Best Real Estate Investing Advice Ever With Joe Fairless

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Zasha Smith, a former engineer turned real estate investor based in Hawaii. Zasha shares how a Google search on “how to get rich” led her from burnout in a 70-hour workweek to flipping houses, raising over $9 million through Instagram, and eventually launching a debt and equity fund. She dives into her latest affordable housing development on the Big Island, where she’s building 32 kit homes on $4K lots to support local families. Zasha also breaks down her social media strategy, her reasons for attending the Best Ever Conference, and her long-term mission to invest while making a positive impact in her home community. Zasha Smith Current role: Real estate investor, developer, and fund manager Based in: Maui, Hawaii Say hi to them at: Instagram @investwithzasha and https://www.linkedin.com/in/zashasmith/ Go to https://zbiotics.com/BESTEVER  and use BESTEVER at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics prob

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Dusty Eddy, founder of Eddie Capital Group. Dusty shares insights from his 20+ year real estate career, which began in institutional retail and development before shifting to multifamily. He discusses the founding of his own firm after a decade at 29th Street Capital, his nuanced understanding of markets like Phoenix and Las Vegas, and the importance of boots-on-the-ground intel. Dusty also details the challenges and strategies behind value-add repositioning in rough Class C neighborhoods and reflects on lessons learned from his one underperforming deal. Dusty Eddy Current Role: Founder & Managing Principal, Eddie Capital Group Based in: Scottsdale, Arizona Say hi to them at:  https://eddycapgrp.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.

On this episode of The Horizon, John discusses the rising risk of higher interest rates and their impact on commercial real estate. He breaks down recent shifts in FedWatch predictions, explains why inflation fears are growing despite current readings, and explores how political uncertainty—especially around tariffs and the stalled federal budget—is pushing markets into volatility. John also examines cap rate trends and evaluates whether investors and sellers should act now or wait, with a strong argument for deploying capital soon if there’s a path to positive leverage. He wraps up by highlighting the CRE sectors he believes are best positioned for growth, including multifamily housing, well-located retail, infill industrial, and medical office. 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 Be

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Slocomb Reed interviews Kyle McGee, a Pensacola-based real estate developer and investor, about how he's built a vertically integrated real estate company spanning construction, residential sales, multifamily investing, and property management. Kyle shares his journey from starting as a realtor to running a $22M business and highlights how implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) has helped him scale while maintaining focus and culture. He discusses the challenges of managing rapid growth—especially cash flow—and how strategic coaching and masterminds have helped him lead more intentionally. Kyle McGee Current Role: Founder of a vertically integrated real estate company specializing in multifamily, development, and construction in the Florida Panhandle Based in: Pensacola, Florida Say hi to them at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylemcgee/ Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Sta

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Eddie Wilson, a third-generation real estate investor and prolific entrepreneur who has started and exited over 120 businesses. Eddie shares how growing up in a family of entrepreneurs laid the groundwork for his success, and how painful early business lessons taught him to manage fear and practice gratitude. He unpacks the structure behind his billion-dollar exits, explains why he prefers service-based businesses over e-commerce, and reveals how he uses an “empire operating system” to scale businesses and real estate simultaneously. Eddie also discusses his not-for-profit, Impact Others, which builds self-sustaining ecosystems for children in over 100 countries. Eddie Wilson Current role: Founder of the Empire Operating System and CEO of Collective Influence Based in: Florida Say hi to them at: @eddiewilsonofficial or empireom.com Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Tha

On this episode of the Passive Income Playbook, Pascal Wagner interviews Michael O’Shea, Head of Private Wealth at Origin Investments. Michael shares how his firm has built a $3.3B portfolio offering institutional-quality investments to high-net-worth individuals, particularly through tax-advantaged vehicles like DSTs and Opportunity Zone funds. The episode dives deep into the mechanics, benefits, and misconceptions around both strategies—highlighting when each is appropriate, how they support estate planning, and their roles in diversifying and deferring or eliminating taxes. Michael also addresses regulatory expectations and why Origin’s vertically integrated model gives investors access to highly curated, risk-managed real estate opportunities. Michael O’Shea Current Role: Head of Private Wealth, Origin Investments Based in: Chicago, IL Say hi to them at: origininvestments.com → Book a call via team page Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.

