The Crexi Commercial Real Estate Podcast: Conversations in All Things CRE

Demystifying AI & The Future of PropTech

The Crexi Commercial Real Estate Podcast: Conversations in All Things CRE

12/18/24 • 50 min

This episode taps into recent AI advances and the potential of technology to transform CRE with Marc Rutzen, Co-founder & CEO of HelloData.

In this episode of The Crexi Podcast, host Ashley Kobovitch sits with Marc as they delve into his extensive background in real estate and technology, including his previous startup Enodo, and his entrepreneurial journey. Discussion highlights include the role of AI in real estate, the challenges of using public data for pricing, and the importance of building a “remarkable product”. Marc also shares insights on building a sustainable business, automating workflows, and the future of technology in real estate.

Introduction to The Crexi Podcast
Meet Marc Rutzen: Real Estate Innovator
Marc's Entrepreneurial Journey
Lessons from Building Startups
The Power of Automation in Startups
Building a Proptech Product
AI and Technology in Commercial Real Estate
AI in Real Estate: Transparency and Trust
Practical AI Tools for Everyday Use
Navigating Regulatory Challenges with Public Data
Future of AI and Data in Real Estate
HelloData's Upcoming Innovations
Macroeconomic Factors Impacting Real Estate
Advice for Aspiring Founders
Rapid Fire Questions with Marc
Parting Words and Final Thoughts

About Marc Rutzen:

Marc brings over 12 years of real estate and technology experience to his role as Co-Founder & CEO of HelloData. He worked in real estate for 5 years before launching multifamily predictive analytics startup Enodo, which he sold to Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) in 2019. From there he rose to Chief Product Officer and built technology that reduced W&D’s underwriting times by over 30% before returning to the startup world to launch HelloData in 2023.‍

Marc received his Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University, and is a licensed managing broker in Illinois. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, running, and spending time with his wife and 4 children.

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A 2022 Outlook on Multifamily Investment Sales

The Crexi Commercial Real Estate Podcast: Conversations in All Things CRE

01/05/22 • 35 min

This episode of The Crexi Podcast explores what 2022 holds for the multifamily sector with Dan Blackwell, EVP at CBRE.

The Crexi Podcast explores various aspects of commercial real estate in conversation with top industry professionals. In each episode, we feature different guests, tapping into their wealth of expertise and exploring the latest trends in the world of commercial real estate.

In this episode, Crexi's Ashley Kobovitch sits down with Dan to explore both the fundamentals and recent trends surrounding multifamily investment properties, focusing on recent transaction volume and investor mindsets guiding the sector's future.

Their wide-ranging conversation covers:

What age and classes of properties are changing hands on a region-by-region basis.
The differences in investment mindsets between institutional players and private investors.
Cap rate changes,investor sentiments, and how current owners can maximize their ROI.
The fundamentals of investing in multifamily in Southern California and how pending construction challenges and potential tax-code changes may impact the sector.
Early lessons learned working during the Recession and cultivating a resilience mindset as a broker.
And much more!

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About Dan Blackwell:

Dan Blackwell has specialized in Multifamily Investment Sales since 2008 and currently leads the Orange County Multifamily Investment Sales division for CBRE. He and his team have closed over $1 billion in multifamily property sales -- over 350 transactions and growing.

Dan believes an investor's interests are best represented through a relationship founded on trust and strengthened by longevity.

Dan is frequently quoted in the media about his thoughts on multifamily real estate trends and his recent transactions. His YouTube videos and on-camera guest interviews offer investors critical information and insights to help them become better multifamily investors, owners, and managers.

Dan graduated from University of North Carolina, Wilmington, with a degree in finance and is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), Apartment Association of Orange County (AAOC), and Apartment Association, California Southern Cities (AACSC).

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Financing for New CRE Investors

The Crexi Commercial Real Estate Podcast: Conversations in All Things CRE

05/12/21 • 43 min

This episode of The Crexi Podcast features James Eng, National Director at Old Capital, discussing the foundational basics of CRE financing.

The Crexi Podcast explores various aspects of the commercial real estate industry in conversation with some of the top CRE professionals in the industry. In each episode, we feature different guests to tap into their wealth of CRE expertise and explore the latest trends and updates from the world of commercial real estate.

