In today's market, access to capital has become more restricted, with banks lending less than in previous years. The real estate market may feel stagnant, and stock prices appear high relative to historical norms.

However, periods of market uncertainty can often create opportunities for those who are well-positioned to act strategically.

In this episode, we examine six investment strategies that some investors are exploring in the current environment along with two strategies that we, as long-term investors, are considering.

Here’s what we cover:

• The rise of service businesses (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) as resilient industries in uncertain times

• The role of private credit in offering potential returns for qualified investors

• A shift toward fundamental investing strategies in public markets

• Real estate opportunities in times of market correction

• The potential for alternative real estate models like boutique hotels

• Understanding government incentives in housing markets

We also break down:

• Active vs passive investing

• PE rollups and what it could mean for consumers

• Evaluating risk tolerance vs risk capacity

If you’ve felt “reluctantly optimistic” about this market… this episode is for you.

The right move at the wrong time is the wrong move.

This content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.

This content does not constitute an offer to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.

Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project.  Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice.  Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.

Investing can feel complicated for a reason. In this episode, a former financial advisor breaks down how "big words" and Wall Street jargon may cause confusion, leading to decisions that aren't fully understood. We discuss common concepts like options trading, using a simple analogy to real estate contracts, and why complexity in investing may lead to middlemen who benefit from your uncertainty. We'll also explore the value of a good advisor and how they can help you avoid emotionally driven decisions during market fluctuations.

This episode is not a recommendation, but rather an exploration of common practices in the investment world. It's important to do your own research and consult with a professional before making any decisions about investing.

Chapters 

0:00 - Why is investing so confusing?

0:48 - The options trap: Why many investors might want to avoid it

2:10 - A simple analogy to understand options trading

7:26 - Control vs. speculation: What’s the real difference?

8:04 - Who benefits when investing feels complicated?

9:18 - The Covid story: taxes, fear, and panic selling

15:40 - Understanding asset types: stocks, bonds, and index funds

20:05 - Wall Street jargon translated into simple terms

27:29 - What actually matters in investing: Allocation and liquidity

32:21 - Finding a good advisor: What questions to ask

Are current conditions in the self-storage market creating opportunities that resemble past cycles? AJ Osborne shares how he evaluates today’s self-storage environment, including comparisons to post-2009 pricing, differences in asset quality, and factors that may influence supply and demand over time. The conversation explores concepts such as replacement cost, barriers to entry, interest rate dynamics, and how oversupply has affected certain markets historically.

What you’ll learn• The simple test to evaluate oversupplied storage markets• How interest rate environments can influence development and financing decisions• The distinction between price and value across different facility types• Where multifamily distress is signaling pain and potential opportunity for storage buyers• Evaluating replacement cost in places like DFW and what to consider

Timestamps0:00 Why today’s storage market may be relative to prior cycles3:10 Price vs. value and the small-market considerations7:25 The “rate runway” that may keep new supply out10:40 Barriers to entry and their role in market stability15:20 Multifamily maturities, defaults, and what it could imply for storage29:15 Markets AJ is buying now, including Dallas Fort Worth below replacement43:05 Why regulation can raise costs and could skew supply long term

About our guestAJ Osborne is a self storage operator and investor with facilities across multiple states. His operator lens makes this a must-watch.

The content of this video (“Video”) is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this Video is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the Video will prove to be accurate or realized.

Certain statements may reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance.  Any “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or actual performance of the subject. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

Certain information contained herein may be derived from third party sources and has not been independently verified. COMMUNE has not and will not independently verify this information. Where such sources include opinions and projections, such opinions and projections should be ascribed only to the applicable third party source and not to COMMUNE.

Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice.  Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.

Most people lock up money too early in retirement accounts and miss flexibility when opportunities show up. In this episode we walk through how we’d think about allocating $10k, $100k, and $1M, why we prioritize the employer match, how a self-directed IRA can expand options, and the tradeoffs between post tax dollars, real estate, and diversified holdings.

Timestamps

0:00 - Setup & stakes

1:06 - Matching the 401k

1:33 - Why going past the match could hurt

3:27 - 401k loan used strategically

6:44 - The “idle cash” mistake

7:42 - Rolling into a self-directed IRA

10:55 - Roth vs Traditional tradeoffs

21:32 - Unlock the IRA

47:47 - Final lessons 

This video is for education only. Not financial, legal, or tax advice. No results are guaranteed. Individuals are urged to do their own research and consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.

