What really separates strong real estate professionals from everyone else when markets tighten and capital gets complicated?

In this episode of No Vacancy, Taylor Avakian sits down with Vicky Schiff for a wide-ranging conversation on work ethic, conviction, and how serious operators think about risk, relationships, and capital in today’s real estate market. Vicky shares how she built her career by being the person who actually executes, prepares, and shows up when it matters.

They dive into what’s happening inside the debt markets, how lenders are structuring risk through pref equity, CLOs, and loan-on-loan strategies, and why understanding the incentives behind capital is just as important as understanding the deal itself. Vicky also explains how high-level decision-makers prepare for meetings, evaluate opportunities, and maintain confidence without ego.

Beyond markets and structures, the episode explores discipline, curiosity, and human connection — and why relationships still drive outcomes even as the industry evolves.

This is a practical conversation for anyone operating in commercial real estate who wants to think more clearly, move with conviction, and understand what’s really happening behind the capital stack.

Sponsor — Loan Titan

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https://loantitan.com/

Sponsor — AI for CRE Collective

Join 500+ CRE Professionals actually learning AI

https://www.skool.com/ai-for-cre-collective/about?ref=3b3ff2c0ccce44ba8039fafd54bf291a

Connect with Taylor Avakian

Newsletter: https://www.thegroupcre.com/newsletter-signup

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tayloravakian

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tayloravakian

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/

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.

Sponsor — Loan Titan

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Connect with Taylor Avakian

Newsletter: https://www.thegroupcre.com/newsletter-signup

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/tayloravakian

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/

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

Sponsor — Loan Titan

Upscale your experience with

https://loantitan.com/

Connect with Taylor

Newsletter: https://www.thegroupcre.com/newsletter-signup

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tayloravakian

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tayloravakian

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/

Connect with Leo Pustilnikov

Subscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.

🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian

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

In this episode of The Group CRE, Taylor Avakian sits down with Luke Morris — Co-Founder of CREXi and Founder of Capitalize.io — to break down how AI is transforming commercial real estate from the inside out. Luke shares the early days of CREXi, how he helped reshape CRE workflow at scale, and why he’s now focused on the next evolution of AI-powered tools for brokers, operators, and investors.

From automating research to accelerating deal flow, Luke explains the problems he saw firsthand while building CREXi — and the AI solutions modern CRE professionals will rely on in the next decade.

If you want to understand the future of real estate tech, the next wave of automation, and the mindset of a founder who helped build one of the most impactful CRE platforms ever created, this episode is a must-watch.

You’ll learn:

- How Luke co-founded CREXi and changed CRE deal flow forever

- The biggest inefficiencies he discovered while building a marketplace

- Where AI is already outperforming traditional CRE workflows

- How automation supports brokers, researchers, and analysts

- Why PropTech adoption is accelerating faster than ever

- What the next generation of CRE software will look like

- How founders think about scaling tools for a legacy industry

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🔗 Links

Sponsor — Loan Titan

Upscale your experience with

https://loantitan.com/

Connect with Taylor

Newsletter: https://www.thegroupcre.com/newsletter-signup

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tayloravakian

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tayloravakian

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/

Connect with Luke Morris

Subscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.

🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian

#LukeMorris #CREXi #TheGroupCRE #PropTech #LoanTitan #CommercialRealEstate #RealEstateTech #CREBrokerage #AutomationTools #AIInBusiness #CREMarketplace #TaylorAvakian

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Nagel — CIO & CFO of Decron Properties — to unpack how a multigenerational real estate family built a 10,000-unit empire over 70+ years and why they’re now pivoting billions OUT of California into growth markets like Phoenix & Austin.

Daniel shares his grandfather’s Holocaust-to-developer story, the philosophy behind surviving every market cycle since 1956, what institutional investors really look for, and how to build an investment platform that lasts generations.

If you're serious about multifamily investing, family offices, long-term real estate strategy, and institutional-grade deal thinking — this episode is a masterclass.

