The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast

In the season finale, Ashcroft Capital founder and “Best Ever” host Joe Fairless shares the real story behind his leap from four single-family rentals to large-scale apartments—including a painful first deal, what he fixed afterward, and why partnering for complementary skills changed everything. We unpack how to pace risk (don’t skip stages), the one question he uses to start investor calls, and...

Founder of Vive Funds, Veena Jetti, has transacted over $1B in Class-B value-add multifamily across TX, FL, GA, NC, SC, and AZ. In this episode, she shares how she moved from single-family into syndications, why 506(b)/(c) changed her trajectory, and how to assess risk the right way—by “over-disclosing” in the PPM so only truly aligned investors come aboard. Veena breaks down a recent $52M, 168-un...

In this episode, Cory sits down with Andy McMullen of Legacy Acquisitions to unpack how to win in build-to-rent and multifamily — especially when market cycles shift. Andy shares how he built his company around trust, team, and clarity — starting with the one hire that changed everything: a top-tier executive assistant. They break down the yield on cost test (NOI ÷ total project cost) as the most...

Alexey Chernobelskiy—principal at Centrio Capital Partners and creator of GPLP Match—joins to unpack how limited partners should truly evaluate private real estate deals, why today’s rate environment makes raises harder, and how transparency + targeted matching can bridge GPs and LPs without broker-dealer intermediation. We cover his “three pillars” framework (execution, alignment, property), base...

In this conversation, Zane Schartz shares his path from pro hockey to running Freedom CRE’s investment-grade, single-tenant NNN funds. He explains why fewer variables can mean better sleep for LPs, defines how NNN vs. NN shifts risk and cap rates, and walks through value levers like early lease extensions with national tenants. We get candid on multifamily’s recent pain (floating rates, rising cos...

In this episode of The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast , host Cory Mortensen sits down with Chris Affinito, Managing Partner of Notional Development Partners, to uncover how he’s thriving in Austin’s competitive development landscape. Chris shares how he carved out a niche in “affordable luxury” workforce housing, leveraging tax exemptions and cost-saving construction techniques to create...

In this episode, Steven Richards of Streamline Capital Group shares how he transitioned from property management and brokerage into acquisitions and capital raising—closing over 110 units in Utah in under a year. Steven unpacks the skills that helped him stand out: relentless follow-up, creative problem-solving, and a people-first approach to broker relationships. You’ll hear boots-on-the-ground i...

In this episode of The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast, host Cory Mortensen sits down with Jack Sorenson—former NFL wide receiver turned investor relations lead at Four Mile Capital. Jack opens up about his journey from pro football to multifamily syndication and the powerful lessons he’s carried with him—like delayed gratification, managing expectations, and the underrated superpower of...

In this episode of the Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast, Cory sits down with Rick and Crystal Rumer—the dynamic duo behind Texas Secured Notes. With over a decade of experience, they break down their land-based owner-financing model that delivers double-digit passive income returns with minimized operational headaches. You'll learn how they buy large tracts of rural Texas land, subdivi...

Ryan Twomey raised $9M, returned $10M to investors—and turned the whole thing into an HGTV show. In this episode, host Cory Mortensen dives into the story behind “Cabin Wars: Flip It to Win It,” Ryan’s first real estate syndication deal involving a 435-unit RV park in Louisiana. Learn how he landed the TV deal, scaled to 574 units, quit his W-2 in 16 months, and built a disciplined system for grow...

In this powerhouse episode of the Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast , host Cory Mortensen sits down with Mike Sowers , author of Commercial Real Estate Investing: A Step-by-Step Guide and founder of Commercial Investors Group. Mike reveals how he scaled from flipping houses to building a $100M commercial real estate fund , sharing his exact playbook for creative deal structuring, off-market...

In this episode of The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast , host Cory Mortensen interviews Alex Burch , multifamily investor and co-founder of Veritas Equity Partners , who shares how he scaled from a single 8-unit property into a $50M+ real estate syndication business in the Pacific Northwest. You’ll learn how Alex transitioned from a full-time career in tech sales at AWS into real estate i...

