The Commercial Real Estate Investor Podcast

388. Watch Us 5x Our Returns in Self Storage (Deep Dive)

18 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key TakeawaysThe biggest value-add opportunity in self-storage isn't always raising rents—it's adding units. Expanding a facility can create signifi...

387. The Real Reason the Best Deals Never Hit the Market

15 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key TakeawaysThe best deals aren't hidden. They're marketed privately before they ever hit Crexi or LoopNet. Brokers send their best opportunities to ...

386. How I Bought My First Commercial Property at 25 (just copy me)

11 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key TakeawaysFirst deal’s purposeNot to make you rich, but to teach you how to confidently do more (and better) deals.How he won the dealList: $750k...

385. The 1031 Move That Lets You Buy Before You Sell

08 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key TakeawaysLocation for Flex/IndustrialDon’t go “main & main” in the city core (too expensive, competing with retail/office).Target major ...

384. Watch Me Underwrite a Real Industrial Deal in 30 Minutes

01 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key TakeawaysLocation for Flex/IndustrialDon’t go “main & main” in the city core (too expensive, competing with retail/office).Target major ...

383. 100 Doors. 35% Returns. Why He's Walking Away.

28 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key TakeawaysPrivate money + confidenceRay rebuilt after 2009 by using private capital from friends/family and backing it with confidence and a clear ...

381. He Doubled His Cash Flow Without Buying a Single New Property

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Core ConceptYou don’t always need a new dealChris realized he could get ~80% of the cash-flow upside of a new acquisition by further improving an ex...

380. Graham Stephan Just Made the Case for Commercial Real Estate

18 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Core ConceptGraham’s move: He’s selling all his LA residential rentals because of:Heavy regulation (3-year eviction moratorium, rent freezes)Extre...

382. The Tax Strategy High-Earners Use to Offset Income With Real Estate

18 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Core ConceptKey Takeaways – Super Short VersionCost Segregation = Accelerated DepreciationEngineering study reclassifies parts of a building into sh...

379. The Tax Code Was Written for Real Estate Investors

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Core ConceptThe tax code favors real estate investors by designPost‑1986 tax rules intentionally incentivize buying, improving, and holding real est...

378. He Stopped Buying Airbnbs and Built a $20M Hotel Portfolio

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Core ConceptBuy when others are scared: Michael bought post-2008 and during COVID, using fear-driven discounts to build a $20M portfolio.STRs → Host...

377. I'm Building 43,000 SF of Flex Space at 1/3rd of The Cost - Office Hours

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Core ConceptInstead of buying land + building ground‑up flex, Tyler uses a master lease on an existing 43K SF building.Traditional build: $6–8M ($...

376. Gold Doesn't Pay You. This Does.

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Gold vs CRE: Gold is a good store of value but doesn’t pay income, has no tax benefits, and you can’t control its performance. Commercial real est...

375. Why I'd Rather Buy an Empty Building Than a Full One Right Now

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Vacant buildings = more upsideYou avoid paying a premium for someone else’s lease‑up work.You create value through rehab + leasing (forced appreci...

374. He Traded His Apartments for a Commercial Building and Made $100k

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Strategic Upgrade via 1031Chad is selling his 4‑plex and using a 1031 exchange to buy a 30,000 sq ft mixed‑use commercial building, ...

373. Is Market Uncertainty Actually Good for Commercial Real Estate Investors? — Office Hours

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Uncertainty is a buying window, not a stop sign.There’s always a scary headline (dot‑com crash, 2008, COVID, rate hikes). If you wai...

372. 33 Rental Houses vs. 1 Commercial Property (The Math Will Shock You)

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Single family rentals are a great starting point, but they have a ceiling: cash flow is modest, costs (insurance, repairs, management) k...

371. Underwriting an Auto Garage Conversion | Office Hours

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Main Deal ConclusionThe auto garage near downtown Nashville is overpriced at $2.6M (~$480/sf).Even after lowering price and rehab assump...

