The Build Up

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down live at The Real Deal Forum in New York City with Steve Kliegerman, President of Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing. Steve shares how he built one of New York's most prominent development sales and marketing platforms, what it really takes to position and sell out a new development in a competitive market, and how he's leveraged his industry access a...

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Cathey Kuo, a commercial real estate broker, investor, and principal at Elite Commercial Real Estate in Las Vegas. Cathey shares how she got her start analyzing deals alongside her mother in high school, what it takes to transition from residential into commercial investing, and how she evaluates risk and opportunity in a market still navigating high of...

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Jude Bernard, a NYC-based real estate investor, broker, and general contractor who built a significant portfolio of brownstones and rental properties across Brooklyn and Harlem. Jude shares how combining construction, brokerage, and investing gives him control over the full lifecycle of a deal, the risks and realities of operating short-term rentals in...

Most people who want to invest in real estate never buy a single property. Not because the opportunity is not there. Because they talk themselves out of it before they ever get started. In Episode 406 of The Build Up podcast, we sat down with Henry Washington, co-host of the BiggerPockets podcast and author who built a multi-million dollar rental portfolio starting with no savings and poor credit,...

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Liz Faircloth, co-founder of the Real Estate InvestHER community and longtime multifamily investor. Liz shares how she built a platform that empowers women to invest with confidence, the strategies she teaches for scaling sustainably, and why financial freedom should support life purpose, not replace it. Plus, the hosts revisit a growing industry debate...

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Brian Scott Cohen, a top mortgage lender who has closed billions in loans and helped thousands of buyers and investors structure stronger deals. Brian explains why financing is often the real driver of returns, common mistakes borrowers make, and how investors can position themselves in a shifting rate environment. Plus, the hosts explore a question res...

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Pace Morby, known as the Creative Finance Guy, who built a national portfolio by acquiring properties without traditional bank financing. From his start as a contractor to founding the SubTo community, Pace breaks down how subject-to deals work, the risks investors overlook, and why creative financing can open the door for people with limited capital or...

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Brian Burke, President and CEO of Praxis Capital and author of The Hands-Off Investor . After more than 30 years in real estate, Brian shares how he scaled from flipping single-family homes to managing over $500 million in multifamily assets, and why syndications became the key to growing while reducing day-to-day involvement. He breaks down what makes...

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Andrew Freed, a Massachusetts-based real estate investor and licensed agent who turned a single condo into a growing multifamily portfolio. Andrew breaks down how leveraging HELOCs, refinancing, and capital recycling helped him acquire properties faster than traditional saving ever could—and why building systems and delegating early was the key to scali...

In this special season finale, Malessa and Candice reflect on the most powerful insights, boldest moves, and behind-the-scenes takeaways from The Build Up Season 3. From blockchain investing and syndications to mindset shifts and small-but-mighty portfolios, this recap covers it all. Filmed at Brown Harris Stevens' Studio 1873, Part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MORE) Network. Subscribe: https://...

In this episode of The Build Up, Malessa and Candice sit down with Antoinette Munroe, a real estate investor and educator who left corporate life to design a freedom-focused portfolio. With just four rental properties, Antoinette reached financial independence through intentional investing strategies like house hacking, BRRRR, and assisted living facilities. Plus, hosts Candice and Malessa break d...

In this episode of The Build Up , Malessa and Candice sit down with Whitney Elkins-Hutten, partner at PassiveInvesting.com and a nationally recognized expert in real estate syndications. Whitney shares how a failed live-in flip became the unexpected turning point that launched her career in real estate. Today, she helps manage a portfolio of over $800 million and educates investors on how to build...

In this episode of The Build Up, Malessa and Candice sit down with Aleksey Chernobelskiy, founder of GP-LP Match and former institutional investor who once managed a $10 billion portfolio. Aleksey shares how his journey from Moscow to Wall Street led him to launch a platform that helps everyday investors access the syndication space with confidence. He breaks down how GP-LP Match works, what passi...

