Commercial Real Estate Secrets

Distress is building faster than most investors realize — and 2025–2026 will be the biggest transfer of CRE wealth since the Great Financial Crisis.This episode is Part 2 of Aviva Sonenreich’s extended conversation with Michael Cohen, continuing the deep dive into CMBS distress, why Denver is becoming one of the most troubled MSAs in the country, and how investors can prepare for the wave of maturities ahead.Highlights:The real reasons Class A assets are stabilizing while Class B properties face mounting distressThe CMBS data points that reveal the severity of Denver’s office, multifamily, and hospitality stressWhether high-profile assets — like Aspen’s $85M Prada store — can still secure CMBS financingHow DSCR drops, trapped reserves, and cash sweeps quietly strip borrowers of leverageThe decision-making hierarchy inside CMBS servicing — and why “waiting and hoping” never worksPerfect For:Investors preparing for the 2025–2026 distressed cycle, owners with CMBS loans nearing maturity, family offices protecting generational assets, brokers advising clients through workouts, and anyone who wants a clear, unfiltered understanding of how CMBS distress actually works — and what’s coming next.Connect with Michael: Website | LinkedIn

Billions in CMBS loans are coming due in 2026 — and most borrowers still don’t understand how the system really works.In this episode, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Michael Cohen, Managing Principal at Brighton Capital Advisors, to break down how CMBS trusts, servicers, and bondholders interact — and what borrowers must do to protect their equity.Highlights:How CMBS trusts actually function (and who really owns your loan)Why calling your servicer is like dialing 1-800-MORTGAGEThe biggest mistake borrowers make when entering special servicingHow to approach CMBS workouts and loan modifications strategicallyWhy CMBS remains one of the few active lending channels heading into 2026Perfect For:Borrowers with CMBS loans coming due, investors looking for distress before it hits auction, and anyone trying to understand what’s really driving the 2026 debt market.

Where should you invest in Colorado commercial real estate right now?In this solo episode, Aviva Sonenreich breaks down three real buildings (that are for sale) she’d buy today, from tech-infused industrial properties in Boulder to high-credit tenants near Denver International Airport.You’ll also learn her CoStar search hack that helps brokers and investors spot opportunities before anyone else.If you’re watching from Colorado (or looking to invest here), this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Proof Stacker Podcast, Aviva Sonenreich joins the show to share how she turned a niche family business into a digital brand that drives real deals — including a $9.5 million transaction sourced directly from social media. From building authority with proof stacking and case studies to leveraging culture hacking and TikTok’s geo-local reach, Aviva breaks down the strategies that have made her one of the most influential voices in commercial real estate. If you want to learn how to turn content into clients and build a business that compounds online, this conversation is a must-listen.

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Sky Velez to talk about how niching down can fast-track success in commercial real estate. From breaking into the hospitality sector with zero experience, to closing a $7.5 million hotel deal just four months into her career, to overcoming imposter syndrome and building credibility fast, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons for anyone looking to stand out and win bigger deals in 2025.

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Nick Sansone, Principal at Sansone Group, to talk about the evolution of industrial development, raising institutional capital, and building a legacy-driven business. From the surge in data center demand fueled by AI, to how to structure joint ventures with institutional partners, to why focusing on value over profit is the real key to long-term success, this conversation is packed with practical advice for anyone looking to scale in commercial real estate in 2026. Connect with Nick: Website | Linkedin

Multifamily investing might be the most powerful way to build wealth in commercial real estate — and 2025 could be the best time in decades to start.With predictable income, risk diversification, and scalable cash flow, this asset class continues to outperform, and investors are paying attention.In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Ken Gee, Founder and Managing Member of KRI Partners, a multifamily private equity firm with over $200M in transactions, to share the blueprint behind decades of success in this space — and how you can follow the same path.In This Episode, We CoverWhy multifamily real estate is the most searched CRE investment in 2025 How Ken went from CPA to full-time investorThe risk/return edge of multifamilyHow to buy your first deal — including deal size, capital raise strategies, and how to build credibility fast.Syndication vs. Fund ModelsInterest rates, insurance, and execution — how to think like a pro and budget through market cycles.The #1 mistake new investors make📍 Ready to start building long-term wealth through multifamily investing?Connect with Ken and his team at KRIPartners.com Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

In this candid Q&A, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Kusima Boswell, co-founder of Terrakotta, to talk about content strategy, inbound deal flow, and building a brand that attracts. They cover what it really takes to gain traction online, the difference between sales and marketing in CRE, and why consistency beats virality every time. A practical and insightful conversation on digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and growing a business from the ground up. Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Kusiima Boswell, co-founder of Terrakotta, the AI prospecting platform helping commercial real estate professionals turn cold calls into real conversations. They discuss how Terrakotta is reshaping prospecting with AI-powered dialing, data validation, and CRM automation, why consistency is the true secret to success in CRE, and what the future of AI-driven dealmaking could look like. If you’re serious about commercial real estate and scaling your business with smarter tools, this episode is a must-listen.Connect with Kusiima: Website | LinkedIn  Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva sits down with Jonathan Iger, CEO of Sage, to talk about legacy, branding, and the future of office buildings. They explore Jonathan’s journey from carrying forward his family’s 100-year-old real estate company to rebranding it into a modern, experience-driven brand, while also digging into how design, service, and consistency can redefine what it means to work in an office. A rare conversation bridging tradition and innovation in commercial real estate. Connect with Jonathan: Website | LinkedIn Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

