
The Rich Somers Report You Want to be a Commercial Real Estate Investor? Make Sure You Don't Make These CRE Mistakes! | John Azar & Francisco Herrera E438
Dec 18, 2025
John Azar, a seasoned real estate investor and co-founder of Peak 15 Capital, joins forces with Francisco Herrera, an expert in distressed investments. They discuss the pitfalls of current commercial real estate investing, including the consequences of overleveraging and undisciplined underwriting. Their insights reveal how strong assets can turn into liabilities and the importance of focused capital structure. The duo emphasizes the value of relationships over deal-chasing, and share strategies for protecting investor capital by thinking like institutional investors.
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Downside Protection Trumps Returns
- Institutional investors focus first on protecting downside, not chasing returns.
- Francisco warns retail asks the wrong question when they only ask about returns.
Euphoria Masked Risk In 2021–22
- Euphoria in 2021–22 masked risk and compressed cap rates, producing overpayment.
- That environment forced buyers into risky bridge debt reliant on runaway rent growth.
Buying A Lender-Owned Hotel At A Discount
- Rich bought a 40-room hotel in December 2023 after a lender wanted it off their books quickly.
- He purchased at a discount and the seller carried the loan for two years to help close the gap.
