In the season finale, Ashcroft Capital founder and “Best Ever” host Joe Fairless shares the real story behind his leap from four single-family rentals to large-scale apartments—including a painful first deal, what he fixed afterward, and why partnering for complementary skills changed everything. We unpack how to pace risk (don’t skip stages), the one question he uses to start investor calls, and how to build long-term relationships that endure rate shocks, capital calls, and market setbacks. Joe also drops a mindset gem—“nothing has meaning until you decide to give it meaning”—plus a lightning round on daily habits (yes, wheatgrass), favorite book, and how he recharges. If you’re raising capital, operating through turbulence, or planning your next move in multifamily, this one’s a masterclass in humility, systems, and listening.

Founder of Vive Funds, Veena Jetti, has transacted over $1B in Class-B value-add multifamily across TX, FL, GA, NC, SC, and AZ. In this episode, she shares how she moved from single-family into syndications, why 506(b)/(c) changed her trajectory, and how to assess risk the right way—by “over-disclosing” in the PPM so only truly aligned investors come aboard. Veena breaks down a recent $52M, 168-unit Addison, TX acquisition with an assumed 2.59% fixed rate, explains why long tenant tenure and country-club adjacency matter, and makes the case that diversity at the decision-making level is an alpha driver, not a box-check. We also dive into her AI-everywhere stack (from underwriting to custom investor GPTs), strength-based hiring, and leadership through transparency. If you’re an LP, syndicator, or CRE pro looking to scale responsibly in a choppy market, this one’s for you.

In this episode, Cory sits down with Andy McMullen of Legacy Acquisitions to unpack how to win in build-to-rent and multifamily — especially when market cycles shift. Andy shares how he built his company around trust, team, and clarity — starting with the one hire that changed everything: a top-tier executive assistant.

They break down the yield on cost test (NOI ÷ total project cost) as the most critical metric for development success and discuss how to evaluate spreads between your costs, cap rates, and debt. You’ll also hear why younger renters are choosing flexibility and experience over homeownership — and what that means for long-term demand.

From creative deal structures like seller financing to finding your unfair advantage in local markets, this episode delivers frameworks you can apply immediately.

Alexey Chernobelskiy—principal at Centrio Capital Partners and creator of GPLP Match—joins to unpack how limited partners should truly evaluate private real estate deals, why today’s rate environment makes raises harder, and how transparency + targeted matching can bridge GPs and LPs without broker-dealer intermediation. We cover his “three pillars” framework (execution, alignment, property), baseline terms LPs expect, the single waterfall red flag he actually treats as a pass, and why consistent, value-first social posting still matters more than playing the algorithm.

In this conversation, Zane Schartz shares his path from pro hockey to running Freedom CRE’s investment-grade, single-tenant NNN funds. He explains why fewer variables can mean better sleep for LPs, defines how NNN vs. NN shifts risk and cap rates, and walks through value levers like early lease extensions with national tenants. We get candid on multifamily’s recent pain (floating rates, rising costs), how that contrasts with fixed-debt NNN stability, and where cap rates may head next. Zane also opens his marketing playbook—consistent LinkedIn education, trust building, and structured first calls—plus leadership philosophy, team structure, and routines that keep his firm executing.

In this episode of The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast, host Cory Mortensen sits down with Chris Affinito, Managing Partner of Notional Development Partners, to uncover how he’s thriving in Austin’s competitive development landscape. Chris shares how he carved out a niche in “affordable luxury” workforce housing, leveraging tax exemptions and cost-saving construction techniques to create Class A assets in prime locations. From navigating the politics of development to structuring deals in challenging capital markets, Chris offers invaluable insights for developers, investors, and anyone looking to scale their real estate career. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with strategies, lessons, and real-world stories you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, Steven Richards of Streamline Capital Group shares how he transitioned from property management and brokerage into acquisitions and capital raising—closing over 110 units in Utah in under a year. Steven unpacks the skills that helped him stand out: relentless follow-up, creative problem-solving, and a people-first approach to broker relationships.

You’ll hear boots-on-the-ground insights into how he sourced deals before they hit the market, managed investor relations, and built a CRM-powered capital funnel. Steven also shares mistakes he’s made in operations, why he underwrites every deal with rising cap rates, and how being transparent with investors is the ultimate differentiator.

Whether you’re looking to improve your acquisition process, raise more capital, or just stay in the game during hard times—this conversation delivers.

In this episode of The Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast, host Cory Mortensen sits down with Jack Sorenson—former NFL wide receiver turned investor relations lead at Four Mile Capital. Jack opens up about his journey from pro football to multifamily syndication and the powerful lessons he’s carried with him—like delayed gratification, managing expectations, and the underrated superpower of vulnerability.

He shares tactical insights on how to turn passive investors into raving fans through world-class communication, timely updates, and relationship-first service. Learn how Jack implemented systems to track capital raise performance, why transparency is Four Mile’s secret weapon, and how he balances his ambitious goals with grounded gratitude. Whether you’re new to capital raising or looking to build investor loyalty, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and fresh perspective.

In this episode of the Mastering Commercial Real Estate Podcast, Cory sits down with Rick and Crystal Rumer—the dynamic duo behind Texas Secured Notes. With over a decade of experience, they break down their land-based owner-financing model that delivers double-digit passive income returns with minimized operational headaches. You'll learn how they buy large tracts of rural Texas land, subdivide them, and create notes for hands-off investors looking to cashflow like a bank.

The Rumers share the challenges that forged their entrepreneurial path, the systems they use to vet borrowers, and how their family-first values guide their business. Whether you’re curious about notes, land, or building a business with your spouse, this episode delivers actionable advice, behind-the-scenes insight, and heart.

Learn more at One-9 Holdings Website

Ryan Twomey raised $9M, returned $10M to investors—and turned the whole thing into an HGTV show.

In this episode, host Cory Mortensen dives into the story behind “Cabin Wars: Flip It to Win It,” Ryan’s first real estate syndication deal involving a 435-unit RV park in Louisiana. Learn how he landed the TV deal, scaled to 574 units, quit his W-2 in 16 months, and built a disciplined system for growth.

Perfect for investors, syndicators, and anyone looking to raise capital with creativity and confidence.

#HGTV #syndication #commercialrealestate #passiveinvesting #ryantwomey #mcrepodcast

🛠 Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Ryan’s Background
05:25 – Strategic Networking Framework
13:25 – The Eviction That Sparked a Pivot
21:26 – The HGTV Cabin Wars Deal & $10M Return
25:30 – Structuring Deals in Today’s Market
32:00 – Investor Nurture Systems
48:50 – Final Advice & Mindset Mastery

🔗 Learn more at [your website]