Commercial Real Estate Secrets

Latest Episodes:

A Smarter Way to Generate CRE Leads (No Cold Calling Required) Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

If you’re tired of cold calling, chasing leads, or feeling like your credibility is always on trial—this one’s for you.
I sat down with author and CRE strategist Ed Winslow to talk about how he built an inbound lead machine using proof, positioning, and online authority. The same approach that got him featured on the front page of the New York Times—twice.
This isn’t theory. It’s a playbook for brokers who want everyone to trust them before they even say a word.
Who this episode is for:

Brokers tired of feeling invisible online
New agents looking to stand out fast
Top producers who want to scale without burnout
Anyone still relying on CoStar and cold calls alone

We talk about:

How Ed landed on the front page of the New York Times (twice)
The “proof stacking” formula that converts browsers into buyers
Why market reports > mass mailers
The exact SEO strategy that beats LoopNet in local search
How to create one-page case studies that generate inbound leads
Why niching down is the ultimate advantage
The secret to building a brand without paid ads

This episode will change the way you think about branding, lead gen, and reputation—online and offline.
🎧 Hit play and start proof stacking your way to more deals.
📚 Grab Ed’s book: Proof Stacking – Available on Amazon
🌐 Learn more: onepagecasestudies.com
💬 Connect with Ed on LinkedIn

To see how social media and content marketing actually work in commercial real estate, learn how Aviva Sonenreich built one of the strongest digital platforms in the industry:

https://warehousehotline.com/commercial-real-estate-brokers-denver/aviva-sonenreich/

Retail 2025: What’s Winning, What’s Dead, and What’s Next Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Brittany Megrath, owner and principal broker at M Square Commercial, to dig into the evolving world of retail real estate and ground-up development. From fast-food drive-thrus to the explosion of Las Vegas, Brittany shares what’s working in retail, why land pricing is more critical than ever, and how developers are adapting to a high-cost, high-uncertainty market.
Key Topics Covered:

Why retail—especially service-based pad sites—is thriving
The impact of inflation, tariffs, and interest rates on development
Why land pricing is the most negotiable (and risky) part of a deal
The rise of Las Vegas from mom-and-pop town to institutional hotspot
Lease escalation trends post-COVID and how CPI clauses are changing the game
The real hustle behind being a successful CRE broker

Connect with Brittany: Website | Linkedin

Looking for the right team to represent you in Denver commercial real estate?

👉 Start here: https://warehousehotline.com/

We help investors, owners, and tenants structure better deals—and close them.

Why You’re Overpaying on Property Taxes (And What to Do About It) Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

This week, I sat down with Matt Buchalski—head of sales at OwnWell and founder of Deep Blue Capital—to talk about something that’s crushing a lot of investors right now: property taxes.
Let’s be real—pricing peaked in 2022, but the tax assessments haven’t caught up. If you’re not actively appealing, you’re probably getting fleeced. Matt and I go deep on how he and the OwnWell team are using AI, machine learning, and real-time financials to fight back—and win.
💥 In this episode, we cover:

Why property taxes don’t go down just because values do
How AI and data science are changing the tax appeal game
Why triple net landlords should still care (yes, even if the tenant pays)
How fraud, renewals, and oversupply are shaking up multifamily

If you’re a commercial real estate owner, broker, investor—or just trying to make your numbers work in this market—you’ll want to hear this one.
Connect with Matt: Linkedin | Website

Before you make a move, know what your property is really worth in today’s market.

👉 Get a commercial real estate valuation in Denver, Colorado:

https://warehousehotline.com/commercial-property-evaluation/

Make decisions with real data—not assumptions.

45 Days to Get It Right: The Truth About 1031s Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Want to sell a property and keep more of your profits instead of writing a massive check to the IRS?

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Chassidy Goolsby, a 1031 exchange expert who breaks down—plain and simple—how a 1031 exchange works, how investors can defer capital gains taxes, and why most people don’t learn the real rules until they’re already under the gun.

