In this episode, I sit down with Mike Zlotnik—also known as “Big Mike”—a former tech executive turned real estate fund manager who now oversees diversified commercial real estate portfolios across the U.S. Mike shares his journey from emigrating to Brooklyn from Moldova, to building a tech career, to finally going all-in on real estate in 2009.

We dive into why Mike favors discounted, existing commercial assets over development, how he navigates interest rate shifts, and what passive investors should know about asymmetric risk, mezzanine capital, and capital stack structures. Mike brings a data-driven, strategic lens to investing—and he breaks down why now might be one of the best times to deploy capital for both cash flow and upside.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Introduction

[2:45] – From Moldova to NYC and the leap from tech to real estate

[4:00] – First deals: multifamily and Manhattan condos during the recession

[6:30] – Discovering the power of hard money lending and private debt

[9:00] – The shift to commercial: multifamily, shopping centers, industrial

[12:00] – Why vertical integration with local operators is critical

[15:00] – Navigating the 2022 rate hikes and market repricing

[18:00] – Buying below replacement cost and the magic of cap rate spreads

[21:00] – Why Mike avoids floating-rate debt in today’s environment

[23:30] – Reimbursement strategies and tax benefits of commercial assets

[26:00] – Structuring deals for both appreciation and depreciation

[28:00] – The role of rescue capital, mezz equity, and preferred returns

[31:00] – Illiquidity, investor psychology, and aligning with the right time horizon

[34:00] – Why simplicity wins and how crypto exits are finding real estate

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Buying below replacement cost creates built-in upside and limits downside risk.

2. Cap rate spread vs. interest rate is the single most important cash flow metric.

3. Vertical integration through partnerships allows for scale without operational burnout.

4. Asymmetric risk = disproportionate upside with limited exposure—a smarter investor goal.

5. Simplicity and focus win in complex markets—especially with higher debt costs.

Links & Resources:

• Big Mike’s Fund & Resources – https://www.BigMikeFund.com

• Mentioned in the episode: Mezz equity, open-air shopping centers, asymmetric risk, crypto-to-real-estate capital shifts

If this episode gave you a new lens on strategic investing in today’s market, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast. It helps us bring on more seasoned investors like Mike who break down what’s really working behind the scenes.