The CRE Project

Curious to know how a landscaper and residential real estate agent became the founder of a successful commercial real estate firm? Discover how Grant's diverse career path, from selling houses to cold-calling for hotels, ultimately led him to establish Stoic Equity Partners. Tune in as he unveils his journey and the crucial experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial success. Join us as Grant recounts his early struggles, finding his footing in commercial real estate, and the pivotal moments that led to the creation of Stoic Equity Partners. Learn about the importance of mentorship, the challenges of raising capital, and the strategic decisions that shaped their enterprise. Grant shares both successes and setbacks, offering valuable lessons on deal structuring, investor relations, and market insights. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring real estate investors, entrepreneurs looking for guidance on building a business, and anyone interested in commercial real estate. Listen in to gain practical advice and inspiration from Grant's remarkable story and his expertise in the industry. Episode Highlights: 00:59 - Grant's Career Journey 01:27 - Early Career and Real Estate Beginnings 03:14 - Transition to Commercial Real Estate 04:53 - Founding Stoic Equity Partners 05:55 - Challenges and Lessons in Real Estate 11:13 - Balancing Brokerage and Principal Roles 15:06 - Building Stoic Equity Partners 18:51 - Raising Capital: Strategies and Challenges 23:44 - Successes and Learning Experiences 28:03 - Closing the Deal: Lessons Learned 28:37 - Project Update: Current Status and Challenges 29:22 - Partnerships and Early Career Insights 30:16 - Success Stories: Flex Industrial Strategy 31:06 - Structuring Syndication Deals 35:41 - Navigating Investor Relationships 39:34 - Market Trends and Investment Strategy 45:01 - Finding Deals in Secondary Markets 47:12 - Building Broker Relationships 50:13 - Resources and Advice for Aspiring Investors

Is there a kinder, more effective way to succeed in the cutthroat world of commercial real estate?   Join the conversation with Jonathan Keyser as he shares his journey from a missionary upbringing to becoming a top producer in Arizona, who turned away from ruthless tactics to embrace a philosophy of service and genuine care for clients?   Jonathan shares his unconventional path into the commercial real estate industry, driven by a transformative shift from aggressive deal-making to selfless service. He discusses the unique model of his firm, focusing solely on representing tenants and users, and how this approach fosters trust and long-term relationships. Insights into the current market trends across various sectors, from office to healthcare to retail, offer listeners a comprehensive view of the industry's landscape.   Jonathan's story underscores the power of kindness and integrity in achieving success, challenging traditional notions of cutthroat business practices. Don't miss this episode for invaluable insights into thriving in commercial real estate with compassion and authenticity.

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the world of commercial real estate law? Join Clayton in an intriguing conversation with Linda, a seasoned attorney with a wealth of experience navigating the intricate landscape of commercial real estate transactions. From her journey spanning New Mexico to California and back, Linda shares valuable insights into the nuances of lease agreements, due diligence processes, and negotiation strategies that are crucial for success in the industry. This episode delves into the complexities of commercial real estate law, exploring topics such as the importance of hiring a specialized attorney, key points to consider during due diligence, and common pitfalls in lease agreements. Linda provides invaluable advice on navigating disputes, negotiating lease terms, and leveraging legal expertise to achieve favorable outcomes. Whether you're a seasoned real estate professional or a newcomer to the industry, this episode offers a treasure trove of practical wisdom and actionable insights to elevate your understanding and approach to commercial real estate transactions.   Whether you're seeking to enhance your negotiation skills, gain insights into due diligence processes, or navigate legal complexities with confidence, don't miss out on this enlightening discussion with Linda.

In this episode Clayton speaks with Will Pender, a seasoned general contractor in the commercial real estate space.  From wanting to become a lawyer initially to being a leader in one of the most successful and thriving contracting firms in Texas, Will’s journey has been a fascinating one to hear. Will sheds some light on the evolving role of general contractors and the importance of hiring experienced professionals, especially for complex projects. He also delves into innovative approaches in construction, from regional specialization to the impact of AI and mass timber on the industry. Discover the intricacies of the pre-construction and construction phases, gaining insights into strategies for successful project execution. Will's valuable perspectives on sustainability trends, rising construction costs, and future industry trends offer a comprehensive guide for both industry veterans and aspiring professionals. Whether you're interested in project coordination, industry innovations, or navigating construction challenges, this episode provides actionable insights and advice from a seasoned professional.

