The Real Estate Espresso Podcast

On today’s show we are talking about how to gain additional control over the expenses in your commercial buildings. Some buildings were designed with a single electric meter and a single water meter. This makes it difficult for a landlord to recoup the costs associated with these variable expenses. Some buildings use a RUBS method. RUBS is an acronym  which stands for Ratio Utility Billing System.Instead of each unit having its own meter to measure individual consumption, the total cost of the utility for the entire property is divided among the tenants based on a predetermined formula.  The problem with all of these methods is that the tenant is left wondering if they are paying more than their fair share of the utilities. If the landlord is watering the grass, then they wonder if the tenant is paying for excessive watering rather than their own direct utilization. It ends up being an irritant to tenants who never fully trust the monthly billing as being accurate. The other approach is to sub-meter. The building owner still gets a single bill for water, and for electricity. But by sub metering, the actual usage for each unit can be determined. -----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Today is another AMA episode (Ask Me Anything). Today's question comes from Emanuel who writes:"How should new investors approach development of multifamily properties when construction costs are high but demand for rentals is steady?"--------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today’s show we are talking about a property that we placed an offer on, which is failing in due diligence. Failing in due diligence is one of two ideal outcomes. Of course we would prefer if a project met all of the criteria for investment, we would buy it at a substantial discount to the market value, and we would have lots of upside potential.Anything less and we would rather pass on the opportunity.The property itself has the potential to be a good investment opportunity. The artificial process that is being forced by the auction environment that the seller is trying to create is causing compounding the risks for the buyer. It’s that process which is compressing the timeframes and making proper due diligence impossible. I’m not at all worried about whether we could diligence the property and scope the remaining improvements. The property would need to be entirely rebranded and launched as a new offering in the market. The artificial constraints being imposed by the auction environment are disqualifying the property for us. Maybe said another way a cash buyer might have the appetite for the added risk, and perhaps in that sense, the auction process is disqualifying us as a buyer because we simply require more due diligence.--------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today’s show I want to share some guidance that I gave you on the podcast only a few days ago. I’m not here to trumpet anything or take a victory lap or anything like that. I’ve experienced a phenomenon whereby I will make a prediction or an observation on the podcast, and then behold a few days or a few weeks later, we’re reading about it in the Wall Street Journal. The purpose is to help you see what I’m seeing so that you can see it too.The unpredictability of the White House announcements over the past week has caused massive swings in the futures market which caused the basis trades to go against the hedge funds. This has caused hedge funds to dump bonds in order to cover their bank debt. They don't want to sell. They have to sell. The real risk is systemic risk to the banking system. If we see the Fed step in to protect the banking system in the coming days, we will know that the situation was severe enough to threaten the solvency of the banking system. ------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Seth Ferguson is based in Toronto where he is the founder and promoter of the PowerHouse Conference. This conference started out as the Multi-Family Conference with a focus on apartment investing. This year, the focus has been broadened to include a wider set of entrepreneurial activities and investments. The conference this year includes Kevin O'Leary, Alex Rodruguez, Michelle Romanow, Michael Hyatt and many others. On today's show we are talking about the risks associated with putting on these types of large events. ---------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Dana Samuelson is the owner of American Gold Exchange, based in Austin Texas. They are dealers of physical gold across the US. On today's show we are talking about the various forces that are pushing debt yields, dumping stocks, dumping bonds, and dumping dollars. One of the main beneficiaries is gold. To connect with Dana and to learn more, visit amergold.com, email them directly at info@amergold.com or call at 800-613-9323.------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today’s show we are looking at recent history. We know that history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes. We are going to look and see what we can learn from recent protectionist sentiments that were supposed to help.The trade war of the 1930’s resulted in a 60% reduction in global trade. The impact was much more confined because international trade made up a small percentage of each country’s GDP compared with today. No we have a much more meaningful comparison. Let’s look at Brexit which was the UK’s attempt to regain control over their national agenda leading up to the 2016 referendum.These arguments collectively painted a picture of a UK potentially more independent, prosperous, and secure outside the European Union framework.So the question for you is whether any of this sounds similar to what we are hearing from the White House? Let me be clear, I have no stake in this agenda. I’m neither supporting not opposing the current White House initiatives. I’m simply seeing parallels at two different points in history. Brexit is a play on words, the combination of Britain and Exit. Of Course Britain was a founding member of the European Union and a strong proponent of the benefits of a single market with freedom of movement. The EU formed part of the globalization trend that The World Trade Organization was a structure created in part by the US in which the rules of international trade were established that made it fair for countries that formed part of the WTO. But now the US seems intent on breaking apart the WTO and negotiating individual trade deals with each nation based on criteria defined by the current White House. The US is also clearly trying to secure its borders.These goals sounds incredibly similar to the Brexit arguments. In the years since Brexit, the UK has demonstrably suffered as a nation.  The British pound lost value. The UK lost a lot of jobs and manufacturing. The UK has been isolated politically and economically.

Today’s question comes from Michael who writes:Long term listener of the podcast. It is great!With geothermal being so efficient, why is it rarely used on new single  families or retrofitted with existing homes?Thx———————-**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Toby Lutke is the CEO of Shopify. Shopify is the world leader in creating platforms and tools for e-commerce merchants. In the last few days, Toby sent a memo to the organization. This memo has been reported on widely in the mainstream media. When Toby realized that the memo had been leaked, he posted it in it entirety on his twitter feed. When news reporters report on a story, they’re adding their own narrative and interpretation. I want you to hear Toby’s words directly, without interpretation. The memo speaks to Shopify's adoption of AI in all of their systems and work flows. It's a wake up call to all businesses. -----------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

People are used to walking on firm ground. If you have ever experienced an earthquake, it’s an unsettling feeling. Most people don’t know what to do. You will often see people running in all directions. Some of them are taking action which will improve their own personal safety, and others are actually running into harms way.Global financial and stock markets are experiencing an earthquake of sorts and people seem to be running in all directions. I’ve been saying for a while that we have nothing to worry about. At this point, I’m willing to admit that I may have been wrong about the scope of the tariff impacts. The NASDAQ stock index is down 19%. We will see disruptions and volatility. Will we see the cost of new construction increase? Maybe a little. But it’s too soon to tell. To prevail over this chaos, you need to be thinking clearly at a time when many investors—and policymakers—are an emotional mess. It takes a level head to think clearly.-------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)