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
Oct 8, 2025 • 55min
JF 4052: Creative Deals, Investor Trust and Land Strategy ft. Clay Hepler
In this engaging discussion, Clay Hepler, a land investor and founder of Hepler Holdings, shares his unconventional journey from aspiring ambassador to thriving in land deals. He explains why land investing is less competitive, revealing his unique marketing strategies to reach diverse demographics. Clay dives into the importance of due diligence and transparency in investor relationships, alongside lessons learned from a challenging deal in Tennessee. His insights on scaling a remote land-flipping business and future opportunities are both informative and inspiring.
Oct 7, 2025 • 40min
JF 4051: Intentionality, Health and Legacy Building ft. John Edwin
John Edwin, a real estate investor and co-host of the Capital Hacking Podcast, shares his inspiring journey from selling Cutco knives to achieving financial freedom through real estate. He discusses the pivotal shift from personal training to passive income during the COVID lockdown. John's experiences reveal the power of intentionality, health, and building a legacy. He emphasizes learning from wealthy clients and leading the GoBundance community, underscoring the importance of surrounding yourself with high achievers for success.
Oct 6, 2025 • 60min
JF 4050: Overcoming Setbacks, Building Strength and Staying Positive ft. Jeffrey Holst
Jeffrey Holst, a resilient real estate investor and author of "No Bad Days," shares his inspiring journey of overcoming leukemia and melanoma. He introduces his philosophy of reframing setbacks into opportunities and discusses the neuroscience of positivity. Holst offers practical coping strategies for decision-making during challenges and emphasizes the power of identity in shaping one's mindset. He also highlights the importance of taking decisive action and turning adversities into valuable life lessons, advocating for a proactive approach to creating extraordinary outcomes.
Oct 5, 2025 • 38min
JF 4049: Construction Costs, Sector Shifts and Stagflation Odds ft. John Chang
Join John Chang, a seasoned expert in commercial real estate research and advisory, as he dives into the impact of tariffs, immigration, and potential government shutdowns on the sector. He argues that tariffs are leading to persistent inflation rather than short-term spikes and discusses how immigration cuts are tightening the labor supply, driving up wages. With insights on the ripple effects across various industries, Chang highlights opportunities for investors to navigate uncertainty and capitalize on localized demand, especially in an evolving economy.
Oct 4, 2025 • 51min
JF 4048: Capital Calls, Distressed Assets and LP Decision-Making ft. Jack Mullen
Jack Mullen, Founder and Managing Director of Summer Street Advisors, shares his wealth of knowledge from banking and real estate. He dives deep into the nuanced world of capital calls and distressed assets, advising how LPs should assess reinvestment decisions. Jack emphasizes the emotional side of investing and the importance of professionalism in deal structures. He offers strategies for operators looking to scale towards institutional capital while breaking down the challenges posed by CRE CLO collapses and distressed asset acquisition. A must-listen for serious investors!
Oct 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
JF 4047: Mobile Home Parks, Self-Storage Skepticism and Hotel Investing ft. Amanda Cruise
Amanda Cruise, a savvy operator and investor in manufactured housing and mobile home parks, shares her journey from Capital One to real estate. She dives into the intricacies of Lonnie deals and offers practical insights on financing and marketing. The discussion also critiques self-storage's long-term viability, warns against common investor pitfalls, and compares mobile home parks to multifamily housing. Plus, Amanda highlights the unique challenges of boutique hotels, sharing expert perspectives on scalability and future opportunities in manufactured housing.
Oct 2, 2025 • 55min
JF 4046: Private Credit Alpha, Cannabis Lending and Regulatory Moats ft. Peter Sack
Peter Sack, Managing Partner at Chicago Atlantic, shares insights into the world of private credit, particularly in underserved niches like cannabis lending. He highlights how limited competition allows for better terms and impressive returns of 16-20%. Peter debunks myths about cannabis investing and explains why regulatory moats are crucial. He discusses the implications of potential legalization, the advantages of strong loan documentation, and the differences between public and private fund structures. This conversation is packed with valuable strategies for investors.
Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 8min
JF 4045: Boring Business Myths, Burnout Lessons and Passive Wealth ft. Ian Noble
Ian Noble, founder of RunSteady Investments and a former small-business owner, discusses the realities behind seemingly boring businesses. After facing burnout and a significant revenue drop during COVID, Ian pivoted to real estate, emphasizing low-risk private lending and mobile home parks. He shares insights on crucial due diligence, red flags to avoid, and the importance of trustworthy operators. Ian also highlights his commitment to passing beneficial terms to investors while ensuring thorough vetting processes and building strong partnerships.
Sep 30, 2025 • 29min
JF 4044: Authenticity Over Clickbait, Generational Funds Myths and Infinite Banking Exposed with Ash Patel
In this engaging discussion, Ash Patel, a real estate investor known for his candid views on capital raising, critiques the prevalence of clickbait in social media. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in building trust and attracting investors. Patel also debunks the myths surrounding generational funds and infinite banking, revealing their often hidden pitfalls. Additionally, he shares how genuine connections on LinkedIn helped him raise $3M quickly, advocating for a focus on net worth over superficial metrics in investment.
Sep 29, 2025 • 1h
JF 4043: Storytelling in Deals, Overcoming Objections and Capital Raising Tactics ft. Craig Eppler
Craig Eppler, founder of Eppler Capital, explores the art of storytelling in capital raising. He reveals how relatable narratives engage investors far better than mere statistics. Craig shares his unique method of crafting memorable deal stories and maintaining a story library tailored to potential investors. They delve into strategies like ethical scarcity in debt funds and using relationship-driven fundraising events to build strong investor connections. With practical tips and engaging anecdotes, Craig offers a fresh perspective on attracting and retaining private capital.