370. Nobody Wanted This Vacant Warehouse. He Bought It With $0 Down in 45 Days

06 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Transition to commercial: Matt moved from student housing to commercial to reduce headaches, work with business owners, and gain more co...

369. Stop Buying Rental Houses. Start Buying Commercial

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Residential rentals are squeezedAverage profit is only about $713/month per house.Rising interest, insurance, and maintenance costs are ...

368. How Elite CRE Brokers Stop Hunting and Start Capturing Demand

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Cycle Context & Opportunity WindowCRE has rebounded from a 20% peak‑to‑trough correction to a renewed upswing: 2025 volume hit $...

367. 90% of Her Warehouse Deals Come from Social Media (Not Cold Calling)

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways: Social media is a massive, underused lever for CRE brokersMost commercial brokers still aren’t fully leveraging platforms like TikTok...

366. Will Retail Outperform Flex in 2026? | Office Hours

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways: Why Retail Looks Attractive for 2026Retail is poised to outperform, especially vs. flex/industrial, due to:Very low new development (on...

365. You're Broke Because You Chase Cashflow

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Cash flow vs. value-add strategyRelying on small monthly cash flow from rentals takes too long to replace a W2 income.Tyler advocates fo...

364. Why Underwriting is SO Important | Office Hours

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:1. Underwriting tells you if a deal actually worksA property may look attractive on the surface, but underwriting reveals the true perfo...

363. Stop Writing Offers Like a Residential Investor - Do This Instead | Office Hours

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:LOIs are non-binding but criticalThey set the main business terms (price, timing, responsibilities) before you spend money on attorneys ...

362. Most developers go broke before they ever break ground with Meg Epstein

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Became a developer in crisis: Meg started as a high‑end residential project manager and was forced to become a developer when a partne...

361. Backing Into an Offer Price on Vacant Commercial Property | Office Hours

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Vacant properties still have value – you must underwrite future income and back into what you can pay today; don’t let brokers sell ...

360. If You Can’t Find Deals, This Is Probably Why - Do This Instead | Office Hours

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:It is rarely the market. Most investors struggle because they look at everything instead of defining what they actually want. Asset type...

359. You Think Apartments Are a Safe Investment?

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Multifamily Isn’t “Safe” AnymoreThe old playbook—buy, renovate, raise rents, refinance—worked when you had margin. Today’s c...

358. Stop Investing in Real Estate for Cash Flow - Do This Instead | Office Hours

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Cash flow alone will not scale you quickly.A 10 percent cash on cash return sounds strong, but earning 10K per year on 100K of equity ca...

357. Using Energy Data to Find Vacant Buildings | Office Hours

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Innovating Deal Search: The meeting covered a creative strategy of using New York City energy usage data and public financial filings to...

356. McDonalds owns their real estate. Why doesn’t Starbucks?

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:McDonald's treats its business as a real estate venture, owning much of the land under its restaurants and leasing it back to franchisee...

355. Waterfront Flex, Medical Office Boom, Multifamily Delinquencies, and More | The Deal Desk

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Waterfront Industrial & Blue Highways: Using waterfronts for industrial logistics is an emerging trend, with efforts in NYC to shift...

354. 10 Ways to Make Money from ONE Deal | Office Hours

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:There are at least 10 different ways to make money from a single commercial real estate deal, including:Brokerage fee (buying/selling co...

353. The Hidden Economics Behind Parking Lots

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Chicago’s 2008 parking meter deal resulted in lost long-term revenue for the city, with investors earning profits and retaining rights...

351. Starting a Family Office | Office Hours

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Practicing daily underwriting significantly improves deal analysis skills, and many viable deals can be found in common online marketpla...

352. 2026 Trends, Trump's Ballroom, 50-Year Mortgage, and More | The Deal Desk

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Data centers, senior housing, self-storage, and student housing are the niche real estate asset classes poised to shape investment trend...

