The Real Estate Espresso Podcast

Luis Belmonte is based in San Francisco. He's been active in real estate development since the 1960's and has lived through 7 economic cycles in his career. On today's show we are talking about how to spot and survive these cycles. To connect with Luis, visit 7hp.com. He has several books on Amazon includingReal Estate 101Streetdog MBAStreetdog ManagerStreetdog Negotiator---------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are doing a walk-through of a new project that is hosting an open house tomorrow. This is a 253 unit housing project at Mont Tremblant in Quebec, an hour North of Montreal. Mont Tremblant, like many resort communities suffers from a shortage of housing for the employees of the resort. On today's show I'm sharing some of the attention to detail that is necessary to deliver a world class product. -------------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today’s show we are talking about government involvement in the economy. Countries vary widely in terms of the extent to which government plays a role in the total economy. At the extreme end of the spectrum there are the purely authoritarian states based on communism. Places like Cuba and the old Soviet Union where government was the economy. But there are government initiatives within the US which frankly are worse. ---------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today’s show we are taking a look at a relatively new product category. This is something that Y Street Capital has been active in for some time. But the industry and the investment community are waking up and taking notice. A recent white paper from the folks at Green Street is entitled : "Industrial Outdoor Storage: A Beautiful Ugly Duckling." Research and data on the sector remain scarce, which frankly can create opportunities. That’s the opinion at Green Street, and it’s our opinion as well. ------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today’s show we are looking at the integrity of economic data. This has been making headlines with the President firing the head of the bureau of labor and statistics and installing a longtime critic of the BLS to head the agency. The BLS has received a lot of questions and criticism for their data collection methods.The world seems up in arms that the President is going to interfere with how economic data is collected and reported. On today’s show we are going to take a walk through history to look at how economic data and employment data is collected and reported and the numerous changes that have taken place under various administrations since the 1940’s. The BLS and the BEA claim to have no political affiliation and therefore they are independent from the administration. Let’s look and see at what history tells us, and maybe you will agree with that sentiment, and maybe you won’t. The collection and dissemination of these statistics are primarily the responsibility of two independent federal agencies: the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The BLS, which was first established in 1884, is responsible for producing data on employment, prices, and productivity, while the BEA's mission is to provide a comprehensive picture of the U.S. economy through its national accounts, including Gross Domestic Product (GDP).-------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Capital tends to flow where it is treated the best. Well the state of Texas is considering a change to its constitution which will have no immediate impact on taxes. Currently the state of Texas has no state income tax for individuals or businesses. It also has no capital gains tax. Texas is currently in the process of considering a constitutional amendment that would permanently prohibit a state-level capital gains tax. This is a significant development, especially since Texas already has no state income or capital gains tax. The proposed change isn't to add a tax, but to legally block one from ever being enacted in the future.Texas voters will decide on Proposition 2, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, on November 4, 2025.Of course any income earned in the state of Texas including capital gains is still subject to Federal income tax and capital gains tax. So why is this significant? When a jurisdiction is seen as business friendly, it tends to attract investment. It attracts more than its fair share of jobs and prosperity. This is sending a message to the business community that Texas is open for business and is open for investment and residency. This might be considered a PR stunt since in the short term it really changes nothing. But investment in a location starts with making a favourable first impression. It’s one step along the path of many steps that are ultimately required to get a company to locate there. ---------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Joel Landon is based in Salt Lake City where he helps investors administer their retirement savings. On today's show we are talking about how to use a Roth Conversion as a tax efficient method for investing in real estate. This is not a rookie move, and of course we are not providing tax advice on this show. Consult your own tax specialists who are familiar with your specific circumstance. To connect with Joel, visit https://heritageira.com/joel-landon/ or email him directly at joel@heritageira.com. ------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Mike Kron is based in Newport Beach California. His strategy has pivoted lately to focusing on retail credit tenant net leases. These are the national brand operators that provide corporate guarantees on the retail lease for businesses that are not vulnerable to e-commerce and shrinking retail footprints. To connect with Mike visit https://guardiannetlease.com/ or email him directly at mike@guardian-advisory.com. -------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today’s show we are looking at an echo from the Great Financial Crisis. There was collapse of a banking house of cards triggered a drop in lending liquidity which then precipitated a fall in real estate prices. There were several areas across the US that got caught up in that mess in a big way. On today’s show we are looking at which areas of the country are currently experiencing negative equity and comparing them to counties that were similarly affected in the period from 2008-2012. In that time, the recovery only started in 2013. It took a full 8 years for prices to re-normalize in many of those areas. Right now, there are a few areas in California, Florida, New York, Illinois, and Texas that are experiencing negative equity. Washington DC is also on the list, but in my opinion for different reasons.Now I’m not here to tell you that we are experiencing a repeat of 2008. But I find it interesting that some of the same markets that experienced the most negative equity in 2008 are also the same ones experiencing negative equity today in 2025. This is a time when you need to be particularly careful. There are people still quoting growth statistics for these areas that frankly in my estimation are no longer valid. Yes, there are national home builders planning large scale gated communities with thousands of homes in the future. But I can also tell you that these builders will not be building at the same pace in an environment where inventories are surging and equity is evaporating. ----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

As many of you know, I follow macro economics and from time to time I share perspectives on the implications of underlying aspects of industries that ultimately affect real estate or the economy in some way. On today’s show we are talking about oil. It’s been a while since we have looked at what’s happening in oil and gas. To start with we have not seen any appreciable change in oil prices over the past two years. They’ve traded within a fairly narrow range between $70-$90 per barrel. There have been a few excursions outside that range. These days, prices are hovering between $60-$70 per barrel for most of this year. This is an indication of fairly balanced supply and demand. The latest 50% tariff levelled against India as punishment for buying Russian oil is totally missing the point. This has become a massive game of musical chairs. At the end of the day, supply and demand will always seek to find an equilibrium, just like gravity helps water find its equilibrium. ------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)