The Best Ever CRE Show

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Slocomb Reed interviews Nhan Nguyen Le, CEO of Valiant Capital. Nhan shares his journey from growing up in federally assisted housing to leading a $300M student housing portfolio focused exclusively on UC Berkeley. He explains why his firm targets high-demand, location-driven assets and executes a vertically integrated, value-add strategy that includes both renovations and ground-up developments. Nhan also addresses potential risks like university housing policies and political shifts, arguing that UC Berkeley's global brand and housing constraints create long-term demand resilience.Nhan Nguyen Le CEO Based in: Berkley, CA Say hi to them at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nhannguyenle Capital Gains Tax Solutionsvikingcapllc.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

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Chris Lopez, a real estate entrepreneur who transitioned from a tech-savvy internet marketer to a successful real estate broker and investor. Chris shares how he built a modern real estate brokerage by leveraging digital marketing and BiggerPockets forums to attract clients in Denver. He discusses his evolution from active investing into passive syndication opportunities, including educating clients on return on equity and “lazy 1031” strategies. Chris emphasizes the importance of agents becoming real estate wealth consultants, helping clients optimize and redeploy their capital into higher-yield opportunities.Chris Lopez Chief Marketing officer Based in: Colorado Say hi to them at propertyllama.com/ vikingcapllc.comCapital Gains Tax Solutions 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

The Real Estate God, a private equity investor with significant assets under management, shares invaluable insights into real estate investment strategies. He breaks down the vital differences between stabilized yields and market cap rates, stressing the need for LPs to understand these concepts. The conversation highlights the importance of due diligence, including verifying market rents and assessing risks, especially with bridge loans. Listeners gain practical strategies for navigating hidden risks and enhancing their investment decisions.

Victor Menasce, a senior partner at Y Street Capital and host of the Real Estate Espresso podcast, shares his journey from electrical engineering to real estate development. He discusses the shift to ground-up development and the challenges of rising construction costs, especially due to tariffs. Victor explores the complexities of converting historic buildings and the demand for flex industrial spaces. He also highlights long-term investment strategies, emphasizing a buy-and-hold philosophy as a path to maximized returns.

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.

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 Capital Gains Tax Solutionsvikingcapllc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Ben Lapidus, a seasoned real estate investor and innovator behind a unique new concept called Playground. They dive into Ben’s journey from self-storage investments to pioneering the emerging asset class of garage condos—flexible, purpose-built spaces that can serve as luxury storage, personal gyms, hobby studios, or workspaces. Ben explains how Playground caters to affluent buyers looking to own, not rent, and discusses why selling individual units instead of leasing offers better returns and faster capital recycling. They also unpack zoning challenges, community-building strategies, and the massive untapped market potential across the U.S.Ben Lapidus CEO/Partner Based in: Littleton, CO Say hi to them at playground.properties besteverconference.com playground.investnext.com linkedin.com/blapidus benlapidus.com Capital Gains Tax Solutionsvikingcapllc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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