350. Let's Talk Flex Space | Office Hours

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Strong and growing flex space demand:This trend is driven by e-commerce growth (like Amazon’s logistics), changes in urban development...

349. How this Real Estate Developer Raised $1M from ONE Email

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Building Trust and Relationships is Essential: Evan Holiday was able to raise $1M in 24 hours not by chance, but by spending years build...

348. Commercial Real Estate Outlook 2026 | Office Hours

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Market Sentiment & Outlook:Commercial real estate is facing uncertainty into 2026, primarily due to macroeconomic volatility, intere...

347. How to Build Wealth Without Leaving Your Neighborhood

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Embrace an Entrepreneurial Mindset: Viewing downturns as opportunities and having determination are crucial for breaking into a new fiel...

346. What Do You Do When A Property Just Won't Sell? | Office Hours

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Strategies for Hard-to-Sell Properties:If a property (like a restaurant in Miami) won’t sell, don’t just focus on price; consider ma...

345. Commercial Real Estate Isn’t Just for Millionaires

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Commercial real estate isn't just for millionaires - it's about how you structure deals, not how much money you have.Successful investme...

344. Navigating Real Estate Partnerships | Office Hours

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Value Creation Over Cash FlowFocus on creating equity, not just collecting monthly rentPotential to make more money by improving propert...

343. Let's Review a Couple Value-Add Commercial Deals | Office Hours

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Value-Add Commercial Real Estate StrategyLook for properties with potential for improvementOpportunities exist in buildings needing work...

342. The 3 Most Dangerous Mistakes in Commercial Real Estate

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Avoid OverpayingValue in commercial real estate is based on income (NOI), not comparable salesAlways verify the actual trailing 12-month...

341. How Do You Handle Vacant Big Box Suites? | Office Hours

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Commercial Real Estate Insights:Big box retail spaces offer value-add opportunitiesMost successful retail chains lease, not buy, their r...

340. This 34-Year Old Built $500M of Real Estate - Here's How

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Affordable Housing ImpactServes families making $22,000 to $80,000 annuallyProvides housing for essential workers like servers, governme...

339. Best Commercial Properties for First-Time Investors

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Focus on Simple, Manageable PropertiesLook for properties under $2 millionChoose assets with low operational complexityPrioritize proper...

338. The Secret to Buying Commercial Real Estate WITHOUT Cash

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:You can enter commercial real estate without large cash investments by solving specific problems for property owners.Three core principl...

337. We Launched an App for Commercial Real Estate Investors! (Office Hours)

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:CRE Central App LaunchNew mobile app exclusively for mastermind members and course participantsWill centralize courses, events, and reso...

336. The WORST Stadium Deal in U.S. HISTORY (And What Investors Can Learn)

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Public-Private Deal RisksThe public took all the financial downside while the private owner (Jeffrey Loria) gained all the upsideNo acco...

335. Turning ABANDONED Buildings into GOLD (No Experience Needed)

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Abandoned buildings offer hidden investment opportunities that most investors overlookEvaluate potential properties using a three-part f...

334. This Real Estate Strategy Pays Me $15,000 per Month

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Passive Income Strategy:Start with an active, high-value deal that forces appreciationUse a 1031 exchange to roll gains into a passive, ...

333. What Are GOOD Returns for New Development?

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:For new development projects, investors typically want to see a 20% or higher Internal Rate of Return (IRR).An 8% return is considered t...

332. The Real Reason You're Not Finding Good CRE Deals

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Deal Flow Framework (DEAL):Discover: Uncover opportunities before they hit the marketEngage: Build relationships with brokers, owners, a...

331. Why You Shouldn’t Buy Commercial Real Estate (Until You Do This One Thing)

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Don't gamble in commercial real estate - have a clear strategyDevelop a Buy Box framework with 5 key steps:- Investor Identity - Asset C...

