Uncovering the Hidden Power Structures in Commercial Real Estate with Hiten Samtani (Founder of Ten31 Media)Deep-dive conversation with Hiten Samtani, former Editorial Director at The Real Deal and founder of Ten31 Media, on the unseen forces driving commercial real estate in America's biggest markets.From long-term family dynasties and low-basis empires to cultural niches quietly controlling billions in Los Angeles and New York, political leverage in mega-projects, the surge of private credit and insurance capital, and the evolving role of insider-focused media in an opaque industry.Essential for commercial real estate investors, brokers, developers, lenders, operators, and professionals looking for unfiltered perspective on market movers, capital flows, and power dynamics.

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Connect with Hiten Samtanihttps://www.thepromote.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-promote-podcast/id1801355295https://youtube.com/@ten31tv?si=Ke5cIHVQCNAnXptYChapters:0:00 - Intro & Real Estate as Nexus of Power, Money, and Politics1:29 - Guest Intro and Background in CRE Media2:14 - Who Really Shapes Cities: Long-Term Owners vs Transient Capital3:48 - Family Dynasties, Nepo Babies, and Low-Basis Advantages5:30 - Information Arbitrage, Broker Relationships, and Deal Flow7:27 - Political Juice in Mega Projects (Beverly Hills, Hudson Yards)9:04 - Negotiating Tactics vs Outright Corruption10:59 - Appraisals, Incentives, and Gray Areas12:09 - LA vs New York Kingpins: Quiet Wealth and Cultural Niches16:51 - Private Credit Evolution with Insurance Capital19:08 - Sub-Institutional Trends and Fraud Scrutiny19:33 - Market Sentiment: LA vs New York Asset Classes22:50 - Political Risks and Narrative Shifts25:53 - Starting Ten31 Media: Bridging the Industry-Media Gap28:39 - Building a Niche Media Business for Specialists31:07 - Paywalls, Premium Content, and Audience Monetization32:04 - AI's Impact on Media and Quality vs Slop34:39 - Institutional Players Courting Retail Capital via Social Media39:49 - Future of CRE Media: Counterpoint and Swagger42:01 - Building Clout with Exclusion and Quality44:01 - Expanding Platforms While Keeping the DNA45:52 - Podcast Growth and Chemistry49:19 - Writing Craft, Inspiration, and Editing52:44 - Balancing Business, Content, and Life55:06 - Favorite Stories and Idea Generation58:49 - Media Impact on Markets and Industry Opacity1:02:05 - Maintaining Integrity at Scale1:05:50 - Interviewing Techniques and Co-Hosting Dynamics1:08:31 - How to Ask Great Questions1:10:23 - Preparation vs Natural Flow in Interviews1:12:37 - Building Relationships Through Conversations1:13:30 - Closing Thoughts and Future of Ten31#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateInvesting #PrivateCredit #RealEstateMedia #Ten31Media

Join Taylor Avakian on the No Vacancy Podcast as he sits down with Jan Brzeski, a co-founder of Arixa Capital and a leading expert in private credit and real estate lending in California. In this in-depth episode, Jan shares his journey building a massive commercial real estate debt fund, revealing the inner workings of private credit syndication and how lenders navigate today's shifting interest rate environment.Discover key insights into commercial real estate opportunities in California, including the impact of rising rates on property values, the role of private credit in bridging financing gaps, and strategies for underwriting strong loans in multifamily and construction projects. Jan breaks down fund economics, borrower selection, and why real estate private lending remains a resilient niche amid market adjustments.Whether you're an investor exploring commercial real estate in California, interested in private credit funds, or following trends from experts like Taylor Avakian and Jan Brzeski on the No Vacancy Podcast, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on building wealth through disciplined lending in today's dynamic market.Sponsor — Loan TitanUpscale your experience with: https://loantitan.com/Jan's Company:Sage Credit Investment Partners: https://scipfinance.com/My Newsletter: https://www.thegroupcre.com/newslette...📈 Connect with me:Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/Email: taylor@thegroupcre.comX: https://x.com/TAYVAY_LinkedIn: / tayloravakian

What happens when a developer goes head-to-head with California’s most powerful cities, unions, and politicians?

In this episode of The Group CRE, Taylor Avakian sits down with Leo Pustilnikov — one of the most controversial and influential developers in California’s housing landscape. Leo has become a central figure in the statewide housing reform battle, pushing projects forward using tools like the Builder’s Remedy, SB 9, SB 35, Density Bonus Law, and other pro-housing policies that force cities to comply with state law.

Leo breaks down the political fights behind the scenes, how cities illegally block projects, what developers must understand about CEQA and entitlement strategy, and why California’s housing shortage is by design. This episode dives deep into corruption, NIMBY power, union pressure, lawsuits, and the future of LA housing — straight from someone who has been in the center of it.

You’ll learn:

- Why California cities block housing and how state law overrides them

- How the Builder’s Remedy actually works (and why it’s so powerful)

- The truth behind local corruption, CEQA abuse, and political retaliation

- Why small and mid-sized developers abandon California

- How Leo navigates union pressure, lawsuits, and city pushback

- What it will take for California to ever meet housing demand

- How to survive entitlement warfare and regulatory resistance

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Connect with Leo Pustilnikov

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#TheGroupCRE #LeoPustilnikov #CaliforniaHousingCrisis #BuildersRemedy #CEQA #RealEstateDevelopment #NIMBY #HousingReform #CommercialRealEstate #TaylorAvakian #MultifamilyDevelopment #PolicyReform