The Value Builder Podcast

The Value Builder Podcast

By Saul ZenkeviciusBusinessInvesting
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The Value Builder Podcast episodes

  • No College, No Problem: Michael Rebelo’s Path to Multifamily Success

    In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul interviews Michael Rebelo—founder of EverForward Capital Partners and a Gen Z entrepreneur who skipped college and built a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio before age 21.

    Michael shares how he raised over $1M in capital, co-founded a firm with his mother and grandmother, and found his niche in capital raising and investor relations.

    🎯 You’ll learn:

    • Why Michael walked away from day trading and chose multifamily
    • How he went from cold calling to co-managing 150+ units
    • What Gen Z gets wrong (and right) about real estate
    • Why he believes mentorship beats formal education
    • His vision for retiring his mom—and inspiring others to rethink financial freedom
    • If you’re curious about what it really takes to break into commercial real estate young—or to build generational wealth without a college degree—this is a must-listen.

      Reach out to Michael by phone/text at (774) 264-3392 or online at everforwardcapitalpartners.com.

      Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

      31 min
    • From NFL to CRE: Logan Freeman on Leasing, Leverage and Mastering Mindset

      In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul welcomes Logan Freeman—Managing Broker at MWCRE Advisors and widely known as “Mr. Kansas City”—for a candid conversation on grit, reinvention, and the fundamentals driving small bay industrial in the Midwest. From being cut by the Raiders to cutting deals across 600,000+ SF of commercial property, Logan shares what sets Kansas City apart—and why data, discipline, and demand are fueling record absorption.

      🎯 You’ll learn:

      • How Logan transitioned from NFL hopeful to CRE operator

      • Why Kansas City is quietly leading the Midwest in absorption and development

      • The systems behind pre-leasing, QR-code capture, and AI leasing bots

      • The real reason small bay industrial is outperforming

      • What developers should know about demand, lease rates, and build costs

        If you’re looking for a blueprint for scaling with integrity—or you’re curious about Kansas City’s CRE momentum—this episode will hit home.

        Reach out to Logan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livefreeinvestments/

        Visit MWCRE Advisors: https://www.mwcreadvisors.com/
        Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE insights every Wednesday.

        31 min
      • Data, Deals & Discipline: How Adam Dunn Scaled in Institutional CRE

        In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Adam Dunn—Managing Director at Berkadia and host of The CRE Deal Room Podcast—for a deep dive into building a multifamily brokerage career from the ground up. Adam shares how he went from leasing 6-unit buildings to closing $100M+ institutional deals, all while building a data-driven personal brand and podcast.

        🎯 You’ll learn:

        • How leasing and property management laid the foundation for investment sales success
        • What it takes to move from private capital to institutional deal volume
        • How institutional buyers approach underwriting, rent growth, and risk
        • Why sub-5% cap deals can still pencil—and what’s driving investor confidence
        • What today’s capital stacks look like across debt and equity layers
        • If you’re navigating your own transition from small deals to institutional work—or just want a look under the hood of what makes a high-performing multifamily brokerage tick—this one delivers real-world insight with clear takeaways.

          👉 Reach out to Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamdunncre/

          🎙 Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

          34 min
        • How to Add Value in Hotels: Renovations, Branding, and Operational Efficiencies with Danny Gould

          In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Danny Gould—CEO of Gould Capital—for a deep dive into hotel underwriting, value-add strategy, and how institutional capital looks at hospitality. From STAR reports to PIP renovations and brand-driven RevPAR boosts, Danny unpacks the levers that drive value in this unique asset class.

          🎯 You’ll learn:

          • How STAR reports shape hotel acquisition and comp analysis

          • The 3 main value levers in hospitality: occupancy, rate, and brand

          • Typical renovation costs and what $5K vs $50K per key really buys

          • Cap rate ranges for flags from Marriott to boutique independents

          • Why hotel investing blends real estate fundamentals with operational risk
          • If you’ve ever considered hotels as a value-add investment—or want to raise capital from institutional partners—this episode will open your eyes to the structure and strategy behind the scenes.

            Reach out to Danny:

            LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dannygould
            Website: https://gouldcapitalinc.com/

            Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

            37 min
          • Structuring a Win-Win Sale-Leaseback with Darren Smith

            In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Darren Smith—industrial investor and founder of Solid Growth Properties—to walk through the details of a class A, sale-leaseback deal in Newark, Delaware. With zero CapEx and major upside in year three, Darren shows how patience, clarity, and aligned negotiations created a no-frills win.

            🎯 You’ll learn:

            • Why mezzanine space can skew underwriting (and how to correct it)
            • How to structure seller credits for bank-required escrows
            • When a clean sale beats seller financing—for everyone
            • How to re-tenant an asset and refinance investors out
            • The surprising emotional triggers behind legacy seller delays
            • This episode is a must-listen for investors who want real-world insight on buying below replacement cost, structuring long-term wins, and playing the long game with sellers.

              Reach out to Darren at: [email protected]

              Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more real estate strategy every Wednesday.

