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
Apr 8, 2025 • 40min
JF 3869: Wholesaling to $20M Deals, RV Park Rollups, and Scaling Smarter ft. Ben Simon
Ben Simon, CEO of Archer Acquisitions, shares insights from his impressive journey in real estate, managing over 500 multifamily units and 12 RV parks. He discusses transitioning from wholesaling to tackling $20M+ deals and unveils how he stumbled upon the lucrative RV park market. Ben emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships and maintaining capital reserves for unexpected challenges. He also reflects on his toughest deals and the triumph of a refinancing success, showcasing his creative financing strategies in the evolving real estate landscape.
Apr 7, 2025 • 36min
JF 3868: Class A Success, Off-Market Deals, and Multifamily Resilience ft. Judd Standage
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Judd Standage, founder of Aztex Management Group, who shares his journey from an IT career to owning and managing a 1,000-door multifamily portfolio. Judd discusses lessons from his first heavy value-add deal, why he shifted toward stabilized Class A and B+ properties in tertiary markets, and how his partnership with a longtime friend allows them to efficiently manage their entire operation. He also shares creative strategies to boost NOI, such as fenced yard upgrades and joint ventures on renters insurance. Judd opens up about current capital-raising challenges and how their team is navigating a more cautious investor landscape.Judd Standage
Founder
Based in: Austin, Texas
Say hi to them at
www.aztexmgmt.com
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Apr 6, 2025 • 31min
JF 3867: Stock Market Tumbles, Treasury Yields Drop, Real Estate Stands Firm
On this episode of The Horizon, John discusses the sweeping impact of the new U.S. tariff hikes—dubbed "Liberation Day"—and their cascading effects on inflation, unemployment, and commercial real estate. He breaks down the economic fallout from increased tariffs on China, Vietnam, and other major trade partners, highlighting the resulting stock market plunge, potential recession, and shifts in investor sentiment. John explores how real estate might weather the turbulence better than equities, offering insights into asset classes like apartments, retail, office, and industrial properties. vikingcapllc.comCapital Gains Tax Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 5, 2025 • 23min
JF 3866: Tariffs, Treasury Trends, and Multifamily Recovery
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless flies solo and dives into the latest Best Ever newsletter with updates and insights on the commercial real estate market. Joe breaks down the impact of new tariffs, treasury rate movements, and the state of multifamily trends across markets like DFW, Florida, and the Sunbelt. He highlights affordable housing challenges, national vacancy trends, and a standout case study of a 2X value-add deal in South Carolina generating 110% annual cash-on-cash returns. Joe also touches on where renters are currently searching most and encourages community engagement through the Best Ever CRE app.Capital Gains Tax Solutionsvikingcapllc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11 snips
Apr 4, 2025 • 53min
JF 3865: Garage Condos, Flex Space, and Building a Category of One ft. Ben Lapidus
Ben Lapidus, a real estate innovator and CEO of Playground, shares insights into the transformative world of garage condos—flexible spaces designed for luxury storage and personal use. Lapidus discusses the booming market catering to affluent buyers who prefer ownership over rental, and why selling units can yield better returns. He delves into zoning challenges, community-building through clubhouse amenities, and the demand from owners of 'big toys' like RVs. His vision includes scaling nationwide, focusing on outdoor-loving metros.
Apr 3, 2025 • 1h 4min
JF 3864: LP Red Flags, Market Trends, and Multifamily Wins ft. Andrew Cushman
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Pascal Wagner interviews Andrew Cushman, founder of Vantage Point Acquisitions. Andrew shares his journey from chemical engineer to successful multifamily investor, highlighting how he transitioned from flipping homes to acquiring nearly 3,000 multifamily units across the Southeast. He breaks down his firm's buy box strategy, emphasizing the importance of management value-add, demographic targeting, and property size for operational efficiency. The conversation also explores how LPs can vet operators more effectively, the significance of operator SOPs, and a deep dive into the current trend of preferred equity raises and their implications for passive investors.Andrew Cushman
Founder/Principal
Based in: Southern California
Say hi to them at
www.vpacq.com
www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcushmanvpa
Capital Gains Tax Solutionsvikingcapllc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 2, 2025 • 32min
JF 3863: IOS Storage, SBA Financing, and the Power of Partnerships ft. Christopher Long
Christopher Long, CEO of Long Yards, details his journey in transforming a contractor's solution into a $12 million industrial outdoor storage business. He discusses innovative land acquisition strategies and the benefits of SBA financing for development. The conversation highlights the shift from traditional franchising to flexible partnerships, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in this niche. Listeners discover modern storage solutions designed for contractors and the extensive market potential across North America.
Apr 1, 2025 • 30min
JF3862: Vetting Sponsors, Multifamily in Tennessee, and Value-Add Plays ft. Brent Barcus
Brent Barcus, Managing Partner at I-65 Capital in Nashville, shares his fascinating journey from the entertainment industry to multifamily real estate. He details his process for vetting sponsors and the lessons learned from an early challenging deal in Georgia. Brent highlights promising market trends in Nashville, showcasing a new 232-unit acquisition focused on value-add plays. He also discusses the significance of strategic partnerships and navigating property management challenges in smaller markets, offering a deep dive into the dynamics of the multifamily sector.
Mar 31, 2025 • 31min
JF3861: Passive Investing, AI Due Diligence, and Risk Mitigation ft. Sam Giordano
In this conversation, Sam Giordano, a gastroenterologist turned real estate investor and co-founder of PassiveAdvantage.com, shares his unique path into real estate syndications. He reveals how his AI-driven platform helps high-income professionals navigate passive investments. Topics include the critical role of sponsor evaluation, adapting to market challenges like rising interest rates, and the benefits of transparency in connecting investors with sponsors. Sam also discusses the importance of diversification and future opportunities in multifamily real estate.
Mar 30, 2025 • 33min
JF3860: Economic Uncertainty, Inflation Risks, and the Real Estate Outlook ft. John Silvia
John Silvia, former chief economist of Wells Fargo and the U.S. Banking Committee, shares his insights on economic uncertainty and inflation risks. He addresses concerns like slowing consumer spending and potential recession indicators. Silvia discusses the implications of new tariffs on inflation and consumer confidence, while predicting possible rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. He highlights investment opportunities in commercial real estate, painting a cautiously optimistic picture for the next few years amidst the economic challenges.
