

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

18 snips
Mar 25, 2025 • 32min
JF 3855: Rents, Risks, and Real Estate Resilience: John Chang Explains Market Shifts Since 2020
Discover the importance of keeping a long-term perspective in real estate investing amid market uncertainties. John Chang analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various commercial real estate sectors, highlighting which have thrived and which have struggled. He discusses investment strategies in mobile home parks, a recession-resilient asset class. Also, learn about navigating challenges with capital gains taxes and the evolving industrial real estate landscape, emphasizing the necessity of adapting to demographic trends.

Mar 24, 2025 • 34min
JF: 3854: Rent-Controlled Beginnings, Strategic Partnerships, and Syndication Success ft. David Saxe
David Saxe, co-founder of Calvera Partners, shares his journey from institutional fund management to real estate syndication. He dives into the challenges of transitioning to independent investing and highlights how small rent-controlled assets paved the way for larger projects in the Sunbelt. Saxe discusses the importance of strategic partnerships and innovative marketing in a competitive landscape. He also explores tax strategies to maximize wealth, focusing on minimizing capital gains tax while nurturing investor relations for future success.

10 snips
Mar 23, 2025 • 34min
JF 3853: Real Estate Ethics, Value-Add Strategy, and Smart Capital Raising ft. Bo Diamond
Bo Diamond, Managing Partner at Caisson Capital Partners, dives into his transition from Wall Street finance to real estate, focusing on attainable multifamily housing. He discusses his first 96-unit deal and shares insights on strategic partnerships and ethical investing. The conversation highlights market cycles, underwriting philosophy, and innovative tax strategies that can benefit investors. Bo emphasizes the importance of maintaining investor trust and ethical pricing in today's challenging market, providing valuable lessons for aspiring real estate professionals.

17 snips
Mar 22, 2025 • 25min
JF 3852: Midwest Multifamily, Cash Flow First, In-House Management ft. Matt Brawner
Matt Brawner, Principal at Endurus Capital, shares his insights from the Midwest multifamily real estate sector. He explains his strategy of prioritizing cash flow and stability over chasing high-growth markets. Brawner discusses transitioning to in-house property management to gain better control and improve operations. He reflects on how his investment philosophy has evolved towards long-term ownership and building strong teams, all while navigating fluctuating market conditions and rising interest rates.

Mar 21, 2025 • 56min
JF 3851: Multifamily Investing, International Expansion, and Market Cycles ft. Jonah Bamberger
On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Jonah Bamberger of Aulder Capital, diving into his journey from growing up in Maryland, serving in the Israeli military, and transitioning into real estate investing. Jonah shares how he started with rent-stabilized multifamily in Brooklyn, expanded to suburban areas along the East Coast, and recently ventured into development in Portugal. The conversation covers the importance of networking, regulatory challenges in different markets, and the shift in real estate opportunities amid changing economic conditions. Jonah also discusses how Aulder Capital is focusing on value-add multifamily deals in the U.S. while leveraging unique opportunities in international markets.Jonah Bamberger
CEO
Based in NYC, Maryland, Myrtle Beach, Portugal
Sponsors:Vintage CapitalCapital Gains Tax Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 20, 2025 • 1h 9min
JF 3850: Cash Flow vs. Equity, Lessons from Losing $50K, and Mastering Passive Income ft. Emma Powell
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Pascal Wagner interviews Emma Powell, a real estate investor, homeschool mom of six, and chief investing officer at High Rise Group. Emma shares her strategic journey from being a passive LP investor to an active GP and now back to passive investing, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing cash flow over equity appreciation for early retirement. She discusses the pitfalls passive investors often fall into, why fixed-rate debt and risk management matter, and how her experience losing money on a deal reshaped her approach to due diligence. Emma also provides valuable insights on diversification, tax strategies, and why debt investing can be a powerful tool for consistent income. Whether you're new to passive investing or considering transitioning to active real estate, Emma’s lessons are invaluable.Emma Powell
Chief investing and marketing officer
Salt Lake City, Utah
Say hi to them at:
www.highrise.group
investwithemma.com
www.linkedin.com/in/emmapowell28
https://youtube.com/@passiveincomeadventures
Sponsors:Vintage CapitalCapital Gains Tax Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 19, 2025 • 41min
JF3849: Water Rights, Industrial Development, and Navigating Entitlements in Today’s Market ft. Sean T Flanagan
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Sean T Flanagan of Flanagan Real Estate LLC & Hydrosource Inc, from Denver, Colorado. Sean shares insights into industrial real estate development, speculative investments, and the complexities of water rights in the Western U.S. He dives into his current industrial project—a 40,000-square-foot speculative warehouse in a prime Denver location—discussing entitlement challenges, leasing strategies, and the importance of institutional-grade features. Sean also reveals lessons learned in capital raising and how oversharing can sometimes kill deals.Sean T Flanagan
CRE Developer and Water Broker
Based in Denver, CO
Say hi to them at:
Linked
www.hydrosource.net
Sponsors:Vintage CapitalCapital Gains Tax Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 18, 2025 • 32min
JF3848: Tariff Impact Analysis, Institutional Capital Return, & Market Cycle Positioning in Commercial Real Estate
On this episode of The Horizon, John Chang of Marcus & Millichap and Ben Lapidus discuss how recent economic shifts are creating unique investment opportunities in commercial real estate. They analyze how stock market volatility and new tariff policies are alienating international investors while prompting wealthy Americans to seek alternative investment vehicles. John shares insights from institutional players who are beginning to deploy capital into multifamily properties despite negative leverage, betting on future rent growth rather than immediate interest rate cuts. The conversation highlights why periods of elevated cap rates have historically proven to be excellent entry points for investors, and why commercial real estate remains attractive in uncertain times. Ben also discusses his innovative garage condo development project that's already 60% pre-sold, demonstrating how targeting affluent consumers with specialized real estate products can yield substantial returns even in challenging economic climates.Sponsors:Vintage CapitalCapital Gains Tax Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 17, 2025 • 27min
JF3847: Fund Structure Flexibility, Multifamily Acquisition Strategy, & Strategic Market Selection ft. Percy Nikora
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Percy Nikora, co-founder of Penn Capital, which manages approximately $230 million in multifamily assets. Percy shares insights on their hybrid capital-raising approach, offering both fund and individual deal investment options to accommodate different investor preferences. He explains how they've executed 12 syndications and recently launched a $50 million fund that has already acquired three properties with about $20 million in equity. Percy discusses their market selection criteria, focusing on areas with strong job and population growth like Huntsville, Alabama and strategic locations in North Carolina. He candidly addresses challenges they've faced, including unexpected property tax increases and floating rate debt in a challenging market, while also sharing their impressive track record of 23.5% average IRR to LPs across their five property exits. Throughout the conversation, Percy offers valuable insights on working with institutional investors, including structuring partnerships with major check-writers and maintaining the detailed reporting relationships these investors expect.Percy Nikora | Real Estate Background
Managing Partner at Penn Capital
Based in: Philadelphia, PA
Say hi to them at:
www.penncapitalgroup.com
Sponsors:Vintage CapitalCapital Gains Tax Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 16, 2025 • 26min
JF3846: Land Data Intelligence Platform, Multi-Variable Parcel Analysis, & Strategic Acquisition Filters ft. Carter Malloy
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Cornwell interviews Carter Malloy, CEO of Acres.com, a comprehensive land intelligence platform that helps investors find, analyze, and purchase land more efficiently. Carter explains how their platform consolidates multiple data sources to provide instant information on any parcel in the United States, including ownership details, comparable sales, mortgage data, topography, flood zones, and more. He discusses how investors can use the platform to quickly filter through thousands of parcels based on specific criteria like zoning, infrastructure access, and minimum size requirements, then conduct deeper analysis on the most promising options. Carter shares insights on land valuation discrepancies, emphasizing how adjacent parcels can vary by 20-50% in price due to factors like topography and access, creating significant opportunities for informed buyers. Throughout the conversation, he highlights the importance of thorough due diligence when purchasing land, warning about hidden issues like seasonal flooding, environmental concerns from previous uses, and the critical role of understanding both macro market trends and micro parcel-specific details before making investment decisions.Sponsors:Vintage CapitalCapital Gains Tax Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


