Rafi Golberstein is the CEO and founder of PACE Loan Group, which is one of the top C-PACE providers in the country.

Our conversation answers many questions, including:

• How did Rafi get started in CRE and what was his path to eventually starting PLG?
• What is C-PACE and how has it evolved over the past 10 years?
• What are the sizing constraints?
• What are the typical terms today? (pricing, prepayment, etc.)
• What are the most common deal/asset types they're financing?
• Where is the C-PACE industry going over the next 12 months?
• How does the decision-making process work at PLG?

If you have any questions, please send me an email at [email protected].

Check out www.crecapitalinsights.com for my weekly capital markets newsletter.

Clint Arrowsmith is the CEO for Genesis Capital, which is one of the top bridge and construction lenders in the country.

Our conversation covered many topics, including: 

• Genesis Capital's history
• Overview of their loan programs 
• Competitive advantages 
• BTR legislation 
• Impacts of rising rates
• Areas for growth over the next 12 months

If you have any questions, please send me an email at [email protected].

Check out www.crecapitalinsights.com for my weekly capital markets newsletter.

Kevin Connolly oversees Aegon Asset Management's Commercial Mortgage Lending platform.

Our conversation covered many topics, including: 

• How he got started in CRE
• Aegon Asset Management history
• How insurance company lending works
• Aegon's various loan programs, criteria, & pricing
• CM ratings and how they impact pricing
• The types of deals they're winning most frequently
• How insurance companies compare to other lender types

If you have any questions, please send me an email at [email protected].

Check out www.crecapitalinsights.com for my weekly capital markets newsletter.

Eric Smith is a CMBS loan originator at Deutsche Bank. Over the past 28 years, he has closed more than 1,300 CMBS loans. 

Our conversation covered many topics, including:

- What is CMBS and how does it work?
- Why is there a higher concentration of multifamily in CMBS pools today?
- What's the role and impact of CMBS rating agencies?
- Why is Fitch the primary rating agency?
- What is a B-piece?
- History of CMBS (1.0 vs. today)
- Is CMBS becoming more borrower-friendly post-closing?
- What are the most common asset types for CMBS? 
- What are the typical loan sizes, leverage, and pricing?
- What are the primary benefits for a borrower?
- Takeaways from MBA CREF in San Diego

If you have any questions, please send me an email at [email protected].

Check out www.crecapitalinsights.com for my weekly capital markets newsletter.

Alex Tartaglia is part of IPA's multifamily investment sales team in Northern California. They've sold approximately 50% of all institutional multifamily sales in the Bay Area over the past 10 years, including $2B in 2025.  Our conversation covered many topics, such as:

- 2025 recap & what's driving more sale transactions
- Buyer profiles and target returns
- How NOAH deals work  (Property Tax Welfare Exemption)
- Submarkets in highest demand
- Property performance trends 
- Demand drivers in the Bay Area
- Undewriting (rent growth, exit caps, etc.) 
- Acquisition financing 
- NMHC recap
- Rent-to-income ratios
- 2026 forecast

If you have any questions, please send me an email at [email protected].

Stephen Siri is Co-Managing Principal of The Martin Group, a privately held real estate investment firm located in Oakland, CA. Founded in 1984, the company has acquired, developed, and invested in more than 24 million square feet. The firm specializes in multifamily, student housing, and mixed-use real estate projects throughout California.

Our conversation covers many topics, including:

- The Martin Group's investment strategy

- Starting a GP fund (benefits, lessons learned, etc.)

- State of the market in Oakland

- Recent deals in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Mateo

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If you’d like to receive market updates that cover my weekly conversations with various capital providers, visit www.crecapitalinsights.com

Joe Pizzutelli is the Head of National Production for M&T's agency platform, as well as their on-balance sheet multifamily bridge platform focused on transitional and lease-up multifamily assets across the country.

Our conversation covers many topics, including:

- Lending programs

- Loan modifications

- Outlook for 2026

If you’d like to receive my weekly market update based on lender conversations, visit www.crecapitalinsights.com

Ryan Sudeck is the CEO of Sage Investment Group, which is a development company that specializes in converting hotels to multifamily and now manages 2,671 units across six states. 

Our conversation covers how they execute their business model from start to finish and includes: 

- Market Selection

- Deal Sourcing

- Underwriting

- Capital Raising

- Construction management

- Lease-up

If you're an investor that'd like to explore investment opportunities with Sage, please visit their website: https://sageinvestment.com/

Bo Diamond is the co-founder of Caisson Capital Partners, which is a multifamily investment and development company based in Arkansas. Prior to starting this new company, Bo held roles at Ackman-Ziff, UBS, Barclays, and Wells Fargo Securities.

Our conversation covered the steps he took to go from a successful investment banking and brokerage career, to founding his own real estate company and buying large apartment communities. This includes:

- Caisson's Strategic Focus

- Deal Sourcing

- Acquisition Due Diligence

- Capital Raising

- Asset Management

If you're an investor that'd like to reach Bo so you can explore his future investment opportunities, you can email him at [email protected].

Paul Lewis is the National Director of Agency Financing for IPA Capital Markets.  Prior to joining IPA, Paul spent over 23 years at Fannie Mae heading several production and credit teams that support its multifamily lenders.

Our conversation covered many topics, such as:

- Overview of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
- The asset types they'll finance
- How the securitization process works
- Agency underwriting
- Factors that influence pricing
- How the agencies treat ground leases, PACE, and preferred equity
- Lease-up deals
- Supplemental loans
- Guarantor requirements
- Operating covenants
- Rate buydowns
- Loan documentation
- What the agencies are especially focused on today

If you have any questions, please send me an email at [email protected].