I recently sat down with Ira Zlotowitz, founder and CEO of GParency, for a conversation that completely reimagines what mortgage brokerage should look like in 2025.We talked about why most commercial real estate owners aren’t getting the best financing, and how Ira is flipping the industry model on its head—with flat fees, transparent data, and a Bloomberg-style app that’s free for everyone.Here’s what we get into:Why Ira only charges $4,500—and how it’s disrupting the brokerage commission modelWhat it means to be the “Netflix of commercial real estate financing”How GParency’s new app gives CRE owners a Bloomberg Terminal experienceThe big problem with how most investors track their portfolioWhat’s really going on with lending in 2025—and why deals are still getting doneWhy the next brokerage shakeup will come from individuals, not big brandsTwo powerful lessons Ira has learned from watching GPs and LPs win (or fail)If you’re an owner, broker, investor, or GP who wants to understand where the industry is heading and how to play the long game smarter—this one’s worth your time. Let’s get into it. 👇Connect with Ira: Website | Linkedin | +1 917-597-2197 | iraz@gparency.com Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich breaks down the three essential steps to starting a real estate career that lasts. From passing your licensing exam, to creating a financial safety net, to finding mentorship that accelerates your growth, she shares the exact blueprint she wishes she had on day one. Plus, Aviva reveals the social media hack that could save you years in building your reputation and pipeline. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start building a real estate career with real momentum, this episode is for you. Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Ben Carmona, Managing Partner at Perch Wealth, to talk about one of the most underutilized and misunderstood tools in commercial real estate: the Delaware Statutory Trust (DST).If you’re working with aging landlords, high-equity portfolios, or owners tired of tenant calls—this episode is a must-listen.Ben breaks down 1031 exchanges and DSTs in plain language, explains how baby boomers are trading toilets for tax deferral, and shares why “Swap ‘til you drop” isn’t just a clever phrase—it’s a generational wealth strategy.💡 Episode Highlights✅ What is a 1031 Exchange—and how to explain it to a 5th grader✅ The power of "Swap ‘til You Drop" for generational wealth planning✅ What makes an investor “accredited” (and why it matters)✅ DSTs explained: what they are, how they work, and why they’re IRS-approved✅ Passive income, stepped-up basis, and bonus depreciation explained✅ What product types are performing best in DSTs today (hint: not retail)✅ How to use DSTs as a backup plan when your 1031 deal falls throughConnect with Ben Carmona: https://perchwealth.com/📱 Direct: 818-269-4972 Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I brought James Milner, CCIM back for round two—because we hit a nerve last time: overpriced software in commercial real estate.James runs Appalachian Commercial Real Estate out of Boone, North Carolina, and today we dig into something that might sound boring on the surface… but is game-changing if you’re in this business:👉 How to use public data—like your county assessor’s website, register of deeds, and GIS tools—to compete (and win) without dropping $10K+ a year on subscriptions.🔍 In This Episode, We Cover:The free data James pulls from public records—and how he turns it into pricing powerWhy your 2022 appraisal is useless in 2025 (and how to explain that to clients)How GIS tools and county data help with assemblage, due diligence, and valuationThe 25–30% market correction we’re both seeing—and why sellers are still catching upHow James uses software like Valcre to centralize and make sense of it allA realistic look at foreclosures, rate hikes, and where the market’s heading next🧠 This week's Commercial Real Estate Secret:Follow up.We’re all guilty of closing a deal and then forgetting the people behind it. James challenges us to reconnect with a client who had a meaningful impact on your career. Not to pitch—just to say hi. It goes further than you think.📞 Ready to ditch outdated data and start winning smarter?🔗 Connect with James: Website | TikTok | X Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with my friend James Milner, CCIM, a commercial real estate broker out of North Carolina with Appalachian CRE.James and I met nearly two years ago at the CREI Summit, and we’ve stayed connected ever since. In this episode, we catch up on his CRE journey—from stepping into the content game on TikTok to earning his first six-figure commission after years of consistency.🔑 What We Cover:How James started creating content (and editing everything in TikTok)Why authenticity + consistency still win in commercial real estate marketingWhy you don’t need a thousand relationships—just the right onesHow the industrial market is holding strong in North CarolinaWhat we’re both seeing in the market: widening bid/ask gaps, picky buyers, and pricing that doesn’t reflect today’s ratesThe secret James uses to stay ahead of local development trends (spoiler: it’s free and anyone can do it)💡 This Week’s Tip:If you’re using CoStar, start searching under-contract properties—not just active listings. That little move led me to a deal I just sent out for signature. Hack your tools.🤫 James’s CRE Secret:Public records. From development intel to transaction data, James walks through how he uses public records as one of the most underutilized tools in our industry.Connect with James: Linkedin | X 🎧 Listen now and let us know your biggest takeaway! Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I’m telling you a wild story that challenged everything I thought I knew about office space in 2025.We’ve all heard the narrative—“office is dead.” I work from home. I love working from home. And I’ve toured countless empty, lifeless offices. But then something happened that completely changed my perspective.I had the chance to produce a podcast featuring Gary Vaynerchuk and William H. Macy—yes, that William H. Macy. We recorded it inside Gary’s 60,000 SF VaynerX headquarters at Hudson Yards in NYC… and let me tell you, I’ve never felt energy like that in an office. Not just full—it was buzzing.This episode is a reflection on that experience—and a reminder that office isn’t dead. Bad culture is.🔑 What I Talk About:Why I thought office was dying—until I stepped into VaynerXWhat it was like walking into Hudson Yards with William H. MacyThe subtle (but powerful) thing Gary Vee is doing rightWhat thriving offices have that empty ones don’tWhy it all starts at the top🏢 Why It Matters:I’ve toured a lot of offices in Denver lately—and most of them feel empty and uninspired. But when you see one that’s alive, it changes everything. This episode is for the business owners, landlords, and leaders who want to build workplaces people actually want to show up to.💬 Let’s Talk:Have you been to an office lately that actually felt alive? I’d love to hear your take. Shoot me a message or tag me with your thoughts using #CommercialRealEstateSecrets. Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