330. Why Managing Your Own Rentals Will Burn You Out (and What to Do Instead)

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Creative Financing: Brandon leveraged seller financing and creative deal structures to grow his real estate portfolio, starting with hou...

329. What Bigger Pockets Won't Tell You About Real Estate Investing

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Residential real estate is a "second job" with low returns, while commercial real estate offers scalable, passive incomeCommercial prope...

328. Bribery and Corruption in Real Estate | Office Hours

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Commercial Real Estate Corruption:Bribery and corruption are prevalent in the industryCommon issues include:Brokers taking backdoor paym...

327. What the Rich Buy That You Don't

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Passive Income Strategy: Wealthy investors use triple net leases to generate consistent monthly income from properties leased to nationa...

326. First 1.5 years in Commercial Real Estate Brokerage with Jake Clark

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Early Exposure: Jake's background in real estate started with his father, who was an investor and flipper, which inspired his career pat...

325. Why This Investor Gave Up Residential Real Estate (And What He Did Instead)

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Start Investing Early: Residential agents should begin investing in real estate to build cash flow and financial freedom, rather than sp...

324. We Stopped Buying Apartments Because of Deals Like THIS

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Flex Space Advantages:More versatile than multi-family real estateAllows for diverse tenant mixEasier to lease smaller suites quicklyMor...

323. Don't Buy Apartments, Buy THIS Instead

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Apartments are overcrowded, overpriced, and not the guaranteed path to financial freedom many believe.Alternative investment strategies ...

322. When to Quit Your W2 for Real Estate | Office Hours

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Advice on leaving W2 job for real estate syndication:Don't leave your W2 job too quicklyStart small and gradually build your portfolioFe...

321. Why He Chose Flex Space for His First Development

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Alec transitioned from residential to commercial real estate, focusing on industrial and flex space development.His first commercial dea...

320. Riding Out a Recession in Commercial Real Estate

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Economic Uncertainty: There are potential signs of a recession, with five major economic forces potentially suppressing US economic grow...

319. The Power of Creative Capital in Commercial Real Estate

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Creative Capital Matters More Than CashYou don't need all the money upfront to invest in commercial real estateFocus on controlling the ...

318. Off-Market Mastery: How to Find Unicorn Deals in Any Market

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Relationship BuildingMaintain constant communication with property owners (quarterly or at least annually)Reach out with market updates,...

317. 12 Lessons from 12 Years in Commercial Real Estate | Office Hours

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Create deals, don't just find themReputation compounds faster than capitalChasing cash flow can keep you poor - focus on equity and valu...

316. Mastering the Art of the Deal Pitch | Investors Round Table

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Tailor your pitch to your audience:Institutional investors want rigorous data and professional decksPrivate investors are more relations...

315. Interviewing Contractors for Your Projects | Office Hours

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Contractor Selection Strategy:Always be networking and meeting contractors before you need themNot all contractors are skilled in every ...

314. The 3 Fastest Ways to Get Your First Commercial Listing

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Leverage Your Existing NetworkShare what you do professionallyHave one-on-one conversationsTell stories about successful clientsAsk for ...

313. Is Commercial Real Estate A Sensible Investment Today? | Office Hours

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Commercial Real Estate Investment Insights:Returns vary based on risk and market conditionsLong-term real estate investing is more stabl...

312. He Built a 17-Property Portfolio for His Family’s Future - Here’s How

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:The $370K underwriting mistake that changed everything How Marcus scaled from one car wash to a multi-property empire Why strong banking...

311. Misconceptions about Commercial Real Estate & Leaving Your W-2 | Office Hours

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Commercial Real Estate Misconceptions:Making money is not just about rent exceeding expensesCommercial real estate investing is not 100%...

310. Facing Adversity in Commercial Real Estate Brokerage - Brokers Round Table

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Embrace AdversityChallenges are constant in commercial real estateView obstacles as opportunities for growthAlways be prepared to solve ...