              26 min
            • Insurance, Inspections, and COPE: Joe Terzano on Underwriting Smarter for CRE

              In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Joe Terzano—VP of Commercial Lines at Safeguard Insurance Solutions—for a practical, ground-level conversation on commercial property insurance. From fire suppression systems to roof reports and multi-tenant risks, Joe explains what underwriters are actually looking for and how to prepare your property to avoid red flags.

              🎯 You’ll learn:

              • What COPE data is—and why every underwriter relies on it

              • How sprinklers, roof access, and tenant mix affect your premium

              • Why drone footage is out and AI roof scans are in

              • The role of municipal code vs. NFPA standards

              • What to have ready when an inspector shows up

              • If you own or operate industrial or commercial property and want to stop overpaying for insurance—or getting blindsided by avoidable issues—this episode is a must-listen.

                Reach out to Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-terzano/

                Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

                27 min
              • Leadership, Legacy, and the Long Game with Jason Medley

                In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Jason Medley—founder of Collective Genius—to unpack what it really takes to build a high-performance mastermind and eventually step away from day-to-day operations without killing your momentum.

                 

                🎯 You’ll learn:

                • How CG built a thriving culture from day one—and still opens every event by stating core values

                • Why most founder-led companies stall between $10M–$50M

                • What it really means to replace yourself as CEO (and why it takes a year)

                • The mindset shift from income to enterprise value

                • What happens when you stop playing the “operator” game and start playing the “owner” game
                •  

                  Whether you’re nearing burnout or aiming to build something that outlives you, this episode delivers real clarity and tested frameworks.

                   

                  Learn more about Collective Genius: https://thecollectivegenius.com

                  Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and operator insights every Wednesday.

                  39 min
                • LLCs, Lawsuits, and Leverage: Tzvi Weiser on Smart Structures for Real Estate

                  In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Tzvi “LLC” Weiser—an attorney, CPA, and real estate investor—to demystify the confusing world of LLC formation. From Delaware vs. Wyoming to TIC structures for 1031s, Tzvi breaks down what matters, what doesn’t, and how to protect your assets and avoid costly mistakes.

                  🎯 You’ll learn:

                  Why Delaware is best for raising capital—but Wyoming wins on asset protection

                  How to structure operating vs. holding companies for real estate deals
                  The dangers of single-member LLCs (and how to fix them)
                  Why Series LLCs aren’t as safe as they seem
                  How to bring a 1031 investor into your deal without blowing up the syndication

                  Whether you’re forming your first LLC or restructuring for long-term growth, this episode delivers essential clarity with real-world insight.

                  Reach out to Tzvi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzvi-weiser/

                  Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

                  23 min
                • Deal Deep Dive: Rockford IL Mixed-Use Center

                  In this Deal Deep Dive episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul Zenkevicius breaks down a 155,000-square-foot mixed-use property he recently toured in a mid-sized Illinois town. With stable tenants like Dunkin’ Donuts, Anytime Fitness, Ace Hardware, and fully leased medical offices, the deal presents two distinct paths: a light value-add strategy with quick upside, or a long-term cash-flowing hold. Saul walks through his underwriting, leasing analysis, and the offer process—sharing how he navigated seller expectations, avoided overpaying, and left the door open for a more favorable re-entry.

                  🎯 You’ll learn:

                  • Why this retail-office asset has hidden upside despite surface-level stigma

                  • Two potential plays: value-add flip vs. 10-year hold

                  • How leasing mix and medical tenants reduce downside

                  • The power of pulling your offer—and getting invited back

                  • What to look for when a property looks like a mall but acts like a cash cow

                    Whether you’re chasing your next deal or sharpening your acquisition strategy, this episode shows how to stay flexible, make smart offers, and spot value beyond first impressions.

                    Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

                    10 hr 56 min
                  • How to Lease Faster, Price Smarter, and Handle Tenants Like a Pro with Braden Souder

                    In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with developer Braden Souder from Box Equity Management to break down the strategy behind a recent small-bay acquisition—from rental pricing and tenant management to Facebook ad tactics and fast leasing workflows. Braden shares how simple systems, quick response time, and local showings helped him lease up space at $14–$15/SF without relying on brokers or heavy capex.

                    🎯 You’ll hear:

                    • Why Facebook ads outperform brokers for leasing velocity

                    • How staggered lease renewals create smoother turnover

                    • When to pay locals for showings—and skip the middleman

                    • Real-world pricing benchmarks for small-bay flex in today’s market

                    • How tenant mix and lease structuring drive long-term value
                    • If you’re hands-on with property management or looking to maximize value with minimal spend, this episode offers a clear, tactical look at what actually works in small-bay leasing.


                      Reach out to Braden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braden-souder-2305a722/

                      Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

                      39 hr 20 min

                    About The Value Builder Podcast

                    From the publisher's feed

                    The Value Builder Podcast delivers real-world strategies for creating lasting value in commercial real estate. Hosted by Saul Zenkevicius, each episode features operators, developers, and investors…