🎯 Key Takeaways

- Immigrant perseverance → building a $B real estate legacy

- Why Decron shifted from homebuilding to multifamily

- Surviving recessions & maintaining lender relationships

- California exit strategy: regulation, taxes, and rent control impact

- Why core & core-plus outperform value-add in today’s market

- The pivot to institutional capital & what IRR really means

- How to scale across markets without losing your edge

- Tech, AI, and modern CRE skill-sets for the next 10 years

🔗 Links

Sponsor: AI for CRE Collective – transforming real-estate workflows with AI

https://www.aiforcrecollective.com

Connect With Daniel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nageldaniel/ (Decron Properties)

Connect With Taylor

📩 Newsletter: https://www.thegroupcre.com

📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tayloravakian

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/tayloravakian

Subscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.

🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian

#RealEstateInvesting #MultifamilyInvesting #InstitutionalRealEstate #FamilyOffice #CaliforniaRealEstate #SunbeltInvesting #CommercialRealEstate #RealEstateStrategy #HousingMarket #Development #WealthBuilding #AIinRealEstate

From small beginnings to billion-dollar portfolios — Paul Julian has seen it all.

In this episode of The Group CRE, Taylor Avakian sits down with Paul Julian, a multifamily investor and operator who built success through persistence, partnership, and purpose. Paul shares how he scaled from early real estate deals to managing large multifamily assets, breaking down the strategies, risks, and mindset behind long-term success in a volatile market.

You’ll learn:

- How Paul got started in real estate and built early traction

- The secrets behind scaling a multifamily portfolio sustainably

- How partnerships and investor trust drive long-term growth

- Lessons from navigating interest rates, market cycles, and risk

- The mindset and systems that separate top operators from the rest

- Why consistency, humility, and patience are the keys to real wealth

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🔗 Connect & Resources

🎙️ Hosted by: Taylor Avakian — The Group CRE

🌐 Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com

💼 Connect with Paul Julian (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/

📧 Business Inquiries: info@thegroupcre.com

🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube

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Subscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.

🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian

#TheGroupCRE #PaulJulian #MultifamilyRealEstate #RealEstatePodcast #TaylorAvakian #WealthBuilding #PropertyManagement #CRE #RealEstateInvesting #InvestmentStrategy #Entrepreneurship #FinancialFreedom

Brandon Hance did 180+ real estate deals in Los Angeles in just 7 years. Sounds incredible, right?

But here's the truth: he wishes he'd done fewer deals and made MORE money.

In this episode, Brandon opens up about his journey from tech startup founder to one of LA's most prolific developers - and why the "hustle harder" mentality almost destroyed him. He shares the brutal lessons he learned scaling too fast, the health crisis that nearly killed him, and how he's completely rebuilt his approach with his new company, Angelino Development.

If you're thinking about scaling your real estate business, this conversation will change how you think about growth.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why doing MORE deals often means LESS profit

✅ The hidden costs of high-volume development in LA

✅ How to systemize your development business for scale

✅ Navigating LA's complex zoning and permitting process

✅ The importance of quality of life in building wealth

✅ When to say no to deals (even good ones)

Whether you’re chasing big goals or recovering from setbacks, this conversation is a raw, honest look at what success really costs — and what matters most after it’s gone.

CONNECT WITH ME:

EMAIL: taylor@thegroupcre.com

WEBSITE: www.thegroupcre.com

This episode is sponsored by AI for CRE Collective - an exclusive community built for real estate professionals using AI to close more deals, manage properties smarter, and scale faster.

Whether you’re a broker, investor, or property manager, join over 400 members already transforming their business with AI tools and strategies.

🔗 Learn more at [www.aiforcrecollective.com](https://www.aiforcrecollective.com/)

📈 Connect with me:

Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/

Email: taylor@thegroupcre.com

X: https://x.com/TAYVAY_

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/

#TheGroupCRE #BrandonHance #Entrepreneurship #TaylorAvakian #FaithAndBusiness #WealthBuilding #Resilience #Leadership #StartupJourney #BusinessMindset