The Best Ever CRE Show

Latest Episodes:

JF 3940: Accountability, Deal Droughts, and Spouse Dynamics with Amanda and Ash Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Beyond Multifamily, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview each other in a candid, off-the-cuff solo episode. They reflect on insights from their recent mastermind retreat in Nashville, emphasizing the value of real, in-person networking and the importance of accountability in both personal and professional growth. Amanda shares how she and her husband manage work-life balance while running a business together, and Ash opens up about his structured accountability partnership with Joe Fairless. The conversation also dives into current deal flow challenges, including Ash’s due diligence on a vacant office building and Amanda’s strategies around mobile home parks and industrial warehouses amid economic uncertainty.

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JF 3939: Operational Excellence, Blue Ocean Strategy, and Vertical Integration ft. Nick Stageberg Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Nick Stageberg, owner of Black Swan Real Estate. Nick shares how 2024 marked their best acquisition year ever, with 2025 already on pace to surpass it, thanks to a focus on fixed-rate debt and operational excellence. He dives deep into their vertically integrated model, drawing on lessons from software development and Japanese lean manufacturing to run a highly efficient, team-based property management system. Nick also shares a tough lesson from a permitting nightmare in Tacoma and a recent big win on a 112-unit deal in Minnesota secured through creative financing and mission-aligned operations.

Nick Stageberg

Current role: Owner of Black Swan Real Estate

Say hi to them at:
- blackswanteam.com – book 15 min with Nick
- securefreedomfund.com – learn about their preferred equity fund

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.

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The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.

Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.

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JF 3938: Real Estate Capital, Fiduciary Duty, and the Power of Partnerships - Introducing Chris Lopez and Richard McGirr Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Matt Faircloth is introducing another new segment! Matt introduces Chris Lopez and Richard McGirr, the new co-hosts of Unlimited Capital. Together, they dive deep into the fund-to-funds model, discussing how Chris and Richard built Property Llama to raise and deploy over $60 million in capital across institutional-grade real estate deals. They share how their entrepreneurial roots, complementary skills in software and marketing, and a deep fiduciary mindset helped them scale from local Denver investors to nationally respected capital aggregators. The conversation unpacks key distinctions between co-GP and fund-to-fund structures, the importance of value-driven networking, and how anyone can begin building their own capital raising flywheel—even with just a few million dollars hiding in their phone contacts.

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.

Terms and conditions apply.

Join the Best Ever Community

The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.

Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.

Apply now at ⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠

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JF 3937: Interest Rates on Pause, CRE on the Move, and Immigration’s Economic Role Jun 15, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of The Horizon, John Chang discusses the delayed impact of new tariffs on inflation and how businesses stockpiling inventory may temporarily mask those effects. He outlines the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on interest rates, noting likely rate stability through Q3, with potential movement in Q4 depending on economic indicators. John also explores how immigration policy and labor shortages—especially in construction and healthcare—pose challenges for commercial real estate. Finally, he unpacks how the proposed tax bill, including accelerated depreciation and expanded deductions, could benefit CRE investors, particularly those pursuing value-add strategies, and why he believes real estate may outperform other assets under a second Trump administration.

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.

Terms and conditions apply.

Join the Best Ever Community

The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.

Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.

Apply now at ⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠

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JF 3936: Crafting a 10-Year Vision, Nurturing Partnerships, and Raising Capital with John Makarewicz Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Multifamily Mastery, John Casmon interviews John Makarewicz, a managing partner at Faris Capital Partners. John shares how he transitioned from a 15-year residential real estate career to multifamily investing after a successful exit from his previous brokerage. He breaks down how his entrepreneurial skill set and passion for improving client and resident experiences laid the foundation for Faris Capital’s early success. They discuss the importance of visionary planning, building the right team from the start, and maintaining strong broker and investor relationships to fuel long-term growth. John emphasizes the power of partnerships, clarity of roles, and the discipline of tracking lead measures to stay on target.

John Makarewicz

Current Role: Managing Partner at Faris Capital Partners

Say hi to them at: fariscapitalpartners.com

Linkedin

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Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.

Terms and conditions apply.

Join the Best Ever Community

The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.

Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.

Apply now at ⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠

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JF 3935: Bridge Debt, On-Site Turnarounds, and Scaling in Texas ft. Jonathan Nichols Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Jonathan Nichols of Apogee Capital. Jonathan shares how he and his wife scaled from single-family homes to multifamily syndications across Texas and Oklahoma by leveraging broker relationships and applying analytical rigor learned from his engineering background. He recounts the transformation of a distressed 170-unit property in Lubbock—from 68% to 93% occupancy in just a few months—by temporarily relocating on-site and aggressively implementing a value-add strategy. Jonathan and Matt also dig into property management challenges, when to vertically integrate, and the importance of broker trust and clear communication in winning off-market or "first-look" deals.