309. Yes, Tariffs Will Hit Commercial Real Estate Hard | Office Hours

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Tariffs will significantly impact commercial real estate, especially industrial and retail sectors, by increasing construction and mater...

308. 90 Days After Buying an Abandoned Self Storage Facility

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Occupancy dropped from the seller's claimed 93% to as low as 58%, but has now climbed to the high 70s.Partnering with a moving company (...

307. Non-Negotiables Analyzing Commercial Deals | Office Hours

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Location Matters: Choose a location that fits your specific investment strategy and asset class.Cash Flow is Critical: Aim for propertie...

306. Ask Your Commercial Real Estate Questions LIVE | Office Hours

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Tyler hosted a successful CRE Accelerator Mastermind event in Birmingham, Alabama, where they covered topics like developing flex space,...

305. Unconventional Ways to Make Money from Commercial Real Estate - Brokers Round Table

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Unconventional ways to monetize commercial real estate include renting out parking spaces, using excess land for storage containers, imp...

304. Exposing Real Estate Lies You've Been Told | Office Hours

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Being a generalist in commercial real estate is better than being a specialist, as it broadens your investment skills and opportunities....

303. Winners & Losers: Which CRE Asset Classes Will Dominate in 2025? | Investors Round Table

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Industrial real estate remains resilient, with low vacancy rates, but older buildings may need upgrades to meet modern standards.The mul...

302. Building a Personal Brand for High-Value Clients - Brokers Round Table

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Leverage LinkedIn and social media to become a thought leader by creating valuable, client-focused content rather than self-promotional ...

301. 26.8% Cap Rate on His First Deal?? | Office Hours

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Be very cautious of deals with extremely high cap rates (over 10%), as there are likely underlying issues with the property or tenant.Th...

300. How to Make Deals Pencil with Today’s Interest Rates | Investors Round Table

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Explore alternative financing options like bridge loans, floating rate loans with rate caps, assumable debt, and seller financing to mak...

299. Determining Price Per Sq. Ft. for Land | Office Hours

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:When determining the price per square foot to pay for industrial land for development, survey recent comparable sales in the area to see...

298. Don't Invest with Strangers! | Office Hours

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Don't invest with syndicators you don't know personally. It's important to thoroughly vet and understand how a syndicator operates befor...

297. First Commercial Deal—What Went Wrong? | Investors Round Table

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Underestimating renovation costs and working with inexperienced contractors can lead to major challenges on your first commercial deal. ...

296. Listen to This Before Buying your First Commercial Property (Office Hours)

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Budget conservatively for unexpected maintenance costs when buying older commercial properties. Factors like HVAC issues, plumbing probl...

295. Are Distressed Properties the Opportunity of 2025? - Brokers Round Table

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Thorough due diligence is crucial when analyzing potential deals, especially when reviewing rent rolls, leases, and tenant mixes. The di...

294. Tenants Moved Out but Still Pay Rent? (Office Hours)

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Going "dark" in commercial real estate refers to when a tenant shuts down their business but is still legally obligated to pay rent. Thi...

293. I Bought a FAILING Self Storage Facility

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Tyler and Jacob bought a failing self-storage facility for $1.7 million, with the goal of turning it around through operational improvem...

292. Is The CRE Job Market Cooked? (Office Hours)

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:The commercial real estate job market is challenging, especially in sectors like development. Factors like high interest rates, construc...

291. Inside the Mini-Boutique Hotel Revolution

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Hospitality experience is valuable when transitioning to real estate. Andrew's background in running restaurants and managing teams help...

290. Closing Out 2025 & Upcoming Projects (Office Hours)

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:Tyler is excited about setting up a new studio to create more in-depth, longer-form content on commercial real estate investing and deve...

289. We're FINALLY Making Progress on This Hotel

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key Takeaways:The hotel renovation project is facing several challenges, including dealing with the historic nature of the building, unexpected issues...