properties across New York City. The organization began in 1924 by William Kaufman and the Sage Collection consists of iconic properties designed by renowned architects and built by the William Kaufman Organization.
Jonathan discusses his great-grandfather’s vision and how it shaped the company’s foundation, along with the rebranding journey from the William Kaufman Organization to Sage Realty. You’ll hear about ways to model tenant experiences and property management after the best practices in the hospitality industry.
You can connect with Jonathan at LinkedIn and the company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about the intricacies of real estate financing in this episode with Scott Singer, Co-Head of the Debt and Equity Group at Avison Young. Scott discusses different types of lenders, including banks, insurance companies, CMBS lenders, and private credit providers, along with their roles in today’s market.
You’ll gain insight into the evolution of the lending landscape, including how new players and changing dynamics create opportunities for borrowers. Scott covers key topics such as understanding loan-to-value ratios, debt service coverage, recourse vs. non-recourse loans, and prepayment penalties. With examples ranging from relationship lending to bridge financing, this conversation offers actionable advice for investors at every stage.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about process-oriented operations and treating tenants like customers in this episode with Peter Hungerford, the principal and founder of PH Realty Capital, a vertically integrated private equity real estate platform with an aggregated transaction value of more than $5 billion. Peter shares his journey from renting apartments to owning and operating a portfolio of over 4,000 units.
Peter discusses his unique approach to real estate investing, and his use of social media platforms like LinkedIn to foster connections, source deals, and expand his network. He covers navigating competitive markets like New York City and scaling his operations with efficient management systems.
You can connect with Peter on LinkedIn and the PH Realty Capital website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll hear how to get started in real estate development in this conversation with Rosie Tilley, Head of Development at Charney Companies, a leading real estate development and construction firm in New York. Rosie studied Urban Studies and Economics at Columbia and went on to oversee a pipeline of 2,000-plus rental and condominium units from project conception and acquisition through construction completion.
Rosie talks about her early experiences cold-calling developers and how beneficial hands-on learning in construction can be. She also discusses the value of working for firms that provide exposure to the lifecycle of development projects.
You can connect with Rosie on LinkedIn, and the Charney Companies website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about specializing and collaborating with tenants to drive growth in this episode with Jeff Edison, co-founder, principal, and CEO of Phillips Edison & Company. Phillips Edison & Company is one of the nation’s largest owners and operators of omni-channel grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers, maintaining strong partnerships with grocery tenants like Kroger and Publix.
Jeff discusses the company’s culture, emphasizing the importance of team retention and fostering an ownership mindset among employees. He outlines how a focus on collaboration, communication, and building the right tenant mix can drive success.
You can connect with Jeff at LinkedIn and his company website
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about building an effective team, developing scalable systems, and maintaining quality in this episode with Alex Rabin. Alex is Principal, Co-founder, and Head of Investments and Acquisitions at PEAK Capital Advisors, which began as a side investment project in 2018 and has grown to a fully vertically integrated real estate platform with over 75,000 units under management.
Alex discusses his unique approach to property renovations, creating high-quality living spaces at affordable prices. He also offers insight on raising capital and securing partnerships with institutional investors.
You can connect with Alex at PEAK’s website and Instagram
You will learn about managing open-ended funds in this conversation Tal Peri, Head of U.S. East Coast and Latin America Real Estate at Union Investment, Germany’s largest open-ended real estate fund with a global real estate AUM of $60 billion. Tal has extensive experience building a diverse portfolio which ranges from high-quality office spaces to retail and hospitality across major U.S. and international markets.
You’ll hear about selecting markets strategically, how to balance risk across assets, and ways to operate in established and emerging markets. Tal provides insight into navigating cultural differences and adapting to local market dynamics for successful international investments.
You can connect with Tal on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
In this Episode, You’ll learn about the entrepreneurial journey and development in this episode with Phillip Huffines, co-founder and co-owner of Huffines Communities, one of the largest residential real-estate development companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Phillip launched Huffines Communities in 1985 with his twin brother, Don Huffines.
You’ll hear about adapting during economic downturns, navigating the S&L crisis, and spotting real estate opportunities. Phillip delves into the process of building master-planned communities, creating small, self-sustaining towns with amenities, schools, and green spaces. He also highlights his approach to reducing risk by controlling deals and taking a long-term approach.
You can connect with Phillip at Huffines Communities
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about amassing a portfolio while giving back in this episode with Douglas Durst, chairman of the Durst Organization, a family-run real estate company in New York City. Douglas shares the history of the Durst Organization, starting with his grandfather’s early days as an immigrant running a pushcart and eventually moving into real estate investing. The company led the revitalization of Times Square with the development of One Five One West 42nd Street and of Lower Manhattan with the joint venture development of One World Trade Center.
You’ll hear about a sustainable approach to development, and the logistics of long-term planning in real estate. Doug discusses some of the family’s charitable involvement and commitment to green building practices.
You can connect with Douglas at the company website for The Durst Organization.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about the importance of reaching out and following up in this episode with David Shorenstein, principal at Hildreth Real Estate Advisors, where he oversees various tasks including real estate investing and brokerage. Known for his tenacity in canvassing and cold calling, David talks about his early career, his time working at Marcus & Millichap, and the founding of Silvershore Properties.
You’ll hear about working with partners who are experts and going after opportunities to succeed. David shares insight about diversifying into other asset classes like shopping centers, laundromats, and car washes, all while maintaining a focus on cash flow and value-add investments.
You can connect with David through LinkedIn and HREA.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll hear about getting started, connecting with others, and building a successful career in real estate in this milestone 200th episode. For nearly four years, guests on the show have shared their expertise and insight to help you gain the Insider’s Edge. This special episode revisits five memorable conversations with prominent figures in real estate who have appeared on the show.
You’ll listen to clips from:
- Don Peebles, who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of The Peebles Corporation, a privately held national real estate and development company specializing in large-scale residential, hospitality, retail, and mixed-use commercial properties. He discusses his journey from public service to real estate development, with a focus on bringing diverse voices to the industry.
You can connect with Don at LinkedIn and his website The Peebles Corporation.
- MaryAnne Gilmartin, the founder of MAG Partners, has led major real estate development projects and now runs her own female-led development firm. In this episode, she discusses her work in re-zoning and development projects.
You can connect with MaryAnne at LinkedIn
and her website MAG Partners
- Ian Ross, founder and principal at Somera Road, Inc., shares his strategy for evaluating markets across different cities. He highlights his method for quickly understanding the local real estate landscape.
You can connect with Ian at LinkedIn and his website Somera Road.
- Ryan Serhant is founder and CEO of SERHANT, a multi-dimensional real estate brokerage that sits at the intersection of media, entertainment, education, and technology. He has starred in the series “Million Dollar Listing: New York” and “Owning Manhattan.” He also wrote the foreword to the book “The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing.”
You can connect with Ryan through Instagram and his website SERHANT.
- Scott Rechler is chairman and CEO of RXR, an innovative investor, developer, and place-maker committed to applying a customer and community-centered approach to building properties, services, and products that create value for all stakeholders.
You can connect with Scott at LinkedIn and his website RXR.
You will learn about overcoming barriers and building relationships in this episode with Diego Hodara, founder and CEO of Titanium Realty Group, a privately-held, fully integrated owner, operator, and developer focused on mixed use and residential assets in transit oriented, emerging markets within the New York metro area.
Originally from Uruguay, Diego shares how he used his background as an architect and urban planner, along with hard work, to move into real estate investing and development. You’ll hear about starting small and scaling, along with learning from challenges like financial setbacks and supply chain issues during Covid. Diego stresses the importance of teaming up with others to get great results.
You can connect with Diego at his company website and on LinkedIn.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
Mission-Driven Development with Robin Zeigler
You’ll learn about targeting emerging markets and creating value in this episode, with Robin Zeigler, founder and CEO of MURAL Real Estate Partners. Robin worked for Ernst and Young and as COO for two grocery anchored REITS, Cedar Realty Trust and Federal Realty Investment Trust, before launching her own mission-driven real estate firm MURAL, which stands for Mixed Use Revitalization Approached Locally. MURAL focuses on mixed-used, mixed-income developments in underinvested markets.
Robin discusses strategies to direct capital into retail and ground floor plane activation to build communities. She shares how she leverages partnerships to carry out projects that meet the demands of the market.
You can connect with Robin at her company website.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about the capital stack and its components in the second episode of this Capital Stack Series with Scott Singer, a Cornell alumni and principal at Avison Young and co-lead of the Tri-State Debt and Equity Finance Group. Scott is involved in different facets of financing and helps clients, including owners and families, in New York City.
You will hear about debt, including senior and mezzanine debt, and equity levels like preferred equity and common equity. Scott shares insight on what lenders focus on when evaluating financing options for a deal.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn how to make connections and navigate challenges in this conversation with Christie Philbrick-Wheaton, Senior Director of Business Development at New York Life Real Estate Investors. The company has around $70 billion of assets under management and operates in 140 markets. It acts as a commercial mortgage lender and invests in debt, real estate securities, and equity.
Christie talks about moving into institutional investing and learning from downturned markets. She also discusses the value of a culture that holds in-person events and helps team members with career development.
You can connect with Christie on LinkedIn Here
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about the role of debt and equity advisors in real estate transactions in the first episode of this Capital Stack Series with Scott Singer, a Cornell alumni and principal at Avison Young and co-lead of the Tri-State Debt and Equity Finance Group. Scott is involved in different facets of financing and helps clients, including owners and families, in New York City.
You will hear about ways to help buyers navigate the complexities of financing as they consider moving forward with a deal. Scott shares insight on building personal relationships and learning about the needs of buyers to best advise them.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn the value of in-person meetings for real estate investing in this conversation with Beth Azor, the founder and owner of Azor Advisory Services, a commercial real estate advisory and investment firm based in South Florida. Known as the “Canvassing Queen,” Beth has personally canvassed for more than 10,000 hours. She offers extensive training programs through Azor Academy, including coaching for leasing agents.
Beth talks about saving and then starting in real estate investing as a limited partner. She advocates for women to get involved in commercial real estate and shares how she helps others improve their skills and get more deals.
You can connect with Beth at her company website (https://www.bethazor.com/) and X (https://x.com/bethazor1).
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about the importance of working with a specialized attorney for the contract and closing in this episode of the Sell High series. If you work with a professional who approaches the process with a problem-solving mindset, the final steps of a deal could go smoothly.
You’ll hear about gathering the right documents before listing your property for sale. You’ll also get an idea of what closing costs to expect, and how to manage them to maximize your net proceeds from the sale. If you have a great broker to carry out the negotiation process, the final walk through and closing can typically be carried out without any surprises.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about the importance of having a broad pool of buyers and creating leverage in this episode of the Sell High series. If you’re selling property and want to get the highest price possible, you’ll want to work with a broker who understands the negotiating process and can advocate for you in a transparent way.
You’ll hear about sharing the right information upfront and addressing issues about a property in a timely manner. You’ll also get an idea of what to expect for a deposit, and how to work with a team of specialists, including a transactional real estate attorney, to get the best price and terms.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will gain insight into working with investors and finding the right partner in this conversation with David Schwartz, co-founder and principal of Slate Property Group. David has more than 20 years of real estate experience, and oversees development and construction projects worth $2 billion, representing 2,000 apartments in New York City. Previously he co-founded two development firms and worked at Crescent Heights of America. David has been involved in nearly $5 billion of real estate development throughout his career.
You’ll hear about ways to approach development and the value of learning on the job, with an emphasis on building relationships and understanding deals. David discusses his efforts to create more affordable housing for Americans, and his goal to help change the housing landscape in the country to make it more accessible.
You can connect with David at LinkedIn and his company website Slate Property Group.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about the advantages of a broad marketing campaign for your property in this episode of the Sell High series. If you work with a broker who understands what buyers and sellers are transacting in the market, and can be in your corner as an advocate throughout the process, your property could sell for the best price.
You’ll hear how long the marketing process usually takes, and how to be upfront about the benefits and potential drawbacks related to a property. If buyers know about any issues with the property before they transact, the negotiating process can be smoother.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about scaling a real estate business in this conversation with Robert Hart, president and CEO of TruAmerica Multifamily. Robert founded the company in 2013 and under his leadership, it has grown to become a Top 24 apartment owner in the United States.
There can be opportunities to give back, and Robert discusses some of his charitable contributions, including his involvement with Chrysalis, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities for homeless and low-income individuals.
You can connect with Robert at his company website and his podcast, “Building Better Communities.”
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
How to Value a Property
You will learn about the importance of getting an accurate valuation in this episode of the Sell High series. If you work with a broker who is knowledgeable of the market trends and can help your property get maximum exposure, your property could sell for a higher price.
You’ll also hear about what goes into the valuation of a property, including how gathering information about cap rates, income, expenses, and the square footage from a reliable source can lead to a realistic value.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about the value of branding for real estate investments in this conversation with Whitney Arcaro, chief review officer at RXR, a vertically integrated operating and development company based in New York. RXR has expertise in a wide array of value creation activities, including ground up real estate, infrastructure, and industrial development. It oversees 25 billion square feet of property, including commercial and residential.
You’ll hear about ways to brand a property so it conveys the right message. Whitney also discusses how your personal brand is often a part of your overall real estate marketing.
You can connect with Whitney through RXR at LinkedIn and Instagram.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
Welcome to Sell High.
You will learn about what to look for in a broker in this episode of the Sell High series. If you select a broker who specializes in your area and asset class, and has a strong track record, you could maximize the price when selling. You’ll also want to check what type of marketing campaign the broker plans to carry out to get the most exposure for your property with qualified buyers.
A broker who puts themselves in your shoes can help you navigate the process and bring options to the table. Look for someone who has your best interest in mind and can see the bigger picture.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will gain insight into working at smaller real estate firms and larger institutions in this conversation with Stuart Milstein, president and founder of Drake Street Partners.
Prior to the company, Stuart was a senior vice president at Beacon Capital Partners, and a vice president at Vornado Realty Trust where he was responsible for acquisitions, note purchases, and asset financing. Stuart also worked at Clarion Partners, in investment banking at Bear Stearns Real Estate Group, and at Laidlaw Equities. He has a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University.
You’ll hear about ways to work through challenges in deals and spot opportunities that others might not see. Stuart discusses how he focuses on adding value, along with how he raises capital for his investments.
You can connect with Stuart at LinkedIn and his company website Drake Street Partners.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about timing in the sales process in this episode of the Sell High series. If you can be a patient seller, you could maximize value and get the highest price. Most sales processes in commercial real estate take about six months to complete.
For buyers, you’ll want to learn about the seller’s motivation, and make sure that your financing aligns with your overall business plan. I also discuss fluctuations in the market and best practices for timing the sale.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn how to analyze opportunities with Jesse Terry, chief investment officer of real estate acquisitions at HUBB NYC. The company owns and operates Free Market, Rent Stabilized, and Rent Controlled homes. Jesse vets between 50 and 60 broker setups each month and uses a system to identify which opportunities to pursue.
To navigate investing, Jesse discusses the value of having a team to work on different aspects of the deal. He also emphasizes the importance of due diligence when moving from bid to close. He draws on his own extensive experience, which includes viewing thousands of deals, when making decisions about an investment.
You can connect with Jesse at LinkedIn and his company website HUBB NYC.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about ways you can use technology in real estate in this conversation with Eric Brody, founder of ANAX Real Estate Partners, a real estate capital advisory firm. Eric is an accomplished developer and investor in New York City with nearly two decades of experience in the mid-market multifamily sector. He has developed approximately 800 units across NYC, totaling nearly $1 billion worth of real estate.
You’ll hear about opportunities in today’s market, and how to use technology to get ahead and be competitive. Eric is also the founder of ANAX Ventures, an early-stage PropTech investment fund which identifies, tests, and invests in solutions that redefine urban landscapes. He is the host of the Real Tech Talk podcast, which discusses how technology can affect change within the industry.
You can connect with Eric at LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and his company website ANAX Real Estate Partners.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn to keep a long-term approach when investing in real estate in this conversation with Bill Rudin, co-executive chairman of Rudin Management Company. The company was founded in 1925 by Samuel Rudin and is now led by the third and fourth generations. The portfolio is comprised of residential buildings totaling more than 4 million square feet and commercial office buildings totaling more than 10 million square feet.
Bill shares how the company stays true to its founder’s guideline principles and monitors trends to make decisions. He emphasizes the value of giving back to your community, and getting involved in ways that can help people in need.
You can connect with Bill Rudin at his company website Rudin Management Company.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will hear how to learn as you go in this conversation with Rob Kaliner, founder of RoundSquare Development, which specializes in ground-up development, value-add, distressed properties, and commercial condominiums. Rob has been involved in the development of luxury condominium buildings such as the A Building in the East Village, 133 West 22 nd Street in Chelsea, and the Georgica on the Upper Side.
Prior to entering the world of New York real estate, Ron had a successful career in the textile industry. You’ll hear how he jumped into the real estate market and asked questions to understand the process. Ron also emphasizes the value of being transparent and building strong relationships.
You can connect with Rob Kaliner at LinkedIn and his company website RoundSquare Development.
You can connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about strategies you can use to be successful in real estate, including having the right mindset, being optimistic, and continually learning. I also share my story of how I got into the real estate business and the incredible mentors who taught me valuable lessons during the early years of my career.
You’ll hear about managing your day and I share some of the routines I follow to make the most of my time. I also give an overview of this new series on selling high, which can help you reap the rewards of your real estate investment.
Connect with me at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about city development and leading teams in this conversation with Paula Carethers, director of real estate for the Archdiocese of New York. Paula is responsible for strategy and oversight of properties for its nearly 300 parishes. She has held leadership roles in large-scale projects including the master planning for Ford Motor Company’s restoration of Michigan Central Station in in Detroit and approvals for redevelopment of the historic Domino Sugar property in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
You’ll hear about the advantages of networking with alumni and hometown connections, and how that can help you grow and learn in your career. Paula talks about shifting from government to private and nonprofit organizations, and the importance of understanding culture and tapping into everyone’s talents.
You can connect with Paula at LinkedIn.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn how to pursue development opportunities in this episode with Victor Sigoura, CEO and founder of Legion Investment Group, a real estate developer, owner, and operator focused on acquiring and executing developments in strategic and highly sought-after locations to create value for its investors. Victor has been responsible for directing and overseeing new developments worth over $7 billion across multiple sectors of the real estate industry.
You’ll hear about the value of establishing relationships and being honest throughout the lifecycle of a deal. Victor shares his focus on integrity to build trust and attract investors when he has a development opportunity.
You can connect with Victor at LinkedIn, his website Legion Investment Group.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn how to focus on an asset class and be a great operator in this conversation with Chris Powers, founder and executive chairman of Fort Capital, a vertical real estate firm which has invested over $2.1 billion in Class B industrial, commercial, multifamily, student housing, and land development projects throughout the state of Texas and the Sunbelt. Since 2016, the company has focused on Class B Industrial full-time, and that is where the firm dedicates the majority of its resources.
You’ll learn about AI and how it can be used to support real estate firms, along with tips on building culture and raising capital. Chris shares insights regularly as host of The Fort, an entrepreneurship podcast.
You can connect with Chris at LinkedIn, his website Fort Capital, and podcast The Fort.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYCMy
Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn how to consider the impact of a development project in this conversation with Ashley Stiles, CEO and founder of Tribe Development, a comprehensive real estate consulting and development firm which aims to develop better spaces and experiences for everyone. Ashley brings more than 15 years of experience in commercial real estate along Colorado’s Front Range. During her career, she has developed more than $1 billion in assets.
You’ll hear how Ashley gathers input from the community when developing a new project. Her signature approach for development includes a focus on function and design, along with considerations for the people who will use the finished result. She also speaks of forming partnerships and setting the terms at the beginning of a deal to allow for future changes.
You can connect with Ashley at Instagram and her website Tribe.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYCMy
Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
In. this episode, You will learn about building spaces with amenities to exceed expectations in this conversation with Ezra Stark, CEO of Stark Enterprises, a full-service real estate development company.