Key Topics Discussed:

What a 1031 exchange is (explained like you’re in 5th grade)
How a 1031 can defer 35%–40% in taxes when selling real estate
The difference between forward, simultaneous, reverse, and improvement exchanges'How construction/improvement 1031 exchanges work (and what has to happen by day 180)
The 45-day identification rule and why it’s where people blow up exchanges
The 3-property rule, 200% rule, and the IRS 95% rule (the “don’t mess this up” version)
Portfolio question: when a two-property package can count as “one” identification
Market insight: what’s happening with exchanges after the interest rate shift and pricing reset
How IRS disaster extensions work (and why geography matters)

See how this plays out in a real transaction. We recently helped a buyer successfully identify and close on a 1031 replacement property in Colorado here: https://warehousehotline.com/loveland-medical-office-investment-sold-egan/

About the Guest:

Chassidy Goolsby is a 1031 exchange expert known online as @the1031gal. She focuses on helping real estate investors understand exchange rules, timelines, and creative strategies—without the confusing jargon. Chassidy shares education-first content across social platforms and helps investors structure exchanges to preserve capital and keep deals moving.

About the Host:

Aviva Sonenreich is the host of Commercial Real Estate Secrets and Managing Broker of Warehouse Hotline, a Denver-based commercial real estate brokerage specializing in industrial properties across Colorado. She’s known for translating complex commercial real estate and deal strategy into practical, real-world insight for investors, brokers, and business owners.

Save the episode to understand how 1031 exchanges actually work—and share it with any property owner who might need this before they sell.

See how this plays out in a real transaction. We recently helped a buyer successfully identify and close on a 1031 replacement property in Colorado here: ⁠https://warehousehotline.com/1031-exchange-warehouse-tax-savings-strategy/⁠

Want to Grow Your CRE Business? Focus on This One Thing May 28, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with my friend, fellow mom, and one of the sharpest brokers I know—Amy Calandrino. She’s the founder of Beyond Commercial and just released her first book, From Perfect to Real.
Amy and I talk about the pressure to always have it together in commercial real estate—and how admitting you're not okay can actually be your greatest turning point.
In this episode, we get into:

How a podcast, a keynote, and a breakdown led Amy to write her book
The SPORTS Success System she created to reset her mindset and stay consistent
What actually works on social media (and what brokers get totally wrong)
Why boutique brokerages give clients what big firms can’t
Her secret to landing off-market deals using snail mail
And what authenticity actually looks like in a commercial real estate career

This conversation reminded me why we do what we do—and how showing up as yourself is still the best strategy in business.
📖 Grab From Perfect to Real on Amazon
👋 Connect with Amy: amycalandrino.com | beyondcommercial.com

Looking for the right team to represent you in Denver commercial real estate?

👉 Start here: https://warehousehotline.com/

We help investors, owners, and tenants structure better deals—and close them.

Everything You NEED to Know to Make 7 Figures in Commercial Real Estate May 21, 2025

Show notes

This week, I sat down with Rod Santomassimo, founder of the Massimo Group and one of the most influential voices in commercial real estate coaching. Rod has helped some of the biggest names in the business—including Bob Knakal—scale their income and sharpen their focus. I’m proud to say I’ve been working with Rod for over a year now, and his impact on my mindset and business has been game-changing.
In this episode, we talk about:

How Rod went from serial entrepreneur to launching the most respected CRE coaching firm in the country
The real story behind Bob Knakal’s jump from $6M to $18M
Why Rod and Bob teamed up to write Selling Buildings—and who it’s for
The biggest money-making mistakes brokers are making in 2025
Whether cold calling is dead (spoiler: probably)
How to escape the transaction treadmill and build a real brand
The mindset shift that separates seven-figure brokers from everyone else
Rod’s CRE secret: why total conviction is the true unlock for income growth

📚 Want the book?
Selling Buildings hits Amazon May 20th. Whether you're a broker or investor, it’s packed with deal stories, tactical insights, and a front-row seat into the mind of one of CRE’s greatest.
🔗 Learn more about Rod’s work:
Check out www.massimo-group.com. If you’re serious about growth, this is where it starts.

Looking for the right team to represent you in Denver commercial real estate?