Jonathan Nichols

Current Role: Managing Partner, Apogee Capital
Based in: Dallas–Fort Worth, TX
Say hi to them at: https://apogeemfc.com

Get 60% off the Magic Mind offer with our link and code

https://magicmind.com/bestevermf & BESTEVER60

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.

Terms and conditions apply.

Join the Best Ever Community

The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.

Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.

Apply now at ⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠

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JF 3934: Real Estate, Startups, and Tax Strategy—Unlocking Opportunity Zones ft. Jimmy Atkinson Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of the Passive Income Playbook, Pascal Wagner interviews Jimmy Atkinson, founder of OpportunityZones.com and host of the Opportunity Zones Podcast. Jimmy breaks down how Opportunity Zones work—from their 2017 creation in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to the powerful tax incentives they offer investors. He shares how these zones have catalyzed billions in investment across the country, not just in multifamily but also in startups, industrial real estate, and community-focused developments. They also explore the future of the program, including what Opportunity Zones 2.0 might look like, and Jimmy offers tips for LPs considering OZ investments for the first time.

Jimmy Atkinson

Current role: Founder of OpportunityZones.com and host of the Opportunity Zones Podcast
Based in: Dallas, Texas
Say hi to them at: https://opportunityzones.com

Get 60% off the Magic Mind offer with our link and code

https://magicmind.com/bestevermf & BESTEVER60

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.

Terms and conditions apply.

Join the Best Ever Community

The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.

Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.

Apply now at ⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠

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JF 3933: Elevator Failures, Emotional Investing, and Office-to-Apartment Plays ft. Matt Drouin Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Beyond Multifamily, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Matt Drouin, managing partner at Oak Grove Development. Matt shares how his asset-agnostic, opportunistic approach has led to a $18 million portfolio across 25 commercial properties in Rochester, NY. He dives into the strategy behind acquiring underperforming office buildings—like a 55,000-square-foot historic skyscraper bought for $1.5 million—and converting them into workforce housing. Matt also discusses the pros and cons of joint ventures versus syndications, the value of local market dominance, and how he's leveraged content creation to expand his investor network and broker relationships.

Matt Drouin

Current Role: Managing Partner, Oak Grove Development
Based in: Rochester, New York
Say hi to them at: LinkedIn, YouTube

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.

Terms and conditions apply.

Join the Best Ever Community

The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.

Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.

Apply now at ⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠

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JF 3932: Contractor Red Flags, Permits, and Litigation Costs ft. Andy Wyman Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Andy Wyman, a Florida-based attorney and founder of Wyman Legal Solutions, who specializes in construction and real estate law. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience and a background in a family of contractors, Andy shares the most common legal pitfalls property owners and investors face when hiring contractors. He emphasizes the importance of vetting, clear communication, permits, and using contracts that protect both parties. The conversation covers red flags in hiring, the hidden risks of litigation, and practical guidance for both investors and contractors navigating construction disputes and project planning.

Andy Wyman

Current role: Founder & Construction Attorney, Wyman Legal Solutions
Based in: Boca Raton, Florida
Say hi to them at:
- www.wymanlegalsolutions.com
- Phone: 561-361-8700

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.

Terms and conditions apply.

Join the Best Ever Community

The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.

Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.

Apply now at ⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠

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JF 3931: Scaling to 1,000 LPs, Investor Sentiment Shifts, and the Viking IR Playbook ft. Chris Parrinello Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Chris Parrinello, Vice President of Investor Relations at Viking Capital. Chris shares how Viking scaled their investor relations team from just two people to a five-person department supporting over 1,000 LPs, including their unique intern-to-associate pipeline. He dives deep into investor sentiment in today’s challenging multifamily market, explaining how Viking is rebuilding trust through transparency, new incentive structures, and proactive communication. Chris also reveals the tech stack and strategies they use for investor education, capital raising, and operational efficiency, emphasizing the value of organic growth and long-term relationships over quick wins.

Chris Parrinello

Current role: Vice President of Investor Relations at Viking Capital
Based in: United States (exact city not mentioned)
Say hi to them at: https://www.vikingcapllc.com

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.

Terms and conditions apply.

Join the Best Ever Community

The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.

Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.

Apply now at ⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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