In this episode, Crexi’s Ashley Kobovitch sits with James to discuss his varying experience across commercial real estate, how to find and develop your niche in the CRE world, and what every real estate investor should know about multifamily financing. Their wide-ranging conversation covers:

The basic loan types and terms in multifamily investing, including recourse bank loans, non-recourse loans, and bridge loans.
How multifamily lenders changed their underwriting practices in the aftermath of COVID-19, and what that means for loan applicants in the future.
How to educate yourself and combine interests and skills to solve unique problems within commercial real estate.
The importance of building judgment and the problem-solving skills necessary to understand what makes a good deal.
And much more!

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Long-Tail Shifts and Resilient Fundamentals in the National Industrial Sector

The Crexi Commercial Real Estate Podcast: Conversations in All Things CRE

05/08/24 • 46 min

This episode explores the industrial sector’s opportunities and upcoming challenges with David Murphy, Executive Vice President at CBRE.

The Crexi Podcast explores various aspects of the commercial real estate industry in conversation with some of the top CRE professionals in the space. In each episode, we feature different guests to tap into their wealth of CRE expertise and explore the latest trends and updates from the world of commercial real estate.

In this episode, host Jessica LaRusso sits with Murphy as he shares his journey from a real estate-enthusiast beginner to becoming an industrial logistics leader. He discusses the changing landscape of industrial real estate, driven by e-commerce and the shift from large, centralized warehouses to more localized, efficient spaces.

Murphy also delves into the nuances of the CRE industry, highlighting the importance of hard work, resilience, and building relationships over merely relying on technology. He reflects on the misperceptions about the industry and concludes with insights into the future of industrial real estate, emphasizing growth in Florida and the ongoing need for development amidst rising construction costs.

Meet David Murphy: A Real Estate Lifer
David's Journey: From Hockey to Brokerage
The Evolution of a Real Estate Career: Lessons and Achievements
Mentorship and Hard Work: The Foundations of Success
Giving Back: Coaching the Next Generation of CRE Professionals
The Art of Building Relationships in CRE
Work Ethic and Strategy: Staying Ahead in CRE
David's Personal Routine and Family Life
A Day in the Life: Balancing Workouts, Family, and Work
Mastering Time Management and Productivity
The Evolution of the Industrial Sector
Navigating the Challenges of Industrial Development
Investment Strategies and the Future of Industrial Real Estate
Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Advice
Closing Thoughts and Social Media Musings

About David Murphy:

David Murphy is an Executive Vice President with CBRE. In 2021, David was recognized as CBRE’s top overall producer in the State of Florida for the second consecutive year.

David oversees a multi-disciplined industrial and logistics team whose market knowledge, creativity, and industry relationships provide winning solutions for his clients. Over his 23-year career at CBRE he has been named NAIOP of Central Florida Industrial Broker of the Year 18 times and is routinely recognized at the CBRE Recognition Summit as one of the top producing brokers in the firm.

David began his real estate career in State College, PA during his freshman year at the Pennsylvania State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Real Estate. A member of the Penn State Men’s Ice Hockey Team, David was inducted into the Penn State Hockey Hall of Fame and also played professionally in the East Coast Hockey League.

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Using Your Authentic Voice to Build a Personal Brand in CRE

The Crexi Commercial Real Estate Podcast: Conversations in All Things CRE

06/12/24 • 54 min

In this landmark 100th episode of The Crexi Podcast, Deena Zimmerman, Principal at Baum Realty, shares how to build a unique and successful reputation in CRE.

Celebrating 100 episodes of The Crexi Podcast, host Ashley Kobovitch sits down with Deena Zimmerman in the all-new Crexi HQ studios. Deena shares her expansive journey in the commercial real estate industry, highlighting her transition from psychology to brokerage, her various mentorship roles, and her passion for adaptive reuse in retail spaces.

She discusses the evolving landscape of retail, the importance of finding one's authentic voice, and the significance of mentors and sponsors in her career. Deena also touches on her involvement with organizations like NAR and Globe Street Women of Influence and provides insights into the thriving retail and cannabis sectors.