In this episode Clayton speaks with industry veterans Scott Jessen and Scott Morse. From their humble beginnings in the '80s to forming a successful partnership and establishing a regional firm in 2012, the duo shares invaluable insights into specialization strategies, hiring challenges, and the core values that have sustained their partnership. Gain a competitive edge as they discuss the future of the real estate market, offering detailed predictions for the industrial and office sectors in the next 1-2 years. Discover the secrets to a lasting and successful career in commercial real estate as Jessen and Morse provide advice for aspiring professionals, emphasizing patience, commitment, specialization, and the qualities of a great teammate. Delve into the impact of remote work on the office market, exploring the challenges faced by building owners with vacant spaces and the importance of fostering human connection in the workplace. Concluding with a piece of advice that has shaped their careers, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the real estate industry, from seasoned professionals navigating market trends to aspiring individuals entering this dynamic field.

In this episode, Clayton speaks with Dale Dekker, one of the founding partners of Dekker, Perich Sabatini or popularly known as DPS. An architect and planner rooted in Albuquerque, exploring his journey from a young apprentice influenced by his father to becoming a rainmaker at his own architectural firm.  The episode delves into the origins and growth of Dekker Perich Sabatini, shedding light on the strategies and values that grew the firm to a headcount of 220+ & counting. Dale discusses the evolution of the architectural industry since the 80s, emphasising the impact of technology, especially AI, on real estate and architecture. The conversation also touches upon the topics of transforming office buildings into multi-family projects, future market trends, and the challenges and opportunities in the field. Dale also shares valuable insights into the evolving landscape of architecture and real estate, attracting talent and fostering a positive company culture. The episode explores how technology like AI, 3D printing, and real-time solutions are getting integrated in the industry. And also the impact of new zoning codes and the importance of collaborative efforts in public-private partnerships.  Whether you're a professional in the field or an enthusiast, this episode provides a wealth of information and perspective on the CRE and Architectural industry.

Show Notes: In this episode, we delve into the world of commercial real estate with Paul, an industry veteran with a wealth of experience. Paul shares his journey, from early jobs in construction cleanup to becoming a successful developer, highlighting the importance of hiring the right people and understanding one's strengths and weaknesses. He discusses the key qualities of a good developer and offers valuable insights on due diligence, common pitfalls, and when to make tough decisions. Paul's predictions for the real estate market and his philosophy on debt add depth to this engaging conversation. Key Takeaways: Paul's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent commercial real estate developer. Qualities that make a successful developer, from creativity to humility. Insights into performing due diligence and avoiding common pitfalls. Paul's market predictions and advice on navigating the world of real estate. Curious to learn about Paul's journey from construction cleanup to real estate success? Wondering about the qualities that define a good developer and how to perform effective due diligence? Interested in market predictions and debt philosophy from an industry expert? Tune in to this episode for valuable insights and real-world experiences in commercial real estate. Guest Contact Information Paul Cauwels CEO/Manager Cauwels Investments pc@cauwelsinvestments.com

In this show we sit down with Beth Azor and discuss a plethora of different topics including the state of the market, prospecting do and don't and how to utilize online platform to procure transactions.  Affectionately known as ‘The Canvassing Queen™’ Beth Azor is the founder and owner of Azor Advisory Services (AAS), a leading commercial real estate advisory and investment firm based in Southeast Florida. As its principal, Beth currently owns and manages six shopping centers in Florida and travels the country consulting with, brokering deals for and training associates in the commercial real estate industry. A partial list of Beth’s clients include Phillips Edison & Co., Brixmor Properties, The Shopping Center Group, Urban Edge Development and DLC Management Group. Prior to founding AAS, Beth was the President of Terranova Florida’s largest 3rd party asset manager. Beth also has over thirty years of experience in managing, developing, redeveloping and teaching commercial real estate leasing agents all over the country. She has taken it upon herself to guide budding and established retail real estate agents to conquer the market by offering commercial real estate training courses and workshops. Her canvassing workshops are legendary! A graduate of FSU, Beth is a former Foundation Trustee and is past Chairwoman of the Board, and Founder of the FSU Real Estate Foundation. Beth is also the immediate past President of the Board of Directors of HOPE Outreach Center in Davie, Florida and co-founder of 100+ Women Who Care in South Florida. She resides in Davie with her two boys, Alex and Mario.