Stark Enterprises has a footprint of 9 million square feet of Class A properties in more than seven states with a value of over $2 billion. The company’s portfolio contains more than 50 properties in retail, office, apartment, hotel, and student housing segments.
You’ll hear about strategies to operate and sustain a family business as well. Ezra oversees the company his father started, and he discusses ways to draw boundaries, gain experience, and operate with an eye for the future.
You can connect with Ezra at LinkedIn and his website Stark Enterprises. And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYCMy
Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about going public and managing REITs in this conversation with Kenneth Bernstein, president and CEO of Acadia Realty Trust. Acadia is a real estate investment trust which specializes in the acquisition, redevelopment, and management of open-air retail properties. The trust owns or has ownership interest in more than 100 properties totaling approximately $4 billion in value. In addition, Acadia launched Fund V, which is capitalized to acquire $1.5 billion in retail.
You’ll hear about the advantages and drawbacks that come with going public or remaining private. Kenneth discusses the development of Acadia, which he co-founded in 1998 and is a public company. He also shares his thoughts from his experience in the retail trends of the past decades, and the future of omnichannel in the industry.
You can connect with Kenneth at LinkedIn and his website Acadia Realty Trust. And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn the value of listening to tenants and working with not-for-profits with Brian Steinwurtzel, Co-CEO and principal of GFP Real Estate, a vertically integrated owner, operator, property manager, and developer of commercial real estate in the New York Tri-State Region. Helmed by three generations of family members over six decades, GFP’s portfolio includes some of New York City’s most iconic real estate assets, including the Flatiron Building and The Film Center.
You’ll hear how to build relationships to secure long-term leases, along with insight on converting office spaces to residential. Brian mentions that volunteering and contributing to improve the neighborhood can also increase the value of the real estate in those locations.
You can connect with Brian at LinkedIn and his website GFP Real Estate.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles
You’ll hear about achieving financial freedom in this conversation with Marco Santarelli, a two-time Inc. 1000 entrepreneur, investor, author, and Broadway producer. Marco is the founder of Norada Capital Management and Norada Real Estate Investments, the largest nationwide provider of turnkey investment property.
You’ll also learn how Marco has a mission to help people achieve personal and financial goals. He offers training programs and covers the benefits of having a lifelong learner mindset. You’ll hear about the differences between active and passive investing, and the important role a sponsor plays in the outcome of an investment.
To connect with Marco, follow him on Instagram and visit his website.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about leadership skills and solving problems from G. David Bednar, principal and founder of Devotio Capital Management: The Real Estate Private Bank. His company serves as an investment advisor and fiduciary, providing bespoke, private real estate investing solutions to ultra-high net worth individuals and families. Prior to creating his own capital management platform, David spent time at other well-known real estate companies, including Ladder Capital, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley.
You’ll hear how military service can be applied to real estate leadership, and how to draw on your experiences to provide more value to clients. David also explains that having a strong mentor can help you develop the skills you’ll need for long-time success.
You can connect with David at LinkedIn and his website Devotio.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles
You will learn how to build a real estate business and create an investment fund with Gary Chesson, the retired co-founder of Trinity Partners, a full service commercial real estate firm headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Gary and his partners also co-founded Trinity Capital Advisors, a private equity real estate investment firm which has invested $4.1 billion through acquiring and developing more than 28 million square feet of office and industrial assets primarily in the Southeast.
You’ll hear how to create an open and generous culture which shares profits evenly. Gary offers advice on how to prioritize family, fun, and balance to avoid burnout. He also shares insight on having an entrepreneurial mindset and taking risks. Gary is the author of “Creating Trinity—Blueprints of a Real Estate Entrepreneur & Investor,” and mentors younger real estate professionals in his free time.
You can connect with Gary at LinkedIn.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles
You will learn how to educate investors to create a base for real estate investing with Moses Kagan, co-founder and partner at Adaptive Realty, which focuses on managing high-quality Southern California real estate. Adaptive Realty was founded in 2011 with no outside capital, and now owns about $200 million of real estate.
You’ll gain insight on how to distribute content on social media to attract others who want to participate in a deal. You’ll also hear about the importance of looking at the numbers before moving forward with an acquisition. Moses emphasizes that the key to long-term success includes getting and keeping the trust of investors.
You can connect with Moses at Twitter, his blog, and website Adaptive Realty.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn how to understand value in real estate investing with Jonathan Marcus, principal at New England Investment Partners, LLC, which focuses on the national market and actively pursues the acquisition of office, industrial, retail, and multi-family properties. The company takes a conservative and holistic approach to add value while improving the tenant experience.
You’ll hear about being involved in real estate when it’s a family business, and how to start on your own with real estate investing. You’ll also gain insight on moving from multi-family properties to office spaces. Jonathan discusses the advantages that come from continuing to move forward and raise capital when you find a great deal.
You can connect with Jonathan at LinkedIn and his company website New England Investment Partners.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn how to get started, network continually, and build relationships in real estate with Brian Ray, co-founder, managing partner, and principal of Alchemy-ABR Investment Partners and ABR Partners, LLC, his family holding company. During his 20-plus year career, Brian has acquired, developed, and managed properties with a value exceeding $3 billion.
You’ll glean information on how to set up partnerships and build long-term success, along with managing everything and having fun along the way. Brian advises looking at situations in a way to help solve problems and deliver an outcome to the client. A long-term approach can lead to great success, and Brian has been involved with iconic buildings across the New York skyline, including 40 Bond Street, Seagram’s Building, and One Rockefeller Center.
You can connect with Brian Ray at LinkedIn and Instagram.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about remote real estate investing in this conversation with Stacy Conkey. Stacy is a veteran real estate investor and co-founder of Remote Multifamily Investing Academy, which provides coaching and support for those interested in real estate investing.
You’ll take away tips on overcoming fear, as Stacy describes how she got out of her comfort zone to become a public speaker and find properties that could generate cash flow. After going through training herself, she decided to create a solution that would help others who wanted to make connections and get started in real estate.
You can gain insight into setting metrics for remote real estate investing, which include looking at job growth and population trends. Stacy also explains her 1% rule and breaks down how joint ventures work. She encourages listeners to learn as they go and build on their past experiences to create a lasting portfolio.
You can connect with Stacy on LinkedIn and through the Remote Multifamily Investing Academy Facebook group.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about how to choose partnerships and qualify opportunities in this conversation with Ari M. Shalam, the founder and managing partner of RWN Real Estate Partners LLC, a New York City-based middle market real estate private equity investment platform. Ari started the investment platform more than 10 years ago, and it is backed by Marc Rowan, the CEO of Apollo Global Management. RWN targets direct and controlled joint venture investment opportunities across most property types.
Previously, Ari served as the president of Enterprise Asset Management, Inc., a real estate centric multi-family office, and was a senior partner and director of Acquisitions at Taconic Investment Partners, a fully integrated real estate investment and development company focused on New York City.
You’ll gain insight on the value of honesty in relationships in the episode. Ari also speaks on setting filters to choose locations to make investments. He shares that RWN has transacted in various places, which include New York City, Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Miami, and Puerto Rico.
To learn more about Ari and connect with him, you can find him through LinkedIn and Instagram.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn how to set priorities and learn the processes of real estate investing in this conversation with Gino Barbaro. Gino is an investor, business owner, and entrepreneur who has grown his real estate portfolio to over 2,120 multifamily units with $280 million in assets under management.
You’ll also hear how Gino shifted from being involved in the pizza industry to real estate, a decision he made when looking for passive income streams. He set up a strategy with his partner, Jake Stenziano, built a track record, and delved into coaching. The partners are co-founders of Jake & Gino, a multifamily real estate education community where they teach others how to invest in apartments.
You can also learn about Gino’s various ventures which support his investments. He is the best-selling author of three books, Wheelbarrow Profits, The Honey Bee, and Family, Food and the Friars. He currently resides in St. Augustine, Florida with his wife Julia and their six children.
To connect with Gino, visit his website Jake & Gino, or look for him on LinkedIn and Instagram.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about how to surround yourself with excellence to get started in real estate in this episode with Ross Hamilton. Hear about the value in taking action, connecting with others, and participating in a network to find investment opportunities. You’ll also learn ways to help others who are struggling to keep their homes.
Ross has a fascinating story and background, which includes a passion for BMX freestyling as a young adult. After an injury caused him to step aside, he began investing in real estate and quickly amassed a portfolio of 50 residential properties. He used some of the profits to establish Connected Investors, an investment property marketplace and social network for real estate investors. Eventually, Ross’s tech company sold to First American for approximately $100 million and he retired at 40 years old to start SavingHomes.org, a real estate charity to help those in need.
You can connect with Ross to access additional resources by emailing him at ross@sucesscap.com.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn about financing deals and how to get involved in the debt side of real estate in this episode with Kevin Amolsch, a real estate investor and private money lender at Pine Financial Group. You’ll gather insight on how to be creative with financing and get into properties with no money down.
Kevin earned his degree in finance after serving four years in the U.S. Army. After college, he spent two years working with Wall Street as a mortgage bond analyst. He stepped away to get involved in real estate financing for investors full time, and he and his companies have closed on more than 2,400 transactions as a buyer, seller, or private money lender.
Kevin shares insight in his book, “The 45-Day Investor,” and has reports about private lending and the housing crisis available at ThePineReport.com.
You can connect with Kevin through his company website Pine Financial Group.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You will learn the differences between investing actively and passively, and what might be best for you on this episode with Mark Khuri, co-founder of SMK Capital Management, a boutique private equity real estate investment firm. Mark talks about the value of diversifying with best-in-class sponsors across multiple asset classes and geographies.
Mark’s career in real estate began in 2005 when he started investing in residential real estate in California and Florida. In 2010, he co-founded SMK Capital Management, which focuses on recession resistant investment opportunities. Mark has experience analyzing thousands of investment opportunities, and he shares the value of understanding the story behind the property to find where value could be added. His investments span from mobile home parks to self-storage, ATM machines, and triple net industrial, among others.
If you are going to invest passively, qualifying the sponsor is essential. Mark shares how best to go about this process. You will also benefit as we get under the hood on how these deals are structured.
You can connect with Mark through his company website SMK Capital Management, LLC.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn the benefits of moving forward in real estate, one step at a time, in this conversation with Liz Faircloth, co-founder of The Real Estate InvestHER® community and Facebook group. Liz has developed a model that connects women who are interested in getting started in real estate—or are looking for ways to scale. She is also co-founder of the DeRosa Group, a family-owned business investing in residential and commercial property with a mission of transforming lives through real estate.
If you’re looking for tips on balancing priorities, Liz shares advice on how to focus on one task at a time, create the right spaces, and step back periodically to think about the big picture. The Real Estate InvestHER® community offers mentorship and accountability to reduce a sense of being overwhelmed. The holistic approach includes three pillars, which are real estate investing, business strategies, and self-care. You can join to connect both online and in-person at meetups across the U.S. and Canada.
To learn more about Liz and get involved, head to The Real Estate InvestHER® website and the Real Estate InvestHER® Community group on Facebook.
I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn how to think ahead of get ready for what’s next in this conversation with Rod Santomassimo. Rod is the founder and president of The Massimo Group, a leading national commercial real estate coaching and consulting organization. He has more than 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry as a broker, owner, and manager of local, regional, and international firms. Rod is a best-selling author with books that include Brokers Who Dominate, Teams Built to Dominate, Knowing Isn’t Doing, and most recently, Dominators of Commercial Real Estate Brokerage.
In the interview, Rod discusses the pandemic as an accelerator that led to hybrid working, telecommuting, and teleconferences, among other advances. He also covers ways to leverage AI to stay on top of trends and make processes more efficient. “What’s happening right now in AI and the AI world is the greatest accelerant that we have ever seen in our history in regards to what is possible and how quickly it can happen,” he shares.
When discussing the key attributes to look for in a broker, Rod suggests searching for an advisory figure. While a broker’s role is often viewed as a facilitator of the transaction, the true dominating brokers will focus on the facilitation of a relationship. “That’s what matters,” Rod says. “One question I would always ask a broker is, ‘Tell me a time where you advised your client not to sell.’” He also mentions seeking a broker who is a specialist or has a team of specialists. In addition, he states, “One mistake that most investors make is they focus on the fee versus the result.”
To find more opportunities, Rod mentions the power of creating a presence pyramid. This consists of personal, physical, and digital layers. Establishing a presence as either a broker or investor in the marketplace can help you reach a broader audience and gain credibility in the space. “Presence is paramount in everything you do,” Rod says.
During the episode, Rod encourages listeners to find a mentor and ask three questions when connecting: What’s new? What’s next? What do you need? “Intellectual curiosity will be the way to grow—be the doer,” he adds.
You can connect with Rod at his website The Massimo Group and find his books on the Resources page.
I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn how to collaborate with others in real estate and learn at every step in this interview with Adam Altman. Adam is the founder and managing member of KABR, which is a vertically integrated private equity real estate firm responsible for the investment, development, and management of real estate. The portfolio includes commercial, multifamily, industrial, hospitality, and development assets. In his role, Adam is instrumental in fundraising, structuring JV partnerships, and sourcing and acquiring real estate property and debt. Adam has participated in transactions totaling approximately 6 million square feet of commercial properties, along with thousands of residential units, hotels, and new development land with over 6,000 units of entitlements.
Prior to joining KABR, Adam focused on acquisitions, development, management and disposition of real estate for a multi-billion-dollar healthcare company. He has also worked with the private wealth team at Deutsche Bank and as a portfolio manager and analyst at Chestnut Ridge Capital. In addition, Adam founded and sold Freshpair.com, an ecommerce company.
Adam was intrigued with real estate from early on, as he walked blocks and neighborhoods while studying at NYU. After college, he went to other ventures, including Wall Street, his own internet company, and a family office, and eventually turned again to real estate. Along the way he learned valuable lessons, such as how to put capital together and the emphasis on personal relationships in real estate. He applied these to his later efforts with his partner at KABR.
Today Adam’s firm focuses on the geographical areas of the New York metro area and the Southeastern region of the U.S. Looking back on his track record, he says, “Being able to trust someone is almost more important than anything else. It doesn’t guarantee outcomes, but it does guarantee alignment.” He also emphasizes the value of teamwork, saying, “It’s about collaborating and making it interesting.”
For beginning investors, Adam shares the importance of looking for ways to be helpful. Part of his success was built on his willingness to reach out and share information with others without expecting anything in return. “If you love real estate, the best way to do something is to go and do it,” he says.
You can connect with Adam at his website KABR Group.
I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
On this week’s episode, You’ll learn how to get connected to others in real estate and build a track record in this conversation with Shawn DiMartile. Shawn is a real estate investor based in San Diego with more than 300 rental units, a boutique hotel, and several Airbnbs, with a cumulative value of more than $50 million. He is also host of the podcast The Real Estate Takeoff and co-founder of Takeoff Capital. Shawn is a U.S. Navy veteran and worked as an air traffic controller prior to investing in real estate.
During his time as an air traffic controller, Shawn found he lacked time freedom, often working six days a week and putting in long hours. After looking into real estate, he liquidated his 401(k) to partner with his now business associate on a 32-unit apartment property located in Indiana. The investment presented several challenges, though within two years, they were able to triple the value of the asset and sell for a substantial profit. The experience left an impression on Shawn and motivated him to further pursue real estate investing.
Recognizing the need for guidance to scale his efforts, Shawn found a mentor who had been an accomplished apartment investor for more than two decades and had a portfolio with 8,000 units. Shawn went on to syndicate his first 150-unit multifamily property in 2021. Just two months later, he syndicated a 145-unit multifamily property.
With an eye for San Diego, Shawn recognized the historic limitations for investors based on low cap rates and landlord tenant laws. However, when San Diego implemented its ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Bonus program to resolve its housing crisis, Shawn found an opportunity to create a niche and build additional rental units on properties. He outlines his investment strategy in his ebook “California Gold.”
During the episode, Shawn encourages listeners to overcome the fear of making mistakes when starting out, and to look for ways to contribute when connecting with others. “Become friends and surround yourself with real estate in every way you can,” he shares. “Then start as early as you can to provide value to other people.”
You can connect with Shawn through Instagram and his website Investor Shawn.
I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn valuable information about affordable housing, institutional investing, and senior living in this conversation with Chris Finlay. Chris is CEO and chairman of Lloyd Jones, a global real estate investment firm with subsidiaries in development and construction. It also has a platform called AVIVA Senior Living and concentrations in multifamily and the hospitality industry. Its investment partners include institutions, family offices, accredited investors, and its own principals.
Chris began his career as a commercial airline pilot with Eastern Airlines and invested in real estate on the side. His real estate business evolved, and in 1983 he shifted from the airline industry to focus exclusively on commercial real estate. He opened Finlay Company, which grew into one of the largest real estate firms in New England.
In 1990, Chris delved into real estate development and during the next 15 years developed, constructed, and managed approximately 40 multifamily and senior housing communities and luxury condominiums. When the Great Recession of 2008 hit, it provided numerous investment opportunities in the multifamily segment, and Chris began investing in the asset class. Those investments led to Lloyd Jones, a company that offered outside investors an opportunity to participate in the acquisitions. Several years later, Chris added senior living and development subsidiaries to capitalize on the exploding demand for senior housing. More recently, spotting opportunities in the hospitality industry, he added a hotel investment division to the company.
Now with a 40-year track record in real estate, Chris also has educational credentials which include Upper Canada College and post-graduate studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He has completed extensive industry training and participates on the board of the National Multifamily Housing Council. Chris is a member of the American Seniors Housing Association and a strong supporter of Shelters to Shutters, a nonprofit organized to connect individuals facing homelessness to employment options and housing within the multifamily community.
During our conversation, Chris discusses how he has followed different segments and been able to make moves during downturns. His vast experience ranges from low-cost housing programs to raising institutional capital and building out a senior living operations business. For listeners starting their journey, he shares, “Primarily we’ve been a multifamily developer, investor, and owner, and I’m a believer that it’s the best asset class in the world for anybody to be in.” He also sees unique opportunities in senior living. Regarding what’s ahead, he says, “I think there’s been a disruption in the market, and we have a period of time here before it gets corrected—and then it will be a very nice ride up.”
You can connect with Chris at his company website Lloyd Jones and also AVIVA Senior Living.
I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn about gauging risk and spotting opportunities in this conversation with Kaitlin McCarthy. Kaitlin established Ionic Development Company, which is a certified Woman Business Enterprise, in 2022. She has more than 10 years of experience managing large development and construction projects in downtown Boston. Before she founded Ionic, Kaitlin served as vice president at The HYM Investment Group. She has worked on projects such as The Sudbury with 368 apartments and 55 condos, and One Congress, which is the world headquarters of State Street Bank.
Kaitlin grew up in Connecticut and had an interest in architecture from early on. She studied engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, and leaned into construction management, working for a company called Turner Construction after graduating. While there, she became fascinated with the concepts and many pieces that went into creating a space. To gain skills to help her with the development perspective, she went to Harvard for a MBA.
After finishing her studies there, Kaitlin went into management consulting and worked for Boston Consulting Group. While she gained insight into business and strategy, she also realized she missed the building aspects. With that in mind, in 2017 she connected with HYM Investment Group, a large real estate developer in Boston.
During the pandemic, Kaitlin used the time to step back and realized she wasn’t seeing any women-owned developers in her area. She had an “aha” moment and thought, “Maybe I can go out and try this on my own…to make a difference in what the scene of Boston real estate development looks like.” In 2022, she took the leap and started her own company, Ionic, a real estate development firm.
Even though the market is going through a challenging time, Kaitlin has found opportunities to pursue development management assignments and projects. From brainstorming the answer to handling office buildings to using technology in new ways, she focuses on the task at hand and maintains a willingness to take a risk. She believes a mindset to try new things and think differently will help set her company apart in the coming years.
You can connect with Kaitlin and her certified Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) Ionic Development Company through LinkedIn.
I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll gain insight into playing an innovative role in real estate in this conversation with Laura Rapaport. Laura is the founder and CEO of North Bridge, a company offering financing solutions that serve the intersection of real estate, technology, and sustainability. North Bridge is a one-stop-shop for clients nationwide and covers all asset classes, providing support to both improve the built environment and create a greener future.
