Commercial Real Estate Secrets

It’s Our 100th Episode—And We’re Celebrating Big!In this special episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I’m joined by Bob Knakal, Chairman and CEO of BKREA, and one of the most legendary commercial real estate brokers of all time. We dive into Bob’s career, his mindset for success, and the lessons that shaped his path.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:• Why passion, expertise, and discipline are critical for long-term success in CRE• How Bob secured $1.6 billion in exclusive listings within six months of launching BKREA• Why failures became Bob’s greatest teachers and how they fueled his growthConnect with Bob Knakal:📍 Website: BKREA.com | BobKnakal.com📍 Social Media: Instagram | X | 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, I sit down with Matt Spagnolo, Fund Co-Manager at Colony Hills Capital. With a background that spans equities trading to hands-on real estate sales, Matt reveals how his innovative co‑GP model is reshaping multifamily investing—helping investors enjoy passive returns while capitalizing on significant deal flow.We talk about:🚀 How the co‑GP structure doubles deal-making potential while keeping investors passive💡 The proven value‑add, core‑plus strategy for transforming underperforming multifamily assets📊 What IRR really means and why it matters more than simple ROI🤝 The importance of networking and building relationships in the commercial real estate worldIf you’re looking to break into commercial real estate and build lasting wealth with smart, scalable investments, this episode is for you!Follow Matt Spagnolo: Linkedin | Website 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, I sit down with Greg Mohr, founder of Franchise Maven and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Real Freedom: Why Franchises Are Worth Considering and How They Can Be Used for Building Wealth.We talk about:🚀 How franchising can be the ultimate shortcut to business success💡 Why buying a franchise can reduce risk while still offering flexibility🏢 The intersection of franchising and commercial real estate📜 Lease agreements, ownership vs. renting, and real estate investment opportunitiesIf you’re looking for a proven path to business ownership without starting from scratch, this episode is for you!Connect with Greg Mohr: 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

Curious about passive real estate investing but not sure where to begin?Many investors feel stuck juggling their active careers while wanting to build wealth and financial freedom through real estate. Passive real estate investing offers a way to diversify, create cash flow, and grow equity—without taking on the time-consuming role of a landlord or active investor.In this episode, I sit down with Whitney Elkins-Hutten, Director of Investor Education at PassiveInvesting.com and Founder of AshWealth.com. Whitney shares her incredible journey from epidemiology to real estate, starting with a live-in flip and scaling to over 40 single-family rentals and multifamily properties. Now, she mentors investors, teaching them how to diversify their portfolios and build generational wealth.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:How passive investing can create financial freedom and protect against market volatility.Why diversifying across operators, markets, and deal structures is critical for success.Strategies for putting your capital to work—even in uncertain market conditions.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Passive Investing and Whitney's Background02:47 The Role of Director of Investor Education05:40 Understanding the Billionaire Real Estate Playbook08:24 Passive Real Estate Equity vs. Debt11:16 Qualities of a Good General Partner14:12 Investment Strategies for New Investors16:58 Creating Impact Through Real Estate InvestingTo learn more or connect with Whitney, visit PassiveInvestingWithWhitney.com for free resources and tools, or check out AshWealth.com for mentoring and coaching. You can also schedule a call directly with Whitney to discuss all things passive real estate investing. 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

Have you heard of turnkey investing but aren’t sure if it’s the right fit for you?For many investors, managing properties on their own or trying to identify the best markets for strong returns can be overwhelming. It often leads to burnout, missed opportunities, and stagnation in growing their portfolios. Imagine if you could bypass these challenges—accessing high-performing markets while leaving the day-to-day property management to experts.In this episode, I sit down with Zach Lemaster, Founder and CEO of Rent to Retirement, the nation’s leading turnkey real estate investment company. Zach shares how he transitioned from a career in healthcare to building a portfolio of hundreds of properties annually through strategic turnkey investing. Zach breaks down the turnkey investment model, what makes it a game-changer for investors, and how his team helps clients invest in top-performing markets without the hassle of property management.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:What turnkey real estate investing is and how it simplifies the investment process.The top U.S. markets for cash flow, appreciation, and affordability.Creative financing strategies, including how to invest with as little as 5% down.Chapters00:00 Listener of the Week & Introduction of Guest03:00 What is Turnkey Investing?05:31 Top 3 Markets for Turnkey Investing11:10 Who is the Ideal Turnkey Investor?13:54 How to Conduct Due Diligence on Out-of-State Properties18:28 Finding and Managing Local Property ManagersTo learn more or get in touch with Zach, visit renttoretirement.com. You can also text REI to 33777 to schedule a consultation and explore turnkey investing options. 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

Are you paying more taxes on your real estate investments than you should be?Ignoring cost segregation could mean paying tens of thousands—or even millions—in unnecessary taxes. But there’s a solution that real estate investors use to protect their cash flow and reinvest in growing their portfolios.In this episode, I chat with Joe Viery, Founder of US Tax Advisors Group Inc. Joe shares his journey into cost segregation, explains this powerful tax tool in simple terms, and discusses how it can save property owners from financial stress.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:What cost segregation is and how it can significantly reduce your taxable income.Why timing matters—when to consider this strategy and when to avoid it.How to choose the right partner to ensure your cost segregation study is IRS-compliant.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Cost Segregation and Joe's Journey02:15 Understanding Cost Segregation: A Simple Explanation05:14 The Mechanics of Cost Segregation10:15 Navigating Cost Segregation: Risks and Best Practices12:09 The Future of Cost Segregation15:31 Leveraging Cost Segregation for Loss Recovery17:37 The Joy of Helping Clients Save MoneyDon't forget to visit USTAGI.COM/CRESecrets/ to learn more about Joe's services and get a free estimate for your property. 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

Are your office spaces missing the amenities that employees truly value?In today’s hybrid workforce world, employers are finding it harder than ever to bring their teams back to the office. Without the right amenities, your property might struggle to attract and retain tenants who want to create inspiring work environments for their employees.What if you could create an office space so appealing that employees actually want to come back? Tom Larance, Founder of The Experience Group, shares the amenities and strategies that make the modern workplace a destination.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:The key trends driving people back to the office, including wellness spaces and tenant loungesWhy community and collaboration are critical to a successful workplaceHow older office buildings can stay competitive through thoughtful upgradesChapters00:00 Introduction to Tom Larance02:42 The Experience Group: Creating Destination-Worthy Spaces05:51 Trends in Post-Pandemic Workspaces12:29 Innovative Amenities and Enhancements17:08 Revitalizing Older Office Buildings22:38 The Joy of Change in Commercial Real EstateHow to Connect with Tom:Website: TXG.liveLinkedIn: Tom LaranceInstagram: @TomLarance 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

How can commercial real estate brokers stand out in search engine results when competition is fierce?As a commercial real estate broker myself, I know how tough it is to break into those coveted top spots on Google. You’ve built your business with care, but when it comes to ranking online, it can feel like an uphill battle. I’ve been there—wondering why the big names and even smaller competitors are outranking me, despite all my efforts to stand out.This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Travis Bliffen, the CEO of Stellar SEO, to uncover the ultimate strategies for improving your online visibility. Travis has over a decade of experience helping real estate professionals, mortgage brokers, and other niche industries rank higher in search engine results—and he’s sharing his expert advice with you.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:Why SEO is critical for commercial real estate brokers in 2024 and how it outperforms other marketing channels.The misconceptions around SEO timelines and budgets—and how to avoid common traps.Actionable steps you can take today to improve your website’s SEO, even without hiring an agency.Chapters00:00 Introduction to SEO and Its Importance04:15 SEO Misconceptions06:54 Average Budget for Real Estate SEO10:03 Challenges in Ranking Locally15:08 DIY SEO Tips for Brokers18:31 Impact of Google’s AI on SEO20:46 Personal Insights and Impact of SEOVisit StellarSEO.com for expert insights, resources, and ways to get in touch. You can also find Travis on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/travisbliffen. 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

Have you noticed the old Kmart in your area being transformed into something completely new? Imagine walking past what used to be a vacant, rundown retail store, only to find it buzzing with activity as a thriving climate-controlled self-storage facility. These transformations are happening more often than you think—and they’re reshaping communities and creating massive opportunities for investors.In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I interviewed Clint Harris, GP at Nomad Capital and host of the Truly Passive Income podcast. Clint is at the forefront of this innovative strategy, converting old big-box retail spaces like Kmarts, warehouses, and even soda bottling facilities into high-performing, profitable assets. He’s not just transforming buildings; he’s transforming the way we think about adding value in commercial real estate.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:How to identify high-potential properties for self-storage conversionThe benefits of converting vs. building new self-storage facilitiesStrategies for raising capital and mitigating risk in self-storage projectsChapters00:00 Introduction to Clint Harris and His Journey01:43 The Conversion Process: From Retail to Self-Storage05:16 Market Analysis and Location Strategy11:41 Risk Management in Self-Storage Conversions18:15 Funding and Raising Capital for Projects21:08 Returns and Investor Relations24:42 Finding Fulfillment in Real Estate26:57 Conclusion and How to Connect with Clint HarrisReady to learn more or connect with Clint? Visit nomadcapital.us or email him directly at clint@nomadcapital.us. You can also tune into the Truly Passive Income podcast for more insights from Clint and his journey in real estate. 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

What’s your go-to source for commercial real estate data, and is it giving you the full picture?Many industry professionals rely on limited or outdated data, leaving them at a disadvantage when analyzing deals or negotiating contracts. Without the right tools and insights, you could miss critical opportunities or fail to maximize your investments. But what if you had access to transparent, actionable data that could level the playing field and put you ahead of the competition?This week, I chat with Lonnie Hendry, Chief Product Officer at Trepp Inc., a data modeling and analytics firm serving the commercial real estate industry. Lonnie is also the co-host of the popular TreppWire Podcast, making him a familiar voice for those in the CRE podcasting world. With a passion for commercial real estate and a deep understanding of data, Lonnie shares how Trepp is driving transparency and empowering industry professionals with actionable insights.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:How transparency in data empowers brokers, owners, and tenants to make smarter decisions.Why technology is revolutionizing the way commercial real estate deals are analyzed and negotiated.How leveraging actionable insights can give you a competitive edge in a dynamic market.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Lonnie Hendry and Trepp Inc.04:46 Understanding CMBS and Its Market Impact13:42 Making Data Actionable for Real Estate Professionals19:23 The Intersection of Technology and CRE28:57 Lonnie's Passion for Commercial Real EstateConnect with Lonnie Hendry:Website: https://www.trepp.com/LinkedIn: Lonnie HendryPodcast: TreppWire Podcast 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