When interest rates are rising, deals are falling through, and uncertainty dominates the headlines—what’s the smartest way to invest in commercial real estate?In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I’m joined again by real estate attorney and investor Steven Spierer to unpack how seasoned investors navigate volatility without losing their edge. With over 3,000 multifamily units under management and nearly five decades of legal experience, Steven shares what actually works when the market’s unpredictable.We talk about patience, strategy, and why the most powerful investing move is often doing… nothing at all.What You’ll Learn:Why multifamily is more recession-resistant than other CRE asset classesThe case for C-Class industrial buildings (and why they’re undervalued)How interest rates, tariffs, and policy shifts are reshaping 2025Why flipping can be riskier than it looksThe power of buy & hold (plus a $6,250 duplex story you won’t forget)The mindset that helps investors survive uncertainty—and come out aheadWhether you're sitting on the sidelines or trying to make your next move, this episode is packed with timeless perspective and market-savvy strategy.💬 Listen To Steven on TalkRadio1.com Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

In this special crossover episode, I sit down with Steven Spierer—real estate attorney, investor, and host of TalkRadio1.com—for a wide-ranging conversation on the legal and strategic fundamentals behind real estate investing.Steven has been practicing law and investing in real estate for 47 years. In this episode, we explore the biggest pitfalls he’s seen investors make—and the timeless principles that separate smart operators from those who lose big.This is Part 1 of our conversation.Topics We Cover:The #1 legal mistake real estate investors make (and how to avoid it)Why overleveraging—even with strong tenants—can lead to foreclosureHow to assess risk when buying cannabis-occupied or single-use buildingsThe “Chewy effect” and why industrial real estate became hot post-2020Credit tenants vs. mom-and-pops: which is more reliable during downturns?This episode is packed with timeless advice and real-world stories from someone who's seen the full arc of market cycles—and lived to tell the tale.💬 Listen To Steven on TalkRadio1.com Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sat down with Richard C. Wilson, CEO of Family Office Club—the largest network of ultra-wealthy investors in the world.We got into everything—from how to actually reach family offices to why most people blow the pitch before they even get started.If you're raising capital, structuring CRE deals, or just want to understand how the wealthy think, this conversation is packed with value.💡 In this episode, we cover:How Richard built the Family Office Club from a simple blogWhy voicemail works better than email—and no one uses itHow to craft one powerful sentence that cuts through the noiseWhat real estate family offices are actually looking for in 2025How AI is transforming capital raising and deal structuringThe #1 mistake people make when pitching investorsWhy now may be the best time in a generation to invest in CREWant to connect with Richard or explore his AI tools? Head to familyoffices.com—his contact info is right at the top. Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Ben Reinberg—CEO of Alliance CGC, creator of the Hard Asset Empire Blueprint, and author of Hard Assets and Hard Money for Hard Times—to break down what it really takes to build lasting wealth in today’s uncertain economy.In a time when liquidity is tightening and the market feels shaky, Ben shares why hard assets are the most reliable path to long-term stability—and how he built an empire by betting on tangible investments when others played it safe.We cover:Why hard assets outperform in volatile marketsHow to think like a long-term wealth builder (not a short-term speculator)What most investors get wrong about leverage and riskThe four pillars of Ben’s “Hard Asset Empire” strategyWhy mindset, discipline, and team matter more than ever in 2025Whether you're a seasoned investor, a commercial broker, or someone looking to build real wealth in a challenging market, this episode delivers perspective, strategy, and clarity.📌 Connect with Ben Reinberg:📱 Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter🌐 Website: benreinberg.com | alliancecgc.com Liked this episode? Share it with a friend.Love the show? Leave us a 5-star review! Even a short sentence helps us keep bringing you the content you love.Ready to sell or lease a warehouse? Visit warehousehotline.com to get started. Connect with Aviva: Website TikTok Instagram Facebook LinkedIn