The 1031 Exchange is one of the most effective and commonly used tools in the the Commercial Real Estate world. In this episode we talk about how to effectively and safely navigate a 1031 exchange. We discuss the timelines and the appropriate way to identify property to keep you safe from paying tax on a CRE transaction.  Leonard Spoto oversees all of the sales and marketing operations for Asset Exchange Company. He is a frequent keynote speaker and an accredited course instructor on the subject of 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges. He has presented his popular real estate and tax workshops to over 12,000 Realtors, lenders, title professionals and investors and is the author of dozens of published 1031 Exchange related articles. Prior to co-founding Asset Exchange Company, Leonard worked for a major national title company affiliated exchange company. In this position, Leonard lead the company’s sales efforts by directing over 1,200 tax-deferred exchanges in Northern California in a single year. Leonard is a graduate cum laude from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, a minor in Economics and a concentration in Finance. Below is the best number to contact Leonard Tel: 877-471-1031 Episode Show Notes - What is a 1031 Exchange – 2:31 - What is the importance of the 1031 Exchange – 3:42 - What is the structure and timeline of a 1031 Exchange – 5:23 - The exception to the 45-day Identification Rule - 8:35 - What is the correct way to identify replacement property - 11:50 - Do you need to be in contract to identify a property? – 13:25 - How do you identify a property without an address or legal description - 14:40 - Different Identification Structures (3 property rule vs 200% rule) – 15:50 - 200% rule - 17:05 - The 95% exception – 18:30 - Most common mistakes made in a 1031 – 19:25 - How long should you own a property before you sell it and enter a 1031 – 24:45 - What is the definition of like kind – 26:47 - What to know when buying a Condo in Maui – 29:23 - Air BNB – 29:48 - What if you trade into a Ranch or Piece of Land? 31:17 - Is the 1031 Exchange going away? 34:30 - Has 1031 Exchanges slowed down since the interest rate hike? 38:20 - Why should someone utilize a professional 1031 Intermediary? 40:14

In this episode we sit down with a true commercial real estate Pioneer, Ed Cross. Ed is an influential developer out of the Texas market that is know for being an innovative and creative multifamily developer. Ed has accomplished some amazing things and his career and he shares his lessons learned over the years. DISCUSSION TOPICS How Ed Got Started - 1:38 Ed’s First Development Deal – 8:42 Ed’s First Big Brokerage Deal – 10:30 The Gift of Abstract Thinking – 18:05 The Key Ingredients for being a Successful Broker – 19:40 Ed Starts to Discuss the Vistana Project – 23:00 Law of the Indies / Spaniard Settlements – 25:30 The Benefit to Developing in a market that is 10 years behind – 28:30 The Practice of Virtual Development – 32:47 Ed’s Partner and The Start of Corona Beer in the US – 35:25 Ed’s Mistake in the Development of Vistana - 37:25 How Ed Managed the Stress of Being Behind Schedule and Over Budget - 41:35 Ed’s New Project – Vicinia – The New Urbanist Development – 48:08 Discussing New Urbanism – 48:45 How the Civil Engineer was Ed’s Biggest Adversary with Vicinia – 58:30 How Ed Got Partner Support for a Pioneering Venture – 1:00:30 Designing a New Urbanist Project to Accommodate Parking and Large Trucks – 1:02:40 Ed’s Biggest Piece of Advice – 01:08:47 TOP TAKEAWAYS Present Numbers and Present a Proposal in a way that the recipient doesn’t have any questions. 2:45 To excel in Commercial Real Estate you have to be able to have abstract thinking. – 18:05 The Creativity of Development is like Brokerage x10 – 23:35 Embrace Issues in Development and Don’t Look at Them Adverse Effect to a Project – 24:15 CRE is a really small community and You’re known by your character – 39:20 Don’t Develop for Fees, Develop for Ownership – 42:25 Have Skin in the Game, Overcommunicate and Understand Risk 42:50 No Surprises – 43:10 Worrying Doesn’t Solve the Problem… Working On It Does – 44:15 Marry Well – 45:00 Land’s Value is Based off the Density You can Put on It – 1:01:28  Website Link to Vicinia - https://viciniasa.com/