When she started out, Laura initially took on an internship in real estate prior to her freshman year of college. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and began her career at Lehman Brothers in their Global Real Estate Group in London. She later served as a Director in the New York development group of Tishman Speyer. Laura received an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and went on to become a Managing Director at L&L Holding Company, an owner-operator and developer in New York City. There she was a key member of the leadership team for almost a decade, and her roles included running capital raising and serving as Development Manager of 425 Park Avenue.
Today her company North Bridge specializes in sustainable real estate solutions by providing financing through C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy). C-PACE is a flexible form of ESG financing which allows borrowers to access low-cost, long-term, fixed-rate, pre-payable funding in exchange for making sustainable improvements to buildings. It facilitates energy efficiency, water efficiency, structural resilience, and renewable measures. Borrowers who qualify can use the capital proactively, or they can apply it retroactively to strengthen a capital stack. C-PACE may be used for a variety of functions, including large scale renovations, new construction, acquisition financing, refinancing, and rescue capital.
Based on her experience and background, founding North Bridge “plays to my strengths of being entrepreneurial, but having an institutional expertise and understanding to translate and bring everything together,” Laura says. For someone interested in real estate who wants to help create a more sustainable environment, she adds, “I think there’s a tremendous opportunity to innovate…there will be more products that have not even been thought of or created that will help all of us make that a reality.”
You can connect with Laura through LinkedIn and her company website North Bridge.
I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn how to strive for the next level while maintaining a healthy balance in this conversation with John Hopfensberger. With more than 30 years of experience in the commercial real-estate industry, John is the founder and president of CMK Properties, and has developed more than $200 million of real estate. In addition to his business accomplishments, John is a triathlete and a two-time Ironman finisher. He also serves on advisory boards and in various nonprofit capacities.
John grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he was taught to have a strong work ethic. “When we were building a shed, building on the barn, renovating the house…we did as much work as we could ourselves,” he says. This fostered a passion for construction, and right out of college, John took on a two-family fixer upper. He made the needed repairs, rented the place, and became hooked on real estate. He obtained a general contractor license and started to take on larger projects, eventually expanding into multiple states.
Facing the decision of whether to become a national-level general contractor or focus on what he loved doing, which was real estate development and investment, John opted for the latter. He also laid out objectives to grow that were attainable, timely, and realistic. He has continued with this strategy, and today holds regular meetings with his team to talk about business goals. Together they break them down into people, operations, marketing, sales, and financial aspects. He also keeps his goals in front of him on a desk.
Now based in Brentwood, Tennessee, John’s company CMK Properties serves as a fully integrated real estate investment, development, and management company. It carries out build-to-suit projects for major brands, and has clients such as Dollar General and Tractor Supply Company. For anyone looking to get started in this development space, he suggests finding a site and presenting it to a potential tenant. After breaking into this segment, his company has gone on to generate repeat business and create a portfolio of over $385 million, with more than $235 million in successful exits.
You can connect with John through LinkedIn and his company website CMK Properties.
I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll gain incredible insight on how to jump in, surround yourself with high performers, and communicate in this conversation with Ryan Tseko. Ryan is the Executive Vice President at Cardone Capital in the Miami metro area and has completed acquisitions with a transaction value of over $2.9 billion, secured more than $1.9 billion of debt financing, and has been actively involved in launching every investment vehicle for the company. He holds a B.S. in Aviation and Airway Management from Utah Valley State University. Growing up, Ryan observed his uncle, who was a builder and gave him a job at the age of 13. While Ryan had an interest in real estate from early on, he decided to begin his career as an airline pilot and continued that trajectory for 10 years. During this time, he also invested in real estate, building up a portfolio of 21 units. He discovered Grant Cardone, a renowned business expert and real estate investor, on YouTube, and wanted to get involved with him to pursue his real estate goals. Ryan called the front desk of the company to ask for a job interview, and soon was working alongside Grant every day. He spent the next years learning the day-to-day work of real estate, as he did weekly calls with properties to track performance, carried out due diligence, and ultimately worked through every vertical. He went on to help build teams and expand the real estate business to move deals faster. “Partnerships aren’t just internal—they’re external and they’re powerful,” he says. Over the next years, Cardone Capital expanded from 200 investors to more than 13,000. Amid that growth, Ryan and his team wanted to prioritize investor relationships. “More than 90% of our investors have talked to a real live person in our office,” he says. Today, Cardone Capital acquires and manages real estate properties with a focus on both near-term income generation and long-term value creation. It aims to provide everyday investors with access to institutional-grade real estate deals. Since 2016, it has raised more than $1 billion across 22 funds. Its portfolio consists of more than 12,000 multifamily units across 36 multifamily properties along with over 500,000 square feet of commercial office space. Ryan cites parallels between aviation and real estate, including the value of being trainable, having checklists, and following processes and procedures. When flying, he says, “there’s a rhyme and reason for everything, and I truly believe the same for real estate.” You can connect with Ryan through Instagram, YouTube, and also visit Grant Cardone’s YouTube channel, Cardone University, and the company website Cardone Capital. I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at: My website: JamesNelson.com LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll gain a wealth of ideas on how to think outside the box and have a positive social impact in this interview with Matt Blesso, a serial entrepreneur and self-made real estate developer. Throughout his career, Matt has sought opportunities that generate outsized returns and has also focused on modeling a healthy environment and community. He has conceived, developed, and managed a diverse and distinctive portfolio of residential, commercial, and hospitality assets in New York, Panama, and Costa Rica. He is the CEO and founder of Blesso Properties, and the mastermind behind Shift Living, a company dedicated to transforming the way people live.
Matt’s career began when he graduated from New York University and got a job in commercial banking. While the work helped pay the bills, Matt had an entrepreneurial mindset and soon spotted a real estate opportunity. He became, as he mentions on the show, an “accidental developer,” when he bought his first apartment one year out of college by using a first-time homebuyers program. He fixed it up and two years later, purchased the apartment next door to it.
Realizing the potential in the development space, Matt switched to real estate banking and learned all he could about the industry. He pursued more real estate projects in New York City, including building conversions and innovative designs which often led to returns that outperformed the market. While visiting a friend in Panama, Matt looked for a boutique hotel in Panama City where he could stay during his trip. When he couldn’t find one, he spotted the chance to develop a place, complete with a public rooftop space—the first of its kind in the historic district.
After doing more projects, Matt felt a pull to connect with nature and carry out sustainable projects with a positive social mission. By this point, he had everything in place to support his lifestyle, but wanted to create a real estate model that would help people improve their lives. His search led him to Costa Rica, where he purchased a former farm and initiated a project to regenerate the land and the soil. His vision includes growing food that residents can eat, and creating an environment where residents can interact and find support for their wellbeing and health.
“When I started, my goal was to make money,” Matt says on the show. “I’ve since learned…that it really comes down to having purpose—and having purpose in my work. I’m much happier doing this project than I was doing my earlier projects.”
You can connect with Matt through LinkedIn, his website Blesso Properties, and his latest project Shift Living.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll learn incredible insight into getting a feel for a neighborhood and developing expertise in a niche market in this interview with Wendy Berger, principal of WBS Equities, LLC. For more than 30 years, Wendy has been involved in the real estate business as a developer, lender, property manager, broker, and investor.
She began her career at American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago in commercial lending. Wendy also spent several years as a principal with Berger Realty Group, an 80-year-old family-owned real estate business, where she focused on residential and industrial property management and development. She was responsible for managing 3,000 apartment units, 200,000 square feet of commercial space, and 250,000 square feet of industrial space. Wendy has also paired her decade of experience in technology startups with her real estate knowledge for successful outcomes.
Wendy grew up in a family that was involved in the real estate business in Chicago and has memories of playing at construction sites as a child. She vividly recalls riding through the same neighborhoods repeatedly, as her relatives observed trends in the area and looked for indicators that change was coming. This background helped her establish the value of getting on the ground to find opportunities. “You cannot buy or build real estate sitting at your desk,” she says.
After spending time in the technology space, Wendy spotted a real estate investment project and purchased an older hotel in Chicago, which she renovated both physically and digitally. Taking advantage of the rising trend in online bookings, she successfully marketed the hotel and increased the number of rooms rented. She went on to sell the property in early 2007 and applied the lessons she learned to her next deals.
Through her connections, Wendy was given an opportunity to oversee the construction of a pizza manufacturing facility. After completing the project successfully, she realized a great opportunity in building food manufacturing and food distribution facilities. She has formed a team of experts to help carry out these projects which often involve long-term commitments. She actively invests alongside her partner and keeps terms simple to make returns easy for everyone involved. Wendy serves on the board of directors for Green Thumb Industries and has branched into the cannabis space in recent times.
Today Wendy regularly mentors young women who are interested in the real estate industry and encourages other to make courageous career moves. “Think big and don’t worry about whether it’s possible or not,” she says. “Big thinking precedes great accomplishments.”
You can connect with Wendy at LinkedIn or at her website WBS Equities, LLC.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
Whether you’re interested in active or passive investing, you’ll get key takeaways on how to expand your footprint from this episode featuring Charles Carillo, a real estate investor and entrepreneur. Charles has been involved in multifamily and commercial real estate investments since 2006. He is the managing partner of Harborside Partners, a real estate syndication firm, and has invested in more than $200 million worth of investment real estate to date. He’s also the host of the Global Investors Podcast, in which he interviews professionals about investing in U.S. real estate and educates listeners about industry-related topics. Charles grew up in Connecticut and watched his father’s practices, which included being a multifamily investor and owning about 100 units in the area. The experience helped him learn the inner workings of property management, such as dealing with tenants and making decisions about repairs. He also saw the time flexibility his father was able to have as an investor. During the conversation, Charles advises starting out small, such as with a two- to four-unit multifamily building. That’s exactly what he did in 2006, when he purchased a three-unit property and lived in one of the units. He put into play some of the knowledge he had gained from observing his father to manage the building. He then went on to purchase more properties nearby. Spotting opportunities to expand, Charles forayed into other areas of the country, starting with Florida. He saw the synergies that could come from syndications, and established systems to vet deals and operators. Today, having invested in 13 states, he mentions the value of looking for job growth, population growth, and decreases in crime over the past two decades in a region. He also has implemented strategies to create efficiencies, including using AI as a tool to inform investors and cater to their communication preferences. Along the way, Charles fielded questions from those living outside of the U.S. who were interested in real estate within the country’s borders. In response, he shared deal opportunities with them and developed resources related to foreign investing. He also uses a referral network to connect investors with required legal work that is involved. He strives to educate those interested in real estate on the importance of studying locations, learning about markets, and working with the right people to get ahead. You can connect with Charles at his website HarborsidePartners.com and his show, the Global Investors Podcast. And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at: My website: JamesNelson.com LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You’ll gain incredible insight in this conversation with George Giannopoulos and Jeffrey Znaty, co-founders of Kings Capital. They share the power of following a regimen, both personally and professionally, which can help you gain an advantage in the real estate world. They advise starting small and taking on bigger deals as you grow, a strategy that has helped them gain an outstanding track record.
Kings Capital is a vertically integrated real estate investment and management firm headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. It specializes in value-add creation through the acquisition, design, and repositioning of multifamily, mixed-use and retail assets. It also carries out ground-up development projects in both core and transitional neighborhoods across the U.S.
George and Jeffrey both grew up in Brooklyn but didn’t cross paths and connect until later in life. George graduated with a finance degree from St. John’s University and went on to attend NYU Schack Real Estate Institute. He cofounded a real estate brokerage firm focused on off-market investments in the New York City metro area. Later he started Brickstone Properties, a boutique investment firm focused on value add, redevelopment and development properties. Jeffrey holds a degree in business management from Brooklyn College and has actively handled real estate deals for the past decade in New York City. He has been involved in more than $400 million worth of transactions in some of the most complicated and encumbered deals in New York.
A background in brokerage enabled George and Jeffrey to look at many deals and ask investors questions about their projects. George tuned in to buyers who were repositioning properties and looking to add value. Jeffrey started putting his knowledge to work on the investing side and invited George to join in on a deal. The two began taking on projects and eventually formed what is known today as Kings Capital.
Looking back on their keys to success, George and Jeffrey credit going the extra mile, following routines, maintaining relationships, and valuing in-person time. They stay in touch with brokers and manage an extensive network, which helps them grow into bigger projects. Being consistent has opened doors to tremendous opportunities and enabled them to gain a competitive edge.
You can connect with George and Jeffrey at:
LinkedIn: George Giannapoulus
LinkedIn: Jeffrey Znaty
Website: KingsCapitalre.com
Instagram: KingsCapitalre
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
On this episode of The Insider's Edge to Real Estate Investing, I speak with Oren Neria, a real estate investor and principal of MY BK Investments. We discuss the competitive landscape for brokerage in neighborhoods around Manhattan and the success of targeting smaller, more efficient areas like Northern Manhattan and submarkets in Brooklyn. We also delve into Neria's experience in acquisitions and how he uses rejection as an opportunity to grow. With an eye on Brooklyn and smaller value add deals, Neria believes there are discounts to be had with a bullish outlook on the market.
We also delve into Oren's personal story, including his experience negotiating his starting salary and the importance of understanding the principal of the company you work for.
Oren Neria is the Principal and Founder of MY BK Investments. Throughout his 13-year career, Oren has developed extensive relationships in the Brooklyn market and successfully purchased over 50 investment properties. He currently owns a sizable portfolio of mix-use, multi-family and commercial properties in NYC.
Before founding My BK Investments, Oren was the Vice President of Acquisitions for G-way Management. He worked directly with the firm's founder on acquiring, developing, and managing the existing portfolio. Over three years, Oren led the acquisition team in purchasing over 40 buildings with a total value exceeding $100 million. Oren began his career in the real estate sector as an investment sales broker specializing in Upper Manhattan multifamily sales. He successfully closed deals valued at over $150 million during his tenure.
Oren graduated with a BA from Boston University in History and Philosophy.
Guest: Orien Neria
Website: mybk-investments.com
Linkedin: Oren Neria
Instagram: Oren Neria
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Host: James Nelson
My website: JamesNelson.com LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
You are going to get a tremendous benefit from this conversation I had with Alex Budney, who shares how to start off in real estate investing and ultimately build your own platform. Alex is the founder of Ennismore, a real estate investment, management and consulting firm. Since its beginning, Ennismore has advised on or sponsored more than $2.1 billion of active real estate projects. In addition to implementing Ennismore’s principal investment strategy, Alex counsels various real estate owners and financial institutions on their real estate investments and strategy. A key component of his tremendous track record stems from conviction, as he bought into the market in 2020, shortly after the onset of Covid and at a time when most were on the sidelines. Alex spotted an opportunity and purchased a property that was almost entirely vacant!
In this episode, Alex shares his journey into real estate and offers tips for those who want to develop their own area of expertise. He grew up on New York City’s East Side and became intrigued by buildings at an early age, including how they were constructed and their history. He studied floor plans as a young teen and thought about what it would be like to live in an apartment or co-op.
After graduating with a degree in Business and Economics from Lehigh University, Alex went to work for his father, who had a construction company that served developers, including large multifamily builders. The way deals were put together fascinated him. During this time, Alex spotted a piece of land and put together an idea for it, which he presented to a developer. The pitch opened doors for him, and he landed a job at Related Capital Company, which gave him a chance to learn about the financials of the business. He later shifted to Tishman Speyer, where he showed up early for work every day and got to know his boss. The extra effort paid off, and during his time with the company Alex worked in the London and New York offices as Director in the Acquisitions & Development and Equity Capital Markets groups.
The experiences gave Alex insight into various aspects of real estate, including international approaches and development. He eventually branched into his own space and discovered a niche he could fill, which consists of offering advice to owners and financial institutions with real estate interests. Reflecting on his career, Alex credits his success to listening to others, being eager to learn, and moving forward with opportunities.
You can connect with Alex on LinkedIn and at his website, Ennismore, LLC.
And I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:
My website: JamesNelson.com
LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC
Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC
Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC
My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson
My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson
In this episode of The Insider's Edge to Real Estate Investing, Jeremiah Shamess and James Nelson discusses the importance of having a strong team when it comes to real estate investing and talks about finding trusted professionals to save time and money. James shares insights on financing options for real estate projects, equity distribution, and the different asset classes, such as multifamily, retail, office, and development, including their pros and cons. We also cover the importance of due diligence, building a great investor base, and finding off-market deals. Join us as we explore the intricacies of the real estate market and how to succeed in this exciting and challenging field.
In this episode, we delve into the world of real estate and the importance of having the right team. Jeremiah Shamess and James discuss the importance of building trusted relationships with specialists, finding capital relationships, cultivating an investor base, evaluating properties, and finding great opportunities in the real estate market.
James emphasizes the importance of finding a partner to raise capital and create credibility for investors. He provides tips on property evaluations and finding great opportunities off the market. Lastly, James shares insights on financing options, specializing in asset classes and understanding the associated risks and trade-offs. He also emphasizes the need for thorough due diligence and provides tips for closing deals on time.
Tune in for a comprehensive guide to real estate investing and learn from the experts in the field.
You are going to be inspired by today’s show. Drew Breneman, founder of Breneman Capital, started early. A natural-born entrepreneur, Drew started his first business at 14. He then launched a highly-successful internet business while in high school. His ambition for finding the best investment vehicle for his earnings from his internet business is what led him to real estate, purchasing his first two rental properties at 19 years old. His drive attracted the attention of HGTV, where Drew was featured as an up-and-coming real estate investor. He wanted to share what he had learned and aspired to provide direct real estate ownership opportunities to others.
Drew earned his BBA in Real Estate & Urban Land Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Wisconsin School of Business — one of the top real estate programs in the nation. Upon graduation, he worked for three national real estate development firms, each of which focused on different product types, affording him a broad knowledge base for the office, retail, market-rate multifamily, and affordable multifamily sectors.
In 2005, he founded Breneman Capital (formerly Rise Invest) and co-founded The Blackhawk Investment Group in 2008, and Dwelle, a Chicago focused real estate investment and property management group, in 2019. He decided to buy a two family property in Madison where he went to school. When I asked him if he had any hesitation, he said no. He told me that he had the money and the numbers made sense. Today Breneman Capital specializes in investing in multifamily in Phoenix, Dallas, and Austin. They have acquired $200M+ of investment property as key/sole GP. To date, he has had a 25%+ average realized IRR on investments sold. Drew’s criteria for acquisitions is:
Multifamily real estate:
- $5M-$50M deal size.
- 1980 or newer.
- Core-plus and value-add
How many times have you overthought an investment or talked yourself out of it? Drew talks about having the confidence, but only after you’ve done your research. If you’re as inspired as I was, make sure and check out his podcast the Breneman Blueprint. You can find out more about Drew and his company at: https://www.breneman.com/ or LinkedIn with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewbreneman/.
On this week’s episode, Jamison Manwaring, co-founder and CEO of Neighborhood Ventures, shares about building out his real estate investment firm and his own crowd funding platform. If you’re interested in raising from non-accredited investors or how crowdfunding could boost your business, there will be many valuable takeaways.
After years as a tech analyst, Jamison realized that everyone had the same information on Wall Street and it was just a matter of trying to outsmart each other. Whereas with real estate, he could gain an advantage. He also did not like the volatility of the stock market and preferred the stability of holding real estate long term.
In 2020 he was selected as Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 under 40. Before Neighborhood Ventures, he served as the Vice President of Investor Relations at LifeLock and assisted the company in its successful sale to Symantec in February of 2017. Before LifeLock, Jamison was a technology analyst at Goldman Sachs where he participated in over a dozen software IPOs including Tableau, Alarm.com, and LifeLock. Jamison graduated from the University of Utah with a BS in Finance.
He began his foray into real estate by purchasing a 10 family in Idaho with his father’s help, a residential broker in the area. He was hooked. He has gone on to acquire 15 properties in Arizona with his partner, with all of them being sourced off market. For their first deal together, as an experiment, they tried to raise the money all online without using any of their connections. Through a lot of Google ad words and follow up meetings, they have built a huge following.
One note is that if you do want to leverage crowdfunding, please consult with an attorney. As Jamison will share, this is a highly regulated space so proper filings and disclosures are essential.
