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
Dec 2, 2025 • 27min
JF 4107: Hero’s Journey Frameworks, Epiphany Bridge Scripts & Investor Trust Building with Richard McGirr
Richard McGirr, Founder of Unlimited Capital and a marketing strategist, reveals the power of storytelling in capturing investor interest. He explains how facts alone fail to persuade, while personal narratives resonate deeply. Sharing his own entrepreneurial journey, including a pivotal failed webinar, he introduces Russell Brunson's Epiphany Bridge script, linking it to the Hero’s Journey framework. Richard emphasizes the importance of defining one's 'why' and overcoming false beliefs to enhance investor connections and boost conversions.
Dec 1, 2025 • 56min
JF 4106: Niche Media, CRE Storytelling and Viral Growth ft. Hiten Samtani
Hiten Samtani, founder of 1031 Media and former editorial director at The Real Deal, dives into the dynamic world of commercial real estate storytelling. He reveals how infusing entertainment into industry reports can enhance engagement and loyalty. Hiten discusses the evolving competition for syndicators as major players like Blackstone target retail capital. Additionally, he highlights the impact of niche media strategies and the importance of catering content to audience needs, ultimately reshaping the fabric of real estate coverage.
Nov 30, 2025 • 31min
JF 4105: Slowing Hiring, Capital Costs and the Hidden Advantages for Today’s Investors with John Chang
John Chang, a seasoned commercial real estate researcher from Marcus & Millichap, discusses the fallout from the DOJ's RealPage settlement and its impact on data accuracy, crucial for investor decisions. He explores the influence of political uncertainty on hiring rather than capital costs and predicts slower household formation and apartment absorption by 2026. Highlighting current market dynamics, Chang urges investors to seize opportunities with positive leverage, suggesting that upcoming pent-up demand will reward those who act before the market shifts.
Nov 29, 2025 • 51min
JF 4104: Raising Capital, Retaining Residents and Running Apartments the Right Way ft. Ed Mathews
Ed Mathews, Founder and CEO of Clark Street Capital, shares his transformative journey from Silicon Valley tech executive to multifamily real estate investor. Motivated by family time, he scaled his portfolio by building trust with contractors and implementing robust systems. Ed emphasizes the importance of retaining long-term residents for better returns and discusses how AI is revolutionizing his operations. He also reveals his strategic shift to asset management and his plans for a debt fund and private equity fund to target larger acquisitions.
Nov 28, 2025 • 1h 9min
JF 4103: Affordable Housing Incentives, Multifamily Cycles and Smarter Underwriting ft. Robert Beardsley
In this engaging discussion, Robert Beardsley, a partner at Lone Star Capital, shares his insights as a multifamily investor in Texas. He elaborates on the transition from a rising price market to a balanced one, highlighting the benefits of focusing on Class B suburban assets. Robert explains his strategy in avoiding risky bridge debt by prioritizing affordable housing and tax-exemption partnerships. The conversation also touches on the implications of Texas legislation and the potential risks surrounding improperly structured tax exemption deals, emphasizing the importance of tenant affordability.
Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 3min
JF 4102: Cash Flow vs. Tax Benefits, Capital Raising Lessons and Navigating Today’s Market ft. Bronson Hill
Bronson Hill, founder of Bronson Equity, shares his journey from medical sales to real estate, successfully raising over $50M across various sectors. He emphasizes the importance of aligning investment goals—whether cash flow, tax benefits, or equity growth—with the right deals. Bronson discusses the shift towards greater control in operations following market challenges, the significance of thorough due diligence, and how to vet sponsors effectively. He highlights the emerging trend of modular housing in rebuilding efforts post-disasters, aiming for stability and consistent income for investors.
Nov 26, 2025 • 44min
JF 4101: Cross-Border Capital, Tariff Headwinds and Investing in Western New York ft. Thomas A. Kucharski
Thomas A. Kucharski, the President and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara, shares insights on transforming Western New York into a tech powerhouse. He explains how centralized data and collaboration enhance site readiness for businesses. Kucharski discusses successful case studies, including Odoo's tech expansion and Milk-Bone's reinvestment. He delves into cross-border investments and the impact of tariffs on Canadian firms, advocating for transparency in funding and regional growth. His vision highlights the importance of public-private partnerships for job creation and economic resilience.
Nov 25, 2025 • 44min
JF 4100: Ten Years of Best Ever Con, Industry Shifts, and Lessons from Top Investors ft. Ben Lapidus
Ben Lapidus, coordinator of the Best Ever Conference and a commercial real estate investor, shares how a Skillshare class led to his partnership with Joe Fairless. He discusses the conference's growth from 175 attendees in Denver to a premier networking event focused on capital-raising and syndication. They reveal exciting updates for the 2026 agenda, including dynamic formats like Pitch Slam and keynote speaker insights. Ben emphasizes the value of intentional networking and memorable connections formed at the conference, showcasing its impact on the industry.
Nov 24, 2025 • 58min
JF 4099: Building Systems, Teams and Enterprise Value in CRE ft. Nick Jones
In this engaging conversation, Nick Jones, Founder and CEO of Alakai Capital, shares insights from his journey in commercial real estate. He discusses the transition from land brokerage to development, highlighting why retail was the perfect starting point for his deals. Nick emphasizes the importance of tenant relationships and how they shaped his growth strategy. He also delves into building organizational infrastructure and team culture, sharing innovative approaches to scaling operations and leveraging technology for success.
Nov 23, 2025 • 29min
4098: Cap Rates, Hiring Trends and the Next CRE Cycle with John Chang
John Chang delves into the latest jobs report, revealing how healthcare is buoying the economy while other sectors falter due to tariffs. He discusses the implications of policy unpredictability on hiring decisions and warns of recession risks linked to current economic trends. Chang highlights markets that might thrive during downturns and points out promising entry points for investors amid elevated cap rates. He also touches on the unique challenges and opportunities in real estate, particularly in markets like San Francisco.
