
The Best Ever CRE Show
Welcome to the Best Ever CRE Show, the world’s longest-running daily COMMERCIAL real estate podcast. Founded by Joe Fairless, a co-founder of Ashcroft Capital who went from buying $35,000 homes to controlling more than $2.7 billion in real estate assets, the Best Ever CRE Show provides commercial real estate expert insights, education, and timely information to our community of active and passive investors who want to build wealth, build a legacy, and do more good in the world.So if you want the real stories behind the good, the bad, and the worst ever deals — plus, insights into what really goes on in commercial real estate investing — you’re in the right place. Our hosts interview commercial real estate experts every day to uncover secrets and strategies YOU can use to become a better, more informed investor. This is the Best Ever CRE show.Join the Best Ever CommunityThe Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.Apply now at www.bestevercommunity.com
Latest episodes

Apr 27, 2025 • 33min
JF 3888: Midwest Rent Growth, Economic Uncertainty, and CRE Opportunities
On this episode of The Horizon, John discusses his takeaways from the conference he just attended, emphasizing the resilience of commercial real estate amidst economic uncertainty. He highlights positive investor sentiment, particularly around multifamily, medical office, and necessity-based retail assets, while noting caution about tariffs, stagflation risks, and global trade impacts. John also dives into demographic trends favoring long-term rental demand, especially among millennials, and stresses the Midwest’s emerging strength in rent growth and limited new supply compared to oversaturated Sunbelt markets.
vikingcapllc.com
Join the Best Ever Community
The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.
Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.
Apply now at www.bestevercommunity.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 26, 2025 • 28min
JF 3887: Alaska Losses, West Virginia Wins, and Syndication Strategy Ft. Stephen Predmore
On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Slocomb Reed interviews Stephen Predmore, an engineer-turned-investor and owner of Talbot Investments. Stephen shares his journey from small single-family rentals in Baltimore to JV, LP, and co-GP multifamily positions across the U.S. He highlights key lessons from a challenging 33-unit JV in Alaska and contrasts it with a more successful, nearby JV in West Virginia. Stephen also explains why he chose to syndicate a 54-unit North Carolina deal and discusses his current focus on capital raising, targeting senior engineers for investor relations as he continues scaling with trusted operators in red states.Stephen Predmore
Owner
Based in: Baltimore, Maryland
Say hi to them at
https://talbottinvestments.com
vikingcapllc.com Join the Best Ever Community The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria. Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at www.bestevercommunity.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 4min
JF 3886: Real Estate Matchmaking, Fund Building, and Office Flips Ft. Lon Welsh
Lon Welsh, founder of Ironton Capital and a seasoned real estate investor, discusses his journey from house hacking to managing over $80 million in investments. He shares insights on the importance of investor matchmaking and the evolving landscape of office space, particularly through innovative renovations. Lon highlights opportunities in low-income housing and extended stay hospitality. The conversation also delves into strategic investment tactics and the potential for new construction in a competitive market.

Apr 24, 2025 • 1h 16min
JF 3885: Main Street Capitalism, Industrial CRE, and the End of Fake Equity Ft. Russell Gray
In this engaging discussion, Russell Gray, co-host of the Real Estate Guys Radio Show and seasoned LP investor, shares his journey from the 2008 crisis to discovering Main Street capitalism. He emphasizes the importance of macroeconomics in investment success and critiques financialized markets. Russell offers practical strategies for evaluating real estate through demographic and geographic lenses. He advocates for a shift towards valuing investments based on real income and stresses the need for thoughtful analysis to navigate today's economic landscape.

Apr 23, 2025 • 47min
JF 3884: Triple Net Wins, Dollar Stores, and Lease Nuance ft. Tom Rauen
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Tom Rauen, the self-branded "Fast Food Landlord" and owner of Rauen Capital. Tom shares his strategy behind acquiring Triple Net lease assets—primarily dollar stores and fast food locations—in underserved Iowa markets. He dives into the nuances of lease structures, investor returns, and risk mitigation, emphasizing why lease review and local knowledge are key. Tom also discusses the pitfalls of trendy business acquisitions, warning real estate investors about the operational complexity behind buying small businesses.Tom Rauen
Owner
Based in: Dubuque, Iowa
Say hi to them at
www.rauencapital.com
www.linkedin.com/in/tomrauen/
vikingcapllc.com Join the Best Ever Community The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria. Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at www.bestevercommunity.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 22, 2025 • 30min
JF 3883: Public-Private Wins, Capital Strategy Shifts, and Mobile Home Profits Ft. Jesse Sells
Join Jesse Sells, Co-founder and COO of Impact Growth Capital, as he shares his journey from the Air Force to real estate success. He dives into the lucrative world of mobile home parks, emphasizing the power of personal networks for raising capital. Sells discusses the hurdles of managing mid-sized multifamily properties and reveals his team's strategic shift towards larger developments. He also unveils an exciting $300M public-private project to transform public housing, highlighting the significance of government incentives in today’s market.

Apr 21, 2025 • 57min
JF 3882: Doubling NOI, Public-Private Partnerships, and Midwest Value-Add Ft. John Casmon & Kent Ritter
In this engaging discussion, John Casmon, Managing Partner at Casmon Capital, and Kent Ritter, CEO of Hudson Investing, delve into the multifamily real estate landscape. John reveals how he doubled NOI by uncovering hidden value in properties. Kent emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships for financing development projects, showcasing a transformative mixed-use project in Indiana. They explore investor sentiment shifts, effective fundraising strategies, and navigating complex negotiations, providing invaluable insights for anyone interested in real estate investing.

Apr 20, 2025 • 37min
JF 3881: Tariffs, Tech, and Retail Resilience Ft. Greg Katz
Gregg Katz, the Business and Industry Solutions Director for Esri, shares insights on the influences of tariffs and economic uncertainty on the retail landscape. He discusses how changes in tariffs are reshaping strategies for retailers, particularly discount stores like Dollar General. Katz also explores the experiential shift in retail, driven by Gen Z's preference for in-person shopping. Despite current challenges, he emphasizes the resilience of retail real estate and hints at a potential resurgence as consumers adapt to changing markets.

Apr 19, 2025 • 19min
JF 3880: In-House Management, Columbus Expansion, and Tech-Driven Operations Ft. Josh Goodwin
Josh Goodwin, co-founder of SimCap Holdings, reveals how his Cincinnati-based multifamily syndication firm transitioned to in-house management, boosting investor returns and improving cash flow. He shares insights on their strategic expansion into Columbus, focusing on local contractor networks and replicating successful operations. Additionally, Josh discusses leveraging technology, including AI, for predictive maintenance and asset management, showcasing how modern tools can transform real estate operations. This episode is packed with innovative strategies and valuable lessons for investors.

Apr 18, 2025 • 46min
JF 3879: Flipping Couches, Real Estate Innovation, and Building a Sellable Business Ft. Ryan Pineda
In this engaging conversation, Ryan Pineda, a former pro baseball player turned real estate mogul based in Las Vegas, shares his inspiring journey from flipping couches to building seven-figure businesses. He discusses the importance of mastering one venture at a time and adapting to market changes. Ryan highlights his innovative 'business-in-a-box' model, revolutionizing real estate education for aspiring wholesalers. He also dives into strategies for navigating economic uncertainties and emphasizes the need for creativity in real estate.
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