What I really like about Jamison’s story is how he views his platform as a way for everyday investors to get access to direct real estate investing. You can find out more about Jamison at: https://neighborhood.ventures/ or listen to his podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kiss-my-assets/id1477552013. You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamison-manwaring-a8188625/.
In this week’s episode, Brian Ker shares with you his story from humble beginnings as a real estate broker to working for City government to owning and operating an industrial portfolio. His company acquired the New Jersey and Connecticut properties valued at $100 million dollars in less than two years!
If you are just getting into investing or looking to get into a new asset class or geography, this conversation will tell you how to do this from the ground up. Imagine amassing such sizeable holdings in such a short period of time? The key if focusing on the fundamentals.
Brian Ker is the Founder and President of Snowball Developments and brings over 20 years of institutional real estate transactional and management experience spanning the private and public sector across multiple jurisdictions. He is convinced that by partnering with local experts, sophisticated tenants and astute investors and utilizing new technological applications that there is a modernized and more transparent approach to entrepreneurial real estate investing.
Brian talked about his early days at CBRE as a sales broker in Montreal and how he was able to figure out how to convert obsolete office building into residential lofts. He was a pioneer in this space. Becoming an expert in a new area and business plan, will help you attract investment and outperform the generalists who are in the market. Brian talks about studying the data. You need to do the same if you’re going to own your space!
Lastly, Brian talks about there being no short cuts. It took him 15 years, to become an overnight success. Above all, being trustworthy and a fiduciary to your investors is what Brian attributes the growth of his company. I’m sure you all will agree and get a lot out of this episode.
You can find out more about Snowball Developments at: https://www.snowball-dev.com/ and connect with Brian at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-ker-5024899/.
Lastly, it has been wonderful to get all the incredible feedback on my book The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. It is incredibly gratifying that it has made an impact on so many of you. I greatly appreciate your sharing the word on this book so others too can discover the incredible world of incredible real estate. As always, you can go to jamesnelson.com to get more information on the book as well as helpful white papers and videos to give you the Insider’s Edge.
I had the chance to meet John when I interviewed on his podcast and was happy to have him reciprocate and come on my show. John Casmon launched Casmon Capital Group to help busy professionals invest in real estate without taking on a second job. He has helped families invest in over $100M in multifamily apartments to create passive income, reduce their tax obligation, and foster generational wealth. John hosts the Multifamily Insights podcast. In addition, he is the co-founder of the Midwest Real Estate Networking Summit. As a former marketing executive, John oversaw marketing campaigns for General Motors, PepsiCo, and MillerCoors.
He is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, helping everyday professionals invest in apartments in emerging and stable Midwest markets and select parts of the Southeast region. You can find out more information on John at https://casmoncapital.com/. Also, make sure and check out his podcast Multifamily Insights Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/multifamily-insights/id1269346577?mt=2
Gino Barbaro is a co-founder of Jake and Gino and the Rand Family of Companies, a vertically integrated real estate company that controls over $250 million of real estate assets. He is a best-selling author of Wheelbarrow Profits and The Honey Bee, and have created an educational company that focuses on multifamily entrepreneurs. He has co-founded the Jake & Gino community to teach others their three-step framework: Buy Right, Finance Right and Manage Right®, and how to become multifamily entrepreneurs.
Today, he is joined with his wife, Julia, who is co-host of the Julia and Gino Podcast. Julia is a homeschooling mother of six children, wife to Gino Barbaro for 25 years. Julia is a Certified Life & Marriage coach and runs Women of Wheelbarrow Profits®, in the Jake & Gino community.
Julia was inspired to become a Certified Life and Marriage coach after witnessing the power of coaching. She felt compelled to give back and motivate others to create a strong marriage, and a healthy family/work balance. Julia is the author of The Cannolis Exploded!, A Gelato Blast!, and Pizza With a Purpose, children’s books about decision making and different paths we can take in life.
I had the pleasure of meeting both Gino and Julia at one of Ryan Serhant’s Mastermind events. I have since become a big fan of their work. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this episode. For more information, you can find out about them at: jakeandgino.com
Today it is my great pleasure to have my friend Carl Wright on the show, Founder & President of Wright Partners. Like many of my past guests, I got to know Carl through Bisnow’s Escape conference. I have now been going for over 10 years and Carl was one of the first people I met there who I have stayed in touch with and gotten to know him better over the years. He’s also a huge fan of this podcast, so it’s always great to have someone who understands the value we are offering here.
Carl started as a Civil Engineering from the University of Delaware and became a licensed Professional Engineer in PA and NJ. He started in the construction trades to work his way through high school and college. After graduation, Carl was hired by URS, a global leader in engineering and construction, leading environmental cleanup projects as a general contractor. Carl then learned the land development business from the inside as a project manager for Nave Newell, a land development engineering company.
Carl founded the Wright Partners in 1998 as a way to combine his passions for real estate, engineering and construction. We spend a lot of time in this discussion talking about his early years and how he unlocked the value of contaminated sites to be able to offer them to some of the top retail brands in the world. He talked about finding out fundamental truth and how to avoid problems down the line with his margin of safety. He also talked about his 100-acre horse farm purchase which he was able to entitle and resell giving him his start.
As some fun facts, Carl has been interviewed by Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine, and has been a repeat guest on Onward Nation Podcast for how business owners Think, Act & Achieve.
In his spare time, he is surfing at the world’s best surf spots or training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in which he’s a first-degree black belt. He completed Ironman Lake Placid in 2014.
Carl has some incredible takeaways here not just to succeed in real estate but in life. He shares about embracing learning, avoiding the trap of comparing, and choosing great partners. I know you will get a lot out of this episode. You can find out more about Carl and his company at: https://www.wrightld.com/ or find him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-wright-a264856/
On today’s show, Beth Mercante joins me from StackSource, a tech-enabled commercial real estate loan platform that makes it easier and faster to find the right commercial real estate financing for your property, where she serves as Senior Managing Director. She talked about growing up in a real estate family where her father was an incredibly honest developer. She talked about what lengths he would go to, to make good on a project.
Beth has worked in various commercial real estate roles since 1990 after graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction. Prior to joining StackSource as Senior VP, Ms. Mercante worked in New York City for the Quantum Fund (George Soros and Paul Reichmann fund) in acquisitions and asset management. She also spent time at AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp. in their mortgage finance and asset management divisions managing multi-family, office and retail properties. Previously, she was an investment sales broker in Manhattan and won the "Most Ingenious Deal of the Year" award from REBNY. After a successful sales career, Ms. Mercante moved into real estate consulting with Gemini Realty Advisors and then to her own firm where she most recently sourced senior housing and self-storage projects for a partnership including Columbia Pacific Advisors, Wegman Companies and Rembold Companies.
Beth spoke a lot about building consensus whether it is a development deal or financing a deal. She also talked about the importance to spending time on the front line as you look to build your business. Lastly, she talks about the future of financing by leveraging data to provide the best solutions. I’m sure you will enjoy our conversation.
You can find out more about Beth and StackSource at: https://www.stacksource.com/team/beth-mercante or find her on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethmercante/.
For this week’s show I had the chance to catch up with Craig Berger, Founder and CEO of Avid Realty Partners (ARP), a commercial realty firm focused on Hotel and MFU Apartment assets nationwide.
Like Sondra Wenger on last week’s show, I met Craig at the Bisnow Escape retreat when I had a chance to really get to know him in a relaxed environment. I really appreciated his approach to the business that he started from scratch. After fixing and flipping a dozen homes he tackled a 95 unit apartment building in St. Louis, which was truly baptism by fire. Although he said he wouldn’t recommend it, it certainly paved the way for him. That investment to this day remains one of his best. He then went on to improve a 109 unit hotel in Colorado. What amazed me about Craig’s story was how he was willing to jump into something entirely new provided he saw an opportunity. Today he has gone on to build a portfolio over a dozen properties with 2,100 units.
Before scaling this Commercial Realty business, Craig spent more than a decade as a top sell-side semiconductor equity research analyst at places such as Smith Barney Citigroup where he won several awards from Forbes and Thomson Reuters, and had numerous media and press interactions including more than 70 appearances on CNBC. He has applied that same research and diligence to real estate which has made him the successful investor that he is today.
Craig talked about his intense focus on value identification and his hands on approach throughout the process. He talked about always doing right by his investors, even prioritizing them above his interests.
I know you will enjoy this episode. You can find out more about Craig and his company at: https://avidrealtypartners.com/management-team/craig-berger/ or find him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-berger1/.
In this week’s show, I speak with Sondra Wenger, who is Head of Americas Commercial Operator Division for CBRE Investment Management.
Sondra began her career in the commercial real estate industry in 1995 and has sourced, negotiated and closed over $10 billion of transactions in more than 35 cities. Prior to joining CBRE Investment Management in 2021, she served as a senior executive for institutions including CIM Group, General Electric and Equity Office Properties.
I had the pleasure of meeting with her at Bisnow’s Escape conference where she led our tribe. We engaged in some incredible discussion about the challenges we face in the market, but, in turn, the opportunities. She is in an incredible position to guide her firm through these unchartered waters.
Sondra begins by telling her story of starting as an accountant but quickly learning that she did not fit the profile. She transitioned to work on the ownership side for some of the most legendary investors out there, including Sam Zell. She also talks about working for larger firms while staying entrepreneurial and ahead of the curve. I love what Sondra has to say about leadership. She has an open and communicative leadership style which serves her well. She loves giving everyone a seat at the table, which she learned through her experience. She also talks about the importance of saying “yes” when learning to take on hard assignments that no one else wants. “That’s where you gain real experience and respect.” This also means staying open to new opportunities.
I know you will get a lot of this episode. You can find out more on Sondra at: https://www.cbreim.com/people/sondra-wenger or at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sondrawenger/.
This is what Rod had to say..
"On this episode of the Massimo Show Rod sits down with one of the CRE top producers in North America, James Nelson. Now an author as well as being a speaker, investor, amazing broker and long time Massimo member, James is Principal and head of Tri-State Investments at Avison Young.
With the launch of James' new book, The Insiders Edge to Real Estate Investing, Rod opens by asking why brokers don't also invest in commercial real estate? Does he see that as a conflict or should they be investing? James astutely remarks on the ethical issues and potential conflicts of being a broker and investor. He personally operates with the beliefs that reputation is everything, full or over disclosure is key and don't invest in an opportunity that you're listing or selling as a broker.
Next, Rod explores why James chose to invest in commercial real estate versus other avenues, such as the stock market. James responds by sharing his passion for the business and his desire to acquire all the knowledge he can on the frontlines as a broker. He then postulates, "Why wouldn't you take your expertise and knowledge and parlay that into an investment? Why would we not practice what we preach" about the benefits of buying and long term wealth creation? There are many inefficiencies in real estate, you can use that as opportunities that you just won't see in the public markets.
James continues to share that this is a big part of how he came to his book's title, The Insiders Edge to Real Estate Investing, as this insight, or edge, is "one of the main benefits of real estate" investing. His book details that "you can gain the insiders edge to outperform in the market." Whereas with the stock market, everyone has the same information available to them.
Rod and James go on to discuss how he got his start as an investor 20 years ago, the main deltas on how a professional investor views a deal versus a broker, tips for how to get started in investing with "sweat equity," and what the ideal investment team looks like. James provides a host of information in his book about "having the right specialists" and how "This is the business that's all about having the right people."
With the assistance of James' writing team, he also wrote about how to bring on a well trusted partner for your first investment and the significant differences, with respect to both risk and reward, between a general partner, co-general partner, and limited partners. Lastly, and a big part of the book, James reviews "the most important attribute for a great opportunity, seller's motivation."
To close out their podcast, Rod gets James' thoughts, from his broker perspective, for what he sees as opportunities in the market for 2023 and how he's able to find the time to do so many things."
On this week’s episode, I am speaking with Will Ingraham, a partner at GDC Properties. Back in my Massey Knakal days we sold Will’s company a loft conversion in Brooklyn. I have stayed in touch and have guest lectured for him at Fordham University where he teaches a class on affordable housing.
I love how Will is a big picture thinker. When I asked if his knowledge base was his Insider’s Edge, he said it was quite the opposite. He said as a generalist his value is knowing who to bring into complex situations whether for entitling land or figuring out how to capitalize affordable development.
Will recounts his early days as a house painter in Manhattan, when he stumbled across a development opportunity. As he had followed real estate from an early age, he was able to assemble the site and essentially flip the contract to score a big profit launching him into the real estate business. He then went on to spec homes in Milford, NY where he ultimately met Martin Ginsburg a founder of GDC properties. They were not only the largest developer in Westchester, NY but went on to amass 3 million SF of shopping centers nationwide, as well as developing hotel projects.
Will’s past roles at the company include president and chief investment officer. He has been responsible for developing and implementing the company’s strategic vision, overseeing acquisitions and dispositions of property and leading new development activity. Mr. Ingraham is also managing member in the Peregrine Opportunity Zone fund. He holds a master of science degree in real estate development from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.
I know you will get a lot out of this episode especially the students out there. Will’s advice is to learn a hard skill so you can add value. He is also a big believer in being a problem solver.
On this week’s episode, I interview my friend and client Scott Zwilling who is co-founder of Spirit Investment Partners. Scott focuses on acquisitions, equity and debt relationships, and firm wide strategy. Spirit has completed over $1 billion in transactions including 34 assets totaling 5,676 multifamily units across 11 states.
I know you will get a lot out of this interview. I am calling it the Differentiator as Scott not only talks about not following the herd when investing, but also developing your own approach. In the case of Spirit, it was investing in the Midwest when no one else was looking there. He also wanted to have the best design in their product and materials. He was certainly ahead of the curve. Scott then speaks about how to choose the right institutional partner and how to cultivate relationships. This starts with getting to know them first as opposed to just rushing into a deal. He also talks about the importance of having great deal flow, as opposed to just having a good investment pedigree.
Prior Scott was the director of northeast acquisitions for JPI, a national multi-family developer and an acquisition manager with Crescent Heights where he was responsible for over $1.0 billion of property located throughout the northeast. In addition, he served as adjunct professor of real estate finance at Columbia University. Prior to JPI and Crescent Heights, Scott was a real estate investment banker at Wells Hill Partners, Ltd., where he participated in numerous assignments, including residential, hotel and office assets and as a consultant in the real estate audit groups of Arthur Andersen and Ernst and Young. Scott is a former certified public accountant who graduated from The Ohio State University and received a Masters in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.
Lastly, Scott spoke about the importance of working with great mentors and knowing yourself! He talks about why he knew he could go off on his own and start his own investment platform. You can find out more about Scott and his company at: https://spiritinvestmentpartners.com/.
On this week’s show, I interview Anthony Scandariato, co-founder of Red Knight Properties, and host of the Discovering Multifamily Podcast. I had the pleasure of speaking on his show so was happy to reciprocate. We start off the conversation by talking about how podcasts can leverage your presence in the market and help build great relationships. Maybe you’ll consider starting your own podcast after listening!
Anthony graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics and Management . While at school, he had the entrepreneurial drive so co-founded Ridgeview Partners that sold college apparel at over 110 retailers within the first-year operations. After a year, he decided he was looking for something more permanent so learned the real estate business at Vision Properties, where he was an Acquisitions & Asset Manager VP for their nationwide Class A office assets. He later said that his experience in those markets would help him branch out to build his own nationwide portfolio.
Anthony recounts how he started with a 2 family and ultimately built up a 70 unit portfolio with his partner Brian Leonard, who played 8 years in the NFL. After they established a track record, they brought on outside investors for their first large scale acquisition of a 51 unit apartment building in Northern NJ. After selling, they have now parlayed it into a 1,000+ unit portfolio in NJ, NY, PA, FL, Ohio, and Alabama.
There are some great lessons to learn from this podcast from the importance to being hands on to keeping your investors updated on a monthly basis. He states that there may never be a perfect time to start your own portfolio, but planning is essential to hit the ground running. You can find out more about Anthony and his company at https://redknightproperties.com/ or https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymscandariato/.
For this week’s show, I share with you several discussions that I had with past guests and a current team member. The focus was on how they got into and learned the business. What became apparent is there wasn’t a “ book” that was all encompassing to set them on their way. That being said, they all shared that there was no substitute to learning by doing and having great mentors along the way. I’m hoping for those looking to get into the business today or those looking to step up their game will find my book helpful as a foundation for their success.
Here’s the background on who joined me for this compilation:
Christopher N. Okada is the Founder and President of Okada & Company. Over the past 15 years of his New York real estate career, he was able to consummate over $1B in sales, represent several Fortune 500 companies, and amass a portfolio of office, multi-family, & retail properties.
Eric Brody is founder of ANAX Real Estate Partners. He is a prolific builder and developer in NYC for the last eighteen years with over $950 million worth of real estate development and just over $500 million in total construction costs representing approximately 800 units built and occupied with in NYC. Formerly COO of Wonder Works Construction Corporation, Eric started a Proptech/Contech Venture firm in 2021 and is host of the Real Tech Talk Podcast.
Next, we have Avison Young’s own Alexandra Marolda. Alex is an Associate Director on our Tri-State Investment Sales Team. Prior, she spent over five years on the principal side overseeing a real estate portfolio consisting of 1,200 residential units and 50 retail units within Manhattan and the Greater New York City area. She has been honored by Real Estate Weekly as Rising Star and by the New York Real Estate Journal as One to Watch.
Finally, I speak with my friend Chad Cooley who is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of AWH Partners, a privately held investment firm focused on the hotel space. Prior he was a Vice President at the Related Companies. He is co-chair of Colgate’s Real Estate Council, a group that is near and dear to my heart.
I hope you get a lot out of this episode. As always, please visit Jamesnelson.com for show notes as well as the chance to pre-order my upcoming book, The Insider’s Edge To Real Estate Investing.
On this week’s show, I interview Brian Adams, who is the President and founder of Excelsior Capital. He has 10+ years of experience in real estate private equity previously co-founding Priam Properties. According to his firm’s website, Excelsior Capital now has $200m of assets under management for a total of 1.1M SF, but Brian was quick to say its not about the statistics. He is more passionate about their track record of serving their 200+ active investors.
We spent the majority of our time discussing his fund-raising process as they do not operate as a fund. They raise capital for every transaction. He talks about how he cultivated this investor base and even admits to scaling too quickly by going into too many markets as once. He also talks about bringing a lot of their operations in house including bookkeeping and accounting. By listening, you’ll learn about what worked, and what didn’t.
What I find most impressive about Brian is his continued dedication to continually expanding his investor base. This means 5 meetings and 10 cold calls per day for him, which has now led to a database of 6,000 potential investors. He believes that most sponsors are really great at finding and repositioning deals, but very poor with this equally important component – raising capital. I know that you’ll get a ton out of this episode!
You can check out excelisorgp.com to learn more about Brian and his platform.
We have a great show today. I will have the pleasure of interviewing Rob Lapidus, President, CIO, and Co-Founder, of L&L Holding Company. I have gotten to know Rob over the years as we sit on the board of SparkYouth together. He has an incredible story having started as an attorney, moving in house for a real estate developer, and then starting L&L with David Levinson in 2000 and ultimately growing it to a 400 person company with an 8 million square foot portfolio.
Prior to founding the Company, Rob was President of Westminster Capital Associates where he placed over $300 million of mortgage financing on multi-family, commercial and retail properties in New York and New Jersey . Before that, Rob was with Bellemead Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the Chubb Corporation, where he learned the business handling leasing, management, syndication and financing of a 12 million square foot portfolio of office space. Rob graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wharton and received a degree from Cardozo Law School.
In this discussion, Rob talks about the importance of value and trust by playing the long game. This means sharing core values with your partners. He also talks about challenging your self by surrounding yourself by like minded individuals. This lead to Rob jumping to become a principal at a very early stage in his career.
He goes on to talk about managing risk and taking on the right projects. He shares about “Building the Unbuildable” with their latest development TSX Broadway where they raised the historic Palace theater 30 feet in the air as part of a 47-story hotel tower. He also speaks about what went into building what he believes is the best office building in the world at 425 Park Avenue. I know you will get a lot out of the episode!
