The Insider's Edge To Real Estate Investing

50: The Best of Real Estate Investing Live From New York

On this week's very special episode, I am pleased to bring to everyone a different type of show. For this week, I have decided to take some of the best advice from our past guests including Bruce Ratner, Ian Ross, Dan Hurwitz, Aeysha Seldon and many more. This advice is truly timeless and is something that listeners can come back to as they try to move forward with their careers or get involved in real estate and investing. I want to thank you all for the incredible success that we've receive...

49: Fundamentals of Leasing

On this weeks episode, I decided to use a panel that I took part in that I think will be very informative to all aspiring investors and people looking to get into real estate. This panel discussion goes over commercial leasing with some of the top names in New York City real estate, giving listeners an inside look at what to look for with leases, tips and tricks that benefit all sides of a transaction, as well as some other great information!

48: Putting the Work into Workforce with Scott Choppin

On this week's episode I welcome CEO and Founder of Urban Pacific Group, Scott Choppin. Urban Pacific Group is family oriented development firm based in Long Beach, California that specializes in residential and commercial properties. In this episode, Scott shares with us that visiting construction sites early on in his in life made him realize that the physical aspect behind building wasn't exactly what he wanted, but it was the developer side that ultimately led him to where he is today. Sc...

47: Integrity, Passion and Hard Work with Arthur Mirante

On this week's episode, I welcome close friend and colleague, Arthur Mirante, Principal and President of Tri-State Office Leasing for Avison Young in our New York office. Tune in to learn about Arthur's uprising in Hoboken and some of the jobs he had earlier in his life that helped shape his work ethic today. Arthur also shares with us how he decided to switch from practicing law for a few years to ultimately land a job in commercial real estate and what advice he has for anyone looking to en...

46: Cash Low to Cash Flow with Ayesha Selden

On this week’s episode, I welcome Ayesha Selden, an inspirational property investor, social media guru and true legend in today’s world. Tune in to learn about her experience growing up in Philadelphia, how academics played a large role in her life early on and how she realized the potential of neighborhoods around her while growing up. Ayesha also shares with us her first investment property and how she took on multiple properties while still working a full-time job. She then gives us insigh...

45: The Value of a Handshake with Jeff Gural

On this week's episode, I welcome industry legend Jeff Gural, Chairman of GFP Real Estate LLC (formerly Newmark Holdings and Newmark Knight Frank). On this episode, Jeff shares with us how he had no real interest in real estate, despite growing up in a particularly real estate focused family, how he moved to Los Angeles early in his life and what ultimately brought him back to New York City. Jeff also shares with us some of his early deals, explains that once he shakes your hand on a deal, it...

44: Reputation is Everything with Matt Shulman

On this week's episode I welcome Managing Partner & CEO of the Ardent Companies, Matt Shulman. Tune in to learn about Matt's upbringing in Detroit and what ultimately led him to decide that law school wasn't the best option for him moving forward. Matt shares with us how he moved up through the real estate world and how a pair of brothers in 2006-2007 handed him the chance of a lifetime when they were opening up a new shop and offered to give him $30-$50 million to buy assets. At the end of t...

43: Passion and Focus with Amit Khurana

On this week's episode, I welcome founding partner of New York City based development firm, Sumaida + Khurana, Amit Khurana. On this episode, Amit joins us live from a small island in the Bahamas to give us an inside look at how he got involved in real estate, early lessons he learned and how he ultimately got to where he is now. Amit shares stories of how teaching tennis lessons in Greenwich while still attending Tufts University gave way to his passion for architecture and design. He shares...

42: Eric Brody - No Sleep From Brooklyn!

On this week's show, I welcome close friend and Principal and Chief Operating Officer of Wonder Works Construction, Eric Brody. Tune in to hear this amazing and insightful discussion in which Eric shares with us his life story of entrepreneurship, running gyms in New York City as a young 21-year-old, and what lessons his father instilled in him to get Eric where he is today. Eric also shares with us some of his favorite books that have helped guide him, some fantastic stories about past proje...

