Claim OwnershipBaltimore RE full circle
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© Yaakov Kanevsky
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Welcome to the Baltimore RE Full Circle Podcast, your ultimate resource for local real estate investors seeking comprehensive knowledge about the Baltimore market. In each episode, we bring you insightful interviews with experienced vendors and successful investors who will guide you through the intricacies of the local real estate landscape.
31 Episodes
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In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Cooper to explore how auctions work in the Maryland real estate market. Matthew dives deep into various case studies from the rich, 100+ year history of Alex Cooper Auctioneers, shedding light on the strategies and tactics that have made them a staple in the industry. Tune in for valuable insights into the auction process and learn how it can be a game-changer.
In this enlightening episode, we interview Jacob, a local hard money lender, as he provides valuable insights for investors interested in exploring the world of hard money loans. Join us as we uncover the unique aspects of hard money lending, including its benefits and challenges, and gain practical advice and insider tips from Jacob's wealth of experience. Whether you're a seasoned investor or new to real estate financing, this episode equips you with the knowledge to navigate hard money loans effectively and make informed decisions.
Discover Baltimore's efforts to support local investors in acquiring vacant properties and tackle mass dumping in this insightful episode. Real Estate Commissioner Alice Kennedy shares streamlined procedures, financial incentives, and resources available for investors. Learn about the city's strategies, including increased surveillance, stricter enforcement, and community engagement, as they work towards revitalizing neighborhoods and fostering a thriving real estate market.
In this episode of Baltimore RE Full Circle, Yaakov sits down with Tenny Tolofari, co-founder of XSITE Capital, to discuss how he went from a tech career to building a multifamily investment platform with over $240M in assets under management. Tenny shares how a $97 real estate course sparked his journey, the lessons learned scaling into large multifamily deals, and how leveraging partnerships helped his team complete their first acquisition.The conversation dives into the realities of property management, market selection, and why demand fundamentals—jobs, population growth, and income—matter more than anything else. Tenny also discusses mistakes along the way, including challenges with property management and investing in the wrong markets, while outlining his team’s ambitious goal of reaching $10B in assets under management in the coming years.
In this episode of Baltimore RE Full Circle, Yaakov sits down with Yonah Zahler for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build and sustain a multifamily portfolio in today’s market. From disciplined acquisitions and hands-on management to navigating market cycles in Baltimore, Yonah shares practical lessons learned from years in the trenches.They discuss why patience often outperforms speed, how smart operators evaluate risk beyond the numbers, and what separates long-term builders from short-term speculators. Whether you’re scaling your portfolio or refining your strategy, this episode offers grounded insight on growing the right way, not just the fast way.
In this episode of Baltimore RE Full Circle, Yaakov sits down with Avrom Forman of Greystone, for a candid conversation on agency lending, market cycles, and how investors should be thinking about debt in today’s environment.Avrom draws on decades of experience as an owner, operator, and lender to explain how Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae underwriting really works, where borrowers commonly go wrong, and why many issues stem from misaligned incentives rather than bad intent. They discuss lessons from past cycles, the realities of third-party property management, scattered-site portfolios, and how lenders evaluate risk beyond the spreadsheet.Whether you’re refinancing, acquiring, or reassessing your capital stack, this episode delivers practical insight into structuring smarter debt, avoiding common pitfalls, and navigating a more disciplined lending landscape.
In this episode of Baltimore RE Full Circle, Yaakov sits down with Aeron Alberti, investor-friendly contractor and real estate operator, for an unfiltered look at what’s really happening on the ground in today’s market.Aeron breaks down why “passive income” is mostly a myth, how the DSCR bubble quietly popped, and why disciplined buyers are finding opportunity while others are stuck holding the bag. From managing hundreds of contractors to spotting market slowdowns months before the headlines, this conversation dives into what data misses, how investor mistakes compound, and why showing up every day still matters.If you’re investing, flipping, holding rentals, or trying to navigate a slowing market with clarity instead of hype, this episode delivers real-world insight you won’t get from gurus or spreadsheets.
In this episode of Baltimore RE Full Circle, Yaakov sits down with Zeke Faham from Box Equities to unpack one of the most misunderstood—yet fastest-growing—niches in commercial real estate: middle-mile industrial. Zeke shares how Box Equities grew from a COVID-era startup to more than 7M sq. ft. across 35 properties by targeting off-market deals, capitalizing on supply-chain shifts, and buying well below replacement cost.They dive into how industrial real estate has evolved over the past decade, why middle-mile assets create stickier tenants and wider cap-rate spreads, and how operators can position themselves in today’s market. From tariffs and political shifts to AI’s impact on logistics vs. manufacturing, Zeke breaks down how macro trends are reshaping the sector — and where the real opportunities still are.Whether you're an investor exploring industrial, a multifamily operator looking to diversify, or someone tracking how supply chains and AI are changing real estate, this episode delivers rare insights, practical strategy, and a clear look into the future of industrial investing.
In this episode of Baltimore RE Full Circle, Yaakov sits down with Brian Casey, president of The Casey Group and one of the region’s most experienced court-appointed receivers. With more than 47 years in banking, workouts, and turnaround management, Brian pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening inside today’s distressed real estate market.From fraudulent leases and inflated appraisals to DSCR loan failures, partner disputes, and assets collapsing under unrealistic underwriting, Brian walks through real cases he’s managing — including properties with fake units, made-up rent rolls, and multimillion-dollar valuation mistakes. They discuss why vacancy and rent-growth numbers are often misrepresented, why so many owners are struggling, and how lenders are finally cracking down after years of looking the other way.