To learn more about L&L’s projects, please visit: https://www.ll-holding.com.
We have a great show today. I will have the pleasure of interviewing Rob Lapidus, President, CIO, and Co-Founder, of L&L Holding Company. I have gotten to know Rob over the years as we sit on the board of SparkYouth together. He has an incredible story having started as an attorney, moving in house for a real estate developer, and then starting L&L with David Levinson in 2000 and ultimately growing it to a 400 person company with an 8 million square foot portfolio.
Prior to founding the Company, Rob was President of Westminster Capital Associates where he placed over $300 million of mortgage financing on multi-family, commercial and retail properties in New York and New Jersey . Before that, Rob was with Bellemead Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the Chubb Corporation, where he learned the business handling leasing, management, syndication and financing of a 12 million square foot portfolio of office space. Rob graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wharton and received a degree from Cardozo Law School.
In this discussion, Rob talks about the importance of value and trust by playing the long game. This means sharing core values with your partners. He also talks about challenging your self by surrounding yourself by like minded individuals. This lead to Rob jumping to become a principal at a very early stage in his career.
He goes on to talk about managing risk and taking on the right projects. He shares about “Building the Unbuildable” with their latest development TSX Broadway where they raised the historic Palace theater 30 feet in the air as part of a 47-story hotel tower. He also speaks about what went into building what he believes is the best office building in the world at 425 Park Avenue. I know you will get a lot out of the episode!
To learn more about L&L’s projects, please visit: https://www.ll-holding.com.
For this week’s episode, I am happy to share Avison Young’s 3rd Quarter 2022 State of the Market for New York City. Even if you invest outside this market, I know you will get value out of this episode. We discuss the decline in sales volume and values (with a few exceptions). There has been a shift in institutional demand to residential over office. I will cover what would be needed to convert office to residential which could be a big answer to this challenge. That being said, we will also look at data that shows that the return to office has not been uniform across various cities. There are huge variations based on submarket, industry, and tenancy.
Brent Glodowski, who heads our retail sales group, will then discuss the opportunities that exist in this segment of the market. He will cover how rising interest rates have pushed cap rates up and why 1031 buyers are the best in the market today.
Then Scott Singer, our Co-Lead of Tri-State Debt & Equity Finance, will talk about the debt markets and what to look out for the future. He will answer the question of if you should refinance now. He will also compare this cycles to the past to see if we can glean any wisdom. Finally, he will speak about how the Inverted Yield Curve could actually be a surprising opportunity for borrowers
To follow along with the discussion please use this link:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:290402e6-1837-321f-a816-469c057d815a
For this week’s episode, I am happy to share Avison Young’s 3rd Quarter 2022 State of the Market for New York City. Even if you invest outside this market, I know you will get value out of this episode. We discuss the decline in sales volume and values (with a few exceptions). There has been a shift in institutional demand to residential over office. I will cover what would be needed to convert office to residential which could be a big answer to this challenge. That being said, we will also look at data that shows that the return to office has not been uniform across various cities. There are huge variations based on submarket, industry, and tenancy.
Brent Glodowski, who heads our retail sales group, will then discuss the opportunities that exist in this segment of the market. He will cover how rising interest rates have pushed cap rates up and why 1031 buyers are the best in the market today.
Then Scott Singer, our Co-Lead of Tri-State Debt & Equity Finance, will talk about the debt markets and what to look out for the future. He will answer the question of if you should refinance now. He will also compare this cycles to the past to see if we can glean any wisdom. Finally, he will speak about how the Inverted Yield Curve could actually be a surprising opportunity for borrowers
To follow along with the discussion please use this link:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:290402e6-1837-321f-a816-469c057d815a
On this week’s show, I interviewed Matthew Joseph, founder of Coastal Hotel Properties and West Avenue Realty. Matt reached out to me to share his story. I am approached multiple times per week by potential guests and their PR firms to come on my show. I really try and focus on active investors who I think will be of most benefit to you the listener. I believe Matt is definitely one of those investors!
When I asked Matt about his investment experience, he told me that he started as a residential broker in 2005 in Miami where he sold over $300m of apartments. Then, he started working with investors flipping condos in 2009-2013 and then got into selling luxury. He said he realized the only way to get ahead is to own real estate, so he bought land on Biscayne Blvd. for $250k in 2006 and flipped it for $1.2m in 2013. Then he was hooked. He started syndicating and finding deals. He found a motel deal in 2015 on Craigslist, and created a cool niche by taking old roadside motels and making them cool. He’ll talk about how he structured his first deal with just a deposit down.
Matt now has 18 years of direct real estate investment and sales experience. Today CHP is a privately held, fully integrated, entrepreneurial real estate and hotel management company that develops, acquires, and operates hospitality assets. CHP manages 400 units, 50 million portfolios throughout Florida and North Carolina. CHP is in the process of creating a new extended-stay brand called Coastal Suites.
What I really liked about Matt’s interview was how he spoke about being a student of the game and the importance of being a constant learner. He also talked about how he looks at assets from the inside out to figure out how best to reposition. I know that you’ll get a lot out of this episode. To connect with Matt you can link in with him at linkedin.com/in/mjlists, https://coastalgetaway.com/, https://coastalsuites.com/
For today’s show, Dorothy Alpert, Avison Young’s Tri-State president, and I discussed my upcoming book, The Insider’s Edge To Real Estate Investing – Game Changing Strategies to Outperform the Market. Dorothy has a great perspective to bring to the table.
Dorothy had a 30+ year career at Deloitte, where she focused on strategy and operations consulting in the real estate industry, including leading the firms’ real estate services practice in the U.S. where she led significant client relationships. Dorothy is also the co-founder of ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative, on the Board of Trustees for the American Red Cross and a former Board Member of The New 42nd Street. Dorothy has been honored as one of Real Estate Forum’s Women in Influence: Legends, Real Estate Forum’s Women to Watch, and Real Estate New York’s Women of Influence.
We talked about why there was a need for this book now and why someone should consider investing in the market today. We covered the things that someone should consider for their first purchase, as well as what makes for a great partner to start with. I think you’ll benefit by learning what is most important when inspecting and valuing a property. We also talked about raising capital and financing the property, as well as the best way to get started. Lastly, you definitely don’t want to miss the single most important question to ask when investing.
As opposed to most of the “fix-it, flip it” and “get rich quick” real estate books out there, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing gives readers actionable steps from building the right team to sourcing opportunities to raising capital to ultimately closing. It will then instruct readers on how to reposition and profit on their investment and build a portfolio for the future. The book is being published by McGraw Hill and will be available in late January.
As one of NYC’s top investment sales brokers, I have seen thousands of deals so knows what works and what doesn’t. What makes real estate investing so exciting is that by gaining the insider’s edge, you can outperform the market. This book will inspire those who have yet to make their first investment and will show veterans how to step up their game. It is a must read for college and masters students focused on real estate as well as those who work in any aspect of the business ranging from brokers to lenders to attorneys.
I not only draws on his experience as a broker, but as a partner in two successful real estate funds and as a limited partner in dozens of transactions. I have also gained amazing insight by interviewing over 100 top investors on this podcast, which has now been downloaded over 250,000 times. These are the lessons that I have shared as a guest lecturer at such schools as Columbia, NYU, and Wharton.
If you have not done so already, please pre-order your book or arrange for a bulk order at jamesnelson.com. It would mean a lot to me!
This week, I had a great conversation with Adir Levitas, founder and chief executive officer of Hoboken, NJ-based Faropoint, a vertically integrated, tech-enabled real estate investment manager that leverages data and deep market relationships to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns. Faropoint has acquired over 400 industrial buildings and over 20 million square feet of property. Since 2018, Faropoint has invested $2 billion in the last mile industrial sector becoming one of the most active investors in the United States.
When I asked Adir what his inside edge to real estate investing was, he said it’s how his company sources the most qualified opportunities for their investors. He has setup 14 offices across the US each with its own acquisition professional. As a result, the company has cultivated great local broker relationships to provide the best deal flow. I also like how Adir shared about his change in mindset to switch from buying and flipping homes to building out an industrial portfolio which started in Memphis, TN.
Adir has focused on building Faropoint into a tech-enabled real estate investment manager, which uses proprietary software for real estate underwriting, due diligence, and portfolio management. Faropoint’s technology platform allows the company to target inefficiencies in the marketplace and identify unique, often overlooked investment opportunities Faropoint’s team consists of over 100 real estate and technology professionals located throughout the U.S., with an R&D center in Israel. Adir received a BA in Law from the IDC University in Israel, and is a Major in the Israeli Air Force(reserves).
You can find him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adir-levitas-0a37bb4b/ and find information on Faropoint at https://faropoint.com/.
In this week’s episode, I interview Alex Jarbo who approached me to share his impressive story. Alex has built up a business of offering short term rentals from scratch. I thought this would be of interest to you either to build your own portfolio or even just how to optimize rentals of your own vacation rentals.
Alex Jarbo is a short-term rental developer and manager. He was born and raised in Detroit Michigan. He served in the Marine Corps for 4 ½ years where he was stationed in Washington DC apart of the Marine Corps Honor Guard. He left the Marine Corps at 22 years old to pursue his career as a real estate professional. He is the founder and CEO of Sargon Investment, and he has a goal of developing 650 cabins in the next 3 years. Alex holds an MBA with concentration in Real Estate Development and is currently finishing a Doctorate in Business with a concentration in Leadership. He is the host of the YouTube Channel Alex Builds where he teaches the in and out of short-term development and management.
You can find Alex on: Website: sargoninvestements.com | Instagram @magicboyjarbo | YouTube Channel: Alex Builds | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-jarbo-28a940139/
In this week’s episode, I interview Alex Jarbo who approached me to share his impressive story. Alex has built up a business of offering short term rentals from scratch. I thought this would be of interest to you either to build your own portfolio or even just how to optimize rentals of your own vacation rentals.
Alex Jarbo is a short-term rental developer and manager. He was born and raised in Detroit Michigan. He served in the Marine Corps for 4 ½ years where he was stationed in Washington DC apart of the Marine Corps Honor Guard. He left the Marine Corps at 22 years old to pursue his career as a real estate professional. He is the founder and CEO of Sargon Investment, and he has a goal of developing 650 cabins in the next 3 years. Alex holds an MBA with concentration in Real Estate Development and is currently finishing a Doctorate in Business with a concentration in Leadership. He is the host of the YouTube Channel Alex Builds where he teaches the in and out of short-term development and management.
You can find Alex on: Website: sargoninvestements.com | Instagram @magicboyjarbo | YouTube Channel: Alex Builds | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-jarbo-28a940139/
I had the true pleasure of meeting Terry Moore at Blaine Strickland’s summit last year. Terry has an incredibly successful track record as a broker which gave him the insight to write “Building Legacy Wealth – How to Build Wealth and Lead A Life Worth Living.” I love the book and my conversation with Terry because we not only go into the how but more importantly, the why. He was kind enough to inscribe the book he gave me where he shares “Legacy is a more worthy objective (than material wealth). It is about what people think, say, and do because of your influence. Legacy is built by living out your values by investing in others. These chapters challenge and invite readers to lead lives worth imitating.”
Terry has helped adults make smart choices about money for more than 40 years. He is a broker and former commercial loan officer at the world’s largest bank; business owner, developer, and syndicator; he is the only broker in San Diego to win the Triple Crown of investment brokerage — Deal Maker of the Year, Transaction of the Year, and CCIM Designee of the Year. He has twice been featured in national investment magazines. Published in San Diego Daily Transcript, Our City San Diego, and numerous state and local investment magazines; past instructor for national CCIM, UCSD, National University; former Director of state and local apartment association and San Diego Interfaith Housing.
I know you are going to get incredible value and perspective from this episode. You can follow Terry, order his book, and learn more about him at (aciapartments.com/team/terry-moore/, LinkedIn -linkedin.com/in/terrymooreccim, https://www.amazon.com/Building-Legacy-Wealth-Apartment-Investment/dp/1732196907)
I had the true pleasure of meeting Terry Moore at Blaine Strickland’s summit last year. Terry has an incredibly successful track record as a broker which gave him the insight to write “Building Legacy Wealth – How to Build Wealth and Lead A Life Worth Living.” I love the book and my conversation with Terry because we not only go into the how but more importantly, the why. He was kind enough to inscribe the book he gave me where he shares “Legacy is a more worthy objective (than material wealth). It is about what people think, say, and do because of your influence. Legacy is built by living out your values by investing in others. These chapters challenge and invite readers to lead lives worth imitating.”
Terry has helped adults make smart choices about money for more than 40 years. He is a broker and former commercial loan officer at the world’s largest bank; business owner, developer, and syndicator; he is the only broker in San Diego to win the Triple Crown of investment brokerage — Deal Maker of the Year, Transaction of the Year, and CCIM Designee of the Year. He has twice been featured in national investment magazines. Published in San Diego Daily Transcript, Our City San Diego, and numerous state and local investment magazines; past instructor for national CCIM, UCSD, National University; former Director of state and local apartment association and San Diego Interfaith Housing.
I know you are going to get incredible value and perspective from this episode. You can follow Terry, order his book, and learn more about him at (aciapartments.com/team/terry-moore/, LinkedIn -linkedin.com/in/terrymooreccim, https://www.amazon.com/Building-Legacy-Wealth-Apartment-Investment/dp/1732196907)
I first met Esti at Bisnow’s Ascent conference in Miami where I was able to watch her work the room like no other. She has a very interesting background starting as a speech pathologist for 10 years until she realized with a family she needed to pivot. She wasn’t feeling fulfilled, so she landed on real estate a “random” choice that allowed her to embrace her extrovert nature. She knew no one getting started. She couldn’t even point to anyone who inspired her to get into the business. But she prides on herself on a being a great student and always learning. She started a residential broker and has now shifted into investing and capital raising.
Esther Reizes-Lowenbein has redefined the face of real estate by offering professional and on-demand service. Esther services the commercial real estate market, as a realtor, investor and syndicator. She has successfully closed over 300 million dollars in commercial transactions thus far. She is recognized as a “serial net-worker” and has a knack at connecting buyers, sellers and investors.
Esther holds a master’s degree from Adelphi University. She is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. She takes great pride in her wonderful children. Additionally, Esther, together with her husband are extremely active in their community and run a non-for profit, providing relief for underprivileged individuals.
In just 8 months, Esther has successfully raised over 30 million dollars from coGP and JV investors.
Esti has also done an incredible job putting out great social media content (see: Instagram @estilowenbein | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-reizes-lowenbein-34992096/ ). I know you’ll get a lot out of this episode!
I first met Esti at Bisnow’s Ascent conference in Miami where I was able to watch her work the room like no other. She has a very interesting background starting as a speech pathologist for 10 years until she realized with a family she needed to pivot. She wasn’t feeling fulfilled, so she landed on real estate a “random” choice that allowed her to embrace her extrovert nature. She knew no one getting started. She couldn’t even point to anyone who inspired her to get into the business. But she prides on herself on a being a great student and always learning. She started a residential broker and has now shifted into investing and capital raising.
Esther Reizes-Lowenbein has redefined the face of real estate by offering professional and on-demand service. Esther services the commercial real estate market, as a realtor, investor and syndicator. She has successfully closed over 300 million dollars in commercial transactions thus far. She is recognized as a “serial net-worker” and has a knack at connecting buyers, sellers and investors.
Esther holds a master’s degree from Adelphi University. She is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. She takes great pride in her wonderful children. Additionally, Esther, together with her husband are extremely active in their community and run a non-for profit, providing relief for underprivileged individuals.
In just 8 months, Esther has successfully raised over 30 million dollars from coGP and JV investors.
Esti has also done an incredible job putting out great social media content (see: Instagram @estilowenbein | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-reizes-lowenbein-34992096/ ). I know you’ll get a lot out of this episode!
On this week’s episode, we are taking a break from our real estate focus as I interview Suzy Myers Jackson, who is the Executive Director of SparkYouth NYC (formerly The Catalog for Giving) a not-for-profit that supports the best emerging youth-development programs in NYC. I have been a proud board member of the organization for over 20 years. You will learn not only about the importance of giving back, but also how to ensure your gift makes the greatest impact. Suzy will also cover how she has grown the organization, which might give you some ideas on how to build your own business.
SparkYouth NYC was founded in 1994, inspired by the idea that donors would like to support the best emerging youth-development programs in NYC—local organizations that are transforming young lives. Over the years SparkYouth has funded and provided technical support to more than 75 emerging programs, which in turn have served thousands of young people with programming in arts, sports, academics, mentoring, technology and more. We ignite growth in community-based programs to expand opportunities for the young people of New York City. We believe that creating crucial opportunities for young people transforms lives. For over 25 years we have vetted and invested in the best emerging youth development programs. 94% of these programs continue to grow and thrive. We believe that NYC's children are its most precious resource. Investing in young people from under-resourced communities creates a better NYC for all of us.
Suzy was the longtime Executive Director of Opening Act, a theater-based youth development and social justice organization, where she grew the organization’s reach from 3 to 57 of NYC’s most high-need public schools, increased revenue by 80 fold, developed a national profile for the organization, and supported programmatic impact, becoming a leading organization in Social Emotional Learning outcomes. Suzy has developed multiple campaigns and professional development workshops that have been adopted and implemented by organizations across the country to raise funds, deepen relationships with key stakeholders, and apply the creativity and collaboration of the arts to build a thriving organizational culture. Her unique leadership style is centered around the improvisational tenet of YES AND, which encourages all members of a team to bring their best selves and most innovative ideas to the table, building off one another’s strengths to achieve a shared mission.
Suzy has been a featured speaker at Columbia and NYU, and a consultant for such organizations and corporations as Harlem Educational Activities Fund, HBO, the Center for Anti-Violence Education, Youth INC, Brandworkers, STEM From Dance, and INCLUDEnyc.
For more information on SparkYouth NYC, please visit: https://www.sparkyouthnyc.org.
On this week’s episode, we are taking a break from our real estate focus as I interview Suzy Myers Jackson, who is the Executive Director of SparkYouth NYC (formerly The Catalog for Giving) a not-for-profit that supports the best emerging youth-development programs in NYC. I have been a proud board member of the organization for over 20 years. You will learn not only about the importance of giving back, but also how to ensure your gift makes the greatest impact. Suzy will also cover how she has grown the organization, which might give you some ideas on how to build your own business.
SparkYouth NYC was founded in 1994, inspired by the idea that donors would like to support the best emerging youth-development programs in NYC—local organizations that are transforming young lives. Over the years SparkYouth has funded and provided technical support to more than 75 emerging programs, which in turn have served thousands of young people with programming in arts, sports, academics, mentoring, technology and more. We ignite growth in community-based programs to expand opportunities for the young people of New York City. We believe that creating crucial opportunities for young people transforms lives. For over 25 years we have vetted and invested in the best emerging youth development programs. 94% of these programs continue to grow and thrive. We believe that NYC's children are its most precious resource. Investing in young people from under-resourced communities creates a better NYC for all of us.
Suzy was the longtime Executive Director of Opening Act, a theater-based youth development and social justice organization, where she grew the organization’s reach from 3 to 57 of NYC’s most high-need public schools, increased revenue by 80 fold, developed a national profile for the organization, and supported programmatic impact, becoming a leading organization in Social Emotional Learning outcomes. Suzy has developed multiple campaigns and professional development workshops that have been adopted and implemented by organizations across the country to raise funds, deepen relationships with key stakeholders, and apply the creativity and collaboration of the arts to build a thriving organizational culture. Her unique leadership style is centered around the improvisational tenet of YES AND, which encourages all members of a team to bring their best selves and most innovative ideas to the table, building off one another’s strengths to achieve a shared mission.
Suzy has been a featured speaker at Columbia and NYU, and a consultant for such organizations and corporations as Harlem Educational Activities Fund, HBO, the Center for Anti-Violence Education, Youth INC, Brandworkers, STEM From Dance, and INCLUDEnyc.
For more information on SparkYouth NYC, please visit: https://www.sparkyouthnyc.org.
