Miami Dealmakers

By Omar MoralesBusiness

Miami Dealmakers episodes

June 27, 2024EXCLUSIVE: Isaac Toledano - One of Miami's Greatest Dealmakers
Isaac Toledano is the Founder & CEO of BH Group. BH Group has been actively involved in numerous significant real estate transactions and developments. This has likely been one of Isaac's first long-form interviews, and the Real Deal did a profile on Isaac that read, "Big Investments, Big Partners, and Big Mystery." I have been fortunate to close over $200 million worth of deals with Isaac Toledano, and he is by far one of the most interesting guys I have met in the business.
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0:00 - Intro

1:30 - Isaac background

6:09 - Building relationships

13:24 - 2008

14:50 - Market in Florida

20:05 - The “nose for real estate”

21:56 - Structure and future of BH Group

32:28 - Advice for young professionals

35:34 - Miami submarkets

36:16 - Lessons learned

37:02 - Market outlook

40:10 - Family
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41 min
June 04, 2024Doug Jones | President of HUB International SFL on Florida’s Insurance Market Starting to Normalize
Doug Jones entered the insurance industry in 2005 and started JAG in 2013 with his partners Luis Gazitua and Fernie Alvarez. JAG grew to be one of the largest independent insurance firms in the Southeast US and was acquired by HUB International in 2022. Currently Doug serves as the President of HUB South Florida, the 5th largest insurance broker in the world. In this conversation, we talk about the difference between being a broker vs. building a brokerage, builders vs. chasers, and how the insurance market has started to normalize.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro

1:43 - Meeting Jamie Dimon

3:51 - Doug’s path to insurance

9:26 - Insurance business breakdown

13:56 - Relationship with partners

19:50 - Networking & long-term thinking

23:16 - Watching Entourage

24:10 - Social media videos with Gary Vee

27:45 - Decision to sell business

34:34 - Transition to HUB International

36:07 - Insurance industry

44:41 - Communication

47:02 - South Florida

50:13 - Scaling insurance business

53:26 - Advice & closing thoughts

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58 min
May 15, 2024Harvey Hernandez | Shaping Miami’s Skyline: Getting Started to Building over 13 High Rise Towers
Harvey Hernandez is Chairman & CEO of Miami-based Newgard Development Group and founder of Natiivo Hospitality. With 25 years of active involvement, he has distinguished himself as a forward-thinking, innovative, and fearless developer, who has been a pivotal figure in shaping city skylines.
Originally from Venezuela, Hernandez’s real estate journey began in the 1990s as a hands-on investor in Miami. Inspired by the city's transformative potential, he transitioned to large-scale real estate developments, particularly focusing on high-end, high-rise residential projects. Hernandez has been a pioneer in pushing design boundaries and integrating luxury finishes, innovative amenities, branding, and cutting-edge technology into his projects.
Hernandez has successfully delivered 13 trendsetting residential projects, totaling over 2,600 units spanning over 10 million square feet, in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Austin, and Nashville. He also completed hotel and office/condominium redevelopments.
Always ahead of evolving market trends, he most recently pioneered residential developments designed, built, and licensed for short-term rentals. He created two brands from scratch—LOFTY and Natiivo—that are incorporated into each project that utilizes this “flexible ownership” model.
Hernandez’s approach and dedication to excellence have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, he was named a Power Player in Real Estate by the South Florida Business Journal, and in 2023, he received an Apogee Award for CEO Leadership by South Florida Business & Wealth. Newgard’s Gale Residences & Hotel project earned an Honoree recognition in the 2018 Structures Awards given annually by the South Florida Business Journal.
Hernandez is also considered a thought leader in real estate development and is often invited to sit on panels or talk with the media to share his insights on market trends. He has spoken at events sponsored by The Real Deal, Commercial Observer, Bisnow, and IMN. He has been quoted in publications including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Miami Herald, South Florida Business Journal, and many others.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro

1:46 - Harvey’s background

9:31 - First real estate investments & scaling

15:28 - First development project

18:25 - Taking on bigger projects/risks

19:38 - Development of Solaris in Brickell

23:11 - Miami: bubble or keep growing?

25:26 - Adding hospitality component

35:31 - Natiivo Miami & Lofty Brickell

38:35 - First deal outside of Florida

41:41 - Other markets excited about

46:26 - Advice for entrepreneurs & college graduates

51:12 - Structure of management agreement

53:07 - Future of Miami & market outlook

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1 hr 1 min
April 17, 2024Andrew Hellinger | Developing Marquis Residences and Miami River Landings
Andrew B. Hellinger is a Principal of URBAN-X, a real estate development and advisory company. His current focus is the design and development of River Landing Shops and Residences. Under his direction and leadership has obtained its entitlements and rezoning in May 2013, within a six-month period. In this conversation, Andrew shares unique stories from unwinding a $750m portfolio during the great financial crisis, developing well-known condos in Miami, economy, opportunities, and more.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro

1:36 - Andrew background

6:52 - Increasing allowable height through city, county, FAA, pilot union

19:01 - Coming out of real estate recession

25:28 - Miami River Landing development

44:56 - Economy and future opportunities

47:04 - Mid River District vs Allapattah

50:31 - Healthcare economic impact

53:06 - River Landing appeal

54:27 - Thoughts on Miami

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Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/⁠⁠
1 hr
February 27, 2024Anthony De Yurre on Florida Live Local Act: Tackling the Unaffordability Crisis
Anthony De Yurre is a Partner in Bilzin Sumberg's Land Development & Government Relations Group. Bilzin Sumberg has one of the largest real estate law practices in Florida. His practice focuses on the representation of real estate developers and investors in complex land use and zoning matters with a focus on transit oriented development, large scale mixed-use development, and public private partnerships. In this conversation, we talk all things Live Local Act, SB102 & SB328, and all major implications across Florida.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro

3:19 - Florida “Live Local Act”

11:12 - Higher upzoning

17:55 - Affordability component

27:08 - SB102 & SB328

37:10 - Zoning, tax, financing implications

1:00:35 - Parking component & unit sizes

1:08:50 - Statewide or local?