In this episode, Yaakov sits down with Jake Gluck, founder of Fortune Capital Group, for a raw and unfiltered breakdown of today’s multifamily debt market.Jake shares his path from starting at Eastern Union with zero industry background to becoming a top debt broker working across agency, bank, CMBS, and bridge platforms.They dig into the real issues driving distress—including skyrocketing delinquencies, bad management, unrealistic underwriting, and the false hope of “waiting for rates to drop.” Jake explains why so many owners are now accepting massive haircuts, why third-party managers are failing, why agency lenders are digging deeper than ever, how CMBS and new debt funds are quietly saving deals that no bank will touch, and why 2025 might be the most opportunistic buying window in over a decade—if you know how to execute.
We sat down with Jack Resnick of Platinum Realty Advisors, a leading expert in Maryland’s apartment leasing market, to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes with Section 8 and HUD programs.Are there fewer vouchers available? Has Section 8 reduced rent offers for owners? And what does the new rent evaluation system mean for your bottom line?If you own or manage rental housing in Maryland, this episode breaks down the real changes landlords are facing — and what you can do to stay ahead of them.
Real estate investor and Micasa Title partner Jacob Benzaquen joins Yaakov to break down the realities of investing in Baltimore. From surviving the 2008 housing crash and managing multifamily properties to tackling city bureaucracy, vendor hurdles, and regulatory red tape, Jacob shares hard-earned lessons on risk management, vendor relationships, and building lasting success.Whether you’re an out-of-state investor sizing up Baltimore or a local professional facing the city’s unique challenges, this episode offers practical strategies, candid insights, and long-term vision for navigating one of the most complex—but opportunity-filled—markets in real estate.
In this timely and urgent discussion, I sit down with Tibor Wilhelm, Managing Partner at Mount Wilson Capital, to explore the recent wave of foreclosures impacting both large-scale single-family and multifamily properties in the local Baltimore market.While many have pointed to fraud as the primary cause of these foreclosures, Tibor brings to light a groundbreaking idea: the real issue may be something entirely different. Don’t miss out on understanding the true factors driving these foreclosures and how many property owners could be directly affected.
In this episode, Steve Verstandig shares how his family journeyed from Holocaust survival to grocery stores, then built a real estate empire starting at age 18. We dive deep into why he pivoted from multifamily to retail, the realities of doing business in Baltimore, and what Maryland must do to stay competitive. If you're serious about real estate, business strategy, or Baltimore's future, this is a must-listen.
In this episode of Baltimore Real Estate Full Circle, Councilman Izzy Patoka of Baltimore County's 2nd District shared his journey from environmental planning to politics. With six years in office, Izzy discussed the county's tight fiscal projections for 2026, the challenge of balancing development with community needs, and strategies like vertical zoning to meet housing demand.He emphasized the importance of community engagement and the collaboration between local government and the private sector, particularly in navigating challenges like supply chain issues. Izzy also touched on economic development, affordable housing, and creating a walkable community in Baltimore County, along with his personal commitment to improving infrastructure and resources.
In this episode, we sit down with Lawrence Rief, a seasoned real estate investor with deep roots in Baltimore. He shares his journey from growing up in a real estate-focused family to shaping the local property landscape through value-add investments. We discuss his early exposure to real estate, transition into commercial and industrial properties, and partnership with Continental Realty. Lawrence provides insights into Baltimore’s evolving real estate market, the resurgence of retail post-COVID, and strategies for scaling investments. He emphasizes the importance of relationships, structure, and creativity in real estate, along with his current focus on mentorship and philanthropy. Packed with valuable takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for investors, brokers, and entrepreneurs.
NYC multifamily legend Bob Knakal joins us to unpack the rise of rent stabilization in NY and its growing impact in MD. We dive into vacant unit trends, investor shifts, construction hurdles, and Bob’s bold 2025 market predictions. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of real estate!
Join Charles Mader as he shares his journey from flipping houses during the 2008 crisis to owning multifamily properties in Baltimore. He discusses property management strategies, navigating rent control regulations in Tacoma Park, and using refinancing to scale investments. Charles also offers cost-saving tips like water conservation and insights from his current renovation projects, providing valuable advice for hands-on investors adapting to market challenges.
Dive into the fascinating journey of Chris Taylor, a Baltimore-based real estate investor with over two decades of experience. From his early days as a teacher navigating the "Teacher Next Door" program to becoming a seasoned investor, Chris shares raw, unfiltered insights about building a real estate empire, the challenges of market crashes, and the importance of financial freedom.
Perfect for aspiring investors and seasoned professionals alike, this episode is packed with practical tips, cautionary tales, and a wealth of knowledge about the realities of the real estate world.
In this episode, Adam Rutherford, title attorney and VP of Operations at Real Estate Settlements in Escrow—a national title company licensed in all states—shares tips to help you navigate title challenges like lien delays and ground rents in Baltimore. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, thoroughly reviewing your documents, and working with experienced title companies to ensure smoother and more secure residential and commercial real estate transactions.
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