Baltimore RE full circle

In this episode of Baltimore RE Full Circle, Yaakov sits down with Zeke Faham from Box Equities to unpack one of the most misunderstood—yet fastest-growing—niches in commercial real estate: middle-mile industrial. Zeke shares how Box Equities grew from a COVID-era startup to more than 7M sq. ft. across 35 properties by targeting off-market deals, capitalizing on supply-chain shifts, and buying well below replacement cost.

They dive into how industrial real estate has evolved over the past decade, why middle-mile assets create stickier tenants and wider cap-rate spreads, and how operators can position themselves in today’s market. From tariffs and political shifts to AI’s impact on logistics vs. manufacturing, Zeke breaks down how macro trends are reshaping the sector — and where the real opportunities still are.

Whether you're an investor exploring industrial, a multifamily operator looking to diversify, or someone tracking how supply chains and AI are changing real estate, this episode delivers rare insights, practical strategy, and a clear look into the future of industrial investing.

In this episode of Baltimore RE Full Circle, Yaakov sits down with Brian Casey, president of The Casey Group and one of the region’s most experienced court-appointed receivers. With more than 47 years in banking, workouts, and turnaround management, Brian pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening inside today’s distressed real estate market.

From fraudulent leases and inflated appraisals to DSCR loan failures, partner disputes, and assets collapsing under unrealistic underwriting, Brian walks through real cases he’s managing — including properties with fake units, made-up rent rolls, and multimillion-dollar valuation mistakes. They discuss why vacancy and rent-growth numbers are often misrepresented, why so many owners are struggling, and how lenders are finally cracking down after years of looking the other way.

In this episode, Yaakov sits down with Jake Gluck, founder of Fortune Capital Group, for a raw and unfiltered breakdown of today’s multifamily debt market.

Jake shares his path from starting at Eastern Union with zero industry background to becoming a top debt broker working across agency, bank, CMBS, and bridge platforms.

They dig into the real issues driving distress—including skyrocketing delinquencies, bad management, unrealistic underwriting, and the false hope of “waiting for rates to drop.” Jake explains why so many owners are now accepting massive haircuts, why third-party managers are failing, why agency lenders are digging deeper than ever, how CMBS and new debt funds are quietly saving deals that no bank will touch, and why 2025 might be the most opportunistic buying window in over a decade—if you know how to execute.

We sat down with Jack Resnick of Platinum Realty Advisors, a leading expert in Maryland’s apartment leasing market, to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes with Section 8 and HUD programs.

Are there fewer vouchers available?

Has Section 8 reduced rent offers for owners?

And what does the new rent evaluation system mean for your bottom line?

If you own or manage rental housing in Maryland, this episode breaks down the real changes landlords are facing — and what you can do to stay ahead of them.

Real estate investor and Micasa Title partner Jacob Benzaquen joins Yaakov to break down the realities of investing in Baltimore. From surviving the 2008 housing crash and managing multifamily properties to tackling city bureaucracy, vendor hurdles, and regulatory red tape, Jacob shares hard-earned lessons on risk management, vendor relationships, and building lasting success.

Whether you’re an out-of-state investor sizing up Baltimore or a local professional facing the city’s unique challenges, this episode offers practical strategies, candid insights, and long-term vision for navigating one of the most complex—but opportunity-filled—markets in real estate.

In this timely and urgent discussion, I sit down with Tibor Wilhelm, Managing Partner at Mount Wilson Capital, to explore the recent wave of foreclosures impacting both large-scale single-family and multifamily properties in the local Baltimore market.

While many have pointed to fraud as the primary cause of these foreclosures, Tibor brings to light a groundbreaking idea: the real issue may be something entirely different. Don’t miss out on understanding the true factors driving these foreclosures and how many property owners could be directly affected.  

In this episode, Steve Verstandig shares how his family journeyed from Holocaust survival to grocery stores, then built a real estate empire starting at age 18.

We dive deep into why he pivoted from multifamily to retail, the realities of doing business in Baltimore, and what Maryland must do to stay competitive. If you're serious about real estate, business strategy, or Baltimore's future, this is a must-listen.

In this episode of Baltimore Real Estate Full Circle, Councilman Izzy Patoka of Baltimore County's 2nd District shared his journey from environmental planning to politics. With six years in office, Izzy discussed the county's tight fiscal projections for 2026, the challenge of balancing development with community needs, and strategies like vertical zoning to meet housing demand.

He emphasized the importance of community engagement and the collaboration between local government and the private sector, particularly in navigating challenges like supply chain issues. Izzy also touched on economic development, affordable housing, and creating a walkable community in Baltimore County, along with his personal commitment to improving infrastructure and resources.

In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Cooper to explore how auctions work in the Maryland real estate market. Matthew dives deep into various case studies from the rich, 100+ year history of Alex Cooper Auctioneers, shedding light on the strategies and tactics that have made them a staple in the industry. Tune in for valuable insights into the auction process and learn how it can be a game-changer.

In this episode, we sit down with Lawrence Rief, a seasoned real estate investor with deep roots in Baltimore. He shares his journey from growing up in a real estate-focused family to shaping the local property landscape through value-add investments. We discuss his early exposure to real estate, transition into commercial and industrial properties, and partnership with Continental Realty.

Lawrence provides insights into Baltimore’s evolving real estate market, the resurgence of retail post-COVID, and strategies for scaling investments. He emphasizes the importance of relationships, structure, and creativity in real estate, along with his current focus on mentorship and philanthropy.

Packed with valuable takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for investors, brokers, and entrepreneurs.