Real talk for real estate agents and investors. Glennda Baker lays out the painful truth: the second you sell a property, your income stops. She breaks the “artist not operator” trap, shares the 50 percent commission rule that ends tax panic, and shows the ethical way agents can become owners without burning client trust.

What you’ll learn

• Why selling fast keeps you broke and holding builds wealth
• The 50 percent rule: 30 percent taxes, 20 percent high-yield savings, so you’re always ready to buy
• The ethical agent-to-investor path: expose to open market, then buy if you can beat the top bid
• Social media that actually sells: proof over polish, “authentic intelligence,” and avoiding claims that land you in court
• Zillow, data power, and the TOS traps agents ignore—plus what to do next

Chapters: 

0:00–0:20 Intro payoff: “Seller always loses” concept with a 20-second story.

0:20–2:30 Stakes: Agents as “artists not operators,” the identity trap, and why the best deals get sold to others.

2:30–6:00 Why you regret selling: Short-term cash vs long-term compounding. Sherman Oaks townhouse story to visualize opportunity cost.

6:00–10:30 Systems to avoid pain: The 50 percent rule. Where to park cash so you don’t touch it. Examples with $30k commission math.

10:30–16:00 Ethical agent-investor play: Expose listing to open market, then buy if you can beat the highest bid. Litigation-proof framing.

16:00–22:00 Social that sells: Proof over polish, show the messy reality, why “just listed/just sold” is the death of agents.

22:00–28:00 AI, authenticity, and compliance risks: Real AI means “authentic intelligence,” why claims on social can end in court.

28:00–36:30 Industry power dynamics: Zillow, data control, terms-of-service risks agents ignore. Actionable next steps.

36:30–41:30 Legacy play: “Buy a house for your kid” and affordability realities.

Final takeaway: One-page recap: Hold more, automate savings, show proof, protect your license, buy Grandma’s house. CTA to subscribe.

High earners are not broke… they’re exposed. In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov break down why so many millennials and Gen Z feel trapped despite making good money and the exact playbook to escape the income treadmill. We cover the difference between income and ownership, why “spending is visible and wealth is silent,” how to buy back freedom with cash flow, and whether you should go DIY or passive in real estate. If you’re making money but feel stuck, this is your pivot point.

Timestamps0:00 The millennial career crisis is real2:55 High income vs real wealth8:23 Lifestyle creep and the trap13:39 Two levers: cut or earn17:56 Status pressure and perception23:56 Gen Z’s advantage and the roadmap33:08 Saving will not set you free34:04 Passive vs active real estate41:36 Is now a good time to build

This content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.

Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project.  Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

This content does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of an offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.

Real estate investors talk about the housing crisis every day.

Very few are actually building solutions.

In this episode, Mikey Taylor, cofounder of Commune Capital, takes you inside a rare position. Sitting on both sides of the table. Municipal leadership and private real estate development.

One night, he’s voted mayor of Thousand Oaks.
The next morning, he’s on site developing housing projects designed for working Americans.

This VLOG breaks down how real estate capital, zoning policy, and incentive alignment actually intersect in today’s market.

If you’re a real estate investor, developer, or LP trying to understand:• Affordable housing investment strategies• 80 percent AMI housing fundamentals• How zoning reform impacts project feasibility• Why regulation alone doesn’t solve supply shortages• How removing entitlement friction attracts private capital• What scalable housing models look like in high-cost states

This video is for you.

Most investors think they’re diversified. Today Brad Barrett explains why 7 to 10 mega-caps can dominate your “broad market” exposure and what to do before the next shock hits. We cover the simple, boring habits that actually build wealth, when to hire an advisor, how behavioral biases wreck DIY plans, and why his firm keeps zero in crypto while opening access to a private equity fund with quarterly liquidity.

Brad’s background: 23 years advising through multiple cycles, host of Mindset with Brad Barrett and Pension Attention, and a partner at One Capital Management.