In this episode of The Build Up, Malessa and Candice sit down with Jim Pfeifer, founder of Left Field Investors and former financial advisor, to explore how a single rental property shifted his entire approach to wealth building. Jim shares how he went from traditional investing to leading a community focused on passive real estate syndications. He breaks down how to vet deals, build a strong port...

In this episode of The Build Up, Candice and Malessa sit down with Dr. Benjamin Aaker, an emergency medicine physician, TEDx speaker, and real estate investor, to explore how he has built a multifaceted career. From life in the ER to scaling a real estate portfolio, Dr. Aaker shares how mindset, systems, and strategy have helped him navigate both fields. He opens up about becoming an "accidental l...

In this episode, Malessa and Candice sit down with Rich Perello, a former high school teacher turned luxury spec developer in the Hamptons. From his first multifamily flip to building $15 million homes, Rich shares how smart risk-taking, strong partnerships, and great design can transform your real estate career. You won't want to miss this inspiring story of bold pivots and big payoffs. Plus, the...

In this episode of The Build Up, Malessa and Candice sit down with Bobby Fijan, real estate investor and co-founder of Form Developers, to unpack how floorplan optimization can dramatically boost ROI. From office-to-residential conversions to maximizing space in multifamily investments, Bobby shares data-driven strategies that give investors a competitive edge. Plus, the hosts break down a rising...

In the Season 3 premiere, Candice and Malessa sit down with Jerry Chu, CEO and Co-Founder of Lofty AI, to explore how block chain technology is rewriting the rules of real estate investing. From fractional ownership to tokenized assets, Jerry breaks down how Lofty AI is lowering barriers and opening doors for everyday investors. Plus, the hosts dive into a surprising real estate twist from retail...

In the Season 2 finale of The Build Up, hosts Candice and Malessa reflect on the standout moments, major themes, and expert insights that defined this season. From powerful interviews with industry leaders to game-changing investment strategies, they recap the best takeaways and offer a sneak peek into what's next. Join them for an inspiring look back at an incredible season. Filmed at Brown Harri...

In this episode of The Build Up, Malessa and Candice sit down with Antonia Botero, founder of MADDPROJECT and a seasoned real estate professional with a diverse background in architecture, development, and project management. She discusses her early architectural work at Beyer Blinder Belle, the lessons learned from her robotics program in high school, and how her background shaped her business ap...

In this episode of The Build Up, Malessa and Candice sit down with Moira Concannon, co-founder of Elizabeth Property Group, a woman-owned affordable housing firm focused on the Texas market. Moira shares her journey from working at real estate private equity funds to dedicating her career to affordable housing. She discusses her firm's mission, the challenges of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (...

In this episode of The Build Up, Malessa and Candice welcome Ashley Wilson, a serial entrepreneur and best-selling author with over $165 million in real estate investments across 1,500 units. Ashley shares her transition from a Pharma career to real estate, discussing her businesses—HouseItLook, focused on home flipping, and Bar Down Investments, centered on multifamily properties. She also reveal...

In this episode of The Build Up, Malessa and Candice chat with Shaun Moamem of Pro National Title Agency. Shaun shares his journey from hospitality investing to running a title agency, offering insights into the importance of title insurance and the challenges of the hospitality sector. He breaks down key factors for successful investments, common title issues, and offers practical advice for new...

In this episode of The Build Up, Malessa and Candice welcome Angela Salvatore, Co-Founder and COO of Nicon Build, an integrated consulting and construction company based in NYC. Angela shares her journey from the hospitality sector to launching her own successful construction company. She discusses best practices for controlling costs and avoiding delays, what investors should look for when hiring...

In this episode of "The Build Up," Malessa and Candice chat with Scott Aaron, former pro-golfer and real estate developer. Scott shares his journey from the golf course to the development world, discussing the skills that helped him transition seamlessly. He talks about the challenges he faced, the importance of collaboration, and the strategies he employs to navigate market cycles. Plus, Malessa...