The Real Estate Espresso Podcast

Peter Neill and Ron Lockhart are based in Philadelphia where they redevelop blighted properties into affordable housing in Philly, Baltimore and New Jersey. On today's show we talking about how their investment model is extremely resilient even in today's high interest rate environment. To connect and to learn more, visit gsprei.com --------------- Host: Victor Menasce email: podcast@victo...

On today’s show we are exploring the limits that could trigger the next major breakage in the economy. I believe that the conditions are consistent with those that led up to the black Monday stock market crash in 1987. I remember that day very well. I was in my fifth year running my family’s investment portfolio and I was in my early 20’s. What’s different then is that the US had a debt about 30%...

More farmland is now hitting the market as a large percentage of America’s farmland is owned by people aged 75 or older. Forbes Magazine recently published an article about this phenomenon. We  have experienced this first hand. Last year, our team acquired the last remaining piece of the Norris Ranch. At one time, the Norris Ranch was more than 20,000 acres called T Cross Ranch. On today's sho...

On today’s show we are going to look at some soft data. A few days ago we explored the difference between hard data and soft data when it comes to economic indicators. Hard data includes things like the unemployment rate, the CPI, GDP, GDI and so on.  Soft data consists of market sentiment information. On today’s show we are looking at the market data produced by research firm Pulsenomics. The com...

On today’s show we are talking about the elements of negotiating a construction contract, specifically using the industry standard AIA contract forms.  I’ve heard a number of people insist on using the industry standard AIA contracts. These industry standard contracts are supposed to be a fair contract that is not one-sided favouring neither the owner nor the general contractor.  I compare the AIA...

On today show, we are going to look at two different words that are used to describe macro economic factors, and in each case we’re going to look at an important distinction in the nature of these anomic indicators. We’re going to start by looking at economic data generally. Economic data breaks down into two major categories. There is what is called soft data and hard data.  hard data consist of...

On the first day of each month we review the book of the month. Our book this month is "Buy Back Your Time" by Dan Martell.  In the book, he offers a refreshing perspective on time management and productivity, focusing not just on doing more but on reclaiming our most valuable asset – time itself. ----------- Host: Victor Menasce email: podcast@victorjm.com

Chris Balzaretti is based in NY and invests both in NY and Texas. On today's show we are talking about the lessons from Texas investments made during the past few years. To connect with Chris and to learn more, you can email Chris@takeflytecapital.com ------------------ Host: Victor Menasce email: podcast@victorjm.com

On today’s show we are talking about the commodities super cycle. We often hear those words, but what do they actually mean? What does this mean for real estate investors? I’ve witnessed the shocking price increase of copper wire. Six gauge wire is used in high load applications like stoves and clothes dryers, AC units, hot tubs and EV chargers. I’m seeing that wire pricing at over $5 per linear f...

The United Auto Workers didn’t get the memo. Jerome Powell wants to stamp out any possibility of a wage price spiral.  The auto industry is in the middle of an escalating strike as the United Auto Workers are fighting for a catch up on the concessions delivered when all of the major US auto makers were on the verge of bankruptcy in the wake of the 2008 Financial Crisis.  But the United Auto worker...

On today show we’re taking a look at how insurance is affecting choices in design.  Why are some insurers are exiting geographic areas entirely. What does this mean for owners of real estate in those locations? Insurance is both optional and essential depending on your circumstances. If you were ultra wealthy, then you can self in sure. However, For the rest of us and for anyone who borrows funds...

Real estate investors generally don’t care about short-term interest rates. The short term rates affect the cost of capital for bridge financing where those loans are indexed to the secure overnight funds rate. Short term debt can be replaced with permanent financing. I really painful increase in borrowing costs is tied to long-term interest rates. We have experienced an inverted yield curve for m...

Aesops Fables are classics credited to Aesop, a slave in ancient Greece. The stories date back to a time between 620 and 540 BCE with each story containing a life lesson.  We are starting today’s episode with a fable called "The Ant and the Grasshopper.”  -------------- Host: Victor Menasce email: podcast@victorjm.com

Josh Lessard is the research engine behind George Gammon and the Rebel Capitalist Show. On today's show we are talking about Josh's journey to becoming a central figure in the Rebel Capitalist team when he was just emerging from high school. To learn more from Josh, check out the Rebel Capitalist show on Youtube. -------------------- Host: Victor Menasce email: podcast@victorjm.com

Scott Smith is based in Austin Texas where his law practice specializes in asset protection and insurance litigation. On today's show we are talking about structures to protect assets and create resilience from the many threats to your wealth. To connect and to learn more, visit royallegalsolutions.com -------------- Host: Victor Menasce email: podcast@victorjm.com

Robert asks - “Most successful people have mentors. Who are your mentors?” This is such a great question. In fact I’m struck by the fact that in five and a half years producing a daily show, this topic has not come up before now. I’ve had a number of mentors over the years. They date back to my days when I was in the tech industry.  I believe it is so important to have people to learn from in your...

On today’s show we are examining the latest Federal Reserve announcement and trying to make sense out of it for real estate investors.  We’re looking at what was said, the underlying assumptions, and what the likely decision points will be.  When asked if a soft landing was now a baseline expectation, Powell said “No, No” he wouldn't go that far. At this point he was off script. A soft landing...

On today’s show we are looking at a new report on The Evolution of Work from Home published by three authors: Jose Maria Barrero, from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México Nicholas Bloom University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Hoover Institution & Steven J. Davis from Stanford University This 29 page paper has been in circulation since July as a working paper and was finally...

On today's show we are talking about a new development project in Spokane. We believe it's important to design products that are differentiated in the market. We will be hosting a webinar on September 19 and would invite you to attend. To register for the webinar, click on the link below. If you can't attend at the specific time, we will send you a recording of the webinar. https://eve...

On today’s show we are talking about buildings that are built so fast that they cannot possibly be structurally sound.  Guess what? They’re not. These buildings have been called Tofu Dreg buildings.  It’s not unusual in China to see 30 story buildings being erected in a fraction of the time we see in North America. Sometimes in only a couple of months. That’s incredibly fast. These buildings are c...

Kent Ritter is based in Indianapolis where he has built a portfolio of multifamily apartments. His firm Hudson investing is undertaking its first development project in a suburb or Indianapolis and on today's show we are talking about the transition to new development and some of the nuances of making that shift. You can connect with Kent at kentritter.com ----------------- Host: Victor Menasc...

Ben Fraser is based in Kansas City and is involved in multiple asset classes. On today's show we're talking about industrial and understanding some of the nuances of that segment. To connect with Ben and to learn more, visit aspenfunds.us ----------------- Host: Victor Menasce email: podcast@victorjm.com

On today’s show we are looking at a headline article in the WSJ.  The topic is banking. Think about it. Every bank’s risk management department would have stress tested the existing loan portfolio. They would have looked at the maturity dates of each loan, and forecast what would happen to those loans if they were refinanced at today’s rates. We have not seen a massive wave of defaults yet. Yes, a...

 On today’s show, we are talking about some of the dynamics that are showing up in the small investor segment of the real estate market. We are starting to see anecdotal boots on the ground evidence of properties being offered for sale that in my opinion are experiencing negative cash flow. In many major cities a small but significant percentage of condominiums, between 20-25% of new construction...

On today's show we are going to talk about the world of exempt market securities. But before we do, then let me make it clear. I am not a lawyer, nor am I a securities lawyer. The purpose of today’s show is not to provide legal advice, but merely to arm you with perhaps enough knowledge to ask questions of your legal advisory team. The reason we are even covering this today is because I get fr...