JF 3901: Vertical Integration, Operational Control, and Doubling a Portfolio ft. Lee Yoder
On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Slocomb Reed interviews Lee Yoder, a multifamily owner-operator based in Cincinnati, about the transformative impact of bringing property management operations in-house. Lee shares how managing his own 283-unit portfolio led to lower vacancy and delinquency rates, a drop in turnover expenses, and significantly improved cash flow. He also details how internalizing operations enabled him to build a reliable team and scale his business more confidently—culminating in a recent acquisition that nearly doubled his portfolio. The conversation emphasizes the long-term strategic and financial benefits of aligning management incentives with ownership goals.
Lee Yoder
Current role: Founder of Threefold Real Estate Investing
Based in: Cincinnati, Ohio
Say hi to them at: threefoldrei.com or on LinkedIn
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37:31
JF 3900: Capital Slowdown, Phoenix Deals, and Data-Driven Rent Growth ft. Michael Episcope
On this episode of Next Level CRE, Matt Faircloth interviews Michael Episcope, co-founder of Origin Investments, about his journey from trading commodities to building a real estate firm with over 10,000 multifamily units transacted. Michael shares how his grandfather's scrappy approach to West Side Chicago buildings shaped his foundational real estate mindset, and how he applied those principles to launch Origin during the 2008 financial crisis. The conversation dives deep into why Origin focuses exclusively on Class A multifamily in high-growth markets, avoiding overleveraged deals and emphasizing risk management and rent-growth forecasting. Michael also discusses the current opportunity for savvy operators in the wake of the capital slowdown, highlighting the contrarian advantage in development today and the power of specialization in long-term success.
Michael Episcope
Current role: Co-Founder, Origin Investments
Based in: Chicago, IL
Say hi to them at: origininvestments.com
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
Join the Best Ever Community
The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.
Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.
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48:54
JF 3899: Building a Resilient Portfolio, Avoiding Luxury Assets, and Navigating Insurance Hikes ft. Christian Busch
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Pascal Wagner interviews Christian Busch, a seasoned real estate investor and managing partner at Glass Cube Investments. Christian shares insights from his 12-year journey navigating both active and passive commercial real estate investments, starting with crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise and eventually building direct relationships with sponsors. He breaks down his thesis on market selection, the risks of single-tenant assets, and his preference for multifamily and diversified debt investments over volatile or luxury assets. The conversation also covers portfolio construction, GP/LP dynamics, and the long-term migration trends shaping Miami’s appeal.
Christian Busch
Current Role: Managing Partner at Glass Cube Investments
Based in: Miami, Florida
Say hi to them at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianbusch/
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
Join the Best Ever Community
The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.
Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.
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48:06
JF 3898: Scaling Wealth with Private Businesses, Real Estate Alternatives, and Smart Underwriting ft. Suja Shyam
On this episode of the Best Ever CRE Show, Amanda Cruise and Ash Patel interview Suja Shyam, Managing Partner of Lux Capital Investment Group. Suja shares how her firm has expanded beyond multifamily real estate into alternative assets, including private equity and small business acquisitions. She explains the appeal of cash-flowing businesses amid rising interest rates, the underwriting and due diligence involved in these deals, and her preference for durable, low-volatility industries. Suja also discusses a recent healthcare brokerage investment targeting a 5X equity multiple and emphasizes risk-bucket thinking for investors seeking higher growth.
Suja Shyam
Current Role: Managing Partner, Lux Capital Investment Group
Based in: Portland, Oregon
Best Way to Reach Her:
Website: https://www.luxe-cap.com
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
Join the Best Ever Community
The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.
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37:59
JF 3897: Building a Family Business, Mastering Empathy, and Scaling with Multifamily ft. Michael Kramer
On this episode of Best Ever CRE, Joe Cornwell interviews Michael Kramer, founder of Freed by Real Estate. Michael shares his deeply personal journey from losing his father and building businesses to ultimately discovering a more balanced, family-centered life through real estate. He discusses how a life-altering accident and a failed first marriage reshaped his priorities, leading him and his family to scale a vertically integrated multifamily investment and lending firm. Michael also explains how his leadership philosophy—rooted in empathy and influenced by Chris Voss’s negotiation tactics—drives both his family business and investment strategies.
Michael Kramer
- Founder
- Based in: Omaha, Nebraska
- Say hi to them at
linkedin.com/in/michaelkramerfbrefreedbyrealestate.com
Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/cre. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!
Post your job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/BRE.
Terms and conditions apply.
Join the Best Ever Community
The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.
Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.
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Welcome to the Best Ever CRE Show, the world’s longest-running daily COMMERCIAL real estate podcast. Founded by Joe Fairless, a co-founder of Ashcroft Capital who went from buying $35,000 homes to controlling more than $2.7 billion in real estate assets, the Best Ever CRE Show provides commercial real estate expert insights, education, and timely information to our community of active and passive investors who want to build wealth, build a legacy, and do more good in the world.
So if you want the real stories behind the good, the bad, and the worst ever deals — plus, insights into what really goes on in commercial real estate investing — you’re in the right place. Our hosts interview commercial real estate experts every day to uncover secrets and strategies YOU can use to become a better, more informed investor. This is the Best Ever CRE show.
Join the Best Ever Community
The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It’s free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.
Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow.
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New Zealand