This week’s episode is a continuation of my series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the grand finale of the 12-part series, I share key factors to consider when it comes to refinancing or selling a property. I discuss the role of investors and the business plan in this decision, along with important terms to understand including capital gains taxes and the 1031 exchange. My writing partner, Rachel Hartman, talks with me about market conditions, timing considerations, and how to start building your brand for long-term success. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
This week’s episode is a continuation of my series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the grand finale of the 12-part series, I share key factors to consider when it comes to refinancing or selling a property. I discuss the role of investors and the business plan in this decision, along with important terms to understand including capital gains taxes and the 1031 exchange. My writing partner, Rachel Hartman, talks with me about market conditions, timing considerations, and how to start building your brand for long-term success. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
This week’s episode is a continuation of my series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the eleventh of the 12-part series, I highlight the importance of building partnerships when leasing space to create win-win situations for both you and the tenant. I explain how rents can vary and what to know about rent regulations in certain areas. My writing partner, Rachel Hartman, interviews me as I lay out the different types of leases and the process of finding—and keeping(!)—great tenants. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
This week’s episode is a continuation of my series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the tenth of the 12-part series, I relate what differentiates value-add properties from others and how to manage changes to the property. I share hard-learned tips on overseeing construction projects (think “The squeaky wheel gets the oil!”) and keep costs under control. My writing partner Rachel Hartman asks me questions as I explain how to mesh the joy of creating a new design with delivering what the market wants. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
This week’s episode is a continuation of my series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the eighth of the 12-part series, I talk about the pivoting moment when the investment you’ve been working toward moves into your own hands. I go over tips to review the title, carry out the diligence process, and ask the seller for information about the property. My writing partner, Rachel Hartman, talks with me about the contract details and what to expect at the closing. (Don’t forget to congratulate your team and celebrate after you close—it’s a big step and you all worked hard to get there!) In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
The Capital Stack with Special Guest Derek Eakin
This week’s episode is a continuation of my series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the ninth of the 12-part series, my writing partner Rachel Hartman interviews special guest Derek Eakin, senior director of portfolio management at The RMR Group. Previously Derek was the chief investment officer at River Oaks Investment Corp. and while there, he and I partnered with others to create two real estate funds with a total capitalization of $350 million.
In this episode, Derek breaks down the layers of the capital stack, covering debt and equity components along with the risks and rewards to be aware of. He guides us through a sources and uses document, and explains why it’s essential to create one when raising capital.
In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
In this show, I interview Marilee Utter, Global Chair of The Counselors of Real Estate, to debut the top ten issues of Real Estate. ● Inflation and Interest Rates ● Geopolitical Risk ● Hybrid Work and the “Great Decentralization” ● Supply Chain Disruption, Energy: Sustainability, Affordability, & Availability ● Energy: Sustainability, Affordability, & Availability ● Labor Shortage Strain ● The Great Housing Imbalance ● Regulatory Uncertainty ● Cybersecurity Interruptions ● ESG Requirements Forcing Change
This week’s episode is a continuation of my series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the seventh of the 12-part series, I discuss what it means to orchestrate the funds and investors involved in a real estate acquisition. From equity and deposits to partner agreements and timelines, I spell out the main factors that you’ll want to firmly grasp so you can move forward with confidence (and a greater chance of success!) My writing partner, Rachel Hartman, asks me questions as I share the importance of taking a bid seriously (brokers talk! Others will know if you back out), how to approach lenders, and why you shouldn’t overlook incentives. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
This week’s episode is a continuation of my series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the sixth of the 12-part series, I lay out some of the beginning financial considerations that will arise as you evaluate a piece of property. What type of return can you expect from a property? Who should you bring in to look at the financial statements? How do you make sure you don’t get overleveraged? My writing partner, Rachel Hartman, asks me about these topics and more as I share the techniques that I’ve developed to understand the costs and returns related to an investment, which is a key component when initiating the bidding process. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
This week’s episode is a continuation of my series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the fifth of the 12-part series, I discuss what it means to walk through a listing that you are considering for an investment. I compare what it’s like to tour a residential home versus checking out an investment property (trust me, there are some key differences!). My writing partner, Rachel Hartman, asks me questions as I share inside tips to give you the advantage, including knowing who to bring with you, what questions to ask, and how to find out information that will help you decide whether to make a bid. The best part: the chance to reimagine a space and think creatively about how you could repurpose it and add value. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
On this week’s episode, I’m continuing a series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the fifth of this 12-part series, I talk about discovering properties that can produce returns which outperform the market. You’ll learn why it’s a great idea to ask about the seller’s motivation, how to find deals that aren’t readily listed and visible to the public eye, and ways to build a great relationship with brokers, who are an essential resource and can lead you to hidden deals. My writing partner Rachel Hartman talks with me about pursuing off market opportunities, why neglected property might be a great fit, and how to decipher sales information. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn)
On this week’s episode, I’m continuing a series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the fourth of this 12-part series, I delve into one of the most important aspects of real estate investing: your relationships. This is not a game you’ll play on your own and having a partner you can count on will help you get great wins, time and again. I lay out the different players you’ll need on your dream team, and how each one will contribute to the deal. My writing partner, Rachel Hartman, interviews me as I share ways to get to know others in this space, how to approach them, and the benefits of long-term relationships. Bottom line: your reputation will reign supreme, and others will notice who you keep in your circle. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
On this week’s episode, I’m continuing a series that coincides with my upcoming book and name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, the third in this 12-part series, I define and compare the four main property types, which are often called asset classes, in real estate investing. These are: multi-family, retail, office, and land. I cover the advantages and disadvantages for each one, and lay out some important factors, like considering upfront costs and understanding your tolerance for risk when choosing a property. My writing partner Rachel Hartman interviews me as I discuss which asset class I think is a great option for beginning investors, along with the value of starting with a location where you feel comfortable and have an inside edge—like your own neighborhood. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
On this week’s episode, I’m continuing a series that coincides with my upcoming book and new name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this show, I compare real estate investing to other investment types, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and retirement accounts. I explain how real estate tends to be an opaque and inefficient space, meaning it’s not always easy to readily find information about every available property in your neighborhood. I also lay out why those factors work to your advantage, because if you research and get to know an area, you’ll be able to spot great opportunities and build returns on your own terms.
My writing partner Rachel Hartman interviews me as I break down two common myths that tend to hold new investors back, which are the lack of capital and lack of experience. I share my investing philosophy which reduces risk, point out ways to raise capital right from the beginning, and explain how I went from having nearly zero knowledge of real estate to becoming an expert in my neighborhood in just 90 days—and how you can too. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
On this week’s episode, I’m kickstarting a new series that coincides with my upcoming book and new name of the podcast, The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing. In this first episode, I share insights into my background, including where I grew up and how I got into real estate, first as a broker and later as an investor myself. I relate stories about observing my grandfather’s tenacity and seeing how that helped guide his real estate investing strategy, along with my gratitude for mentors who showed me how to get into the real estate game and gain the competitive advantage. My writing partner Rachel Hartman interviews me to pull back the layers and point out the lines I draw between my brokerage business and acting as an investor, my early mistakes that taught me valuable lessons, and discoveries that opened my eyes to the opportunities in real estate for those who have the inside knowledge. In addition to helping me with the book, Rachel pens content for Fortune 500 companies and is a regular contributor for U.S. News & World Report (connect with her at LinkedIn).
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-hartman-4a8a516/
On this week's show I welcome Nick Axford, Principal and Global Director of Insight at Avison Young. Dr. Nick Axford is Avison Young's Global Director of Insight, and has over 25 years' experience in leading private sector research and consultancy functions. From 1994 to 2018 he worked for CBRE, including five years as Global Head of Research. In this global role, Nick was responsible for leading and coordinating the activities of more than 650 specialists in countries around the world.
Nick is a regular presenter at leading industry conferences and events, appearing frequently in the print and broadcast media commenting on topical issues relating to the commercial real estate market.
On this week's show, I welcome Craig Robinson, Chief Growth Officer at Industrious. Craig is an experienced chief executive, division president and board director for global commercial real estate, outsourcing and tech-enabled service companies. Craig has led business units within both large global public companies and private mid-cap growth businesses. He most recently built and led Powered By We, a hyper-growth business unit at WeWork providing technology, development, and management services to real estate owners and tenants. Previously he was the CEO of Global Corporate Services at Newmark Knight Frank (NASDAQ: NMRK) where he led all sales, operations and platform investments for their corporate real estate outsourcing business. Prior to Newmark, he was President of Colliers International Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CIGI), U.S. Region, where he was responsible for $1B+ in annual revenue, 5,600 real estate professionals, and 150 offices.
On this week's episode, I welcome a close friend and an industry colleague, David Shorenstein. David is a Principal and Co-Founder of Hildreth Real Estate Advisors and brings over fifteen years of real estate experience to his position. David has expertise in purchasing, operating and representing buyers and sellers of multi-family, mixed-use, office, retail, development and conversion sites. David has successfully assembled and exited a New York City Real Estate portfolio with a value in excess of $300 million in over 250 properties.
On this week's episode, I welcome Robert Rivani of Black Lion Investment Group. Robert is a true innovator in the entertainment and real estate business, having closed more than $500 million since founding Black Lion in 2014. Robert shares with us how he got his start, what his strategy is, as well as an inside look at his social media tools for success.
On this week's episode, I welcome close friend and proptech expert, Ashkán Zandieh. In this third part of our data driven decision making series, Ash shares with us a few powerful and insightful tips for investors looking to gain an edge by using technology and data to help them make informed decisions. Ash has an extensive knowledge base in the PropTech world, giving us a look at his career and some advice as well for any investor!
On this week's episode, I welcome Avison Young's Executive Director of Innovation and Insight in the U.S., Craig Lebowitz. On this second part of Data Driven Decisions, Craig dives into how investors can use the latest technology to find the best investment out there. He gives examples, talks about some of the work he is doing with Avison Young, and much more!
For this week's episode I am re-broadcasting a recording of a recent webinar that I held in which Scott Singer and Craig Lebowitz of Avison Young join me to go over the Fourth Quarter of 2021 in New York City, as well as give us an inside look at what to keep an eye out for in 2022.
To start the New Year, we are featuring a few snippets from our guests in 2021 in which they share their best advice for aspiring real estate investors looking to get started. Guests include Joe McMillan, Doug Steiner, Alex Rabin & Alex Kaskel, Adam Gordon, Janine Yorio, Rachel Loeb, Eric Birnbaum and Atit Jariwala. List of times below!
Joe McMillan – 4:34 – 7:00
Doug Steiner – 7:21 – 13:50
Alex Rabin & Alex Kaskek – 13:53 – 17:09
Adam Gordon – 17:11 – 21:02
Janine Yorio – 21:07 – 25:54
Rachel Loeb – 25:58 – 28:49
Eric Birnbaum – 28:53 – 31:40
Atit Jariwala – 31:44 – 36:07
On this week's show, I am broadcasting an interview that I did with Ryan Serhant, CEO of SERHANT. that I held for our Young Men's and Women's Real Estate Association luncheon. In this interview, Ryan gives us an un-filtered look at how he became the number one residential broker in New York City and some of the gambles he made along the way. He gives us advice, an inside look at his new ventures and some great stories along the way.
On this week's episode, I welcome a very special guest, Rich Sarkis, Founder & Executive Chairman at Reonomy. Reonomy is the leading provider of CRE insights, empowering top brokerages, financial institutions, and commercial services providers with actionable data and solutions. In this episode, Rich gives us an inside look at Reonomy and how it can benefit anyone involved in real estate, based on their data driven approach. In this episode I also share with the audience, Step 1 of my ten part series on how to invest in commercial real estate.
For this week's show, I am re-broadcasting an extremely important and interesting interview that I did as our second show of the podcast with the legendary MaryAnne Gilmartin. Gilmartin is Chief Executive Officer of L&L MAG, a New York-based real estate development company she founded with David Levinson and Robert Lapidus.
On this week's episode, I welcome a fellow podcaster and real estate investor, Whitney Sewell. Whitney is the founder of Life Bridge Capital, as well as The Life Bridge Foundation. This amazing interview dives into Whitney's incredible backstory of law enforcement, horse training, and what ultimately led him to invest in real estate and start his career. Whitney also shares with us his amazing story of adopting his children and the astonishing work he is doing to help all adopted children.
This week's show is a family affair! I welcome John Casano, Principal at Great Global Holdings and Lara & Emily Casano of Raem Capital. This very special episode dives into the investing philosophy of both John, as well as Lara & Emily. John gives us an inside look at how he has structured deals and how he got to where he is today, as well as working closely with his daughters, Emily and Lara. Finally, Emily and Lara give us an inside look at their brokerage and investment business, Raem Capital, as well as what it's like working with their father.
We've made it to our 100th episode! For this momentous show, I welcome a close friend and industry legend, Rod Kritsberg, Managing Partner at KPG funds. This show is special in that Rod and I are paying tribute to the late Jim Kinsey, a close friend and colleague that unexpectedly passed away earlier this year. Rod and I talk about the impact that Jim had on all of us, lessons he taught us, and stories we will never forget. Rod also gives us an inside look at his new firm, KPG Funds, in which they are shaking up the real estate industry and becoming one of the most prolific developers and investors in the Tri-State area. This show is one you will not want to miss!
To Donate To Jim Kinsey's Kids College Fund, Please Click Here: https://www.ugift529.com/
Codes: James Kinsey III - 56L-X6J, Noelle Kinsey - 45Q-82J
In this week's show, I am re-broadcasting a webinar that I held on October 27th with our Co-Lead of Tri-State Debt & Equity at Avison Young, Scott Singer. Scott and I discuss the Third Quarter Capital Markets State of the Market and give everyone an inside look at some of the largest deals that happened both nationally, as well as in New York City. Scott gives listeners a look at some of the main trends that are happening in the debt & equity market, as well as an outlook for anyone out there in the market.
On this week's show, I welcome Bruce Stachenfeld, one of the nation's preeminent real estate attorneys, founding partner of Duval & Stachenfeld LLP, as well as author of "The Real Estate Philosopher's Guide: The Secrets to Real Estate Success." Bruce shares with us incredible insight into a variety of topics within real estate from both the perspective of the law side of things, as well as how to succeed in any market. His book is now #2 on the Wall Street Journal, giving veterans and beginners 40 years of industry experience on how to create ideas outside the box and truly succeed in the real estate industry.
On this week's show, I am re-broadcasting a fantastic and extremely informative conversation that I had with the legend himself, Ryan Serhant of Serhant. Ryan has mastered the art of personal branding as well as professional branding, and sold his secrets through his course. In this interview, we dive into how personal branding can evolve your business, the power of branding, and what it can ultimately lead to. We go through examples, how you can start now, and what steps to take along the way.
On this week's episode, I welcome Sujohn Sarkar, Managing Director of Asset Management at Trinity Church Wall Street. This episode dives into some topics that we haven't yet covered on the show, examining both not-for-profit, as well as Sujohn's unique background and career path. Sujohn gives us an inside look at Trinity Church Wall Street and all of the fascinating projects they're working on in the city, as well as how Sujohn ultimately landed with them. Sujohn discusses his time at Princeton, how he took a different path into commercial real estate and some of the reasons he decided to go into the industry.
On this week's episode I welcome a close friend and colleague in the industry, Eric Birnbaum, Founder & CEO at Dreamscape Companies. In this episode, Eric shares with us his incredible story on how a friendship with the President of Vornado in 2003 turned into a pathway into the real estate industry on the acquisitions side and why he decided to leave investment banking to take on this new challenge. Eric then gives us an inside look at his entrepreneurial side as he gives us a detailed look at how he started Imperial Companies in 2014 and what drawbacks and advice he would give to someone going through the same thing. Finally, Eric shares with us what he is currently working on as well as advice he'd give to our listeners who are looking to get involved in the industry.
On this week's show I welcome the legendary multifamily broker, Beau Beery. Beau has taken the multifamily brokerage business by storm, starting his own firm Beau Beery Multifamily Advisors in the Florida market. Beau has also written a book entitled, Multifamily Investors Who Dominate showcasing all the aspects it takes to be an elite investor and become part of the top 1% in multifamily investing. In this interview Beau gives us an inside look at his business, including how many investors thrive, what he does to separate himself from the competition and how he has gotten to where he is today. Check him out by going to his website: https://www.beaubeery.com/
On this week's show I welcome Larry Taylor, Founder & CEO at Christina, as well as seasoned real estate investor. This incredible interview goes into Larry's lifelong investment strategy, stories about investing in his first building at the age of 12 years old, as well as how he has built a successful portfolio. Larry discusses with us why he has chosen Southern California and Malibu for much of his success, who he has worked with in the past including some major names, as well as advice for anyone looking to get involved in real estate success. If Larry could do it at 12 years old, there's nothing stopping most of us!
On this week’s episode, I welcome a close friend and industry visionary, Atit Jariwala, CEO of Bridgeton Holdings. This truly incredible interview dives into Atit’s fascinating life of growing up in St. Louis, MO in which he helped his parents manage the motel they were living at. Atit shares with us that he applied to Yale University after only reading that it’s acceptance rate was higher than Harvard’s, and ultimately attending the prestigious school without even visiting it once! He explains that his first job in investment banking led to getting involved with Citi’s Real Estate & Lodging group because of his childhood experience and then he decided to attend graduate school. Atit’s first real estate deal was in New York City with a family friend asking him to find, operate and sell an investment, with no experience to date. Finally, Atit goes into his current company and their holdings, what their strategy is and how he got to where he is today. This is one you won’t want to miss!
In this week's episode, I am re-broadcasting a recent webinar I did entitled, Proposed Tax Policy Changes & the Impact on CRE. This extremely informative webinar featured Ryan McCormick, Senior Vice President and Counsel at the Real Estate Roundtable, as well as Kenneth Weissenberger and Lisa Knee, partners at Eisner Amper. Tune in to learn about the recent proposed tax policy changes that President Biden and the government have talked about including 1031 exchanges, capital gains tax and much more! This is information anyone in real estate will have to know in the coming months, even weeks!
On this week's show, I am doing a special edition highlighting some of the fantastic Young Guns that we've had on the show. This will include snippets from interviews showcasing some of the best advice we've heard thus far, as well as lessons learned along the way. For a breakdown of each guest, see below! - 0:00 - Jordan Vogel - 7:15 - Ayesha Seldon - 10:26 - Philip Michael - 12:54 - Steven Kachnanian - 16:24 - Peak Capital - 22:53 - Jessica Zaski - 27:30 - Chris Okada - 32:34 - Martin Nussbaum
On this week's show I welcome The Canvassing Queen herself, Beth Azor, owner and founder of Azor Advisory Services. In our interview, Beth gives us a snapshot of how she got to where she is today, focusing on her ambition and hustle. She shares with us that hard work does pay off and how she would be in the office on Saturday when no one else would be, trying to get deals done. She explains how she got her nickname and that canvassing was the best thing that ever happened to her career. Finally, Beth gives us an inside look at how she started buying her own deals and what kind of capital she raised early on to how she raises it today.
On this week’s show, I welcome a close friend Joe McMillan, former CEO of DDG and current CEO of Azur. This incredible interview dives into topics and information about Joe that even I never knew about after knowing him for close to two decades. Joe’s has an incredible story which begins in starting at an investment banking firm, working crazy hours, which ultimately led to him moving up in the banking world. He talks about meeting great mentors along the way and how those relationships formed bonds in his life. He talks about some of his first deals in the real estate industry and how he didn’t see a single paycheck for close to 21 months. Finally, Joe gives us an inside look at how his deals are so incredibly successful and how building teams is the true key to his success.
On this week's show I welcome Eloy Retana, fellow podcaster of The Savy Mobile Home Park Investor Show, mobile home park investor, and entrepreneur. This fantastic interview dives into an asset class our show has yet to discover: mobile home parks. Eloy comes to us and shares with us how he got involved in mobile park homes, after having had a six figure job and ultimately leaving it to follow this pursuit. He shares with us some of the tricks he uses to help in his marketing efforts, how mobile home parks have done over the past few years and why he ultimately decided to get into this type of investing.