1:10:55 - Value add component

1:14:50 - Closing statements

Follow Omar on social media:
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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/⁠⁠
1 hr 32 min
February 07, 2024Daniel Carr | From Ares to Alpaca Real Estate
Daniel Carr is the Co-Founder of Alpaca Real Estate, and previously a Principal at Ares Management - one of the top global alternative investment managers in the world, with over $400 billion in AUM. In this conversation, we talk about the opportunity Dan saw in the market to start his own fund, what it takes to become a principal, weaving innovation into Alpaca to increase investment returns, lessons he has learned along the way, and more.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro

2:52 - Building Alpaca

4:49 - Investing themes

7:07 - Miami

8:16 - Macro environment

10:41 - Fund process

13:32 - Lessons learned

14:51 - Innovation in Alpaca VC

20:20 - Daniel background

Follow Omar on social media:
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Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/⁠⁠
24 min
January 31, 2024Bob Knakal | The Top Sales Broker in the US on How To Win
Bob Knakal is the top sales broker in New York, and arguably the world. Bob has sold over 2,000 properties, and over $20 billion in volume. He has been selling investment properties since 1984, was the Chairman & Founding partner of Massey Knakal, and currently leading the Private Capital Group for JLL. In this conversation, we talk about social media, marketing, starting & selling Massey Knakal, market conditions, New York, and a bunch of great advice he has learned along the way.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro

1:33 - Thoughts on Miami

2:43 - Social media

9:43 - Marketing spend

13:01 - Starting Massey Knakal

17:04 - Advice for a slow market

21:13 - Growing and selling Massey Knakal

25:34 - Motivation to keep working

28:35 - Interest in the principal side?

36:02 - Current market conditions

40:10 - New York

46:39 - South Florida

48:27 - General advice for young professionals

54:51 - Lessons learned and the team

58:18 - Day structure

1:00:47 - Closing statements

Follow Omar on social media:
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Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/⁠
1 hr 2 min
January 24, 2024David Podein on Navigating Miami's Condo Crisis: Purchasing, Terminations, & Insurance
David Podein is an Equity Partner with Haber Law. He concentrates his practice on community association representation, real estate, and construction law. He represents real estate developers, investors, lenders, and landlords. He also serves as outside general counsel to community associations. In this conversation, we talk about condo terminations, redevelopment opportunities, insurance, general advice when purchasing a condo, and more.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro

1:38 - Condo purchasing breakdown

4:16 - Condo terminations

11:26 - Thoughts on the termination process

15:05 - Castle Beach scenario

17:34 - 2024 condo reserves

19:16 - Insurance

20:28 - Advice for purchasing a condo

32:35 - Loans for class A,B,C condos

38:38 - Investor market

40:01 - Market conditions

44:18 - Segments of Miami

48:46 - Contact David Podein

Follow Omar on social media:
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Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/
50 min
January 17, 2024Multifamily Madness | Top Brokers on Business Growth and Audience Building
Multifamily Madness is a famous anonymous Twitter/X account. He has over 50,000 followers, and has brokered over 300 multifamily deals. He is the number one broker in Central New York, while also syndicating deals with other operators in different markets.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro

01:42 - Twitter/X community

17:32 - What makes a great broker?

23:07 - Syndicate business

28:32 - Understanding GP’s

31:02 - Advice for young generation

37:37 - Time management game plan

41:13 - Finding leads

45:37 - Reinvesting in yourself

48:10 - Taxes

52:51 - Deal walkthrough

56:15 - Future market outlook

1:02:32 - Closing statements

Follow Omar on social media:
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Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/

Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/
1 hr 6 min
December 28, 2023Rohin Dhar | Can Airbnb Still Work For You? Tips & Strategies
Rohin Dhar is a twitter friend, and someone who owns & operates vacation rentals in Sonoma, Kauai, Taos, Mt Hood, Yosemite, and Asheville. In this conversation, we discuss how feasible owning & renting Airbnb's actually is, what to look for & watch out for, and how the industry has changed from when he started in 2014.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro

1:46 - Starting Airbnb business

10:10 - Managing COVID lockdown

13:50 - Earthships

16:30 - Finding & buying properties

22:14 - Estimating revenue & operations

28:00 - Loans & rates

30:46 - Passive investors

34:35 - Current Airbnb portfolio

37:33 - Expense & margin budgeting

39:33 - Market conditions

42:56 - Airbnb investing advice

46:01 - Benefit from online audience

49:33 - Newsletters & blogs

52:10 - San Francisco

Follow Omar on social media:
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es.miami/?hl=en

Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/
1 hr 1 min

About Miami Dealmakers

From the publisher's feed

Miami Dealmakers is a podcast hosted by Omar Morales, a commercial real estate broker who has closed over $3 billion worth of deals in South Florida. This gives Omar access to some of the most…