Author: Bill Bymel

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this thought-provoking discussion on the Real Estate Lowdown, Tampa Bay attorney Bishoy Habib gives a comprehensive analysis as he takes us on a journey through Florida’s dynamic property market. From analyzing the pandemic-fueled boom to predicting an upcoming market reset, Bishoy provides valuable perspective on both residential and commercial real estate trends. Drawing from historical cycles and current legislative changes, he balances caution about overheating with long-term optimism for the Sunshine State’s economic future. Get the inside track with these insights:• Florida’s unique advantages that fueled a pandemic-era real estate boom and the challenges this rapid growth has…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify As I sip my morning chocolate espresso, thanks to my favorite coffee purveyor, Nespresso, I want to share some thoughts on our industry, the economy, and the personal journey that’s brought us all to this moment.I just returned from speaking at the NADP conference in Palm Springs that was enlightening in more ways than one. While on stage with fellow investors, we witnessed significant economic turbulence that felt eerily reminiscent of scenes from The Big Short.The current economic landscape, influenced by shifting government operations and international relations, creates both volatility and opportunity.2024 was a year that…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this insider episode of the Real Estate Lowdown, Scott Phillips, Senior VP of SES, a leading insurance solutions provider for the real estate sector pulls back the curtain on the often misunderstood world of property insurance in today’s volatile market.Discover how SES leverages relationships with major carriers like Lloyds and Chubb to create tailored insurance policies for residential rental properties. Scott reveals surprising industry insights, including that 80% of the rental market consists of small landlords with five or fewer properties.As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, Scott shares invaluable strategies for managing…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Join us for this episode of the Real Estate Lowdown as veteran multifamily investor, Charles Carillo, Managing Partner at Harborside Partners, pulls back the curtain on his 18-year journey in real estate investing. From weathering the 2008 crash to navigating today’s high-interest environment, Charles shares battle-tested strategies for building lasting wealth through property ownership.In this value-packed episode, you’ll discover:• Why holding properties through market downturns separates successful investors from the rest• How rising interest rates are reshaping construction trends and creating new opportunities• The critical adjustments savvy investors are making to their acquisition criteria right now• Why…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Unlock the secrets of Southern California’s real estate market with investor Zihao Wang, Founder & CEO of Motiva Holdings, who shares how he defies conventional wisdom to achieve remarkable success. We learn about his journey from managing properties as a teenager in Pasadena to the early influences that shaped his path. Zihao’s unique approach, offers insights on managing legacy tenants, forming international partnerships, and leveraging his talent for numbers to predict market trends.We dive into the shifting dynamics of California’s rental market, where high occupancy rates persist despite slight rent softening and explore the potential for strategic…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify From fixing fences on his father’s ranch to shaping urban landscapes, Luis Belmonte, principal at Seven Hills Properties, chronicles his unlikely path to real estate development. Drawing from his Irish-Italian roots and decades of experience, Luis reveals why he chose practical community projects over luxury developments – and how this decision shaped his success.Beyond the blueprint, Luis breaks down the essentials of real estate investment, from internal rate of return to the delicate balance of leveraging. And reveals the hidden potential in today’s office spaces while sharing hard-earned wisdom from his most memorable wins and losses.Key…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify German immigrant Jack Bosch, Co-Founder of Orbit Investments and “Land Profit Generator”, turned his American dream into reality. In this episode, Jack shares his journey of becoming a thriving real estate entrepreneur alongside his wife Michelle and why they chose to focus on the lesser-known yet lucrative niche of land wholesaling.Unlike the crowded house wholesaling market, land wholesaling presents unique opportunities with minimal competition and high profit potential. Jack divulges strategies that make this investing appealing to those looking for financial freedom and lower-risk investments, and why it’s attracting a new wave of investors.With Jack’s personal…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify From drowning in nearly a million dollars of debt to mastering financial independence, Brent Kesler’s journey from chiropractor to wealth-building strategist and educator will transform how you think about money. Despite his initial skepticism, Brent discovered a powerful path to financial freedom through Infinite Banking – a strategy that turned his substantial debt, including student loans and an airplane purchase, into stepping stones toward wealth.In this eye-opening episode, Brent pulls back the curtain on the Money Multiplier method, revealing how specifically designed whole life insurance policies can become potent wealth-building tools. You’ll discover how tax-deferred growth strategies that…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Enjoy this unique conversation with Christian Etienne, a seasoned expert in the real estate and reverse mortgage world. Recognized as an industry expert, Christian and his teams have managed and liquidated more than 80,000 real estate assets nationwide for a variety of GSEs, large banking institutions, and private equity portfolios.From his early days in South Louisiana to his current life in the Houston suburbs, Christian’s career trajectory – from title insurance to mastering the nuances of reverse mortgages – offers a rare glimpse into the challenges and responsibilities in this niche industry. We examine the changing landscape…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode of Real Estate Lowdown you’ll hear the journey of Darcy Marler, a seasoned real estate developer and educator, who traded his IT career in South America for a life of building innovation in Canada – transforming empty lots into vibrant homes and communities.Darcy captivates with his stories of traditional fix-and-flip ventures to breaking new ground with vacant lots and teardown properties, and so much more of literally reshaping the real estate landscape.We explore how demographic shifts and the rigorous permit processes influence market trends, take a critical look at the risk of overbuilding…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Welcome to 2025 friends! You know these Coffee with Bill chats are always straight talk, and as I sit here with my steaming cup of Nespresso Bianco Forte, I can’t help but feel both excited and contemplative about what’s in store for all of us in this fascinating industry. We dive into the seismic shifts reshaping both commercial and residential real estate. From game-changing rate hikes to the hidden risks lurking in bank portfolios, the traditional ‘safe harbor’ of real estate investment needs a fundamental reset.I can tell you what we’re seeing now is just the beginning…

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Ron McMahan, Founder & CEO of Foundation Specialty Finance, as well as experienced principal investor, fund manager and loan originator, is sharing lessons learned on ethical challenges and innovative solutions from over two decades in the industry. This episode is for the investor aligned with avoiding predatory practices and making ethical and smart investment decisions in any market.Ron’s career is marked by strategic foresight and collaboration with giants like Goldman Sachs and Fortress Investments. His commitment to helping families remain in their homes shines through, with a success rate twice the industry average, and his role in reshaping…