On this week's show, I welcome the one and only, Doug Steiner, Chairman of Steiner Studios and prominent developer throughout New York City. In this interview we dive right into it and discuss his early life in New Jersey, growing up working with his father and how that led him into development in New York. Doug shares with us an insight into how he designs his developments, the process he follows, and stories of some of his past projects. Finally, Doug also shares with us how he got involved in the television/film business and how that evolved into building Steiner Studios. This is one you will not want to miss!
On this week's episode I welcome a very special guest - my mentor and close friend in the business, Blaine Strickland, best-selling author, teacher, and past CEO at HBS Resources. In this extremely informative episode, Blaine gives us an inside look at the lessons in his newest book, Adapt, in which he shares with us the new role of brokers in commercial real estate and how investors have more resources today than ever. Tune in to hear this incredible and informative interview to get an inside edge to your investing platform!
On this week's show, I welcome the incredible Greta Guggenheim, former CEO of TPG Real Estate Finance Trust. In this episode, Greta shares with us her story and how growing up in a small town where everyone knew each other, ultimately helped her become the woman she is today. Greta goes into some of her first jobs in finance and what tools she took from those early days and how she uses them today. Finally Greta shares with us her thoughts on moving over to the equity side of things and what interests her about investing instead of the debt side.
On this week's show, I am re-broadcasting a panel I took part in, in which Paul Massey of B6 Real Estate Advisors, Christopher Coiley of Valley National Bank and Michael Vargas of Vanderbilt Appraisal Company discuss the NYC investment sales market, as well as the multifamily market. Tune in and get the most up to date information now!
On this week's show, I welcome a true legend in Dean Shapiro, Senior Vice President and Head of U.S. Development for Oxford Properties. Dean shares with us his incredible story from the time he went to Vanderbilt University to some of his first jobs. Dean was behind the development of Hudson Yards in New York City, one of the largest and most transformative projects in modern day development. He shares with us the struggles that went along with it, and two other large scale developments that he believes have transformed communities. Dean also gives us some great insight as to how he got to where he is today and what students or young professionals should look for in a company when joining.
On this week's show I welcome a very special guest in David S. Rose - author, investor, keynote speaker, founder of over 100 companies, and most recently, co-founding the US Real Estate Market. David shares with us what it was like growing up in such an all-inclusive real estate family and how that helped mold him into where he is today. David also shares with us some of his endeavors, how he landed upon them, and some advice he can give along the way. Finally, David shares with us his latest adventure, the US Real Estate Market, which he co-founded and is now the CEO.
On this week's episode, I am broadcasting both part two of a webinar that I moderated entitled, Fordham REI Presents: Envisioning the Future:Technology, Innovation, and Obsolescence, as well as the first part of the State of the Market that I presented going over all the activity from the First Quarter in New York City. The all-star panel includes Michael Dowling, President & CEO of Northwell Health, Jeffrey Levine, Founder & Chairman, Douglaston Development/Levine Builders/Clinton Management, Christopher Mills, President and COO, Plaza Construction, Jennifer Stewart, Global Head of Real Estate, BNY Mellon and Marc Zuluaga, PE, CEO, Steven Winter Associates.
On this week's episode, I am broadcasting part one of a webinar that I moderated entitled, Fordham REI Presents: Envisioning the Future:Technology, Innovation, and Obsolescence. This fantastic and informative webinar goes through the way we are using technology and innovation in today's real estate world. The all-star panel includes Michael Dowling, President & CEO of Northwell Health, Jeffrey Levine, Founder & Chairman, Douglaston Development/Levine Builders/Clinton Management, Christopher Mills, President and COO, Plaza Construction, Jennifer Stewart, Global Head of Real Estate, BNY Mellon and Marc Zuluaga, PE, CEO, Steven Winter Associates.
On this week's episode I welcome members of the Goldberg Group including Principal Josh Goldberg, as well as Co-Founders Debbie Reich and Xan Goldberg, with special guest Jay Norris of Guesst. This is a very special episode as we learn how the Goldberg was founded and how their background in real estate got them to where they are today. We also learn from Jay Norris of Guesst about the incredible things he is doing, as well as how they all met. This is one you won't want to miss!
On this weeks show I welcome a very special guest in Martin Nussbaum, Co-Founder & Principal at Slate Property Group. Tune in to learn about Martin's upbringing and how at one time he thought he would become a doctor, but ultimately decided to pivot and get into real estate. He shares with us how he first got involved in real estate by finding it through investment banking and how he put in the hard work to learn the business. Martin also shares with us advice he has for anyone looking to get into real estate and how he got to the point he is at today.
On this week's show I welcome Alex Rabin and Alex Kaskel, Co-Founder & CEO, and Managing Director of Peak Capital. Tune in to learn about how they were able to obtain multiple units of real estate in the New York City area and how their niche market is going after younger professionals that are looking for luxury apartments for an affordable price. Both Alex's also share with us how they were able to start their company and what obstacles they faced along the way in order to be successful. They break down what they think of the New York real estate market for the coming 6-12 months as well.
On this week's show I am re-broadcasting a panel of highly intelligent individuals in which we discuss the future of retail and the ever-changing landscape that encompasses retail. Included on the panel was Deborah Jackson, Senior Managing Director of Valuation & Consulting at Cushman & Wakefield, Tom McGee, President and CEO of ICSC, John Morrison, Chairman, Former ICSC President and CEO of Choice Properties, Jay Norris, and Lewis Stirling III, Principal at Stirling Capital Advisors.
On this week's show, I welcome a very special guest, Mark Rose, CEO of Avison Young. This is Mark's second time on the show as he was one of our very early on guests. Tune in as Mark shares with us more of his story including growing up playing hockey, some of the earlier positions he had during his career, as well as how he got to where he is today. Mark also shares with us the power of mentors and also what opportunities he believes have come to fruition following the pandemic.
On this week's show I welcome Stacy Rossetti, founder of REI-USA and StorageNerds, as well as Glenn and Amber Schworm of Home Flipping Workshop and their own podcast, to the show. Tune in as our incredible guests talk about the storage investing business, the home flipping business, and how all three have managed to provide real insight and knowledge for all investors on how to succeed in today's market. All three emphasize that their programs are not get rich quick schemes, but instead are true programs and insight that give investors the tools they need to get to the next level.
On this week's show, I welcome Janine Yorio, Head of Real Estate at Republic, a private investing platform for investors seeking high growth potential. Janine shares with us how visiting constructions sites at an early age with her mom gave her the passion to get involved and how she realized that the people who own the buildings are the people who call the shots. Janine also shares with us some of her early experience and jobs such as being an analyst for an investment banking firm and what it was truly like. Finally, she shares with us how she ultimately landed in her current role and how she has always thought about the future and what is next.
On this week's show, I welcome the second installment of our interview with Slate Asset Management, featuring Brandon Donnelly who is the Managing Director of Development at Slate. Tune in as Brandon shares with us how he landed in real estate after first studying architecture, as well as what fascinated him about the business. He also discusses how he looks at master planning the developments he works on to include a live, work, play element in projects that aren't necessarily multi-building developments. Brandon also shares with us some information about his critically-acclaimed blog and how that has helped him propel is career.
On this week's episode I welcome Peter Tsoulogiannis, Partner of Slate Asset Management and who also sits on Slates Investment Committee and Management Committee. In this show, Peter shares with us how he started his career in investment banking but ultimately made the jump to commercial real estate to be on the side of the Principal. Peter also shares with us some of the first things he handled upon joining Slate in 2015, as well as why he believes having a mentor is one of the best things someone can do early in their career.
On this week's show I welcome Rachel Loeb, COO at the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Tune in to hear Rachel's incredible story about how backpacking around Asia for a year after college led her to think about the way cities were built and put together. Rachel also shares with us her biggest piece of advice for anyone looking to get into real estate development and how it can be achieved.
For this week's episode, I welcome back past guest Rod Santomassimo to talk about his book Knowing Isn't Doing. Rod joins us to explain the purpose behind writing this book and how it benefits everyone, not just brokers in real estate. He shares with us lessons he's learned and tips along the way that can help anyone get to where they want to be.
On this week's show I welcome Jessica Zaski, Co-Head of Acquisitions at Acadia Realty Trust. In this interview Jessica shares with us how she ultimately got the real estate bug going to Northwestern in Chicago and what led her to get her Masters of Business at Kellogg School of Management. Jessica also explains what it takes to make it in the industry whether it be being someone who is tenacious and goes after deals or it's someone who is creative and thinks of different ways to get a deal done. She also shares with us how she sees the future of retail and why she is still bullish on it going forward. Doug Marshall Link: https://the-great-game-of-real-estate-investing.thinkific.com/courses/the-great-game-of-real-estate-investing?ref=53d13f
On this week's show, I welcome Joel Breitkopf, Principal at Alchemy Properties, one of the most active residential developers in New York City. Joel shares with us his story of getting started in real estate nearly 25 years ago by starting a commercial mortgage brokerage company. He shares with us his time working early on with a past guest of the show, Ken Horne, and how they first went into business with each other over a lunch in 1993. Joel also shares with us some amazing guidance on anyone looking to get into the business by providing some great insight into resumes and cover letters, as well as how to market yourself. He also dives into some of the deals he's worked on in the past and how he has dealt with downturns and a top market over his 20+ year career!
For this week's episode, I am thrilled to welcome Philip Michael, a true visionary and inspiration that is founder of the NYCE Group. This spectacular interview dives into Philip's upbringing in Denmark, why he chose to move to the United States, and his incredible story about getting involved in real estate. Philip shares with us a story about approaching one the most prolific developers in the country at a young age, buying his first property and why is he on a quest to make 100,000 millionaires by 2030. This is one interview you will not want to miss!
On this week's episode, I welcome a veteran of the show, Doug Marshall. I am thrilled to have him back on to discuss a brand new online course that he has created in which it truly helps people get started in investing in commercial real estate. He explains that this is not a course to get rich quick or another scam! Doug gives us an inside look as to why he has created this, his purpose behind it and how you can get started now! He also shares with us his own experience in investing and his background for any first time investors.
For our very first show in 2021, I am welcoming a close friend and Co-Founder, President and Managing Partner of Wildflower Limited, Adam Gordon. Adam shares with us his fascinating story and gives us amazing insight as to how he got his entrepreneurial spirit early on whether it be flipping cars or having a business itch as a young kid. Adam dives into his childhood of growing up in Ohio with his father, one of his first jobs working at a law firm in Dayton, Ohio, as well as one of the first businesses he ever started. Adam shares with us some life lessons, how he got into real estate, what he's currently working on and some fantastic advice for anyone looking to get into the business.
For this weeks show, I welcome David Kramer, President of the Hudson Companies, a leading New York City housing developer with a hands-on approach. Tune in to learn more about David's story, including one early venture back at Yale in which David had an idea for a video-streaming service before Netflix was even thought about! David also shares with us his early life, days at college and how he ultimately landed in real estate and development. He also shares with us his secrets to success and how he has helped the Hudson Companies grow to what it is today.
For our 60th show, I am re-broadcasting a fantastic webinar that I held on December 9th with Mark Zandi, Chief Economist for Moody's Analytics, in which we discuss the outlook for 2021. Tune in to hear what Mark thinks a Biden Administration will look like, what the commercial real estate industry is going to see in the future and what is currently being proposed for a second stimulus bill. Mark shares some other bold predictions and gives us amazing insight as we begin to re-open our country!
This week I am bringing on Avison Young's Global Director of Research and Principal, Dr. Nick Axford. Joining us from across the pond in London, Nick shares with us his very anticipated Top 10 Trends for 2021 in Commercial Real Estate. Tune in to hear all 10 trends and to hear Nick's thoughts as we all get through 2020 and look onward to a new year! For Avison Young's Top 10 Trends Presentation, please follow the link here: https://avison-young.foleon.com/2021-forecast/real-estate-trends/overview/
On this weeks episode, I welcome Helena Rose Durst, Principal at the Durst Organization. In this fantastic interview, Helena shares with us her experience growing up in a real estate family and how that ultimately helped shape the way she thought growing up. Helena also shares with us how the company makes a concerted an effort to build green and how many of their buildings have been LEED certified and what the process for that is. At the end of the interview, she also shares with us some advice for anyone living in a real estate family and how much she truly appreciates working alongside her family members.
On this week's show I welcome Steven Kachanian and Adam Hajibai of Klosed Properties, a family-owned, vertically integrated real estate firm specializing in the acquisition and management of well-positioned commercial properties in the New York Metro area and in select markets nationwide. On the show, Steven shares with us how he got started in real estate investing and what ultimately made him decide to move from brokerage to investing. Both Steven and Adam also share with us how they look for deals, what strategies they use and how they ultimately worked closely with all their tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure they were there as much as possible in these trying times. Steven also shares with us his advice for any person looking to get involved in the business.
On this week's episode, I welcome Seth Weissman, Founder and President of Urban Standard Capital, a group that is focused on investment funds for real estate investment and development in New York City. Tune in to hear Seth's story in which he talks about his time at the University of Pennsylvania and how that gave him real world experience in the real estate business. Seth also talks about his experience interning in the city and how that helped him work on entrepreneurship, as well as how he formed his current company.
On this week's episode, I welcome Melissa Burch, Executive General Manager of New York Development at Lend Lease Americas. Tune in as Melissa shares with us her childhood growing up in Columbus, OH and how that helped guide her to become interested in real estate and helped shape her career today. Melissa also shares with us her early experiences in the business and working closely with the legend Bruce Ratner at Forest City Ratner Companies.
On this week's episode, I am broadcasting an interview I held for REBNY with David Kronman of Cape Advisors, a prolific developer in New York City and the Hamptons. David and Cape Advisors are behind iconic developments including Mondrian SoHo, 30 Warren, 75 West Broadway, Greenwich West/110 Charlton Street and 5 Crosby Street (all in Manhattan) and the Watchcase in Sag Harbor, NY. Tune in to hear about what they are currently working on during the COVID-19 impact and how they have prospered through.
On the week's episode, I welcome Matt Pestronk, President of Post Brothers, a real estate investment, development and management company with singular and unique expertise in urban real estate development. Tune in as Matt gives us an inside look at his early career in office leasing and how that ultimately shaped him ending up in investment instead. Matt also shares with us some stories about his time at Drexel University, as well as his first deals and the struggles that arose with them.
For this week's episode, I have decided to broadcast a panel that I participated in that discusses how the commercial real estate industry has been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. We dive into what opportunities are still out there and how to grow your business and make moves amidst the on-going pandemic.
On this week's episode, I am pleased to re-broadcast a recent webinar that took place in which colleagues of mine gave a behind the scenes look at how we won the Real Estate Board of New York's Edward S. Gordon Memorial Deal of the Year Award. In this broadcast, Susan Kanaher, Jennifer Ogden and Jon Epstein from our New York office give listeners an inside look at the structure of the deal and what made it so difficult to accomplish.
On this week's very special episode, I am pleased to bring to everyone a different type of show. For this week, I have decided to take some of the best advice from our past guests including Bruce Ratner, Ian Ross, Dan Hurwitz, Aeysha Seldon and many more. This advice is truly timeless and is something that listeners can come back to as they try to move forward with their careers or get involved in real estate and investing. I want to thank you all for the incredible success that we've received for this show and here is to 50 more!
On this weeks episode, I decided to use a panel that I took part in that I think will be very informative to all aspiring investors and people looking to get into real estate. This panel discussion goes over commercial leasing with some of the top names in New York City real estate, giving listeners an inside look at what to look for with leases, tips and tricks that benefit all sides of a transaction, as well as some other great information!
On this week's episode I welcome CEO and Founder of Urban Pacific Group, Scott Choppin. Urban Pacific Group is family oriented development firm based in Long Beach, California that specializes in residential and commercial properties. In this episode, Scott shares with us that visiting construction sites early on in his in life made him realize that the physical aspect behind building wasn't exactly what he wanted, but it was the developer side that ultimately led him to where he is today. Scott also shares with us how growing up in a real estate family didn't ultimately push him to get involved, but it was lessons along the way in his childhood that helped him realize that real estate development was his passion. Scott then gives us an inside look at how his firm looks at projects and what he truly looks for in a deal. https://www.urbanpacific.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottchoppin/
On this week's episode, I welcome close friend and colleague, Arthur Mirante, Principal and President of Tri-State Office Leasing for Avison Young in our New York office. Tune in to learn about Arthur's uprising in Hoboken and some of the jobs he had earlier in his life that helped shape his work ethic today. Arthur also shares with us how he decided to switch from practicing law for a few years to ultimately land a job in commercial real estate and what advice he has for anyone looking to enter the industry today.
On this week’s episode, I welcome Ayesha Selden, an inspirational property investor, social media guru and true legend in today’s world. Tune in to learn about her experience growing up in Philadelphia, how academics played a large role in her life early on and how she realized the potential of neighborhoods around her while growing up. Ayesha also shares with us her first investment property and how she took on multiple properties while still working a full-time job. She then gives us insight as to her portfolio today and some fantastic advice for people looking to get started.
On this week's episode, I welcome industry legend Jeff Gural, Chairman of GFP Real Estate LLC (formerly Newmark Holdings and Newmark Knight Frank). On this episode, Jeff shares with us how he had no real interest in real estate, despite growing up in a particularly real estate focused family, how he moved to Los Angeles early in his life and what ultimately brought him back to New York City. Jeff also shares with us some of his early deals, explains that once he shakes your hand on a deal, it won't be broken and what he is focusing on now.
On this week's episode I welcome Managing Partner & CEO of the Ardent Companies, Matt Shulman. Tune in to learn about Matt's upbringing in Detroit and what ultimately led him to decide that law school wasn't the best option for him moving forward. Matt shares with us how he moved up through the real estate world and how a pair of brothers in 2006-2007 handed him the chance of a lifetime when they were opening up a new shop and offered to give him $30-$50 million to buy assets. At the end of the show, I feature a second portion of a webinar I held with the Young Men's and Women's Real Estate Association (YMWREA) that gives fantastic advice for any student or professional looking to get into real estate.
On this week's episode, I welcome founding partner of New York City based development firm, Sumaida + Khurana, Amit Khurana. On this episode, Amit joins us live from a small island in the Bahamas to give us an inside look at how he got involved in real estate, early lessons he learned and how he ultimately got to where he is now. Amit shares stories of how teaching tennis lessons in Greenwich while still attending Tufts University gave way to his passion for architecture and design. He shares that early in his professional life, he had a lot of energy, but couldn't find his passion in order to use this energy. This fantastic interview gives listeners an in-depth look at his connections, how he landed on his feet and some of the projects he is working on now.
On this week's show, I welcome close friend and Principal and Chief Operating Officer of Wonder Works Construction, Eric Brody. Tune in to hear this amazing and insightful discussion in which Eric shares with us his life story of entrepreneurship, running gyms in New York City as a young 21-year-old, and what lessons his father instilled in him to get Eric where he is today. Eric also shares with us some of his favorite books that have helped guide him, some fantastic stories about past projects he's worked on and what Wonder Works Construction is currently working on. At the end of the show, I share with everyone a recent white paper that I wrote entitled, The Calm Before the Storm.
On this week's show, I welcome Founder and Managing Partner of Savanna Fund, Chris Schlank. Tune in to learn how Chris funded his first investment property in Brooklyn and how he ultimately learned career-long lessons with that first property. Chris also gives us an inside look at how Savanna invests in properties within New York City and gives some fantastic advice for first time investors. At the end of the show I feature a panel I held with the Young Men's and Women's Real Estate Association in which young leaders in our industry offer great advice to anyone looking to get into the business.
On this week's show I welcome David Coelho of Bridge Investment Group. Tune in to learn about David's interesting story about how he first got started in the real estate industry, as well as how his firm is truly investing in opportunity zones around the country. He explains what markets he's looking in, how he structures these deals and gives us fantastic examples of deals he's worked on in the past. At the end of the show, I welcome back Josh Simon of EBI Consulting and Jeffrey Carleton of Heat Watch.
On this week's show, I welcome Senior Vice President of Asset Management and Leasing at Columbia Property Trust, Paul Teti. Tune in to hear Paul's incredible story about his childhood and life in sports, ultimately guiding him and providing him with lessons that he still uses today. Paul also shares with us some fantastic advice about how to get through tough times and continue to be our best selves during this crisis. At the end of the show I welcome Jeff Carleton of HeatWatch LLC and Josh Simon of EBI Consulting to discuss what to look for when purchasing property.
