The Best Ever CRE Show
Joe Fairless
Welcome to the Best Ever CRE Show, the world’s longest-running daily COMMERCIAL real estate podcast. Founded by Joe Fairless, a co-founder of Ashcroft Capital who went from buying $35,000 homes to controlling more than $2.7 billion in real estate assets, the Best Ever CRE Show provides commercial real estate expert insights, education, and timely information to our community of active and passive investors who want to build wealth, build a legacy, and do more good in the world.
So if you want the real stories behind the good, the bad, and the worst ever deals — plus, insights into what really goes on in commercial real estate investing — you’re in the right place. Our hosts interview commercial real estate experts every day to uncover secrets and strategies YOU can use to become a better, more informed investor. This is the Best Ever CRE show.
So if you want the real stories behind the good, the bad, and the worst ever deals — plus, insights into what really goes on in commercial real estate investing — you’re in the right place. Our hosts interview commercial real estate experts every day to uncover secrets and strategies YOU can use to become a better, more informed investor. This is the Best Ever CRE show.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 3min
JF 4102: Cash Flow vs. Tax Benefits, Capital Raising Lessons and Navigating Today’s Market ft. Bronson Hill
Bronson Hill, founder of Bronson Equity, shares his journey from medical sales to real estate, successfully raising over $50M across various sectors. He emphasizes the importance of aligning investment goals—whether cash flow, tax benefits, or equity growth—with the right deals. Bronson discusses the shift towards greater control in operations following market challenges, the significance of thorough due diligence, and how to vet sponsors effectively. He highlights the emerging trend of modular housing in rebuilding efforts post-disasters, aiming for stability and consistent income for investors.
Nov 26, 2025 • 44min
JF 4101: Cross-Border Capital, Tariff Headwinds and Investing in Western New York ft. Thomas A. Kucharski
Thomas A. Kucharski, the President and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara, shares insights on transforming Western New York into a tech powerhouse. He explains how centralized data and collaboration enhance site readiness for businesses. Kucharski discusses successful case studies, including Odoo's tech expansion and Milk-Bone's reinvestment. He delves into cross-border investments and the impact of tariffs on Canadian firms, advocating for transparency in funding and regional growth. His vision highlights the importance of public-private partnerships for job creation and economic resilience.
Nov 25, 2025 • 44min
JF 4100: Ten Years of Best Ever Con, Industry Shifts, and Lessons from Top Investors ft. Ben Lapidus
Ben Lapidus, coordinator of the Best Ever Conference and a commercial real estate investor, shares how a Skillshare class led to his partnership with Joe Fairless. He discusses the conference's growth from 175 attendees in Denver to a premier networking event focused on capital-raising and syndication. They reveal exciting updates for the 2026 agenda, including dynamic formats like Pitch Slam and keynote speaker insights. Ben emphasizes the value of intentional networking and memorable connections formed at the conference, showcasing its impact on the industry.
Nov 24, 2025 • 58min
JF 4099: Building Systems, Teams and Enterprise Value in CRE ft. Nick Jones
In this engaging conversation, Nick Jones, Founder and CEO of Alakai Capital, shares insights from his journey in commercial real estate. He discusses the transition from land brokerage to development, highlighting why retail was the perfect starting point for his deals. Nick emphasizes the importance of tenant relationships and how they shaped his growth strategy. He also delves into building organizational infrastructure and team culture, sharing innovative approaches to scaling operations and leveraging technology for success.
Nov 23, 2025 • 29min
4098: Cap Rates, Hiring Trends and the Next CRE Cycle with John Chang
John Chang delves into the latest jobs report, revealing how healthcare is buoying the economy while other sectors falter due to tariffs. He discusses the implications of policy unpredictability on hiring decisions and warns of recession risks linked to current economic trends. Chang highlights markets that might thrive during downturns and points out promising entry points for investors amid elevated cap rates. He also touches on the unique challenges and opportunities in real estate, particularly in markets like San Francisco.
Nov 22, 2025 • 49min
JF 4097: Scaling Mistakes, Mentorship Breakthroughs and Smarter Deal Structures ft. James Faillettaz
James Faillettaz, founder of Verus Praedium Holding and a multifamily investing expert, shares his journey from nearly collapsing his real estate business to restructuring it with mentorship support. He discusses the pitfalls of rapid growth, including over-hiring and mismanagement. Discover how he creatively acquired 101 units through a master lease with purchase option strategy, avoiding traditional financing complexities. James emphasizes the value he offers sellers, the importance of building relationships, and the transformative power of strategic thinking in real estate.
Nov 21, 2025 • 54min
JF 4096: Off-Market Strategies That Actually Work ft. Christian Macellari
Christian Macellari, Chief Investment Officer at RSN Property Group, shares insights on sourcing off-market multifamily deals and scaling acquisitions. He discusses their impressive 20% AUM growth and the rigorous process of underwriting 400 deals per year to secure just a few. Christian emphasizes the importance of top-down market conviction and relationships with brokers and lenders. He details how to approach heavy-lift opportunities and the intricacies of JV/co-GP structures, while candidly expressing his love-hate relationship with the Chicago market.
Nov 20, 2025 • 16min
JF 4095: The 3 Types of Income Every LP Must Understand
Pascal Wagner dives into the IRS's three income categorizations: active, portfolio, and passive. He highlights common pitfalls, such as the misconception that real estate depreciation offsets stock market gains. A key takeaway is the rule that losses must match income types. He also discusses exceptions for high earners, like oil and gas and opportunity zones. By shifting income to passive categories, investors can enhance tax efficiency. Ultimately, Pascal encourages aligning investments with tax strategies rather than simply seeking high returns.
Nov 19, 2025 • 50min
JF 4094: From Truck Sleeping to Nine-Figure Net Worth ft. Jeremy Barker
Jeremy Barker, founder and CEO of Murphy Door Inc., transformed from a firefighter to a nine-figure commercial real estate investor. He shares his journey through bankruptcies and living in a truck, which reshaped his understanding of money and risk. Jeremy discusses value-adding strategies for nearly vacant industrial properties and ventures into short-term rentals. He emphasizes the hidden costs of wealth on family dynamics and offers insights on parenting amidst affluence, along with his plans to establish Barker Capital Group.
Nov 18, 2025 • 26min
JF 4093: Ads, Email and AI Voice That Actually Converts ft. Jeffrey Brogger
Jeffrey Brogger, an AI strategist and founder of JJB Industries, shares his expertise in AI-powered marketing automation. He reveals innovative ways to reactivate 'dead' leads through AI voice agents that facilitate natural conversations and identify buying signals. Brogger discusses the importance of tailored tech stacks, using tools like VAPI and Twilio for cost-effective solutions. He also outlines a comprehensive omnichannel strategy to engage dormant contacts, blending ads, email, and AI automation to boost conversions.