In this episode of the Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast , Cory Mortensen sits down with Mac Shelton, co-founder of Sweet Bay Capital, to explore his journey from private equity into multifamily investing. Mac shares how he scaled from student housing house hacks to syndicated deals across the Southeast, raising millions in investor capital with a data-driven, risk-conscious approach. You&#...

In this episode, Cory sits down with Harrison Hoy, Director of Acquisitions at Cantrell Investment Company, to unpack his journey from tech startups to leading Texas-based multifamily deals. They dive into Harrison’s experience across brokerage, banking, and capital raising — and share hard-won lessons about underwriting in today’s market, relationship building, and scaling acquisitions. Whether y...

In this episode of The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast , Cory sits down with Bibi — a rising force in the multifamily space — to unpack her real-world strategies for sourcing and closing deals, handling tough negotiations, structuring investor partnerships, and navigating the emotional rollercoaster of capital raising. From letting money go hard with confidence, to building broker relatio...

We have had an amazing launch to the podcast with all of you! We are taking the month of December to reflect on the podcast and look at ways of improving things even further for you as a viewer and listener and bring more value to you each show. Take this time to get caught up on our previous shows and share and subscribe so you don't miss our next episodes. Thank you for all of your support and w...

Hello Everyone, On today's episode I go over some of the National and Macro trends happening today in commercial real estate and take a deep dive into what I am seeing as a boots on the ground investor. Lot's of key changes happening, so tune in! Link to Summary of Reports https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1H5UChyOZWJVtmBV7Dahvaf8ack2giqP8?usp=sharing

Cory interviewed Natasha from Radlett Capital about her journey into real estate. Natasha started investing in real estate in 2019, drawn by its potential as a secure asset class for investors. She discussed her company's approach to real estate investment, focusing on understanding local markets, and the importance of character judgment in partnerships. Natasha shared her experience of making...

Bibi Ofiri of Blue Ocean Equity joins us on The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast and tells us about her truly inspiring story of coming to America and building her business through grit, hard work, being curious, and never giving up. Her company owns and operates over $50MM in AUM and she has completed and closed on several projects and is a forced to be reckoned with. She is a proponent a...

Join me on a dive into an initial analysis for an 80-unit apartment complex. This is a glimpse into how I and other syndicators take a look at these types of investments. While this is not a thorough and complete underwriting, this shows the foundation and "first pencil" of how I approach underwriting.

Ever wondered how to leap from zero to hero in the world of real estate development? Meet Michael Wayne, who didn't just dip his toes into the industry; he dived headfirst into a massive Class A development for his very first deal! From navigating the complexities of construction costs to mastering the art of negotiation, Michael shares invaluable insights that you won't hear anywhere else...

In an insightful new episode, Cory Mortensen brings to the table a pivotal voice from the commercial real estate sphere: Jonathan Nichols of Apogee Capital. Together, they unravel Jonathan's meteoric rise from the grassroots of the industry to becoming a beacon in multifamily investments. In this episode, listeners will delve into: 🔑 Origins : How Jonathan kickstarted his career in commercial...

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast ! This week, I sit down with the powerhouse investor, Daniel Reilly, to uncover the strategies and steps that propelled his portfolio to an impressive 500 units in just over a year. As we dive deep into his investing journey, Daniel sheds light on the intricacies of commercial multi-family real estate, and reveal...

Welcome to The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast with Cory Mortensen, where we delve into the intricate world of commercial real estate and uncover the strategies, insights, and stories behind the industry's top professionals and game-changers. In this exciting episode, we have the privilege of hosting Savannah Arroyo, also known as the Networth Nurse. Savannah's remarkable journey...

Join Cory Mortensen in a captivating interview with Tory Sheffer, a prominent Real Estate GP known for his impressive portfolio encompassing 650+ units and over $70 million in volume. Discover Tory's expertise in Class B Suburban Multifamily investments and gain valuable insights into his proven strategies for success. In this episode of The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast, Tory Sheff...