41: Location, Location, Transportation with Chris Schlank

On this week's show, I welcome Founder and Managing Partner of Savanna Fund, Chris Schlank. Tune in to learn how Chris funded his first investment property in Brooklyn and how he ultimately learned career-long lessons with that first property. Chris also gives us an inside look at how Savanna invests in properties within New York City and gives some fantastic advice for first time investors. At the end of the show I feature a panel I held with the Young Men's and Women's Real Estate Associati...

40: Opportunity Zones with David Coelho

On this week's show I welcome David Coelho of Bridge Investment Group. Tune in to learn about David's interesting story about how he first got started in the real estate industry, as well as how his firm is truly investing in opportunity zones around the country. He explains what markets he's looking in, how he structures these deals and gives us fantastic examples of deals he's worked on in the past. At the end of the show, I welcome back Josh Simon of EBI Consulting and Jeffrey Carleton of ...

39: Olympic Effort With Paul Teti

On this week's show, I welcome Senior Vice President of Asset Management and Leasing at Columbia Property Trust, Paul Teti. Tune in to hear Paul's incredible story about his childhood and life in sports, ultimately guiding him and providing him with lessons that he still uses today. Paul also shares with us some fantastic advice about how to get through tough times and continue to be our best selves during this crisis. At the end of the show I welcome Jeff Carleton of HeatWatch LLC and Josh S...

38: Phase 3 & Beyond

On this week's episode, I am re-broadcasting a fantastic panel that I held on July 8 including Ofer Yardeni of StonehengeNYC, Jessica Walker of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and Michael Keogh of Bolton St. John's in which we discuss Phase 3 of the re-opening of New York and what is in store for the future of New York City. This panel gave amazing insight as we move forward through this COVID-19 pandemic. To listen to the full webinar, which includes a brief discussion of the State of the ...

37: Affirmative Development with Don Peebles

On this week's show, I welcome a very special guest, Chairman and CEO of the Peebles Corporation, Don Peebles. Don shares with us some of the lessons he examines in two of his books, how at 23 years old he started his own appraisal company, and how at 24 years old, he realized he wanted to become a developer and what led him to that decision. Don also shares with us some fantastic advice as we all try to get through this current COVID-19 Pandemic. At the end of the show I welcome back Lisa Fl...

36: Effective Hustle With Chris Okada

Join us this week as I welcome a close friend, as well as CEO, Founder and President of Okada & Co., Chris Okada. Tune in to learn about Chris's entry into the business following graduation from college after the 9/11 attacks. He shares with us how working for his father's real estate company got him started, what his first investment in the industry looked like, and what he is currently doing during the COVID-19 pandemic we are all facing. At the end of the show, I also welcome back Lisa Fli...

35: Emerging Development with Toby Moskovits

On this week's episode, I welcome a true pioneer and CEO of Heritage Equity Partners, Toby Moskovits. Tune in to hear Toby's incredible story in which she shares about living and working in Israel, how she got into the business, as well as priceless advice for women in the industry. At the end of the show, I also welcome a panel including Lisa Flicker and Neda Levy of Rhodes Associates, a firm in New York City that specializes in the executive search and organizational and strategic consultin...

34: John Catsimatidis - The American Dream

On this week's show, I welcome a true legend and potential NYC mayoral candidate, John Catsimatidis. Tune in to learn about John's thoughts on the state of New York City and why he is considering another run for Mayor. John also shares some great stories about his career, how he got to where he is today and how he first started in the real estate business. At the end of the show, I welcome a multi-family panel consisting of Mitchell Levine of Avison Young, Daniel Wrublin of Dalan Management a...

33: The City and State Budgets & The Future of Property Taxes Webinar

For this week's episode, I thought it'd be important to share with everyone my latest webinar which covered the New York City and State Budgets, as well as the Future of Property Taxes. This webinar included three fantastic panelists consisting of Andrew Rein of the Citizens Budget Commission, Ari Shalam of RWN Real Estate Partners and Martha Stark, the former Commissioner of the NYC Dept. of Finance. This webinar was extremely informative and relevant to what is going on in the city today. P...

32: Leo S. Ullman - The Ironman

On this week's episode, I welcome Leo S. Ullman, President of Vastgood Properties. Tune in to learn about Leo's incredible story about his life, his early career in law, and how he ultimately landed in real estate and where he is today. Leo shares with us amazing stories about his early deals and some fantastic advice for early investors. At the end of the show, I also welcome back our broker panel consisting of Brandon Polakoff of Avison Young, David Schechtman of Meridian Capital Group and ...