What you’ll learn
• The concentration risk sitting inside the S&P 500 and how to fix it today
• A practical diversification stack including uncorrelated assets and fixed income
• When a DIY approach backfires and the moments to bring in counsel
• The crypto allocation rule of thumb that protects your downside
• Private equity as a diversifier and how quarterly liquidity works

Chapters: 

0:00 Why “diversified” portfolios aren’t

02:06 The 7-stock concentration problem

03:31 How to build real diversification

04:12 Private equity access and quarterly liquidity

16:33 When a real advisor actually helps

22:42 Behavioral biases that wreck returns

25:08 Crypto allocation discipline and FOMO control

32:45 Why boring investing wins long term

35:01 Compounding vs overtrading

53:59 Where to find Brad and key resources 

Instagram: instagram.com/mindsetwithbradbarrett

Facebook: facebook.com/mindsetwithbradbarrett

One Capital: onecapital.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mindsetwithbradbarrett

The content of this video (“Video”) is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this Video is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the Video will prove to be accurate or realized.Certain statements may reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance. Any “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or actual performance of the subject. Past performance is not an indication of future results.Certain information contained herein may be derived from third party sources and has not been independently verified. COMMUNE has not and will not independently verify this information. Where such sources include opinions and projections, such opinions and projections should be ascribed only to the applicable third party source and not to COMMUNE.

Richard Mulder went from Girl/Chocolate pro to starting at zero in real estate. No residuals. No safety net. And every January 1 felt like day one again. In this episode he lays out exactly how he survived the reset: treat real estate like a contact sport, lead with questions to build real rapport, and stop pretending this is a side hustle.

Watch if you care about: real estate sales, lead generation, new agent strategy, career reinvention, identity after sports, money and stewardship.

Quick wins you’ll get:
• Daily outreach cadence that actually compounds
• The right way to build trust fast
• Good debt vs bad debt in plain English
• Why “all in” beats talent when the market slows

Chapters:

0:00 Intro + Parenting Mirror: kids copy what you do

03:15 From Skating to Real Estate: Kevin story, first steps

07:51 Sales Reality: ground zero every Jan 1, planning the grind

08:56 Lead Gen = Contact Sport: momentum from consistent outreach

10:02 Skater Mindset Advantage: fail forward, don’t take “no” personal

11:57 Who Thrives in Residential: extrovert vs introvert, emotional navigation

14:06 All In, Not a Side Hustle: why dabblers wash out

16:01 Rapport First: selling is questions, listening, and proving you care

20:24 Faith & Identity Beyond Talent: purpose after pro life; building community

31:18 Was Jesus a Socialist? 

The content of this video (“Video”) is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this Video is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the Video will prove to be accurate or realized.

Certain statements may reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance.  Any “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or actual performance of the subject. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

Certain information contained herein may be derived from third party sources and has not been independently verified. COMMUNE has not and will not independently verify this information. Where such sources include opinions and projections, such opinions and projections should be ascribed only to the applicable third party source and not to COMMUNE.

Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice.  Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.

He raised millions into an ATM fund that paid every month… until the operator went to jail and the whole thing unraveled. Bronson Hill breaks down what he missed, the hard calls he had to make to million-dollar investors, and the exact framework he now uses to protect capital and still grow. We also dive into modular homes as a fast solution after the LA fires, why rent freezes fail, and how to think about risk when the macro picture keeps shifting.

Timestamps

0:00 The ATM fund that went bad and what it taught us

5:02 Calling investors when it’s a scam, not just “risk”

7:18 The risk spectrum and why first-position debt matters

12:10 Retail investor clarity: cash flow, taxes, and goals

18:00 When cash flow beats a paycheck and changes everything

30:10 AI used to win a $1M grant

31:20 Modular homes after the fires

38:45 Rent freezes vs real supply

44:10 Inflation, dollar confidence, and cycles

54:00 Bronson’s book and free inflation guide

The content of this video (“Video”) is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this Video is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the Video will prove to be accurate or realized.

Certain statements may reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance.  Any “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or actual performance of the subject. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

Certain information contained herein may be derived from third party sources and has not been independently verified. COMMUNE has not and will not independently verify this information. Where such sources include opinions and projections, such opinions and projections should be ascribed only to the applicable third party source and not to COMMUNE.

Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice.  Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.