In this episode of the Deal Makers Podcast, Asaf Raz speaks with Matt Whitemore, a seasoned real estate investor who shifted from multifamily properties to the unique realm of outdoor hospitality. Now leading Roll Campgrounds, Matt has found success in the campground niche, where he combines real estate principles with a creative approach to hospitality. He discusses the operational challenges of campgrounds, from seasonal guests to financing quirks, and shares his vision for Roll Campgrounds as a scalable and innovative brand. Matt’s insights reveal how campground investments can offer high returns while providing memorable experiences that attract repeat visitors year after year.

Chapters:

02:19 - First campground purchase: learning the ropes in a niche industry

04:33 - How outdoor hospitality differs from traditional real estate investing

08:24 - Investor interest: balancing risks and rewards in campgrounds

10:56 - The creative side of campground investment: crafting unique experiences

13:19 - Navigating interest rates, financing options, and SBA limitations

16:39 - Diverse business models: from seasonal rentals to luxury RV resorts

22:31 - Learning the customer base: why understanding takes seasons

23:30 - Shameless plug: Roll Campgrounds’ expansion and partnership opportunities

Get in touch with Matt:
Linkedin
X
Website

This podcast is brought to you by Agora, a comprehensive real estate investment management platform offering a wide range of services to enable real growth and provide the best real estate investment experience.

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In this episode of the Deal Makers Podcast, Asaf Raz welcomes Brandon Martini, co-founder and COO of Stratus Financial, a company that makes aviation careers accessible through innovative financing solutions. Brandon shares how Stratus Financial began with a single flight school and grew into a nationwide lender, helping aspiring pilots finance their training when traditional loans fall short. He reflects on his journey from flight school owner to finance entrepreneur, the passion that drives aspiring pilots, and how Stratus maintains a family-like culture. Brandon also discusses the unique challenges of building a company in the private credit industry and shares how Stratus plans to fund the “Future Aviators of America.”

Chapters:

01:47 - Founding Stratus Financial: From flight school to national lending

04:09 - Growing from one to over 270 partner schools across the U.S.

06:11 - The spark for Stratus: Helping students who couldn’t afford pilot training

08:52 - Taking a leap: Building a unique lending model for pilots

12:58 - A memorable student story: “From dreamer to commercial pilot”

17:20 - Shameless plug: Stratus’s current $20 million fundraising and expansion plans

Get in touch with Brandon:
Linkedin

Website

This podcast is brought to you by Agora, a comprehensive real estate investment management platform offering a wide range of services to enable real growth and provide the best real estate investment experience.

Learn more about Agora

In this episode of the Deal Makers Podcast, Asaf Raz talks with Brittany Shulman, Investment Director at Clever Capital Fund. Brittany reflects on her extensive real estate career, from getting licensed at 18 to leading Clever Capital’s latest fund, which takes a unique approach by focusing on value-add retail, land entitlements, and manufactured housing for affordable options. She explains Clever Capital’s hybrid investment model, which combines the predictability of fixed returns with flexible, short hold periods, providing investors with a strategic alternative in today’s uncertain market. 

Chapters:

05:14 - Clever Capital’s hybrid model: short-term holds and fixed returns

07:32 - Hedging against economic cycles with real estate-backed investments

08:37 - Tax benefits for investors through K-1s and depreciation

10:27 - Financial modeling: How Clever Capital selects and underwrites assets

11:25 - Proprietary software and technology stack used in sourcing properties

13:43 - The upcoming Clever Summit: speakers, networking, and exclusive access

16:11 - Shameless plug: opportunities for accredited investors in Clever Capital’s fund

Get in touch with Brittany:
Linkedin

Clever Capital 

This podcast is brought to you by Agora, a comprehensive real estate investment management platform offering a wide range of services to enable real growth and provide the best real estate investment experience.

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In this episode of the Deal Makers Podcast, host Asaf Raz sits down with Zach Winner, founding partner and CEO of Prosperity Commercial Real Estate. With a deep background in multifamily investments, Zach shares how he’s navigating today’s challenging market by targeting properties in high-growth areas and utilizing a “value-add plus” approach. He explains how unique features, like economic incentive bonds and strategic tax planning, help maximize returns for investors. Zach also discusses the importance of adapting to market shifts, spotting distressed assets, and maintaining flexibility in underwriting, providing valuable insights for investors looking to succeed in uncertain times.

Chapters:

01:30 - Focus on multifamily investments with a “value-add plus” approach
03:39 - Key criteria for selecting high-growth markets and neighborhoods
07:00 - Adapting to a lower inventory and shifting interest rates in the market
08:46 - Distressed assets and the impact of adjustable-rate financing
12:15 - Staying agile: Underwriting based on current conditions, not forecasts
14:20 - Tax-saving strategies: Cost segregation and 1031 exchanges
20:23 - Shameless plug: Current investment opportunities and partnership interests

Get in touch with Zach:
Linkedin
Website

This podcast is brought to you by Agora, a comprehensive real estate investment management platform offering a wide range of services to enable real growth and provide the best real estate investment experience.

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In this episode of the Deal Makers Podcast, host Asaf Raz talks with Dale Wills, founder of Centra Companies, about his journey from banking to real estate development. Dale shares insights on the current real estate market, focusing on opportunities in first-time for-sale housing and build-for-rent communities, despite rising interest rates. He explains how Centra Companies stays nimble in a challenging market and highlights how accredited investors can co-invest in high-quality projects through Centra Capital Partners.

Chapters:

00:49 - Dale Wills’ background in real estate and banking

06:12 - The current market for first-time for-sale housing and build-for-rent communities

09:21 - How Centra Companies controls costs in development projects

12:55 - Adapting to market changes and staying flexible in development strategies

19:36 - Dale’s outlook for the real estate market in 2024 and beyond

24:22 - Shameless plug: Opportunities with Centra Capital Partners and building wealth through real estate

Get in touch with Dale:

Linkedin

Website

This podcast is brought to you by Agora, a comprehensive real estate investment management platform offering a wide range of services to enable real growth and provide the best real estate investment experience.

Learn more about Agora

In this episode of the Deal Makers Podcast, host Asaf Raz speaks with Itay Gamlieli, CEO of Avenues Real Estate, about his journey from immigrant to leading broker and investor in New York City. Itai shares how his early experience in the rental market shaped his approach to multifamily and mixed-use investments. He offers insights into navigating the challenges of rising interest rates and regulatory changes, and why now is one of the best times to invest in NYC real estate. Packed with valuable lessons, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to capitalize on opportunities in the NYC market.

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
06:11 - Partnering with investors and scaling through multifamily investments
08:27 - Interest rates, rising costs, and how they impact NYC real estate
12:08 -Finding value in multifamily and mixed-use properties
14:19 - The current opportunities in the NYC market: distressed assets and upside potential
20:40 - Shameless plug: What Avenues Real Estate is focused on and how to partner with them

Get in touch with Itay:
Linkedin
Website

This podcast is brought to you by Agora, a comprehensive real estate investment management platform offering a wide range of services to enable real growth and provide the best real estate investment experience.

Learn more about Agora

In this episode of the Dealmakers Podcast, hosted by Asaf Raz, Ken Ashley, Executive Director at Cushman & Wakefield and founder of the CREI Summit, shares his nearly 30 years of experience in commercial real estate. Ken discusses the trends driving the return to office, how Class A spaces are thriving, and the potential for repurposing or redeveloping Class B and C office buildings. He also explores key investment opportunities in the office market as businesses adapt to new workplace dynamics, and he highlights strategies for investors and landlords to capitalize on these shifts.

Chapters:

00:01 - Guest introduction: Ken Ashley, Cushman & Wakefield
04:49 - Current market trends: return-to-office mandates and their significance
06:40 - The future of office spaces: Class A thriving while Class B and C struggle
08:56 - The importance of partnering with healthy landlords and avoiding "zombie buildings"
12:49 - Investment opportunities in office spaces for the next few years
15:06 - Redeveloping suburban office spaces: a growing trend in multifamily and retail projects
20:39 - Shameless plug: CREI Summit and how it supports real estate professionals

Get in touch with Ken:
LinkedIn
CREI Summit Website
Cushman and Wakefield

This podcast is brought to you by Agora, a comprehensive real estate investment management platform offering a wide range of services to enable real growth and provide the best real estate investment experience.

Learn more about Agora

In this episode of the Dealmakers Podcast, hosted by Asaf Raz, Denver Lobo, Managing Principal of JT Capital, shares his journey from investment banking to real estate private equity. He discusses the power of the BRRRR method in real estate investing and explores the current market opportunities, highlighting key trends like the drop in property sales, the rise in expenses, and the challenges posed by maturing loans. Denver offers valuable advice to GPs on focusing on value-add strategies, riding out the market, and partnering with private credit lenders. He also invites investors to explore opportunities in private credit, land entitlement, and multifamily investments with JT Capital.

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
07:22 - The power of the BRRRR method in real estate investing
10:40 - Current market trends: Drop in property sales, rising expenses, and maturing loans
17:43 - Private credit opportunities and market challenges
20:43 - Advice for GPs: Focusing on value-add strategies and riding out the market
26:31 - Shameless plug: Private credit, land entitlement, and multifamily investments with JT Capital

Get in touch with Denver:
Linkedin
JT Capital Linkedin
JT Capital

This podcast is brought to you by Agora, a comprehensive real estate investment management platform offering a wide range of services to enable real growth and provide the best real estate investment experience.

Learn more about Agora

In this episode of the Dealmakers Podcast, hosted by Asaf Raz, Amit Stern, Managing Partner at Arion Fund, shares his unconventional career path and the focus of Arion Fund in providing short-term bridge financing for real estate development projects. He discusses the current trends in the real estate market, particularly in multifamily and residential properties, and how developers are navigating the challenges of underwriting deals and raising capital. Amit emphasizes the importance of professionalism, experience, organization, and communication in working with developers as a lender. He also highlights the need for investors and borrowers to join Arion Fund to continue their growth and success in the industry.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

03:20 - Overview of Arion Fund and its focus on short-term bridge financing

04:48 - Current market dynamics and challenges in real estate development

08:31 - The role of technology and proprietary software in lending practices

11:20 - Trends shaping the real estate market into 2025

15:08 - Key factors in evaluating developers for financing

21:49 - Shameless plug: Opportunities for developers and investors with Arion Fund


Get in touch with Amit:

Amit's Linkedin

Arion Fund website

Arion Fund Linkedin

This podcast is brought to you by Agora, a comprehensive real estate investment management platform offering a wide range of services to enable real growth and provide the best real estate investment experience.

Learn more about Agora

In this episode of the Dealmakers Podcast, hosted by Asaf Raz, we are joined by Aviva Sonenrich, an Managing Member Warehouse Hotline and host of the Commercial Real Estate Secrets podcast. Aviva shares her journey as a third-generation warehouse broker, the impact of the digital age on her business, and the evolution of the warehouse market. She discusses current trends, the opportunities in the market, and how social media has significantly influenced her career. This episode is filled with valuable insights for anyone interested in learning about the potential of warehouse real estate opportunities.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

04:18 Impact of e-commerce and cannabis legalization on warehousing

05:22 Modern trends and what tenants look for in warehouses

07:27 Investment strategies and opportunities in warehousing

10:05 Institutional buyers vs. smaller investors in the warehouse market

17:19 Shameless Plug: Aviva’s services and opportunities at Warehouse Hotline

Get in touch with Aviva:
Linkedin

X

TikTok

Instagram

Commercial Real Estate Secrets Podcast

Warehouse Hotline

This podcast is brought to you by Agora, a comprehensive real estate investment management platform offering a wide range of services to enable real growth and provide the best real estate investment experience.

Learn more about Agora