👉 Start here: https://warehousehotline.com/

We help investors, owners, and tenants structure better deals—and close them.

How ChatGPT Is Changing the Way We Do Real Estate Forever May 14, 2025

Show notes

This week, I sit down with Topher Stephenson, Head of Operations at Aspire Commercial and author of Chat CRE News—the leading newsletter on AI and tech in commercial real estate. In this episode, Topher breaks down how ChatGPT is becoming a secret weapon for brokers, operators, and owners looking to save time and scale smarter.
What we cover:

How Topher uses ChatGPT to create bios, draft property descriptions, and even write drone video scripts
The difference between experimenting with AI and operationalizing it with custom GPTs
Why ChatGPT is ideal for CRE tasks like summarizing leases, analyzing zoning codes, and generating SEO-optimized content
What brokers need to know about integrating AI into their daily workflow
A behind-the-scenes look at how Aspire Commercial uses automation and ChatGPT to increase efficiency
Real talk: Can ChatGPT replace cold calls—or should it stay behind the scenes?

💡 If you're still wondering where to start with ChatGPT or how to move beyond basic prompts, this episode is your playbook.
Listen now to learn how ChatGPT is becoming a CRE pro’s most valuable tool.
Follow Topher: LinkedIn | Newsletter | Instagram

To see how these strategies play out in real life, learn more about Aviva Sonenreich and how she builds her platform here: https://warehousehotline.com/commercial-real-estate-brokers-denver/aviva-sonenreich/

Creating Content That Actually Converts in CRE May 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Justin Ryder, a commercial real estate advisor, investor, and media creator based in Kentucky. Justin is the co-host of Sales Life, a new podcast redefining what it means to thrive in brokerage—with a focus on authenticity, consistency, and human connection.
We talk about:

How content creation brought him repeat deals and long-term clients
Why consistency beats intensity in commercial real estate
The ROI of media: From social proof to building a pipeline
Investing as a broker: LP deals, trust in operators, and lessons learned
His obsession with video, storytelling, and pushing CRE marketing forward

If you're in the trenches of CRE brokerage and wondering how to stand out, stay sane, and scale your business—this episode is for you.
📲 Follow Justin Ryder: LinkedIn | Podcast | X | Youtube

From Broke to $12K/Month in Passive Income—Here’s How He Did It Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Brent Bowers, land investor and founder of The Landsharks. After deployments and landlord headaches, Brent found a high-margin niche no one was talking about—flipping raw land for massive profits, building passive income, and ultimately, buying commercial properties with cash flow from dirt. 🏞️
We talk about:

How Brent turned $285 land deals into multi-million dollar flips
Why seller-financed land is better than rental property headaches
The step-by-step playbook for buying and reselling vacant land
Turning 38 acres into 80 buildable lots (and a $2M payday)
How teaching others actually grew his land business

If you’re looking for cash flow without tenants—or just want to hear how raw land can fund industrial buildings—this episode is for you!
Connect with Brent: Website | Linkedin

👉 Looking to invest in commercial real estate in Denver?

https://warehousehotline.com/buy-commercial-property-denver/

We help investors source opportunities, underwrite deals, and negotiate strong terms.

Everything You NEED to Know About Retail Leasing in NYC Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Cory Zelnik, CEO and founder of Zelnik & Company. After building his career from walking Manhattan streets for $250 a week to negotiating multimillion-dollar leases, Cory is now one of NYC's leading retail leasing experts.
We talk about:

Why retail isn’t dead (and how luxury brands are thriving in NYC)
How to build lifelong client relationships (featuring CVS, Duane Reade, and Panda Express)
The secret to patience in dealmaking (including an 8-year pursuit of Panda Express)
Navigating NYC’s ups and downs in commercial real estate
New emerging retail trends like pickleball in midtown Manhattan

If you're in commercial real estate, brokerage, or looking to understand the heartbeat of retail, this episode has the real insights you need.
Connect with Cory: Website | Linkedin | Instagram

👉 Lease your warehouse space in Denver faster:

https://warehousehotline.com/renting-warehouse-space/

Get real exposure, better tenants, and stronger lease terms.