On this episode of Beyond Multifamily, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Drew Dolan, fund manager at DXD Capital, a self-storage-focused CRE firm based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Drew shares how his background in engineering and technical sales led to a pivot into development, and why he now prefers building over buying due to the greater margin for error and control over entitlements. He breaks down DXD’s national development strategy, current projects in 20 states, and why fully entitled land is one of the most overlooked opportunities. Drew also shares insights on supply chain risks, market elasticity in self-storage, and how rising rates and housing stagnation impact demand. Drew Dolan Current role: Fund Manager at DXD Capital Based in: Albuquerque, New Mexico Say hi to them at: drew@dxd.capital or dxd.capital 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:/

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Greg Farricielli, a multifaceted investor and broker with a deep background in land development, hard money lending, and multifamily properties across Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Greg shares his journey from starting as an agent in Nashville to partnering on high-profit entitlement deals, including a $1M acquisition flipped for over $5M. He breaks down the mechanics of land development and entitlement, emphasizing patience, proper structuring, and transparent communication in JV partnerships. Greg also discusses his “Dirt to Millions” strategy, including passive land flipping and seller-financed deals for recurring income. Greg Farricielli Current Role: Land Developer, Broker, and Author of Dirt to Millions Based in: St. Petersburg, Florida Say hi to them at: Facebook or Instagram (search @GregFarricielli) Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at ⁠https://www.stamps.com/cre⁠. Thanks to Stamps.com for sp

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Vanessa Alfaro, Bonny Wayman, and Rebecca Themelis in part three of a three-part series on AI in multifamily real estate. This installment focuses on how operators are implementing AI in property operations such as leasing, maintenance, asset management, and investor reporting. Vanessa discusses creating AI agents and chatbots for asset analysis and KPI tracking, Rebecca explains how tools like MeetElise and Claude AI have accelerated leasing and quality checks, and Bonny shares how custom GPT bots are transforming her management of 50-unit properties. The panel emphasizes the accessibility of AI across portfolio sizes, the importance of training both humans and bots, and how embracing these tools early provides a major operational edge. Vanessa Alfaro Current role: Founder of Venus Capital & Lunax.ai Based in: Texas Say hi to them at: https://lunax.ai, https://venuspartners.com Bonny Wayman Current role: Asset M

On this episode of The Horizon, John discusses the complex forces influencing interest rates, inflation, and investment strategy in today’s real estate market. He breaks down Wall Street’s predictions for Fed rate cuts, explains why the Federal Reserve is likely to hold steady due to policy uncertainty—especially around tariffs, immigration, and supply chains—and challenges the idea that waiting to buy or sell will yield better opportunities. John also explores how cap rates, treasury yields, and government deficits intersect with real estate performance, ultimately advising investors to seek deals with built-in value or value-add potential rather than attempting to time the market. 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. Try Huel with 15% OFF + Free Gift for New Customers today using my code bestever at https://huel.com/beste

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Slocomb Reed interviews Lee Yoder, a multifamily owner-operator based in Cincinnati, about the transformative impact of bringing property management operations in-house. Lee shares how managing his own 283-unit portfolio led to lower vacancy and delinquency rates, a drop in turnover expenses, and significantly improved cash flow. He also details how internalizing operations enabled him to build a reliable team and scale his business more confidently—culminating in a recent acquisition that nearly doubled his portfolio. The conversation emphasizes the long-term strategic and financial benefits of aligning management incentives with ownership goals. Lee Yoder Current role: Founder of Threefold Real Estate Investing Based in: Cincinnati, Ohio Say hi to them at: threefoldrei.com or on LinkedIn 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 ⁠

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Michael Episcope, co-founder of Origin Investments, about his journey from trading commodities to building a real estate firm with over 10,000 multifamily units transacted. Michael shares how his grandfather's scrappy approach to West Side Chicago buildings shaped his foundational real estate mindset, and how he applied those principles to launch Origin during the 2008 financial crisis. The conversation dives deep into why Origin focuses exclusively on Class A multifamily in high-growth markets, avoiding overleveraged deals and emphasizing risk management and rent-growth forecasting. Michael also discusses the current opportunity for savvy operators in the wake of the capital slowdown, highlighting the contrarian advantage in development today and the power of specialization in long-term success. Michael Episcope Current role: Co-Founder, Origin Investments Based in: Chicago, IL Say hi to them at: origininvestments.com Get

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Pascal Wagner interviews Christian Busch, a seasoned real estate investor and managing partner at Glass Cube Investments. Christian shares insights from his 12-year journey navigating both active and passive commercial real estate investments, starting with crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise and eventually building direct relationships with sponsors. He breaks down his thesis on market selection, the risks of single-tenant assets, and his preference for multifamily and diversified debt investments over volatile or luxury assets. The conversation also covers portfolio construction, GP/LP dynamics, and the long-term migration trends shaping Miami’s appeal. Christian Busch Current Role: Managing Partner at Glass Cube Investments Based in: Miami, Florida Say hi to them at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianbusch/ Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the sh

