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…
Author: Bill Bymel
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…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Alex Goldovsky, the visionary founder and CEO of ProTitleUSA, joins us for a fascinating conversation about the sweeping changes AI is bringing to the real estate and finance sectors. Learn the inside secrets of how Alex has transformed his business from a traditional title work provider into multiple cutting-edge companies serving the capital markets.His ventures, including DocSolutionUSA for document preparation and One Diligence, an AI-based due diligence firm, highlight how technology and creativity are reshaping industry practices.We ponder the potential of AI to fully automate assignments and transform the industry landscape. By making AI more cost-effective…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Buckle up for an intriguing adventure through three decades of real estate evolution with Mike Morawski – a true maverick who transformed from a local residential agent to Chief Investment Officer of a successful multi family hedgefund.Mike pulls back the curtain on his remarkable path from general contracting to managing a $100 million enterprise, revealing the grit, strategy, and resilience that propels success.What does it really take to thrive in an industry that never stands still? Mike’s story is a masterclass in adaptability. From navigating market upheavals to pioneering the art of converting struggling office spaces into…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Discover the Finnish-inspired technology that’s revolutionizing real estate, with our guest, Brian Charlesworth, co-creator of Sisu, a real estate analytics and transaction management software that’s empowering real estate teams and brokerages to exceed their own expectations.We discuss:- Sisu’s Finnish-inspired ethos of pushing beyond perceived limits and how it turns that philosophy into practical tools for real estate teams.- Brian’s journey from Housemaster Home Inspections to co-creating a tool that is redefining modern real estate management.- Pre-listing packets and other tools that can increase conversion rates and showcase an agent’s value more effectively.Connect further with Brian Charlesworth…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify This episode is a quick masterclass for anyone interested in understanding market dynamics and the socio-economic forces that shape housing landscapes. Through personal anecdotes and historical reflections, we explore how past patterns can illuminate present trends and potentially forecast future downturns. Join me as we unravel a century’s worth of lessons from Florida’s real estate history, beginning with the 1920s frenzy that might have set the stage for the Great Depression and other important factors that shaped the Sunshine State’s market over the years. Inspired by Christopher Knowlton’s book, Bubble in the Sun, we dissect the cyclical nature of…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Grab your coffee and join me for an adventure across continents to focus on the rich historical and cultural landscapes of Europe and the Middle East, understanding how diverse traditions, historical contexts, and cultural nuances shape business practices and global finance dynamics.In this episode we explore the complexities of the European and Middle Eastern debt markets and the efforts of the European Union to harmonize financial regulations among its member countries. By examining the transparency variations in secondary loan markets across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, we uncover the subtle yet profound ways globalization…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Step inside the innovative world of Stoic Equity Partners, a firm dedicated to acquiring and managing multi-tenant value-add flex industrial properties across the Southeast. In this episode, we dive deep into the significance of these unique commercial spaces and their resilience against the work-from-home revolution.Join us as Jeremy Friedman, CEO & Co Founder, shares his insider’s perspective on the vital role these flex industrial properties play in supporting the thriving small business community. Discover how these spaces, often overlooked, offer a refuge from the tides of remote work, providing the essential infrastructure for entrepreneurs to grow…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Step into the real estate world where profit meets purpose and affordable housing innovation with Jaymie Beckett, CEO of Housing on Merit, a Los Angeles, CA nonprofit organization that partners in developing affordable housing and building communities.In this powerful episode, discover how Housing on Merit is rewriting the affordable housing playbook, creating win-win scenarios through strategic partnerships and smart financing. Jaymie breaks down how developers can tap into underutilized resources – from tax exemptions to government incentives – while expanding their impact.Get exclusive insights into:• How developers can leverage affordable housing initiatives for sustainable growth• Creative partnership…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Andrew Kim, a seasoned expert in real estate investment, pulls back the curtain on contrasting climates of real estate investing in Canada and the U.S. and why Andrew chooses to invest in the more landlord-friendly U.S. market, due to the challenges Canadian landlords face from tenant-friendly laws.Get an insider’s look at SHARE, the game-changing real estate tech company that’s democratizing property investment and providing top-tier services that empower investors, transforming how everyday people build wealth through real estate.In this eye-opening episode, discover:• Why U.S. markets are becoming the go-to choice for savvy Canadian investors• How SHARE’s…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify Tomorrow is Bid Day! As we gear up for a major HUD auction, amidst the whirlwind of activities and decisions involved in preparing bids, the air is electric with anticipation. I’m reminded of the power of purpose, passion and persistence that has not only fueled over 120 episodes of this Real Estate Lowdown podcast, but also the collective intentions of our team at First Lien Capital for the last several years.As we navigate the intricate world of real estate investing, continually growing our portfolio with our clients at the forefront of our decisions, the stakes are high…