
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

Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 8min
JF 3941: Raising Capital, Avoiding Bad Underwriting, and Building Ethical Real Estate Wealth ft. Matt Picheny
On this episode of the Passive Income Playbook, Pascal Wagner interviews Matt Picheny, a Tony award-winning Broadway producer turned seasoned multifamily GP with over 16 GP deals and 28 as an LP. Matt shares how his path from acting and digital marketing led to real estate success, including a pivotal first deal where he quadrupled his investment. They dive deep into lessons learned from early LP mistakes, why conservative underwriting (especially around cap rates) is critical, and how today’s market might be ideal for investing if you have the stomach for it. Matt also discusses the values behind his coaching program, his value-add investment philosophy, and how LPs can vet operators more effectively.
Matt Picheny
Current role: Multifamily GP, LP, Coach, and Author of Backstage Guide to Real Estate
Based in: New York City
Say hi to them at: picheny.com – includes newsletter, free resources, coaching info, and social links
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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.
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Jun 18, 2025 • 44min
JF 3940: Accountability, Deal Droughts, and Spouse Dynamics with Amanda and Ash
Hosts Amanda and Ash share insights from their recent mastermind retreat, highlighting the power of in-person networking and accountability. They candidly discuss the complexities of working with spouses in real estate, emphasizing the need for boundaries and structured meetings. The duo also addresses current challenges in finding viable deals in today's market, exploring strategies around mobile home parks and vacant office buildings. Their reflections underscore creativity and collaboration as essential tools for navigating the fluctuating landscape of real estate.

Jun 17, 2025 • 54min
JF 3939: Operational Excellence, Blue Ocean Strategy, and Vertical Integration ft. Nick Stageberg
On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Nick Stageberg, owner of Black Swan Real Estate. Nick shares how 2024 marked their best acquisition year ever, with 2025 already on pace to surpass it, thanks to a focus on fixed-rate debt and operational excellence. He dives deep into their vertically integrated model, drawing on lessons from software development and Japanese lean manufacturing to run a highly efficient, team-based property management system. Nick also shares a tough lesson from a permitting nightmare in Tacoma and a recent big win on a 112-unit deal in Minnesota secured through creative financing and mission-aligned operations.
Nick Stageberg
Current role: Owner of Black Swan Real Estate
Say hi to them at:
blackswanteam.com – book 15 min with Nick
securefreedomfund.com – learn about their preferred equity fund
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Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
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
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Jun 16, 2025 • 1h 13min
JF 3938: Real Estate Capital, Fiduciary Duty, and the Power of Partnerships - Introducing Chris Lopez and Richard McGirr
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Matt Faircloth is introducing another new segment! Matt introduces Chris Lopez and Richard McGirr, the new co-hosts of Unlimited Capital. Together, they dive deep into the fund-to-funds model, discussing how Chris and Richard built Property Llama to raise and deploy over $60 million in capital across institutional-grade real estate deals. They share how their entrepreneurial roots, complementary skills in software and marketing, and a deep fiduciary mindset helped them scale from local Denver investors to nationally respected capital aggregators. The conversation unpacks key distinctions between co-GP and fund-to-fund structures, the importance of value-driven networking, and how anyone can begin building their own capital raising flywheel—even with just a few million dollars hiding in their phone contacts.
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
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

Jun 15, 2025 • 30min
JF 3937: Interest Rates on Pause, CRE on the Move, and Immigration’s Economic Role
On this episode of The Horizon, John Chang discusses the delayed impact of new tariffs on inflation and how businesses stockpiling inventory may temporarily mask those effects. He outlines the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on interest rates, noting likely rate stability through Q3, with potential movement in Q4 depending on economic indicators. John also explores how immigration policy and labor shortages—especially in construction and healthcare—pose challenges for commercial real estate. Finally, he unpacks how the proposed tax bill, including accelerated depreciation and expanded deductions, could benefit CRE investors, particularly those pursuing value-add strategies, and why he believes real estate may outperform other assets under a second Trump administration.
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
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

