The Best Ever CRE Show

Latest Episodes:

JF 4239: AI as a Strategic Asset, Role in Layoffs, and The Cost Benefits of AI tools May 20, 2026

Show notes

Amanda and Ash dives into real-world applications of AI, how a legal battle with a tenant was won using AI formatting, how property managers are leveraging chat features to streamline leasing, and how entrepreneurs are building AI-powered agents that outpace traditional apps. You'll learn about the cost benefits of AI tools like Claude Cowork and ChatGPT, including how to build skills and processes that live beyond individual employees, safeguarding your knowledge and operations. They also break down critical topics like AI's role in layoffs, why companies are using 'rescue capital' as an excuse to impose huge losses on investors, and how to spot overhyped investments in markets like Phoenix. Plus, get insider tips on how to ethically analyze real estate deals, defend against misrepresentations, and set up your own AI infrastructure to stay ahead.

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JF 4238: Cross-sell Campaign Generating $1 million in pipeline and Why Discounts Pull Demand Forward May 18, 2026

Show notes

Richard McGirr talks about how his firm crushed their previous fundraising record with $6.1 million, but the real secret lies in how they’re turning this momentum into a repeatable pipeline. He explains how a strategic cross-sell campaign, tapping into existing relationships, generated over a quarter-million dollars in commitments overnight, all by leveraging personalized Loom videos and exclusive tier-based perks. Discover the step-by-step behind the scenes, including how personalized outreach and complex concepts like "relationship balance" can unlock new capital without chasing cold leads.

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Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠

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JF 4237: AI in Commercial Real Estate, Practical AI Use Cases and The RTCF Framework ft. Jake Heller May 15, 2026

Show notes

Matt Faircloth talks to Jake Heller as he reveals how experienced real estate professionals are building digital brains tailored to their unique models, saving time, reducing errors, and giving a competitive edge. You’ll learn practical strategies to incorporate AI into deal underwriting, asset management, and deal sourcing, plus the critical importance of prompt engineering using the RTCF framework to get the most accurate results.

If you’re a real estate investor, broker, or developer tired of cookie-cutter solutions, this episode is your playbook for integrating AI to elevate your deals and decision-making. Stay ahead of the curve future-proof your business with insights on proprietary data, custom AI brains, and the next generation of automation that’s just around the corner.

Jake Heller

Current role: Co-Founder of AI for CRE Collective

Based in: Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

Where to find them:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeheller1

aiforcrecollective.com

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Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠

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JF 4236: Private Credit, Cannabis Real Estate and Yield Investing ft. Chris Reece May 13, 2026

Show notes

Ash Patel and Amanda Cruise interview Chris Reece, who explains how he’s generating double-digit returns by lending into the cannabis real estate sector, where traditional banks won’t operate. He breaks down his strategy of issuing short-term, senior secured loans at 12–15% while underwriting properties at non-cannabis valuations to protect downside risk.

Chris also shares why this opportunity is temporary, driven by limited capital access and regulatory barriers, and how future legalization could compress returns as more lenders enter the space. He highlights the importance of conservative underwriting, personal guarantees, and strong borrower vetting in a volatile but high-demand market. The episode emphasizes how scarcity of capital creates outsized returns today, while disciplined risk management is what sustains them long term.

Chris Reece

Current role: Founder & CEO of MJ REIT

Based in: Greater Philadelphia

Where to find them:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-r-reece/

www.mj-reit.com

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Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠

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JF 4235: Fund Managers, Portfolio Deals and Capital Growth ft. George Salas May 11, 2026

Show notes

Richard McGirr interviews George Salas, who breaks down how he’s scaled his capital raising by focusing on fund-of-funds relationships instead of relying on traditional retail investors. He explains how partnering with established capital raisers allowed him to bypass building a full marketing engine early on, accelerating growth and helping him raise over $4M.

George shares how structuring deals around specific portfolios rather than blind pool funds made his offering more attractive to fund managers, especially when he lacked a long fund track record. He also dives into his process for building relationships through in-person events, refining follow-up systems, and leveraging CRM tools to stay organized. The episode wraps with actionable strategies around email marketing, investor nurturing, and scaling capital through both institutional partnerships and emerging retail channels.

George Salas

Current role: Chief Executive Officer of Empress Capital, Founder of Creative STR Wealth

Based in: Houston, Texas

Where to find them:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgesalas360/

EmpressCapitalGroup.com

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Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠

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JF 4234: CRE Recession, Inflation Trends and Investment Strategy ft. Anna Kelley May 08, 2026

Show notes

J Scott interviews Anna Kelley in this Next Level CRE Takeover, who breaks down why multifamily has been hit by one of its worst downturns in history, driven by rising interest rates, higher treasury yields, and surging operating costs. She explains that cap rate expansion alone has pushed property values down by 30–40%, while inflation has simultaneously increased expenses such as insurance and taxes, creating a “double squeeze” on investors.

