The Insider's Edge To Real Estate Investing

In this Episode, You’ll learn about the entrepreneurial journey and development in this episode with Phillip Huffines, co-founder and co-owner of Huffines Communities, one of the largest residential real-estate development companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Phillip launched Huffines Communities in 1985 with his twin brother, Don Huffines.

You’ll hear about adapting during economic downturns, navigating the S&L crisis, and spotting real estate opportunities. Phillip delves into the process of building master-planned communities, creating small, self-sustaining towns with amenities, schools, and green spaces. He also highlights his approach to reducing risk by controlling deals and taking a long-term approach.

You can connect with Phillip at Huffines Communities

You can connect with me at:

My website: JamesNelson.com

LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC

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My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson

You’ll learn about amassing a portfolio while giving back in this episode with Douglas Durst, chairman of the Durst Organization, a family-run real estate company in New York City. Douglas shares the history of the Durst Organization, starting with his grandfather’s early days as an immigrant running a pushcart and eventually moving into real estate investing. The company led the revitalization of Times Square with the development of One Five One West 42nd Street and of Lower Manhattan with the joint venture development of One World Trade Center.

You’ll hear about a sustainable approach to development, and the logistics of long-term planning in real estate. Doug discusses some of the family’s charitable involvement and commitment to green building practices.

You can connect with Douglas at the company website for The Durst Organization.

You can connect with me at:

My website: JamesNelson.com

LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC

Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC

Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC

My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson

You’ll learn about the importance of reaching out and following up in this episode with David Shorenstein, principal at Hildreth Real Estate Advisors, where he oversees various tasks including real estate investing and brokerage. Known for his tenacity in canvassing and cold calling, David talks about his early career, his time working at Marcus & Millichap, and the founding of Silvershore Properties.

You’ll hear about working with partners who are experts and going after opportunities to succeed. David shares insight about diversifying into other asset classes like shopping centers, laundromats, and car washes, all while maintaining a focus on cash flow and value-add investments.

You can connect with David through LinkedIn and HREA. 

You can connect with me at:

My website: JamesNelson.com

LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC

Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC

Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC

My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson

You’ll hear about getting started, connecting with others, and building a successful career in real estate in this milestone 200th episode. For nearly four years, guests on the show have shared their expertise and insight to help you gain the Insider’s Edge. This special episode revisits five memorable conversations with prominent figures in real estate who have appeared on the show. 

You’ll listen to clips from:

1. Don Peebles, who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of The Peebles Corporation, a privately held national real estate and development company specializing in large-scale residential, hospitality, retail, and mixed-use commercial properties. He discusses his journey from public service to real estate development, with a focus on bringing diverse voices to the industry.

You can connect with Don at LinkedIn and his website The Peebles Corporation. 

2. MaryAnne Gilmartin, the founder of MAG Partners, has led major real estate development projects and now runs her own female-led development firm. In this episode, she discusses her work in re-zoning and development projects.

You can connect with MaryAnne at LinkedIn   

and her website MAG Partners   

3. Ian Ross, founder and principal at Somera Road, Inc., shares his strategy for evaluating markets across different cities. He highlights his method for quickly understanding the local real estate landscape.

You can connect with Ian at LinkedIn and his website Somera Road.  

4. Ryan Serhant is founder and CEO of SERHANT, a multi-dimensional real estate brokerage that sits at the intersection of media, entertainment, education, and technology. He has starred in the series “Million Dollar Listing: New York” and “Owning Manhattan.” He also wrote the foreword to the book “The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing.” 

You can connect with Ryan through Instagram  and his website SERHANT.  

5. Scott Rechler is chairman and CEO of RXR, an innovative investor, developer, and place-maker committed to applying a customer and community-centered approach to building properties, services, and products that create value for all stakeholders. 

You can connect with Scott at LinkedIn and his website RXR. 

You will learn about overcoming barriers and building relationships in this episode with Diego Hodara, founder and CEO of Titanium Realty Group, a privately-held, fully integrated owner, operator, and developer focused on mixed use and residential assets in transit oriented, emerging markets within the New York metro area.

Originally from Uruguay, Diego shares how he used his background as an architect and urban planner, along with hard work, to move into real estate investing and development. You’ll hear about starting small and scaling, along with learning from challenges like financial setbacks and supply chain issues during Covid. Diego stresses the importance of teaming up with others to get great results.

You can connect with Diego at his company website and on LinkedIn.

You can connect with me at:

My website: JamesNelson.com

LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC

Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC

Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC

My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson

Mission-Driven Development with Robin Zeigler

You’ll learn about targeting emerging markets and creating value in this episode, with Robin Zeigler, founder and CEO of MURAL Real Estate Partners. Robin worked for Ernst and Young and as COO for two grocery anchored REITS, Cedar Realty Trust and Federal Realty Investment Trust, before launching her own mission-driven real estate firm MURAL, which stands for Mixed Use Revitalization Approached Locally. MURAL focuses on mixed-used, mixed-income developments in underinvested markets.

Robin discusses strategies to direct capital into retail and ground floor plane activation to build communities. She shares how she leverages partnerships to carry out projects that meet the demands of the market.  

You can connect with Robin at her company website.

You can connect with me at:

My website: JamesNelson.com

LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC

Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC

Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC

My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson

You will learn about the capital stack and its components in the second episode of this Capital Stack Series with Scott Singer, a Cornell alumni and principal at Avison Young and co-lead of the Tri-State Debt and Equity Finance Group. Scott is involved in different facets of financing and helps clients, including owners and families, in New York City.

You will hear about debt, including senior and mezzanine debt, and equity levels like preferred equity and common equity. Scott shares insight on what lenders focus on when evaluating financing options for a deal.   

You can connect with me at:

My website: JamesNelson.com

LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC

Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC

Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC

My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson

You will learn how to make connections and navigate challenges in this conversation with Christie Philbrick-Wheaton, Senior Director of Business Development at New York Life Real Estate Investors. The company has around $70 billion of assets under management and operates in 140 markets. It acts as a commercial mortgage lender and invests in debt, real estate securities, and equity.  

Christie talks about moving into institutional investing and learning from downturned markets. She also discusses the value of a culture that holds in-person events and helps team members with career development.  

You can connect with Christie on LinkedIn Here

You can connect with me at:

My website: JamesNelson.com

LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC

Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC

Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC

My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson

You will learn about the role of debt and equity advisors in real estate transactions in the first episode of this Capital Stack Series with Scott Singer, a Cornell alumni and principal at Avison Young and co-lead of the Tri-State Debt and Equity Finance Group. Scott is involved in different facets of financing and helps clients, including owners and families, in New York City.

You will hear about ways to help buyers navigate the complexities of financing as they consider moving forward with a deal. Scott shares insight on building personal relationships and learning about the needs of buyers to best advise them.

You can connect with me at:

My website: JamesNelson.com

LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC

Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC

Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC

My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson

You will learn the value of in-person meetings for real estate investing in this conversation with Beth Azor, the founder and owner of Azor Advisory Services, a commercial real estate advisory and investment firm based in South Florida. Known as the “Canvassing Queen,” Beth has personally canvassed for more than 10,000 hours. She offers extensive training programs through Azor Academy, including coaching for leasing agents. 

Beth talks about saving and then starting in real estate investing as a limited partner. She advocates for women to get involved in commercial real estate and shares how she helps others improve their skills and get more deals. 

You can connect with Beth at her company website (https://www.bethazor.com/) and X (https://x.com/bethazor1).

You can connect with me at:

My website: JamesNelson.com

LinkedIn: JamesNelsonNYC

Instagram: JamesNelsonNYC

Twitter: JamesNelsonNYC

My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson