
Miami DealMakers
Miami DealMakers is a podcast hosted by Omar Morales, a commercial real estate broker who has closed over $3 billion worth of deals in South Florida. This gives Omar access to some of the most prolific real estate dealmakers not only in South Florida, but across the country. This MDM podcast gives an inside scoop into the conversations and insights that power some of the most active real estate professionals in the field.
Latest episodes

Apr 24, 2025 • 55min
Michael Simkins | E11EVEN Owner Reveals Expansion Plans
Michael Simkins, President and CEO of Lion Development Group, is at the forefront of one of Miami’s most transformative real estate ventures. Through District 11, featuring the iconic E11EVEN Hotel & Residences and E11EVEN Beyond, Simkins is reimagining a once-overlooked 10-acre site in Park West into a vibrant 24-hour destination. This global, connected “live-work-play” environment is set to be a hub for entertainment, culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Beyond his role at Lion Development Group, Mr. Simkins is a key player at E11EVEN Partners, the visionary team behind the renowned E11EVEN Miami brand, which includes a nightclub, hotel, residences, vodka line, and audio equipment. His strategic insight has propelled the brand beyond hospitality, cementing its status as a premier lifestyle brand. ====================Follow Omar on social media:Twitter: https://twitter.com/OmarMora1esInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/Newsletter: https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@omarmora1es

Mar 20, 2025 • 52min
Kobi Karp | Miami’s Most Prolific Architect
Kobi Karp is the Founder and Principal of Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design, Inc (KKAID). Kobi Karp founded the firm in 1996 and has been the Principal-in-Charge of design since that time. KKAID is a full-service architectural and interior design firm providing a vast array of services, ranging from the design of large-scale, high-rise condominium and hospitality projects to intimate, small-scale low-rise residential and commercial structures.====================Follow Omar on social media:Twitter: https://twitter.com/OmarMora1esInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/Newsletter: https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@omarmora1es

Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 5min
Jon Gitman on The Lender’s Perspective | Insights From Over $2 Billion in CRE Loans Closed
Partner of BridgeInvest since 2013. Jon oversees loan origination, underwriting and structuring at the firm in addition to oversight of the firm’s existing portfolio. In his role, Jon led the firm’s expansion into a nationwide debt platform with capabilities across the development and bridge lifecycles of transactions. While at BridgeInvest, Jon has closed over $2 billion of commercial real estate loans. Prior to BridgeInvest, Jon focused on acquisitions with Resource Real Estate (acquired by Blackstone) where he was charged with the deployment of a $1 billion private REIT focused on the acquisition and work-out of non-performing commercial real estate and real estate related debt throughout the United States. Jon is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with concentrations in both finance and real estate.====================0:00 - Trailer0:28 - What does BridgeInvest do?6:38 - Jon’s journey into real estate13:07 - Buying, selling, and financing notes17:49 - How Jon landed at BridgeInvest25:24 - Scaling and building BridgeInvest30:02 - Biggest loan: Wake Biscayne Bay38:12 - Current market conditions50:52 - Insights for loans that are struggling55:49 - Advice for young professionals59:33 - Closing thoughts on Miami====================Follow Omar on social media:Twitter: https://twitter.com/OmarMora1esInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/Newsletter: https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@omarmora1es

Feb 5, 2025 • 59min
Sydne Garchik’s Impactful Mission | From 0 to 6,000 Affordable Units
Sydne Garchik, the founder of MRK Partners and an expert in affordable housing, shares her inspiring journey in real estate. She discusses the hurdles women face in the industry and highlights her firm’s creation of over 6,000 affordable units. Sydne dives into the complexities of financing these projects and underscores the importance of local partnerships. Balancing motherhood and her career, she emphasizes female empowerment and community engagement, showcasing how strategic investments can reshape lives and communities.

Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 20min
Matt Ferrari | Driving $10B in Multifamily Acquisitions at TruAmerica
Matt Ferrari is the Co-Chief Investment Officer and Head of Acquisitions nationally at TruAmerica Multifamily while also serving on TruAmerica’s Investment Committee. Since joining TruAmerica in 2016 to lead the firm’s investment efforts on the East Coast, Matt has played a meaningful role in TruAmerica’s phenomenal growth. Matt has been a driving force in TruAmerica’s national expansion opening new investment markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Texas and the Ohio River Valley. Matt currently manages the acquisitions team and has acquired $10 billion in multifamily properties and over 47,000 units during his tenure. In addition, Matt oversees operations and asset management for TruAmerica’s Eastern and Central United States portfolio, comprising 22,000 apartments.
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0:00 - Trailer
0:32 - Matt’s background into real estate
19:02 - Transition from acquisitions to investment
22:00 - What motivated Matt’s transition
29:37 - Over $10B in MultiFamily investments
44:17 - Current real estate market across the country
47:07 - Markets excited about in 2025
57:55 - Advice to young professionals
1:03:19 - Matt’s passion for climbing mountains
1:14:34 - Matt’s experience in Miami
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Follow Omar on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OmarMora1es
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/
Newsletter: https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@omarmora1es

Jan 8, 2025 • 1h 16min
Jay Massirman on What It Takes | A Top 1% Broker Who Then Built Rivergate Companies
Jay Massirman, Founder and CEO of Rivergate Companies, transitioned from being a top broker at CBRE to building a real estate holding company. He shares insights on his journey, discussing his first significant deal and the challenges of the 2008 financial crisis. Jay emphasizes the importance of partnerships, scaling a business, and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship. He also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting motivation and adaptability as crucial elements for success in the competitive real estate landscape.

Dec 13, 2024 • 51min
Omar Morales on Pomp Podcast | Selling Billions of Miami Real Estate
Omar Morales has been part of selling $3 billion in real estate in South Florida. In this conversation, Pomp and Omar discuss the math behind deals, the biggest players in the space, and why South Florida continues to be a hot spot for individuals and businesses moving down.
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This conversation was recorded December 2022.
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Follow Omar on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OmarMora1es
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/
Newsletter: https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@omarmora1es

Sep 13, 2024 • 44min
Robert Rivani | Class X - The Future of Office Buildings
Robert Rivani is an entrepreneur, retail entertainment innovator and real estate visionary. With a remarkable journey marked by buying and selling over $750 million in real estate deals without a single partner or investor. Rivani's visionary leadership as President of Black Lion extends nationwide, from the prestigious shores of Malibu to the vibrant city of Miami. Beyond real estate, he has reimagined hospitality spaces and has brought on as tenants esteemed brands like Catch, Delilah, Gaia, Amara at Paraiso, Rosa Negra, and more to Miami.
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0:00 - Trailer
0:29 - Robert’s background into real estate
1:53 - First real estate deal and scaling
6:02 - When did hair and beard come into play?
6:40 - First real estate deal in South Florida
10:04 - First higher F&B deal
12:27 - Walking though the Gekko deal
16:25 - Social media culture
16:54 - Residential house in California
18:19 - Miami real estate prices
22:29 - Building “class X” office: Rivani
29:59 - “Class X” office vision and timeline
37:49 - Macro economic backdrop
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Follow Omar on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OmarMora1es
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/
Newsletter: https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@omarmora1es

Aug 29, 2024 • 57min
Max Sharkansky | From Broker To $1.5 Billion Multifamily Portfolio
Max Sharkansky, co-founder and managing partner of Trion Properties, shares his journey from broker to multifamily mogul with a $1.5 billion portfolio. He dives into strategies for scaling a real estate fund and his insights on underwriting in today’s market. Max discusses the significance of his first property purchase via Twitter, managing properties in-house, and the growing opportunities in Florida's real estate landscape. He also reflects on market trends and lessons learned navigating economic challenges.

Jul 31, 2024 • 54min
Charles Foschini | Mortgage Broker With $25 Billion Closed Talks Career Journey, Deals, and Miami
Charles Foschini, a real estate investment banking leader known for closing nearly $25 billion in deals, shares his remarkable career journey. He discusses the evolution from leasing to capital markets and reflects on the challenges faced during the Great Financial Crisis. Miami's rise as a real estate hotspot is explored, alongside strategies for navigating today's volatile market. Foschini also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community engagement, revealing how personal connections and genuine relationships drive success in the industry.
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