Jun 14, 2025 • 55min
JF 3936: Crafting a 10-Year Vision, Nurturing Partnerships, and Raising Capital with John Makarewicz
On this episode of Multifamily Mastery, John Casmon interviews John Makarewicz, a managing partner at Faris Capital Partners. John shares how he transitioned from a 15-year residential real estate career to multifamily investing after a successful exit from his previous brokerage. He breaks down how his entrepreneurial skill set and passion for improving client and resident experiences laid the foundation for Faris Capital’s early success. They discuss the importance of visionary planning, building the right team from the start, and maintaining strong broker and investor relationships to fuel long-term growth. John emphasizes the power of partnerships, clarity of roles, and the discipline of tracking lead measures to stay on target.
John Makarewicz
Current Role: Managing Partner at Faris Capital Partners
Say hi to them at:
fariscapitalpartners.com
Linkedin
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Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
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

Jun 13, 2025 • 53min
JF 3935: Bridge Debt, On-Site Turnarounds, and Scaling in Texas ft. Jonathan Nichols
On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Jonathan Nichols of Apogee Capital. Jonathan shares how he and his wife scaled from single-family homes to multifamily syndications across Texas and Oklahoma by leveraging broker relationships and applying analytical rigor learned from his engineering background. He recounts the transformation of a distressed 170-unit property in Lubbock—from 68% to 93% occupancy in just a few months—by temporarily relocating on-site and aggressively implementing a value-add strategy. Jonathan and Matt also dig into property management challenges, when to vertically integrate, and the importance of broker trust and clear communication in winning off-market or "first-look" deals.
Jonathan Nichols
Current Role: Managing Partner, Apogee Capital
Based in: Dallas–Fort Worth, TX
Say hi to them at: https://apogeemfc.com
Get 60% off the Magic Mind offer with our link and code
https://magicmind.com/bestevermf & BESTEVER60
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Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
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

Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 6min
JF 3934: Real Estate, Startups, and Tax Strategy—Unlocking Opportunity Zones ft. Jimmy Atkinson
On this episode of the Passive Income Playbook, Pascal Wagner interviews Jimmy Atkinson, founder of OpportunityZones.com and host of the Opportunity Zones Podcast. Jimmy breaks down how Opportunity Zones work—from their 2017 creation in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to the powerful tax incentives they offer investors. He shares how these zones have catalyzed billions in investment across the country, not just in multifamily but also in startups, industrial real estate, and community-focused developments. They also explore the future of the program, including what Opportunity Zones 2.0 might look like, and Jimmy offers tips for LPs considering OZ investments for the first time.
Jimmy Atkinson
Current role: Founder of OpportunityZones.com and host of the Opportunity Zones Podcast
Based in: Dallas, Texas
Say hi to them at: https://opportunityzones.com
Get 60% off the Magic Mind offer with our link and code
https://magicmind.com/bestevermf & BESTEVER60
#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
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
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Jun 11, 2025 • 39min
JF 3933: Elevator Failures, Emotional Investing, and Office-to-Apartment Plays ft. Matt Drouin
On this episode of Beyond Multifamily, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Matt Drouin, managing partner at Oak Grove Development. Matt shares how his asset-agnostic, opportunistic approach has led to a $18 million portfolio across 25 commercial properties in Rochester, NY. He dives into the strategy behind acquiring underperforming office buildings—like a 55,000-square-foot historic skyscraper bought for $1.5 million—and converting them into workforce housing. Matt also discusses the pros and cons of joint ventures versus syndications, the value of local market dominance, and how he's leveraged content creation to expand his investor network and broker relationships.
Matt Drouin
Current Role: Managing Partner, Oak Grove Development
Based in: Rochester, New York
Say hi to them at: LinkedIn, YouTube
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
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

Jun 10, 2025 • 54min
JF 3932: Contractor Red Flags, Permits, and Litigation Costs ft. Andy Wyman
On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Andy Wyman, a Florida-based attorney and founder of Wyman Legal Solutions, who specializes in construction and real estate law. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience and a background in a family of contractors, Andy shares the most common legal pitfalls property owners and investors face when hiring contractors. He emphasizes the importance of vetting, clear communication, permits, and using contracts that protect both parties. The conversation covers red flags in hiring, the hidden risks of litigation, and practical guidance for both investors and contractors navigating construction disputes and project planning.
Andy Wyman
Current role: Founder & Construction Attorney, Wyman Legal Solutions
Based in: Boca Raton, Florida
Say hi to them at:
www.wymanlegalsolutions.com
Phone: 561-361-8700
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
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