The Real Estate Espresso Podcast

On today’s show we are talking about how to model a project. I often hear people advocating for a simple spreadsheet to perform quick calculations. There was a time when I used these simple tools to make fast decisions. 

There is a trade-off in any project where speed is a component of a quality outcome. 

However, as time has progressed, I’m less inclined to rely on quick math for anything. The reason is that when bank leverage is in...

On today’s show we are talking about the movement of goods entering our country and how this might affect industrial real estate and jobs.

The mainstream media have been widely reporting that shipping imports to the US are down by 64% in the first weeks of April. This is an example of how statistics can be used to sensationalize a narrative. Compared with the last week of March, it is true, shipments are down 64% from the week e...

I’m sharing what I’ve learned about managing change and how it might explain what we are seeing and experiencing in our daily lives. Early on in my career as a leader in the tech industry I took a bunch of courses on leadership. 

One of the course in my management training was on change management. The idea was that leaders need to become skilled at leading people through change and that change doesn’t just magically happen. The...

On today’s show we are looking back in history for the lessons of failed conquests. 

Napoleon attempted to economically cripple Great Britain by closing European ports to British goods. He believed this would destroy Britain's trade and force its surrender.

Britain's powerful navy and widespread smuggling operations undermined the blockade. The system hurt the economies of France and its allies, leading to resentment and a de...

Hubert Johnson is a tax lawyer based in Tucson Arizona. His company Guardian Tax Law specializes in all aspects of tax compliance. On today's show we are talking about how to handle property that has an IRS lien attached to it. This could be a residential property, a commercial property, and includes properties with multiple ownership. To connect with Hubert visit https://guardiantaxlaw.com/ or call 520-526-9850

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**Real...

Tim Edwards is based in Chico California from where he owns a large multi-state portfolio of apartments. On today's show we are talking about the lessons of prior real estate cycles and how those lessons apply to today's environment. To connect and to learn more, visit https://multifamilyassetadvisors.com/

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**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:**
 Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/s...

On today’s show we are talking about whether it’s better to be better, or better to be simple. Today’s episode is an embarrassing story that I’m going to share with you so that you can learn from our mistake. 

One of the consequences of working with really smart people is that you can often get caught up in the elegance of an ideal solution. 

There is something to be said for consistency. If you want to reduce the possibility of erro...

On today’s show we are talking about how to gain additional control over the expenses in your commercial buildings. Some buildings were designed with a single electric meter and a single water meter. 

This makes it difficult for a landlord to recoup the costs associated with these variable expenses. Some buildings use a RUBS method. RUBS is an acronym  which stands for Ratio Utility Billing System.

Instead of each unit having its own...

Today is another AMA episode (Ask Me Anything). Today's question comes from Emanuel who writes:

"How should new investors approach development of multifamily properties when construction costs are high but demand for rentals is steady?"

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**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:**
 Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)  
 iTunes: [T...

On today’s show we are talking about a property that we placed an offer on, which is failing in due diligence. 

Failing in due diligence is one of two ideal outcomes. Of course we would prefer if a project met all of the criteria for investment, we would buy it at a substantial discount to the market value, and we would have lots of upside potential.

Anything less and we would rather pass on the opportunity.

The property itself has th...

On today’s show I want to share some guidance that I gave you on the podcast only a few days ago. I’m not here to trumpet anything or take a victory lap or anything like that. I’ve experienced a phenomenon whereby I will make a prediction or an observation on the podcast, and then behold a few days or a few weeks later, we’re reading about it in the Wall Street Journal. 

The purpose is to help you see what I’m seeing so that you can...

Seth Ferguson is based in Toronto where he is the founder and promoter of the PowerHouse Conference. This conference started out as the Multi-Family Conference with a focus on apartment investing. This year, the focus has been broadened to include a wider set of entrepreneurial activities and investments. The conference this year includes Kevin O'Leary, Alex Rodruguez, Michelle Romanow, Michael Hyatt and many others. On today&#...

Dana Samuelson is the owner of American Gold Exchange, based in Austin Texas. They are dealers of physical gold across the US. On today's show we are talking about the various forces that are pushing debt yields, dumping stocks, dumping bonds, and dumping dollars. One of the main beneficiaries is gold. To connect with Dana and to learn more, visit amergold.com, email them directly at info@amergold.com or call at 800-613-9323.

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On today’s show we are looking at recent history. We know that history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes. 

We are going to look and see what we can learn from recent protectionist sentiments that were supposed to help.

The trade war of the 1930’s resulted in a 60% reduction in global trade. The impact was much more confined because international trade made up a small percentage of each country’s GDP compared with today. 

No w...

Today’s question comes from Michael who writes:

Long term listener of the podcast. It is great!

With geothermal being so efficient, why is it rarely used on new single  families or retrofitted with existing homes?

Thx

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**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:**
 Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)  
 iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://...

Toby Lutke is the CEO of Shopify. Shopify is the world leader in creating platforms and tools for e-commerce merchants. In the last few days, Toby sent a memo to the organization. This memo has been reported on widely in the mainstream media. When Toby realized that the memo had been leaked, he posted it in it entirety on his twitter feed. When news reporters report on a story, they’re adding their own narrative and interpretation....

People are used to walking on firm ground. If you have ever experienced an earthquake, it’s an unsettling feeling. Most people don’t know what to do. You will often see people running in all directions. Some of them are taking action which will improve their own personal safety, and others are actually running into harms way.

Global financial and stock markets are experiencing an earthquake of sorts and people seem to be running in ...

Today's question comes from Juanita. 

I follow your podcast and am a US Citizen. During the volatility being caused by tariffs, I am examining ways reduce my consumer exposure to trade war. I am think of buying into a farming co-op. I am feeling the global prices rise in my grocery bill and trying to find creative ways to get out.

1) Do you think farming co-op is a good temporary shield to current trade war?

2) How would you evalu...

Stephen Salvigsen is based in Northern New Jersey where he specializes in medical retail and retail strip centers. On today's show we are talking about market selection and tenant selection in growth markets.

To connect with Stephen, you can find him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephensalvigsen/ or at his company https://sagesquarecapital.com/

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**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:**
 Spotify: [The Rea...