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Suja Shyam, Managing Partner of Lux Capital Investment Group. Suja shares how her firm has expanded beyond multifamily real estate into alternative assets, including private equity and small business acquisitions. She explains the appeal of cash-flowing businesses amid rising interest rates, the underwriting and due diligence involved in these deals, and her preference for durable, low-volatility industries. Suja also discusses a recent healthcare brokerage investment targeting a 5X equity multiple and emphasizes risk-bucket thinking for investors seeking higher growth. Suja Shyam Current Role: Managing Partner, Lux Capital Investment Group Based in: Portland, Oregon Best Way to Reach Her: Website: https://www.luxe-cap.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.link

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Michael Kramer, founder of Freed by Real Estate. Michael shares his deeply personal journey from losing his father and building businesses to ultimately discovering a more balanced, family-centered life through real estate. He discusses how a life-altering accident and a failed first marriage reshaped his priorities, leading him and his family to scale a vertically integrated multifamily investment and lending firm. Michael also explains how his leadership philosophy—rooted in empathy and influenced by Chris Voss’s negotiation tactics—drives both his family business and investment strategies. Michael Kramer - Founder - Based in: Omaha, Nebraska - Say hi to them at linkedin.com/in/michaelkramerfbrefreedbyrealestate.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.

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Joe Fairless interviews Dr. Adam Gower, Tim Mai, and Irwin Boris to explore how AI is transforming capital raising in commercial real estate. The panel shares their most effective AI tools and how they use them for investor outreach, appointment setting, and content creation. Tim explains how he automates prospecting via Facebook and LinkedIn, while Irwin details his lead generation workflows through LinkedIn scraping and email campaigns. Adam emphasizes building inbound investor interest through consistent LinkedIn content and engagement, powered by AI for scalability and authenticity. Adam Gower - Founder - Based in: Beverly Hills, California - Say hi to them at gowercrowd.com ⁠linkedin.com/in/gowercrowd Tim Mai - Fund Manager - Based in: Sugar Land, Texas - Say hi to them at linkedin.com/in/timmai HEROWealthFund.com  Irwin Boris - Senior Managing Director - Based in: New York City, New York - Say hi to them at https://www.linkedin.com/in/irwinbor

On this episode of The Horizon, John discusses key insights from a high-level meeting with ten of the nation's top commercial real estate investors. Topics included the rising threat of stagflation driven by tariffs and shifting trade policies, and the broader implications for inflation, interest rates, and apartment demand. Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, John notes that investor sentiment remains bullish, with many planning to be net buyers in 2025. He emphasizes that this is a cycle where strong operations matter most, and experienced operators will likely thrive as weaker investors exit the market. 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 mus

On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Slocomb Reed interviews Gary Holloway Jr., CEO of GMH Communities, to discuss how his second-generation company evolved from local syndications to large-scale institutional student housing developments. Gary shares insights on identifying top-tier markets for student housing, the economics behind $100K+ per bed projects, and the importance of partnering with experienced operators for success. He also introduces GMH’s “Innovative Living” model—a flexible blend of student and conventional housing designed to serve emerging life science hubs. Gary emphasizes the continued resilience of student housing as an investment class, even through market downturns. Gary Holloway Jr. - CEO & President - Based in: Newtown Square, Pennsylvania - Say hi to them at www.gmhcommunities.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

On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Neal Bawa, known as the “mad scientist of multifamily,” live from Best Ever Conference. They dive into Neal’s preparation for the BEC real estate debate on whether the Fed has stuck a soft landing, highlighting key data points like wage growth outpacing rent growth and the Fed’s dual tools for market intervention. Neal also shares his actual market outlook—separating his debate stance from his real views—stating he is bullish on rent growth but cautious on cap rates and interest rates due to fiscal pressures. He ends with a tactical nugget: target markets like Indianapolis with strong rent growth, low property taxes, and limited new supply. Neal Bawa -CEO - Based in: San Francisco, California - Say hi to them at multifamilyu.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! Join the Best Ever Community  The Best Ever Community is live and growi

On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Pascal Wagner interviews Jeremy Roll, a full-time passive investor since 2002 with active investments in over 60 deals. They discuss how to strategically read market cycles, why Jeremy prioritizes predictability and cash flow over chasing high returns, and how his portfolio has evolved to favor asset classes like multifamily, mobile home parks, and senior living. Jeremy also shares his approach to cycle timing, his cautious stance since 2016, and specific tips for LPs to better vet sponsors and opportunities. This is a deep dive into patient, conservative investing and avoiding common LP pitfalls. Jeremy Roll -President - Based in: Newport Beach, California - Say hi to them at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-roll-655107 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,