On this week's episode, I am re-broadcasting a fantastic panel that I held on July 8 including Ofer Yardeni of StonehengeNYC, Jessica Walker of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and Michael Keogh of Bolton St. John's in which we discuss Phase 3 of the re-opening of New York and what is in store for the future of New York City. This panel gave amazing insight as we move forward through this COVID-19 pandemic. To listen to the full webinar, which includes a brief discussion of the State of the Market along with our second quarter statistics, please follow the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfO3_yogH5A
On this week's show, I welcome a very special guest, Chairman and CEO of the Peebles Corporation, Don Peebles. Don shares with us some of the lessons he examines in two of his books, how at 23 years old he started his own appraisal company, and how at 24 years old, he realized he wanted to become a developer and what led him to that decision. Don also shares with us some fantastic advice as we all try to get through this current COVID-19 Pandemic. At the end of the show I welcome back Lisa Flicker and Neda Levy of Rhodes Associates to finish our discussion on what to do best in order to get the job you want in real estate.
Join us this week as I welcome a close friend, as well as CEO, Founder and President of Okada & Co., Chris Okada. Tune in to learn about Chris's entry into the business following graduation from college after the 9/11 attacks. He shares with us how working for his father's real estate company got him started, what his first investment in the industry looked like, and what he is currently doing during the COVID-19 pandemic we are all facing. At the end of the show, I also welcome back Lisa Flicker and Neda Levy from Rhodes Associates to continue our discussion about getting your start in the real estate business and how to best go about the process.
On this week's episode, I welcome a true pioneer and CEO of Heritage Equity Partners, Toby Moskovits. Tune in to hear Toby's incredible story in which she shares about living and working in Israel, how she got into the business, as well as priceless advice for women in the industry. At the end of the show, I also welcome a panel including Lisa Flicker and Neda Levy of Rhodes Associates, a firm in New York City that specializes in the executive search and organizational and strategic consulting in the real estate industry.
On this week's show, I welcome a true legend and potential NYC mayoral candidate, John Catsimatidis. Tune in to learn about John's thoughts on the state of New York City and why he is considering another run for Mayor. John also shares some great stories about his career, how he got to where he is today and how he first started in the real estate business. At the end of the show, I welcome a multi-family panel consisting of Mitchell Levine of Avison Young, Daniel Wrublin of Dalan Management and Eric Hamm of Corcoran.
For this week's episode, I thought it'd be important to share with everyone my latest webinar which covered the New York City and State Budgets, as well as the Future of Property Taxes. This webinar included three fantastic panelists consisting of Andrew Rein of the Citizens Budget Commission, Ari Shalam of RWN Real Estate Partners and Martha Stark, the former Commissioner of the NYC Dept. of Finance. This webinar was extremely informative and relevant to what is going on in the city today. Please enjoy and if you'd like to hear the full Q&A portion at the end that we had to take out due to time restraints, please head over to my YouTube channel, James Nelson NYC.
On this week's episode, I welcome Leo S. Ullman, President of Vastgood Properties. Tune in to learn about Leo's incredible story about his life, his early career in law, and how he ultimately landed in real estate and where he is today. Leo shares with us amazing stories about his early deals and some fantastic advice for early investors. At the end of the show, I also welcome back our broker panel consisting of Brandon Polakoff of Avison Young, David Schechtman of Meridian Capital Group and Marion Jones of Ackman-Ziff to finish out our discussion.
On this week's show I welcome industry titan, author and Chairman & CEO of Time Equities, Inc., Francis Greenburger. This incredible conversation goes into how Francis first started in the business, some of the most complex deals he was involved in, and how he dealt with taking big risks on projects throughout his career. At the end of the show, I also welcome back our broker panel consisting of Brandon Polakoff of Avison Young, David Schechtman of Meridian Capital Group and Marion Jones of Ackman-Ziff!
For this week's episode, I welcome a close friend and top industry business coach, Rod Santomassimo. Rod has been a professional coach to some of the top commercial real estate brokers across the country for years now, teaching them how to implement best practices and build better businesses with repeatable processes that produce predictable results. Tune in to listen about Rod's best advice, how to get the most out of your business and how to work and find the best broker! At the end of the show, I also welcome Brandon Polakoff of Avison Young, David Schechtman of Meridian Capital Group and Marion Jones of Ackman-Ziff for a brokers panel.
On this week's show, I am featuring a webinar that I hosted with our Global Head of Research at Avison Young, Dr. Nick Axford and Principal and Vice President of Project Management at Avison Young, Kirsten Beck. This webinar covered what the new normal will look like in commercial real estate following this pandemic and really gives some fantastic insight and perspectives as we begin to look at how our industry will be affected and has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
On this week's episode, I welcome a friend and industry titan, Scott Rechler, CEO and Chairman of RXR Realty. Tune in to hear some of Scott's story, as well as how he has overcome crisis' in the past and how we can get through the current COVID-19 pandemic. At the end of the show I also feature a portion of my most recent webinar with Reggie Thomas of REBNY to share with you all the latest on the federal stimulus plan and how it is affecting real estate.
For this week's episode, I am re-broadcasting a portion of a benefit that the Young Men's and Women's Real Estate Association (YMWREA) and the Real Estate Council of Carnegie Hall put on to help raise money to benefit frontline healthcare workers at Mount Sinai Health System. Donations are still accepted and this is a fantastic cause! Performers included a song by Jimmy Buffet, as well as performers Joshua Bell and many others! To Donate, Please Click the Link Here: giving.mountsinai.org
On this week's episode I welcome industry titan, Marty Burger, CEO of Silverstein Properties. Tune in to learn about Marty's first real estate deal while being a student at the University of Pennsylvania, how he earned an early position at the Related Companies, and some of the lessons he learned starting off in the industry. Marty then shares how he ended up at Silverstein Properties and what it was like meeting with Larry Silverstein. At the end of the show, I also welcome a close friend, Pierre Debbas for a discussion on 1031 exchanges.
For this week's episode, I am featuring a live webinar that I hosted with James Capalino of Capalino+Company in which we discussed the PPP and how it benefits real estate. Please tune in to this timely episode as we discussed a wide variety of topics on how to best come out of this Coronavirus pandemic.
On April 2nd, I held a live webinar with Reggie Thomas of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) to discuss the CARES Act, among other issues driving the real estate industry today in New York. COVID-19 has affected everyone in some way so please use this information as I believe it can benefit us all!
Hoping everyone is staying safe out there and spending some time with loved ones! For this week’s show, I welcome my neighbor, close friend and industry colleague, Michael Rudder of Rudder Property Group. Tune in to hear where Michael grew up, how he went from an Anthropology degree from Ithaca College into a career in commercial real estate, and some of the advice that he learned from his mentors early on. Michael also shares with us some guidance on whether it’s better to own your space or lease it when looking for office space, as well as some of his early deals as a broker and an investor. At the end of the show, I welcome Lara and Emily Casano for a panel discussion. You won’t want to miss this!
For this week’s show, I welcome a close friend of mine, Masood Bhatti, Managing Director of Real Estate at Silverpeak. Masood has such an incredible story in which he shares how he got started in the business and goes into detail on some of the “leaps of faith” that landed him to where he is now. Tune in to hear how Masood came to the United States in the 80s’ with just $500 dollars in his pocket, the incredible way he paid for his college education at Oklahoma State University and how traveling the world early in his career helped guide him on the career path in real estate that he is on now. At the end of the show, I welcome back Avison Young’s Michael Sullivan, Choice New York Management’s Michael Feldman and Lesley Lisser from Invesco US to finish out our panel discussion from last week!
On this week’s show, I welcome Reed Goossens, author and investor, as well as founder of RSN Property Group, a multifamily syndication investing firm. Reed has an incredible story having grown up in Australia then moving to New York City after falling in love with an American girl while traveling in France. Tune in to hear how Reed first got involved in real estate, how his first deal was only $38,000, and what he learned after experiencing a drive-by shooting at one of his properties! Reed also gives us an inside look as to how he financed his deals and what he looks for when investing. At the end of the show, I welcome a fantastic panel including Avison Young’s Michael Sullivan, Choice New York Management’s Michael Feldman and Lesley Lisser from Invesco US.
For our 20th show, I welcome John Usdan, CEO of Midwood Investment and Development, a premier real estate company founded in Brooklyn, NY in 1981. For this fantastic interview, John dives into his early upbringing around real estate with his late grandfather, an immigrant from Russia who started off selling homes in Brooklyn, giving John his passion for the business. He then dives into his early deals, how he was a true pioneer in Hell’s Kitchen, and some of the run-in’s that he had with the FBI and labor unions at a time when they ran New York and were at their toughest. At the end of the show, I also welcome back Kirsten Beck of Avison Young, legendary architect Gene Kaufman, and Michael Santora of SB+C Architecture.
On this week’s show I welcome Ian Ross of Somera Road to discuss his early career and his love for the New York hustle. Tune in to hear his insight on how his company dives into tough, complicated deals that are in secondary and tertiary markets, as well as some of his favorite markets to invest in outside of New York. Ian also explains his early upbringing in California and loving the lifestyle, but becoming engulfed in the infectious New York hustle that he loves and thrives off of today. At the end of the show, I welcome friend and power broker, Michael Fay of Avison Young’s Miami office to give us an insight as to what’s going on down there and what is helping driving a great market!
On this week’s show I welcome the founders of 60 Guilders, Kevin Chisholm and Bastien Broda, both close friends and colleagues. Tune in to hear their fascinating story about starting out within Savanna Real Estate Fund together to leaving and starting their own real estate investment firm, 60 Guilders. Both Kevin and Bastien share stories about their early projects, as well as difficulties they’ve faced along the way. Also tune in to hear what both of them consider their greatest accomplishment as a company thus far. At the end of the show I also welcome Lisa Maki of Avison Young’s Nashville office to talk about the booming real estate market down there and get her perspective on what is driving it.
On this week’s show, I welcome fellow Colgate graduate and close friend, Thomas Campbell, Founder and Principal of Thorobird LLC. Tune in to hear Thomas discuss his early career working in finance at Merrill Lynch to moving back down to Florida for a short time in order to shadow a small-time developer. Thomas explains that working with a smaller firm and developer ultimately helped shape his entrepreneurial spirit in the industry and helped garnish the relationships and knowledge he has today. He also explains some of the innovative projects he’s currently working on, such as a modular development site he is putting up in Brooklyn. Later in the show we welcome a panel consisting of Kirsten Beck of Avison Young, Gene Kaufman of GKA, and Michael Santora of SB+C Architecture examining what can be done with a building upon purchasing it.
On this week’s show, I welcome a very special guest, Ric Clark, Managing Partner of Real Estate and Chairman at Brookfield Property Group, Brookfield Property Partners and Brookfield Property REIT. Ric gives us an inside look at his early upbringing around farms and how that ultimately helped shape his passion for real estate and construction. Also tune in to hear how he started as a financial analyst almost 30 years ago, how he ultimately worked his way up with Brookfield to a leadership role, and how the firm expanded globally, owning substantial property all over the world. At the end of the show we also welcome back Larry Haber and Christina Smyth to finish our discussion on the legal considerations to think about when investing in commercial real estate.
For this week’s episode, we talk with fellow Colgate Alum and Co-Founder and Managing Partner at AWH Partners, Chad Cooley. In the past episodes we’ve covered retail, multi-family and development, but this week we cover all things hotels. Tune in to learn about Chad’s early career in affordable housing with one of the most prominent developers in New York City, as well as his upbringing around real estate and how that helped pave the way for his passion in the industry. Also listen in to hear about his time at our fabled Colgate University, and how he jumped into the hotel investment field with no real experience beforehand. Towards the end of the show, we also cover a topic that we have yet to discuss, which is the legal considerations when investing in real estate. I welcome Larry Haber and Christina Smyth to join the discussion!
For this week’s show, I had the pleasure of welcoming Margaret Streicker, Founder of Fortitude Capital and U.S. Congressional Candidate for Connecticut. Listen in to hear how building a cardboard “box city” as a little girl, gave way to her creative side when it comes to dealing with new acquisitions and her vast real estate portfolio. She also dives into how she built her company, her investment strategy with new deals and how the top-of-the-line finishes don’t always equate to tenant retention and higher rents. Finally, we introduce a new segment titled, “City Spotlight” in which we discuss trends going on in different cities across the U.S. with specialists from around our firm. Enjoy!
For this week’s show, I welcome a very special guest, Principal and Global Director of Research for Avison Young, Dr. Nick Axford. All the way from across the pond in London, Nick was in New York for the week as he joined me for a fantastic press breakfast at the infamous Rainbow Room discussing all things trending in 2020 in the commercial real estate world. I was able to sit down with Nick to get a sneak preview of his trends and really pick his brain on how these trends may be affecting markets across the world and what investors, owners or tenants should be on the lookout for as we begin the New Year. Tune in for a special edition!
On this week’s show, I welcome Jordan Vogel, co-founder of Benchmark Real Estate Group to discuss his early career and how he founded his current company. Tune to hear how growing up in New York City gave him a dream of one day owning property in New York, as well as how working as a property manager showed him all that goes into real estate. Jordan also discusses how he first started off raising equity for deals and how his current company, Benchmark Real Estate Group, is now raising equity for much larger properties in New York City. Towards the end of the show we also welcome back Michael Robinson, Evan Weiss and Jack Mullen for a second edition of their “Triple A” panel segment.
Happy New Year to all! On this week’s show I welcome Brooklyn native, Ken Horn, onto the show to discuss his early upbringing and ventures in New York real estate. Like many of our previous guests, Ken didn’t grow up around the real estate business, but rather found it later in life through other avenues. Listen in to hear how Ken managed to go to law school for just $600 dollars, brought the business of gelato ice cream to New York, as well as how at the age of 28, he got a lucky break with a prominent New York developer. Also tune in to learn about one of his earliest, most profitable deals to date. Later in the show, I also introduce a new panel segment titled, “Triple A” with guests Michael Robinson, Evan Weiss, and Jack Mullen.
On this week’s show, I welcome Susan Hewitt, co-founder of the Chesire Group, a real estate investment firm specializing in New York metro-area multifamily properties. Tune in to hear how talking her way into a summer job after college at a small development firm in Providence, Rhode Island set up her career in real estate. She gives us an inside look at how working on small conversion projects gave her a base knowledge of all the many facets of development including project management, construction, financing and planning. Susan also shares some of the larger projects that she’s worked on, as well as her involvement with the New York Islanders new arena and the many parts incorporated with sports development. Later in the show we also welcome back Peter Steier of Avison Young’s Capital Markets Group, Marious Sjulsen of Equity Multiple and Stephen Denardo of RiverOak Investment Corp. to continue on our panel discussion from last week!
On this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of welcoming to the show Dan Hurwitz, founder and CEO of Raider Hill Advisors, a private retail real estate investment and advisory firm. Over the course of his career, Dan has held a variety of positions including CEO at DDR Corp., interim CEO of Brixmor Property Group and Senior Vice President and Director of Real Estate and Corporate Development for Boscov’s Department Store, Inc. Tune in to hear how a liberal arts education and a major in History helped shape the way he dealt with real estate, as well as how his first job after college set him up for a passion in retail. Dan also shares stories about his late mentors and how they helped facilitate a successful career in real estate investment and taught him at an early age a lifetime of experience. Later in the show, I also welcome Marious Sjulsen of Equity Multiple, Peter Steier of Avison Young’s Capital Markets Group and Stephen Denardo of RiverOak Investment Corp. for a panel!
On this week’s show, I welcome industry titan, Ofer Yardeni, Founder and CEO of Stonehenge NYC. This fantastic show covers Ofer’s journey from broker to owner and what separates his firm today by leveraging technology. Tune in to hear about his childhood in Israel, moving to New York City with $600 in his pocket and how he formed his great partnership. Yardeni also shares great advice for any first-time investor looking to make the jump into real estate investing. At the end of the show, we also welcome back Paul Massey from B6 Real Estate Advisors, Asher Wenig from Avison Young’s Net Lease Investment Sales Team, and Jeff Ravetz from Girona Ventures.
In this week’s episode, we have Jeff Ravetz, Principal of Girona Ventures, on the show to cover many different topics in the real estate investing world. Hear how Jeff’s childhood growing up in Long Island helped shape his career in real estate by visiting properties with his father, as well as how real estate grants him the independence he was looking for in a career. Jeff also explains that immediately after graduating from college, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became an accountant, but on his 730th day, he realized he needed to make a career change. The discussion also dives deeper into Jeff’s early days with Time Equities, how many different mentors helped teach him the ins and outs of real estate and how he was able to secure some of his early investments. Later in the show, we welcome Paul Massey Jr., Chief Executive Officer of B6 Real Estate Advisors and Asher Wenig, Head of Net Lease Investment Sales at Avison Young to join Jeff in a panel discussion.
Tune in as we bring Real Estate Investing - Live from New York to the Fordham University campus. Special guests include Martin Gilligan, Hugh Kelly, Sadie McKeown and Serge Reda.
In this week’s episode, we continue our fantastic conversation with Doug Marshall, author of “Mastering the Art of Commercial Real Estate Investing.” The discussion further unravels as James and Doug discuss the professionals needed in order to close a real estate transaction, how there may be a conflict for some brokers who want to invest in property themselves and the different levels of investors and what each one entails. Doug also explains a very important point that is detailed in his book about how successful investors need the right vision before buying any type of property. After the interview, we also welcome back our three panelists from last week, Hugh Kelly, advisor to Fordham University’s real estate program, Blaine Strickland, CCIM Instructor and Carly Weinreb, graduate of Columbia University to discuss the benefits to a higher education in real estate and how to best approach this!
This week’s episode features Doug Marshall, author of “Mastering the Art of Commercial Real Estate Investing.” Tune in to hear Doug discuss how writing blog posts every other week 12 years ago turned into a complete book about how to invest in Commercial Real Estate. He discusses with James the seven advantages he believes investing in real estate bring, as well as why real estate is the best form of passive income you can generate. Learn how Doug handles the properties he has an ownership in, the joy of receiving a monthly check and the benefits of passive income and commercial real estate in this week’s episode!
Tune in to hear why Mark Rose led the opening of 50 offices in the U,S with a total of now 120 around the world, for Avison Young. When he joined the Canadian firm, he convinced them that their truly client first approach way of doing business was needed around the world. Mark accomplished this unprecedented expansion with a great hands on team in just a little over 10 years. A born New Yorker, Mark grew up in Queens and excelled at an early age playing hockey and then graduating high school at 16 then finishing college by his 20th birthday. Mark is a visionary and true leader. His presentations at the company’s annual meetings are received with great expectation along with laughter, and sometimes tears, but always with a standing ovation. Learn what it takes to grow a business by delivering truly differently with Partnership and Performance.
In this episode James Nelson sits down with a leader in the commercial real estate industry. MaryAnne Gilmartin is Chief Executive Officer of L&L MAG, a New York-based real estate development company she founded with David Levinson and Robert Lapidus. Prior to founding L&L MAG, MaryAnne served as President & CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies, where she oversaw a period of game-changing ground-up development, including Barclays Center, New York by Gehry, and the Tata Innovation Center at Cornell Tech. After the interview there is also a Q&A with NYU Professor and CIO Derek Eakin. This is the beginning of a multi part series on CRE underwriting.
Legendary developer Bruce Ratner has been the catalyst behind some of New York City’s largest commercial and residential projects. In this episode Bruce shares how he got started in the commercial real estate business and his secret to success. Since co-founding Forest City Ratner Company in 1985, Bruce’s firm has built around 50 ground-up projects in New York City, including the New York Times building, the 16-acre Metro Tech office complex, a Frank Gehry apartment tower, the Barclays Center arena and Pacific Park Brooklyn, a four-million-square-foot mixed-use development. Until recently, Bruce was an owner of the Brooklyn Nets and on top of all his business achievements he is also chairman of the Museum of Jewish Heritage and on the board of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine.