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
Jan 5, 2026 • 55min
JF 4141: The Creative Treadmill and What Winning Ads Really Need ft. Matt Drouin
Guest Matt Drouin, a partner at OakGrove Companies and founder of Go Bigger Sooner, shares his journey from real estate to mastering paid ads for high-ticket offers. He emphasizes the importance of having a strong offer and the right channel for your audience. Drouin discusses the critical role of CRM and speedy follow-ups in boosting ad conversions. He also highlights the significance of using video creatives and frequent testing to combat ad fatigue. His key advice? Stop DIY-ing it and hire experienced professionals to navigate the complexities of paid advertising.
Jan 4, 2026 • 35min
JF 4140: How Jobs and Institutions Will Shape CRE in 2026 with John Chang
John Chang, a seasoned commercial real estate researcher at Marcus & Millichap, shares his insights on the forces shaping the market in 2026. He predicts a slowdown in job growth impacting property absorption and vacancy rates. Chang discusses how policy uncertainties and AI influence hiring, while also analyzing interest rate expectations and inflation risks. He reveals that institutional capital is returning, targeting multifamily and industrial markets, and suggests private investors may find better opportunities in less competitive regions.
Jan 3, 2026 • 46min
JF 4139: 1031 Exchanges Explained, Rules, Risks and Real-World Strategies ft. Dave Foster
Dave Foster, the founder of The 1031 Investor and a real estate tax strategist, dives into the intricacies of 1031 exchanges. He explains how timing and preparation are crucial for success and debunks myths about the 45-day identification window. Dave shares red flags to watch out for when choosing a qualified intermediary and discusses the limitations of using 1031s in syndications. He also provides practical strategies for investors transitioning to passive ownership, emphasizing common pitfalls to avoid.
Jan 2, 2026 • 28min
JF 4038: How to Build a 2026 Success Roadmap ft. Joe Fairless
Joe Fairless, a commercial real estate investor and co-founder of Ashcroft Capital, dives into goal-setting strategies for 2026. He shares insights from over 13 years of using vision boards, evolving from imagery to clear, actionable goals. Joe emphasizes the value of accountability by involving family and friends, and highlights the importance of tracking progress visibly. The duo discusses the need for simplicity in goals and stresses that the journey and learning from unmet goals can be as rewarding as achievements. Get ready to transform your goal-setting approach!
Jan 1, 2026 • 1h 16min
Best of 2025 Replay: Main Street Capitalism, Industrial CRE, and the End of Fake Equity ft. Russell Gray
In this enlightening discussion, Russell Gray, a seasoned LP investor and co-host of the Real Estate Guys Radio Show, explores crucial themes in today's economic landscape. He shares a compelling tale of his 2008 crash experience and highlights the shift towards Main Street capitalism. Gray critiques financialized markets and emphasizes valuing investments based on real income. He also reveals strategies for LPs, advocating for tangible, income-producing assets while stressing the importance of demographic and geographic factors in deal evaluation.
Dec 31, 2025 • 48min
Best of 2025 Replay: Inside Cardone Capital: Portfolio Growth, Investment Strategy, & Bitcoin Integration ft. Ryan Tseko
Ryan Tseko, Executive VP at Cardone Capital, shares his journey from airline pilot to multifamily investment leader. He discusses managing a massive 15,000-unit portfolio and reveals strategies like bundling Bitcoin with investments to attract retail investors. Tseko emphasizes cash offers in today's market to avoid negative leverage and highlights unique ways to acquire properties below replacement cost. He stresses simplicity in fee structures and transparency in investor relations, while offering valuable advice for aspiring real estate professionals.
Dec 30, 2025 • 31min
Best of 2025 Replay: Creative Deal Structuring Insights, Seller Financing Strategy, & Leveraging Low-Rate Mortgages for Portfolio Growth ft. Casey Mericle
Casey Mericle, a creative commercial real estate investor and deal-structuring expert, reveals his innovative financing strategies. He emphasizes the power of seller financing, demonstrating how to acquire properties at premium prices by offering attractive loan terms. Casey shares insights on leveraging low-rate mortgages across multiple properties and highlights the importance of aligning the needs of all parties involved in a deal. With tactical advice on sourcing deals and structured options, he provides a roadmap for thriving in a competitive market.
Dec 29, 2025 • 1h 9min
Best of 2025 Replay: Housing Starts, Rising Wages & AI: Three Major Market Forces That Will Shape Multifamily in 2025 ft. J Scott
J Scott, Partner at Bar Down Investments and host of the Drunk Real Estate Podcast, shares his wealth of knowledge on the multifamily housing market. He dives into the current housing start crisis, driven by high costs and slim margins. Scott discusses the impact of rising wages on rent and the importance of tenant affordability. He also explores innovative construction methods like modular housing. Plus, he predicts how AI will reshape operations and potentially lower costs in the industry.
Dec 28, 2025 • 29min
Best of 2025 Replay: Authenticity Over Clickbait, Generational Funds Myths and Infinite Banking Exposed with Ash Patel
Ash Patel challenges the rise of clickbait in real estate, advocating for authenticity on social media. He exposes the pitfalls of 'generational funds' and highlights that infinite banking is just a fancy guise for costly life insurance. By prioritizing net worth over mere property count, he shares how authentic connections helped raise $3M swiftly on LinkedIn. With a focus on ethical capital raising, Patel emphasizes the importance of transparency and diligence in investment, proving that honesty and genuine relationships truly pay off.
Dec 27, 2025 • 1h
Best of 2025 Replay: AI in Capital Raising ft. Dr. Adam Gower, Tim Mai, and Irwin Boris
Dr. Adam Gower, a crowdfunding expert, Tim Mai, a fund manager leveraging AI, and Irwin Boris, a capital investment director, discuss the game-changing role of AI in capital raising. They delve into custom GPTs for outreach, automated marketing on LinkedIn, and advanced tools for content creation. Adam emphasizes building authentic investor relationships, while Tim highlights the impact of voice cloning and AI-generated videos. Irwin shares insights on using automation for lead generation, ensuring an efficient approach to modern investor engagement.