31: Risk Game with Francis Greenburger

On this week's show I welcome industry titan, author and Chairman & CEO of Time Equities, Inc., Francis Greenburger. This incredible conversation goes into how Francis first started in the business, some of the most complex deals he was involved in, and how he dealt with taking big risks on projects throughout his career. At the end of the show, I also welcome back our broker panel consisting of Brandon Polakoff of Avison Young, David Schechtman of Meridian Capital Group and Marion Jones of A...

30: Rod Santomassimo On Working With Brokers

For this week's episode, I welcome a close friend and top industry business coach, Rod Santomassimo. Rod has been a professional coach to some of the top commercial real estate brokers across the country for years now, teaching them how to implement best practices and build better businesses with repeatable processes that produce predictable results. Tune in to listen about Rod's best advice, how to get the most out of your business and how to work and find the best broker! At the end of the ...

29: Evaluating The "New Normal" in Commercial Real Estate

On this week's show, I am featuring a webinar that I hosted with our Global Head of Research at Avison Young, Dr. Nick Axford and Principal and Vice President of Project Management at Avison Young, Kirsten Beck. This webinar covered what the new normal will look like in commercial real estate following this pandemic and really gives some fantastic insight and perspectives as we begin to look at how our industry will be affected and has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

28: Resilience - Scott Rechler on How to Overcome a Crisis

On this week's episode, I welcome a friend and industry titan, Scott Rechler, CEO and Chairman of RXR Realty. Tune in to hear some of Scott's story, as well as how he has overcome crisis' in the past and how we can get through the current COVID-19 pandemic. At the end of the show I also feature a portion of my most recent webinar with Reggie Thomas of REBNY to share with you all the latest on the federal stimulus plan and how it is affecting real estate.

27: Mount Sinai Benefit with a Song By Jimmy Buffet and Other Guest's Including Joshua Bell

For this week's episode, I am re-broadcasting a portion of a benefit that the Young Men's and Women's Real Estate Association (YMWREA) and the Real Estate Council of Carnegie Hall put on to help raise money to benefit frontline healthcare workers at Mount Sinai Health System. Donations are still accepted and this is a fantastic cause! Performers included a song by Jimmy Buffet, as well as performers Joshua Bell and many others! To Donate, Please Click the Link Here: giving.mountsinai.org

26: Marty Burger: All About Relationships

On this week's episode I welcome industry titan, Marty Burger, CEO of Silverstein Properties. Tune in to learn about Marty's first real estate deal while being a student at the University of Pennsylvania, how he earned an early position at the Related Companies, and some of the lessons he learned starting off in the industry. Marty then shares how he ended up at Silverstein Properties and what it was like meeting with Larry Silverstein. At the end of the show, I also welcome a close friend, P...

25: How The PPP Benefits Real Estate With James Capalino

For this week's episode, I am featuring a live webinar that I hosted with James Capalino of Capalino+Company in which we discussed the PPP and how it benefits real estate. Please tune in to this timely episode as we discussed a wide variety of topics on how to best come out of this Coronavirus pandemic.

24: Gov't Stimulus - What You Need to Know With Reggie Thomas

On April 2nd, I held a live webinar with Reggie Thomas of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) to discuss the CARES Act, among other issues driving the real estate industry today in New York. COVID-19 has affected everyone in some way so please use this information as I believe it can benefit us all!

23: Own Your Space with Michael Rudder of Rudder Property Group

Hoping everyone is staying safe out there and spending some time with loved ones! For this week’s show, I welcome my neighbor, close friend and industry colleague, Michael Rudder of Rudder Property Group. Tune in to hear where Michael grew up, how he went from an Anthropology degree from Ithaca College into a career in commercial real estate, and some of the advice that he learned from his mentors early on. Michael also shares with us some guidance on whether it’s better to own your space or ...

22: The Epiphany - With Masood Bhatti

For this week’s show, I welcome a close friend of mine, Masood Bhatti, Managing Director of Real Estate at Silverpeak. Masood has such an incredible story in which he shares how he got started in the business and goes into detail on some of the “leaps of faith” that landed him to where he is now. Tune in to hear how Masood came to the United States in the 80s’ with just $500 dollars in his pocket, the incredible way he paid for his college education at Oklahoma State University and how travel...

