Commercial Real Estate Secrets

In today’s episode, I sit down with James Bean to talk about how commercial real estate brokers can use social media, branding, and consistent content to build real trust—and real deal flow. We get into why most brokers post the wrong kind of content, how selfless, value-driven marketing differentiates you fast, and why “networking while you sleep” is the most underused advantage in CRE. James als...

Distress is building faster than most investors realize — and 2025–2026 will be the biggest transfer of CRE wealth since the Great Financial Crisis. This episode is Part 2 of Aviva Sonenreich’s extended conversation with Michael Cohen , continuing the deep dive into CMBS distress , why Denver is becoming one of the most troubled MSAs in the country, and how investors can prepare for the wave of ma...

Billions in CMBS loans are coming due in 2026 — and most borrowers still don’t understand how the system really works. In this episode, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Michael Cohen , Managing Principal at Brighton Capital Advisors, to break down how CMBS trusts, servicers, and bondholders interact — and what borrowers must do to protect their equity. Highlights: How CMBS trusts actually function...

Where should you invest in Colorado commercial real estate right now? In this solo episode, Aviva Sonenreich breaks down three real buildings (that are for sale) she’d buy today, from tech-infused industrial properties in Boulder to high-credit tenants near Denver International Airport. You’ll also learn her CoStar search hack that helps brokers and investors spot opportunities before anyone else....

In this episode of The Proof Stacker Podcast, Aviva Sonenreich joins the show to share how she turned a niche family business into a digital brand that drives real deals — including a $9.5 million transaction sourced directly from social media . From building authority with proof stacking and case studies to leveraging culture hacking and TikTok’s geo-local reach, Aviva breaks down the strategies...

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Sky Velez to talk about how niching down can fast-track success in commercial real estate. From breaking into the hospitality sector with zero experience, to closing a $7.5 million hotel deal just four months into her career, to overcoming imposter syndrome and building credibility fast, this conversation is packed...

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Nick Sansone , Principal at Sansone Group, to talk about the evolution of industrial development, raising institutional capital, and building a legacy-driven business. From the surge in data center demand fueled by AI, to how to structure joint ventures with institutional partners, to why focusing on value over prof...

Multifamily investing might be the most powerful way to build wealth in commercial real estate — and 2025 could be the best time in decades to start. With predictable income, risk diversification, and scalable cash flow, this asset class continues to outperform, and investors are paying attention. In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Ken Gee, Founder a...

In this candid Q&A, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Kusima Boswell, co-founder of Terrakotta, to talk about content strategy, inbound deal flow, and building a brand that attracts. They cover what it really takes to gain traction online, the difference between sales and marketing in CRE, and why consistency beats virality every time. A practical and insightful conversation on digital marketing...

Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Kusiima Boswell, co-founder of Terrakotta, the AI prospecting platform helping commercial real estate professionals turn cold calls into real conversations. They discuss how Terrakotta is reshaping prospecting with AI-powered dialing, data validation, and CRM automation, why consistency is the true secret to success in CRE, and what the future of AI-driven dealmakin...

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva sits down with Jonathan Iger, CEO of Sage, to talk about legacy, branding, and the future of office buildings. They explore Jonathan’s journey from carrying forward his family’s 100-year-old real estate company to rebranding it into a modern, experience-driven brand, while also digging into how design, service, and consistency can redefine w...

I recently sat down with Ira Zlotowitz , founder and CEO of GParency, for a conversation that completely reimagines what mortgage brokerage should look like in 2025. We talked about why most commercial real estate owners aren’t getting the best financing, and how Ira is flipping the industry model on its head—with flat fees, transparent data, and a Bloomberg-style app that’s free for everyone. Her...

Thinking about becoming a real estate broker? Before you start chasing commissions, picking a brokerage, or designing business cards, there are three things you need to get right first. In this solo episode, Aviva Sonenreich shares the practical advice she wishes every new broker heard before entering the business. From getting licensed to surviving the early years without a paycheck, this episode...

What if you could sell a property, defer capital gains taxes, increase your income, and eliminate landlord headaches — all at the same time? In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Ben Carmona, Managing Partner at Perch Wealth, to unpack the real-world strategies behind 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), and passive commercial real estate investing . This...

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I brought James Milner, CCIM back for round two—because we hit a nerve last time: overpriced software in commercial real estate. James runs Appalachian Commercial Real Estate out of Boone, North Carolina, and today we dig into something that might sound boring on the surface… but is game-changing if you’re in this business: 👉 How to use public data—lik...

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with my friend James Milner, CCIM , a commercial real estate broker out of North Carolina with Appalachian CRE. James and I met nearly two years ago at the CREI Summit, and we’ve stayed connected ever since. In this episode, we catch up on his CRE journey—from stepping into the content game on TikTok to earning his first six-figure commission...

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I’m telling you a wild story that challenged everything I thought I knew about office space in 2025. We’ve all heard the narrative—“office is dead.” I work from home. I love working from home. And I’ve toured countless empty, lifeless offices. But then something happened that completely changed my perspective. I had the chance to produce a podcast featu...

When interest rates are rising, deals are falling through, and uncertainty dominates the headlines—what’s the smartest way to invest in commercial real estate? In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I’m joined again by real estate attorney and investor Steven Spierer to unpack how seasoned investors navigate volatility without losing their edge. With over 3,000 multifamily units under...

In this special crossover episode, I sit down with Steven Spierer —real estate attorney, investor, and host of TalkRadio1.com—for a wide-ranging conversation on the legal and strategic fundamentals behind real estate investing. Steven has been practicing law and investing in real estate for 47 years. In this episode, we explore the biggest pitfalls he’s seen investors make—and the timeless princip...

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sat down with Richard C. Wilson , CEO of Family Office Club—the largest network of ultra-wealthy investors in the world. We got into everything—from how to actually reach family offices to why most people blow the pitch before they even get started. If you're raising capital, structuring CRE deals, or just want to understand how the wealthy think,...

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Ben Reinberg—CEO of Alliance CGC, creator of the Hard Asset Empire Blueprint, and author of Hard Assets and Hard Money for Hard Times— to break down what it really takes to build lasting wealth in today’s uncertain economy. In a time when liquidity is tightening and the market feels shaky, Ben shares why hard assets are the most reliable...

What a conversation! In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I sit down with Zach Molzer—the 24-year-old developer who’s flipping a 100-year-old haunted hotel in the heart of Kansas City into 122 apartments, a rooftop cocktail bar, and over 20,000 square feet of amenity space. We get into: How Zach found and locked down the Aladdin Hotel deal The 3-part process to qualify for state and...

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets , I sat down with Rafael Weiss , the founder and CEO of Sytes —the reverse marketplace that’s closing CRE deals faster (and cheaper) than anything we’ve seen before. You’ve heard of CoStar. You’ve heard of Crexi. But Sytes is doing what neither of them will: putting tenants first. Instead of landlords listing properties and hoping someone bites, Sy...

This week on Commercial Real Estate Secrets, I chat with Carson Baird —industrial and land broker based in Southwest Florida and proud twin dad—to talk about the power of social selling in commercial real estate. Carson shares how his consistent presence on LinkedIn helped him break into a competitive market, close a $3.2M deal, and build a nationwide referral network—all while raising newborn twi...

If you’re tired of cold calling, chasing leads, or feeling like your credibility is always on trial—this one’s for you. I sat down with author and CRE strategist Ed Winslow to talk about how he built an inbound lead machine using proof, positioning, and online authority. The same approach that got him featured on the front page of the New York Times—twice. This isn’t theory. It’s a playbook for br...