They also dive into the broader economic picture, covering inflation risks, tariffs, global conflict, and the growing impact of liquidity constraints on real estate. Anna highlights why debt structure has become the biggest risk factor for investors and warns that a prolonged period of stagflation or recession could reshape the market. Despite the challenges, she emphasizes that disciplined underwriting, long-term debt, and strategic positioning in hard assets can create major opportunities for investors who are prepared.

Anna Kelly

Current role: President - Greater Purpose Capital LLC

Based in: Palmyra, Pennsylvania

Where to find them:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-kelley-reimom/

https://www.facebook.com/annakelleyreimom/

J Scott

Current role: General Partner of Bar Down Investments LLC, Partner / Co-Founder of ScottBuilt

Based in: Sarasota, Florida

Where to find them:

https://linktr.ee/jscottinvestor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jscottinvestor/

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Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠

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JF 4233: Affordable Housing, Deal Flow and Mobile Home Park Strategy ft. Leo Young May 06, 2026

Show notes

Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Leo Young, who shares how he scaled to 500+ mobile home park units while navigating increasing competition and regulatory pressure. He explains his strategy of improving communities, raising rents toward market, and shifting from quick exits to longer-term holds through refinancing to maximize investor returns. The conversation highlights how operators are being squeezed by both institutional capital and new investors entering the space, making deal flow harder to find.

Leo also breaks down the realities of managing across multiple states, emphasizing geographic diversification to hedge against evolving regulations such as rent control. He discusses expanding into RV parks, the operational differences compared to mobile home parks, and why operator execution matters more than asset class. Throughout, he stresses disciplined underwriting, strong systems, and building the right team as the key to long-term success in a tightening market.

Leo Young

Current role: Managing Partner at Cornell Communities

Based in: New York, New York

Where to find them:

https://www.youtube.com/c/LeoYoungRealEstate

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-young/

Visit ⁠trustetc.com/bestever⁠ for more info.

Book your free demo today at bill.com/bestever and get a $100 Amazon gift card.

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Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠

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JF 4232: Real Estate Debt Investing and Exploiting Inefficiencies in the Debt Markets ft. Fred Moskowitz May 04, 2026

Show notes

Richard interviews Fred Moskowitz, who breaks down how investing in real estate debt shifts you from making payments to receiving them. He explains his strategy of buying institutionally originated residential mortgage notes at a discount, then generating consistent cash flow through servicing and portfolio management. The conversation highlights why note investing is a scalable, steady alternative to equity, with returns driven by yield, collateral position, and disciplined risk management.

They also dig into how pricing inefficiencies, borrower behavior, and liquidity needs create opportunity in the secondary loan market. Fred shares how investors evaluate loans based on payment history, equity, and local market dynamics, emphasizing that strong processes and servicing are key to managing risk.

Fred Moskowitz
Current role: Real Estate Note Investor
Based in: United States
Say hi to them at: https://fredmoskowitz.com/

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Book your free demo today at bill.com/bestever and get a $100 Amazon gift card.

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Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠

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JF 4231: Economic trends, Market conditions, and Investment Opportunities in 2026 ft. John Chang May 01, 2026

Show notes

Matt Faircloth interviews John Chang, who breaks down April’s market volatility and what it means for commercial real estate investors. He explains how geopolitical uncertainty has already been priced into the market, with inflation pressures lingering but interest rates stabilizing rather than spiking further. John emphasizes that despite short-term noise, the broader real estate cycle is setting up a strong window for long-term investors.

He also highlights where opportunity is emerging, pointing to office as a sleeper asset, continued value-add potential in retail, and softer outlooks for self-storage. The episode wraps with key markets to watch, including long-term growth cities, turnaround regions, and a few under-the-radar plays driven by economic and policy shifts.

John Chang

Current role: Senior Vice President, National Director of Research & Advisory Services of Marcus & Millichap

Based in: Phoenix, Arizona

Where to find them:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnchang/

https://www.marcusmillichap.com

Visit ⁠trustetc.com/bestever⁠ for more info.

Book your free demo today at bill.com/bestever and get a $100 Amazon gift card.

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Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠

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JF 4230: Ground Leases, Deal Discipline and CRE Longevity ft. John McNellis Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

John McNellis joins Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel to break down the lessons from his decades-long career in retail development, including why he republished his book with deeper insights and greater transparency about his biggest mistakes. He explains why retail is far from dead, how supply constraints drive long-term value, and why he’s remained focused on a tight geographic niche instead of chasing scale. John also dives into ground lease strategies, the dangers of overleveraging, and why metrics like IRR can be misleading compared to focusing on what you actually earn. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes disciplined growth, sticking to your “weight class,” and building a sustainable real estate career that prioritizes longevity over hype.

John McNellis

Current role: Owner and Writer at McNellis Partners

Based in: Palo Alto, California

Where to find them:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mcnellis-b6a1674/

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