21: Investing in the U.S. With Reed Goossens

On this week’s show, I welcome Reed Goossens, author and investor, as well as founder of RSN Property Group, a multifamily syndication investing firm. Reed has an incredible story having grown up in Australia then moving to New York City after falling in love with an American girl while traveling in France. Tune in to hear how Reed first got involved in real estate, how his first deal was only $38,000, and what he learned after experiencing a drive-by shooting at one of his properties! Reed a...

20: John Usdan - The Pioneer

For our 20th show, I welcome John Usdan, CEO of Midwood Investment and Development, a premier real estate company founded in Brooklyn, NY in 1981. For this fantastic interview, John dives into his early upbringing around real estate with his late grandfather, an immigrant from Russia who started off selling homes in Brooklyn, giving John his passion for the business. He then dives into his early deals, how he was a true pioneer in Hell’s Kitchen, and some of the run-in’s that he had with the ...

19: Know Your Market with Ian Ross

On this week’s show I welcome Ian Ross of Somera Road to discuss his early career and his love for the New York hustle. Tune in to hear his insight on how his company dives into tough, complicated deals that are in secondary and tertiary markets, as well as some of his favorite markets to invest in outside of New York. Ian also explains his early upbringing in California and loving the lifestyle, but becoming engulfed in the infectious New York hustle that he loves and thrives off of today. A...

18: Founders of 60 Guilders - How to Be the Best and Easiest Partner

On this week’s show I welcome the founders of 60 Guilders, Kevin Chisholm and Bastien Broda, both close friends and colleagues. Tune in to hear their fascinating story about starting out within Savanna Real Estate Fund together to leaving and starting their own real estate investment firm, 60 Guilders. Both Kevin and Bastien share stories about their early projects, as well as difficulties they’ve faced along the way. Also tune in to hear what both of them consider their greatest accomplishme...

17. Thomas Campbell of Thorobird - Building for Good is 99.9% Relationships

On this week’s show, I welcome fellow Colgate graduate and close friend, Thomas Campbell, Founder and Principal of Thorobird LLC. Tune in to hear Thomas discuss his early career working in finance at Merrill Lynch to moving back down to Florida for a short time in order to shadow a small-time developer. Thomas explains that working with a smaller firm and developer ultimately helped shape his entrepreneurial spirit in the industry and helped garnish the relationships and knowledge he has toda...

16. Global Expansion and Working His Way Up with Ric Clark of Brookfield Properties

On this week’s show, I welcome a very special guest, Ric Clark, Managing Partner of Real Estate and Chairman at Brookfield Property Group, Brookfield Property Partners and Brookfield Property REIT. Ric gives us an inside look at his early upbringing around farms and how that ultimately helped shape his passion for real estate and construction. Also tune in to hear how he started as a financial analyst almost 30 years ago, how he ultimately worked his way up with Brookfield to a leadership rol...

15. No Experience Required with Chad Cooley

For this week’s episode, we talk with fellow Colgate Alum and Co-Founder and Managing Partner at AWH Partners, Chad Cooley. In the past episodes we’ve covered retail, multi-family and development, but this week we cover all things hotels. Tune in to learn about Chad’s early career in affordable housing with one of the most prominent developers in New York City, as well as his upbringing around real estate and how that helped pave the way for his passion in the industry. Also listen in to hear...

14. From Multi-Family to Student Housing with Margaret Streicker

For this week’s show, I had the pleasure of welcoming Margaret Streicker, Founder of Fortitude Capital and U.S. Congressional Candidate for Connecticut. Listen in to hear how building a cardboard “box city” as a little girl, gave way to her creative side when it comes to dealing with new acquisitions and her vast real estate portfolio. She also dives into how she built her company, her investment strategy with new deals and how the top-of-the-line finishes don’t always equate to tenant retent...

13. Ten for Twenty - Top Global Trends with Avison Young's Dr. Nick Axford

For this week’s show, I welcome a very special guest, Principal and Global Director of Research for Avison Young, Dr. Nick Axford. All the way from across the pond in London, Nick was in New York for the week as he joined me for a fantastic press breakfast at the infamous Rainbow Room discussing all things trending in 2020 in the commercial real estate world. I was able to sit down with Nick to get a sneak preview of his trends and really pick his brain on how these trends may be affecting ma...

