

The Best Ever CRE Show
Joe Fairless
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 23, 2025 • 26min
JF 3945: Fund of Funds, First Big Deal, and Scaling Fast with Chris and Richard
On this episode of Unlimited Capital, Chris Lopez and Richard McGirr break down why they chose the fund-to-funds model for their first major capital raise—and why it's a powerful starting point for aspiring syndicators. They share how they scaled quickly without years of operational experience by leveraging experienced operators, reducing risk, and maintaining compliance through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) structure. They also discuss their first deal: a 34-unit value-add multifamily property in Denver, how they structured compensation fairly, and the importance of property walks in converting investors. The episode closes with actionable tips for aspiring capital raisers and operators alike.
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 22, 2025 • 29min
JF 3944: Trump Policies, Rising Costs, and Real Estate Growth
On this episode of The Horizon, John Chang discusses why commercial real estate is likely to outperform over the next five years. He attributes this to two major Trump-era policies: increased tariffs and tightening immigration. Tariffs on materials like steel, aluminum, and Canadian softwood lumber are significantly raising construction costs, while stricter immigration policies are reducing the labor pool, further driving up labor expenses. These structural pressures are expected to constrain new development, shift supply-demand dynamics, and ultimately push up both rents and property values across sectors including multifamily, retail, office, and industrial.
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 21, 2025 • 36min
JF 3943: Relationship Capital, Property Scaling, and SOPs for Success ft. Ashley Garner
On this episode of Multifamily Mastery, John Casmon interviews Ashley Garner, a lifelong real estate investor who transitioned from student rentals and residential brokerage into multifamily investing. Ashley shares how a near-death health scare motivated him to scale his portfolio more aggressively, going from a 10-unit to a 196-unit property through strategic partnerships and capital raising. He explains the mindset shift required to leverage other people’s money and how relationships and trust are foundational to scaling effectively. The conversation also highlights Ashley’s operational philosophy, including managing third-party property managers and the importance of developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) as his business grows toward a goal of 1,000 units.
Ashley Garner
Current Role: Multifamily investor and founder of ABG Multifamily
Say hi to them at: abgmultifamily.com
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 20, 2025 • 1h 9min
JF 3942: Flywheels, Franchising, and the Future of Real Estate Investing ft. Cameron Herold
On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Cameron Herold, founder of the COO Alliance and former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK. They dive into the nuanced roles of CEO versus COO, and why so many entrepreneurs misunderstand what they truly need in a second-in-command. Cameron shares how building 1-800-GOT-JUNK into a globally admired brand came from creating a strong culture, leveraging free PR, and obsessively developing a business “flywheel.” He also offers tactical advice for hiring, building trust between co-leaders, and crafting a vivid vision that unites and inspires teams—even at the early stages of growth.
Cameron Herold
Current Role: Founder, COO Alliance; Author and CEO Coach
Based in: British Columbia, Canada
Say hi to them at: https://www.cameronherold.com
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 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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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 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
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 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
In this discussion, John Makarewicz, managing partner at Faris Capital Partners, shares insights from his 15 years in residential real estate and his pivot to multifamily investing. He emphasizes the importance of visionary planning and building strong partnerships. John also highlights the significance of defining roles within his team and the strategies they use to maintain broker relationships. He outlines the discipline of tracking lead measures for success and discusses their commitment to transparency in investor communications.