In this episode we sit down with the two most dominant and well known multifamily and industrial developers in the New Mexico and Texas markets. We discuss how Ben and Kurt got started in the business and how they grew to one of the most prominent real estate firms in the Southwest. DISCUSSION TOPICS - “Ben’s First Development Opportunity” 4:55 – 8:45 - “How Ben got his First Project Financed” 9:06 – 11:20 - “Biggest Challenge in Growing a Development Company over the last 20 years” 15:00 – 16:50 - “What Titan does Differently vs other Development Companies” 17:10 – 18:42 - “Most Influential Factor for Becoming a Successful Developer in Today’s World” 19:05 – 20:58 - “What Titan has Built Historically and What Project They are Currently Working On” 21:22 – 23:37 - “Handling Material Cost and Labor in Development Right Now” 25:09 – 26:39 - “How Contracts are Being Structured Differently Right Now with General Contractors” 28:11 – 30:45 - “What is the most important metric Titan looks at before pulling the trigger on a project” 35:30 – 37:53 - “Why Titan decided to start a Fund” 42:40 - 46:11 - “What Ben thinks about Cap Rates and what they will do with Rising Interest Rates” – 54:38 – 57:40 TOP TAKEAWAYS - “You have to get out there and network and keep your eyes wide open for opportunity because you never know where that opportunity is going to come from. - Ben” – 13:00   - “You’re only as good as the people on your team - Kurt” 17:28 - “Without Trust you don’t have Anything -Ben” 20:24 - “Focus on Risk Adjusted Return when deciding to move forward with a project” 35:40 - “I would not ask someone to invest in a project that I don’t have my own money in and that gives our investors comfort.” 39:29 - “At the end of the day it’s the long rate, the 10 year rate that determines the cost of debt which factors into the exit value.” - “Fed fund rate (interest rates) is a factor but it’s not directly correlated to cap rates” – 56:15 - “You’ll never have 100% of the information.” 1:00:47 Guest Contact Info:  Ben Spencer  bspencer@titan-development.com  Kurt Browning  kbrowning@titan-development.com

Mark Ritter is the CEO of MBFS and an expert in credit unions and business lending. His primary role at MBFS is overseeing the strategy of helping credit unions assist members with business needs and consulting with credit unions on planning the delivery of services to their membership. In 2002, Mark started Members 1st Federal Credit Union’s business lending program as “one person and a desk” with no policies, products, staff, systems, or business members. That program grew to be one of the top ten in the nation. In 2012, he took on the challenge of being the CEO of a business lending CUSO. Mark was the fifth CEO in five years for the organization, which lost money every month of its existence. Since joining MBFS, Mark increased the number of credit unions the CUSO services by over 8x, grew the revenue by , and 10x, and ensured positive cash flow every full year he’s been at the CUSO. More importantly, MBFS has helped countless credit union members gain the financing they need for business and investment needs. Mark is a native of Berwick, PA in northeast Pennsylvania, where he was a member of his high school’s nationally ranked and state championship football team. After high school, Mark hung up his cleats to work for the Penn State Nittany Lions full-time as a student assistant while attending Penn State as an undergrad. During this time Penn State transitioned to the Big Ten and culminated in Penn State’s first Big Ten Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. Mark remains an avid Penn State supporter. Today Mark lives in Bucks County, PA outside of Doylestown with his wife and two teenagers.