Introduction and Milestone Celebration
Guest Introduction: Deena Zimmerman
Deena's Career Journey
Mentorship and Sponsorship
Daily Habits and Work-Life Balance
Finding Your Authentic Voice
The Importance of Having Fun
Involvement in Various Organizations
Current Trends in Retail
The Rise of Medtail and Adaptive Reuse
Chicago's Unique Market Trends
Exciting Client Projects
Cannabis Industry Insights
Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

About Deena Zimmerman:

Deena Zimmerman is an award-winning broker with nearly twenty years of industry experience. Known as a star tenant rep, she is sought after by national brands, multi-unit franchisees, and even first-time entrepreneurs nationwide for site selection rollouts across both Chicagoland and the entire country.

She also specializes in the sale and leasing of retail, investment, and development properties. Deena is a trusted expert in Cannabis real estate, and she is regarded nationally for her business development efforts and her expertise in retail site selection and curation.

As Principal at Baum Realty Group, Deena’s role is centered on national business development as well as commercial redevelopment and adaptive reuse projects across the country. Deena’s incredible network of relationships stems in large part from her involvement in several local and national organizations. She was the 2017 Commercial Liaison for the National Association of Realtors, and she is a member of ICSC, WIRL (Women in Retail Leasing), and has served as a Mentor and is a longtime supporter of the Goldie Wolfe Miller Women Leaders in Real Estate Initiative.

In 2021 she was named one of the top 25 most influential women in Commercial Real Estate and has been named annually by CREi as a top social media influencer in commercial real estate. Deena is a recognized industry leader and public speaker, presenting at national conferences, and to industry groups and associations throughout the United States in addition to guest spots on national television, radio, and podcasts.

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Insights from a VC on the PropTech Revolution

The Crexi Commercial Real Estate Podcast: Conversations in All Things CRE

08/21/24 • 40 min

This episode dissects the latest venture capital trends and advancements in the PropTech sector with Gavin Myers, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Prudence.

In this episode, host Yannis Papadakis sits with Gavin as he shares his background in investment banking and venture capital, detailing his career path and investment ethos. They delve into Prudence's focus on advanced technologies and their approach to identifying high-quality companies in the built world, which includes real estate, construction, and infrastructure.

Gavin also emphasizes the importance of patience and authenticity in venture capital, sharing insights on the current trends in PropTech, the challenges and opportunities brought by artificial intelligence, and the evolving landscape of commercial real estate technology. The conversation highlights Prudence's strategy of investing in early-stage companies with a focus on innovation and advanced capability while discussing the future of PropTech and the crucial role of data and AI in the industry.

Introduction to The Crexi Podcast
Meet Gavin Myers: Background and Career
Early Career and Venture Capital Beginnings
Investment Philosophy and Crexi Case Study
Prudence's Focus and Investment Strategy
The Role of AI in Venture Capital
PropTech Startup Landscape: Pre and Post Pandemic
The Real Estate Arms Race
Automation in Vertical SaaS
Unmet Needs in Construction
AI in PropTech
Advice for Founders
Rapid Fire Questions
Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

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About Gavin Myers:

Gavin Myers is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Prudence, a global venture firm investing in technology companies leading the global transformation of the built world across real estate, construction, infrastructure and climate adaptation.

Gavin has been investing in the proptech sector for over a decade, and is one of the most active investors in the space globally. He serves on the Board of Directors at Casafari, Evernest, Morty, Planera (observer), and VendorPM and Crex (observer).

Previously, Gavin was a Vice President at Sun Capital Partners, where he focused on middle market private equity. He began his career as an investment banking analyst in the CSFB Technology Group and is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia Business School.

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Lessons from NYC’s King of Commercial Real Estate

The Crexi Commercial Real Estate Podcast: Conversations in All Things CRE

05/31/23 • 58 min

This episode explores life and career lessons from legendary NYC broker Bob Knakal, Head of JLL’s New York Private Capital Group.