12. Jordan Vogel: Says Just Do It

On this week’s show, I welcome Jordan Vogel, co-founder of Benchmark Real Estate Group to discuss his early career and how he founded his current company. Tune to hear how growing up in New York City gave him a dream of one day owning property in New York, as well as how working as a property manager showed him all that goes into real estate. Jordan also discusses how he first started off raising equity for deals and how his current company, Benchmark Real Estate Group, is now raising equity ...

11. Ken Horn: From a $600 Law School Education to a Prominent New York Development Company

Happy New Year to all! On this week’s show I welcome Brooklyn native, Ken Horn, onto the show to discuss his early upbringing and ventures in New York real estate. Like many of our previous guests, Ken didn’t grow up around the real estate business, but rather found it later in life through other avenues. Listen in to hear how Ken managed to go to law school for just $600 dollars, brought the business of gelato ice cream to New York, as well as how at the age of 28, he got a lucky break with ...

10. From Interning to Mastering Development with Susan Hewitt

On this week’s show, I welcome Susan Hewitt, co-founder of the Chesire Group, a real estate investment firm specializing in New York metro-area multifamily properties. Tune in to hear how talking her way into a summer job after college at a small development firm in Providence, Rhode Island set up her career in real estate. She gives us an inside look at how working on small conversion projects gave her a base knowledge of all the many facets of development including project management, const...

9. How a Colgate Education Set Dan Hurwitz Up for Success

On this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of welcoming to the show Dan Hurwitz, founder and CEO of Raider Hill Advisors, a private retail real estate investment and advisory firm. Over the course of his career, Dan has held a variety of positions including CEO at DDR Corp., interim CEO of Brixmor Property Group and Senior Vice President and Director of Real Estate and Corporate Development for Boscov’s Department Store, Inc. Tune in to hear how a liberal arts education and a major in Histor...

8. From Broker to Owner with Special Guest Ofer Yardeni

On this week’s show, I welcome industry titan, Ofer Yardeni, Founder and CEO of Stonehenge NYC. This fantastic show covers Ofer’s journey from broker to owner and what separates his firm today by leveraging technology. Tune in to hear about his childhood in Israel, moving to New York City with $600 in his pocket and how he formed his great partnership. Yardeni also shares great advice for any first-time investor looking to make the jump into real estate investing. At the end of the show, we a...

7. Lessons Learned from a Conversation with Jeff Ravetz

In this week’s episode, we have Jeff Ravetz, Principal of Girona Ventures, on the show to cover many different topics in the real estate investing world. Hear how Jeff’s childhood growing up in Long Island helped shape his career in real estate by visiting properties with his father, as well as how real estate grants him the independence he was looking for in a career. Jeff also explains that immediately after graduating from college, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became an accoun...

6. Real Estate Investing - Live from Fordham

Tune in as we bring Real Estate Investing - Live from New York to the Fordham University campus. Special guests include Martin Gilligan, Hugh Kelly, Sadie McKeown and Serge Reda.

The Art of Commercial Real Estate Investing with Author Doug Marshall Continued

5. The Art of Commercial Real Estate Investing with Author Doug Marshall Continued

In this week’s episode, we continue our fantastic conversation with Doug Marshall, author of “Mastering the Art of Commercial Real Estate Investing.” The discussion further unravels as James and Doug discuss the professionals needed in order to close a real estate transaction, how there may be a conflict for some brokers who want to invest in property themselves and the different levels of investors and what each one entails. Doug also explains a very important point that is detailed in his b...

4. Building Passive Income. An Interview with Doug Marshall.

This week’s episode features Doug Marshall, author of “Mastering the Art of Commercial Real Estate Investing.” Tune in to hear Doug discuss how writing blog posts every other week 12 years ago turned into a complete book about how to invest in Commercial Real Estate. He discusses with James the seven advantages he believes investing in real estate bring, as well as why real estate is the best form of passive income you can generate. Learn how Doug handles the properties he has an ownership in...

Building Passive Income. An Interview with Doug Marshall.

Partnership. Performance. An Interview with Mark Rose.