Ever heard your broker throw around the term cap rate and nodded along like you totally knew what it meant? Yeah… we’ve all been there.

In this classic episode from Season 1, Mike and Marc break down what a cap rate actually is (spoiler: it’s not a hat size) and why it matters more than your morning coffee when it comes to evaluating a commercial property.

We’re talking risk, returns, and all the fun math your high school algebra teacher promised you’d never use in real life.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just here for Mike’s dad jokes, this episode will leave you a little smarter — and a lot more entertained.

Put your calculator down (for now) and press play!

You know what’s harder than landing a new client? Keeping the one you already have from bolting because your voicemail says, “Out of office until further notice.” In this episode, Mike and Marc get real about customer service in commercial real estate—how it doesn’t stop at 5 PM, doesn’t care about time zones, and definitely doesn’t end when the ink dries.

Whether you're closing deals or just trying to find a decent Wi-Fi signal in the Caribbean, your clients expect answers—and our favorite duo has opinions. They dish on the golden rule of CRE: always answer the phone (yes, always), why post-deal follow-up is more than a courtesy, and how to turn complaints into future commissions.

So grab your earbuds and your best “sorry I missed your call” voice—it’s time to talk service with the guys who never let a voicemail go unanswered (unless it’s spam).

This week, Mike and Marc crack open the mysterious, often misunderstood world of commercial leases—aka that stack of legal paper that decides who pays to fix the HVAC and whether you’re allowed to hang your neon llama sign.

They’re not attorneys (disclaimer: seriously, they are NOT attorneys), but they have read leases so many times their eyeballs have legally changed shape. Tune in for real talk about what’s in a lease, what landlords might actually do versus what they’re required to do, and why your Letter of Intent is basically the lease’s awkward first draft.

Plus: the guys share some hilarious horror stories from the field—including one terrifying property tour featuring a life-size monster mannequin that almost sent Mike running for the exit. 😱

Whether you’re new to the lease game or you’ve been burned by vague repair clauses before, this episode is your survival guide—with just enough laughs to keep you sane.

Strap in and hold on to your listing agreements, folks—Mike and Marc are back in the vault, cracking open some of the realest real estate truths around buyer/seller and landlord/tenant representation. What’s the agent’s actual job in each scenario? Who’s paying the commission? And why does giving an inflated value to win a listing feel a lot like promising a six-pack after one gym session?

This episode dives into the difference between active marketing (hint: it’s not just posting on Crexi and praying) and passive marketing (aka the “list it and ghost it” strategy). The guys also tackle the sticky business of transparency, client psychology, and the golden rule of CRE: know thy client—because guessing wrong could mean showing a vegan a steakhouse... twice.

If you’ve ever wondered how not to be that agent—or just want to hear two seasoned pros roast bad habits and break down big ideas with a side of sarcasm—this one’s for you.

Hit play. Get smarter. Stay funny.

Cap rates: they’re stuck, they’re weird, and they’re making commercial real estate sloooow. In this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the guys dive into the upside-down world where interest rates are high, cap rates are low, and some companies are tossing around “projected” or “blended” cap rates that assume buildings are full — even when they’re half empty. 

But not Mike and Marc. They keep it real, sharing sharp advice on how to navigate today’s market without falling for the fluff. 

Oh, and there’s an update on Mike’s baby city chickens — because obviously, no episode is complete without a little backyard farm drama.

Tune in for laughs, lessons, and the inside scoop on why this cap rate puzzle matters for everyone watching the CRE space.

Remember when you could build out an office without needing a second mortgage? Yeah, us too. In this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the guys tackle the slow but not-so-sad state of the office market — where costs are up, patience is thin, and co-workers won’t stop talking about their weekends. From rising buildout expenses to the “flight to quality” trend, Mike and Marc break down why companies are still chasing those Class A spaces with fancy lobbies, solid Wi-Fi, and maybe even a kombucha tap. The market might not be booming, but it’s definitely evolving — and no, it’s not all doom and gloom. 

Tune in for laughs, logic, and just a hint of nostalgia for the good ol’ days when drywall didn’t cost the same as a used car.

Retail’s holding steady, and so are Mike’s chickens — both thriving in their own way. In this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the guys dive into the current retail real estate market, breaking down what’s hot, what’s holding, and what’s hilariously unexpected.

From strip centers to street-front gems, they unpack why retail is still kicking strong in a world of online everything. You’ll hear about steady rates, demand, and why this market might be one of the resilient performers in CRE right now.

Oh — and yes, there’s more poultry talk. Turns out chickens are surprisingly good at pecking out retail trends (or at least entertaining Mike while he does).

Pull up a chair, pop in your earbuds, and get ready for another round of laughs, insights, and a fresh perspective on the Midwest retail scene.

After a brief hiatus, In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc is back in business — and we’re kicking off with a cluck! In this light-hearted and insightful return, Mike and Marc dish out a full recap of the Lincoln, Nebraska industrial real estate market, diving into what’s changed, what’s trending, and what to watch for in the quarters ahead.

From tariffs to lease rates and zoning quirks, nothing is off-limits — not even Mike’s new backyard chickens. (Spoiler: they’re thriving, and apparently big fans of industrial development.)

Expect laughs, local market know-how, and some candid commentary on how national policies are trickling down to the Midwest. Whether you’re a CRE pro, investor, or just a fan of chicken-fueled economic analysis, this one’s for you.

In this week's episode of In The CRM Vault Marc and Mike talk about the common mistakes they see clients make in the leasing process and how to avoid them.  Listeners get a brief description of five things that tenants commonly overlook when searching for space to lease. 

• Introduction (0:00)
•  Mistake #1- Not understanding the lease terms (1:52)
• Mistake #2- Focus on pricing while ignoring other important factors (6:03)
• Mistake #3- Not planning for the future (7:48)
• Mistake #4-Incorrect assumptions on timing (9:25)
• Mistake #5- Overlooking the value of a broker (11:43)

This week's SEASON 2 PREMIER episode features Todd Ogden, President & CEO of the Downtown Lincoln Association (DLA).  Listeners get to hear about what DLA does for the community and get the inside scoop about some exciting big projects that are happening in the various districts of Downtown.

Episode Notes
Introduction of Todd Ogden President & CEO DLA (0:00)
What Changes Todd is seeing in Downtown-transition to a 24/7 area (4:36)
Businesses are embracing the hybrid worker and experience-based businesses (7:22)
The different districts within Downtown (10:22)
Proposed convention center (13:08)
New projects in Downtown (23:36)
The concentration of residents in Downtown (27:47)