JF 3904: Land Development, JV Lessons, and 5Xing a $1M Deal ft. Greg Farricielli

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 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

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 Manager at Wild Oak Capital Based in: Colorado Say hi to them at: https://www.wildoakcapital.com/ or [email protected] Rebecca Themelis Current role: Real Estate Investor, Broker, and Contractor at Spot Properties Based in: California Say hi to them at: [email protected] 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/bestever. Fuel your best performance with Huel today! 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 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/bestever. Fuel your best performance with Huel today! 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 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 ⁠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/bestever. Fuel your best performance with Huel today! 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 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 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

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 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

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.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

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. 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 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/irwinboris/ 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

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 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