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Flight, the founder and CEO of Liberty Fund and host of the Nothing but Net Podcast. We dive into the world of crypto and the impact that it is starting to make in CRE. We learn about how you can invest in NNN properties using security tokens as a vehicle for investment.  Below are some highlights on Michael's career.  34 year commercial real estate veteran with proven track Completed over $600M+ real estate transactions / co-founder Concordia Realty in 1990 Known industry expert on Retail Real Estate and Net Lease properties including speaker, author and podcast guest along with being Co-host of Nothing But Net podcast Institutional partnerships have included insurance companies, family offices, hedge funds, foreign investment funds Serves or has served on numerous non-profit boards dedicated to poverty alleviation, low income housing and education Enjoy the show! 

Tyler Cauble is Founding Principal and President of The Cauble Group. He's a native Nashvillian that has not only been a witness to the city's tremendous growth, but is also involved in it through his developments, renovation projects, and volunteer work. As President of The Cauble Group, Tyler helps bring together buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants in retail, office, industrial, and multi-family real estate. He’s committed to helping business owners understand the market so that they can grow their business and be part of Nashville’s future. Cauble is also the best-selling author of Open For Business: The Insider's Guide to Leasing Commercial Real Estate.

In this episode, we sit down with John Black, which is a synonymous name with Commercial Real Estate in Albuquerque, NM. We discuss John's history with taking his 1,000 plus acre ranch and developing it into one of the largest retail trade areas in the State of New Mexico. We discuss what he learned and experienced throughout the years and also how he feels about today's market. John F. Black has been in the real estate business for over 40 years. John specializes in vacant land entitlements, sales, and project development in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho Metropolitan area. John originally developed a 1,150 acre planned community known as the Seven Bar Ranch and Cottonwood Mall 3.8 million square foot commercial trade area within the Seven Bar Ranch development and planned and zoned and annexed the 6,700 acres NW Bernalillo County Black Ranch property now referred to as the Quail Ranch in the City of Rio Rancho. As the former Managing Partner in the Seven Bar Land and Cattle Company which owned 1,150 acres in NW Albuquerque John planned, re-zoned, and developed and/or sold over 400 acres of commercial land in the Seven Bar Ranch project (Cottonwood Mall retail subarea of Albuquerque). This retail development area is the largest retail trade area in New Mexico containing over 3.8 million square foot commercial development today. The feature retail project in the Seven Bar Ranch Cottonwood subarea is the 95 acre 1.2 million square foot Cottonwood Regional Mall owned by the world's largest retail mall owner, the Simon Group. Other featured retail developments that are in this 3.8 million square foot retail trade area are the 41 acre Cottonwood Plaza and 60 acre Cottonwood Corners power center located within the Seven Bar Ranch on Albuquerque's Northwest metro area. John is also involved with many build-to-suit leases and ground leases in the Cottonwood Mall area. As the Managing Partner owner and developer, John was the principal partner responsible for developing and leasing the Corrales Shopping Center, Alameda West Shopping Center, and Las Tiendas Shopping Center in the Seven Bar Ranch project. John has been a partner and developer in several other major developments outside of the Seven Bar ranch. He developed the Promenade Shopping Center in Northeast Albuquerque, Montano Plaza, and Coors Central Shopping Center in Northwest Albuquerque. John is currently working on several new retail projects in the City of Rio Rancho and his remaining properties in the Cottonwood Mall subarea. John is a partner in two planning and development lease projects with the State Land Office of New Mexico. These properties are in the northern area of the City of Rio Rancho. City Centre project is a new urban downtown development in Downtown Rio Rancho. The 530 ace mixed-use Paseo Gateway project fronts on the new Paseo del Volcan west side freeway (the only new Metro freeway in Central New Mexico since the 1960s). Paseo Gateway features the new LEEDS certified Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho and the new Cleveland Heights residential subdivision now under development and several key commercial land tracts in the City of Rio Rancho. John Black has served over 13 years on the Board Member of the Laguna Development Corporation which is a multi-million dollar company operating a hotel and casino, a supermarket, travel centers, restaurants, and over 1,100 employees in the west Metro area.