In this episode, Crexi's Ashley Kobovitch and guest host Eli Randel, COO of Crexi, sit down with Bob to discuss life lessons, career path decisions, work ethic, and the nuts and bolts of commercial real estate in NYC. Their wide-ranging conversation includes:

Introductions and early career choices
Favorite mistakes and essential lessons learned that paved the way for opportunities moving forward
Fundamental work ethic tenants, daily habits, and why it’s important to be so active on social media and constantly be networking
How to build and maintain organic client relationships, stay top of mind, and create the most value for your clients
A high-level overview of NYC’s commercial real estate market, what trends are emerging, and what investors should consider when looking to make moves
Advice to young brokers navigating the current market cycle
And much more!

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About Bob Knakal:

Bob Knakal currently serves as the Head of JLL's New York Private Capital Group.

Bob was Chairman and Founding Partner of Massey Knakal Realty Services, New York's #1 building sales firm. He started his real estate career in 1984 at CB Richard Ellis, where he met Paul J. Massey Jr. They both left CB in 1988 to form Massey Knakal.

From 1988 through 2014, Massey Knakal closed over 6,000 transactions with an aggregate value above $23 billion. To date, Bob has been personally responsible for selling over 2,000 buildings (generally considered the highest total ever for a single broker in New York) and over $18 billion in sales.

In 2014, Cushman & Wakefield acquired Massey Knakal. At Cushman & Wakefield, Bob acted as Chairman of New York Investment Sales. He was ranked the top originating investment sales broker at Cushman & Wakefield globally in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Bob joined JLL in September 2018.

Since 2009, Bob has written a weekly column on the New York City real estate market called Concrete Thoughts for the Commercial Observer.

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From Platinum Records to Multi-Million CRE Deals

The Crexi Commercial Real Estate Podcast: Conversations in All Things CRE

10/16/24 • 65 min

This episode explores Bernadette Brennan’s, Commercial Director of SERHANT., journey from producing platinum records to creating a commercial real estate empire.

In this episode of The Crexi Podcast, host Ashley Kobovitch sits down with Bernadette Brennan, the first managing director of SERHANT. Commercial, to explore her remarkable journey and insights in the commercial real estate industry. Bernadette shares her transition from a successful career in the music industry to becoming a leading force in real estate, emphasizing the skills and challenges faced during this shift.

Her dedication to mentoring and fostering an environment of growth at SERHANT. has led her team to secure over $200 million in listings. She discusses the unique methodologies at SERHANT., current industry trends, and offers valuable advice for those entering the commercial real estate space. The discussion also touches on the delicate balance of managing a successful career while parenting, highlighting Bernadette's approach to leadership and resilience.

Introduction to The Crexi Podcast
Meet Bernadette Brennan: A Real Estate Powerhouse
Bernadette's Early Career and Transition to Real Estate
Lessons from the Music Industry
Challenges and Successes in Real Estate
Balancing Career and Motherhood
A Heartfelt Real Estate Moment
The Origin Story of SERHANT.’s Commercial Division
Building a Brokerage Powerhouse
Mentoring and Team Dynamics
Marketing Strategies and Unique Selling Points
Building Trust with Clients
Current Trends in Commercial Real Estate
Advice for Aspiring Commercial Real Estate Agents
Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

About Bernadette Brennan:

Bernadette Brennan is the first and only Managing Director of Serhant Commercial, where she brings over two decades of unparalleled expertise in both commercial and residential real estate sectors. Recognized for her adeptness in navigating complex transactions and her commitment to excellence, Bernadette has been instrumental in acquiring listings valued at $500 million in the past year alone, spanning trophy buildings, development sites, retail spaces, commercial offices, and investment sales.

Under her leadership, Serhant Commercial has flourished, with Bernadette acting as a mentor and source of guidance not only for her all-star commercial team, but also for Serhant's residential agents. Through her mentorship, the team and agents have secured over $200 million in listings, a testament to her skill in nurturing talent and fostering an environment of growth and success.

Bernadette's journey into real estate was preceded by a successful career in the music industry, where she managed music producers for iconic artists and achieved numerous Platinum and Gold Record awards.

A devoted mother and adventure-seeker, Bernadette balances her professional achievements with a rich personal life, exploring diverse experiences with her family. Her transition from a celebrated figure in the entertainment industry to a leading force in real estate at Serhant Commercial embodies her multifaceted talents and dedication. Bernadette Brennan is the epitome of leadership, expertise, and warmth, making her an invaluable asset to Serhant Commercial and the broader real estate industry.

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