Real Estate Espresso

On today's show we are talking about distorted valuations. When you consider risk, I'm seeing what I can only describe as an atmospheric inversion in today's markets. Wall Street surged toward new record highs on Thursday, as the S&P 500 briefly topped its February 19 closing high of 6,144.15, extending a nearly $10 trillion rally from the brink of a bear market.On today's show I'm going to compare the risk free yield on US Treasuries as a baseline benchmark. In some ways, every other investment could be compared to that benchmark. I'm not going to get into the debate whether the US is going to default on its debt in the next decade or not. For the purpose of today's discussion let's take it as a given that the US will meet its debt obligations even if that means expanding the annual deficit and the global debt. We know that will eventually break down, but let's accept the US Treasury as a foundation for now. The reason I'm proposing that is that the reference for all of these investment returns is the US dollar. If the dollar is in question, then the value of all the other investments that a dollar denominated could be called into question as well. That includes Nvidia, Amazon, Walmart, United Airlines and so on. So let's call the risk free rate of return the yield on the US 10 year treasury. Today the market opened at 4.25%, pretty much in lock step with the Fed Funds rate. So whether you buy a 30 T-bill or a 10 year bond, your risk free rate of return today is at 4.25%.The argument is that if another investment is offering a lower yield, then it is somehow a better investment than the risk free rate of return. Does that make sense that the S&P 500 index would be more expensive than the risk free rate of return? --------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)  

On today's show we are reporting on a change to financing rules in the US that stand to improve the numbers for multi family apartment projects. We are talking about the HUD financing. This is more difficult financing to get than agency debt like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. But it is superior financing. There are several different loan types. I'm going to focus on the HUD 223F loan, but everything I'm about to say also applies to the HUD 221D4 which is a construction loan combined with a permanent loan. The reason we are talking about it now is the result of a new policy change is part of a new announcement .Under the existing rules you can save up to 0.35% on your annual MIP with the Green MIP Reduction program for HUD 223(f) loans. This also applies to new construction loans like the 221d4.  The policy change eliminates the distinction for Green loans and normalizes the mortgage insurance premium at 0.25% for all multi-family loans. This reduction in rate means that all other things being equal, you could borrow 4% more in loan principal for the same monthly loan payment. -------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are looking at our human ability to forecast non linear effects and in particular how this relates to economic forecasts. We are accustomed to looking at the world in very linear ways. When we see a car approaching most people are pretty good at estimating whether they have enough time to cross the road as long as the car is travelling at constant speed. But if the car is accelerating, virtually all people have a very hard time assessing whether it is safe to cross the road.That's the difference between a linear and a non linear system. Non linear systems have some form of acceleration.We see these types of systems all over the place. Over the short term, if the acceleration is small, people have a tendency to make linear approximations which are accurate enough over the short term.The US government makes regular updates to the financial health of the social security system. It's no secret that the math which funds the social security system is breaking down. When social security was first conceived there were 16 people in the workforce for every one person collecting benefits. Demographics have changed and today there are less than 3 people contributing for every person collecting. Another non-linear effect.We know that for the economy to grow, the population needs to grow. Shrinking working population means shrinking economy. This is a non-linear effect. The industrial revolution replaced a lot of manual labour with machinery. It didn't eliminate manual labor for all tasks. For those repetitive tasks that can be easily programmed, machines have replaced humans. The theory was that machines could replace manual labor, but not thinking. Humans would continue to be the brains behind the work performed.  But we do know that some knowledge work has already been replaced by AI and that proportion is only going to increase. So what happens to the falling demand for employees that have been replaced by AI? What will become of our society? Can we truly forecast the economy that is being impacted by so many non-linear factors?----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Visit Y Street Capital to learn more about our projects. The conventional wisdom is that when the value of a country'scurrency falls relative to its trading partners, its exports become more competitive in the global market. It's no secret that the Trump Administration is aiming to bring more manufacturing back to the United States.Global flows of capital have changed since the start of the year. While the administration wishes to bring increasing levels of capital investment to the United States many of the policies are in fact having the opposite effect. President Trump has stated publicly that he wishes the US dollar to fall compared with other currencies including the Japanese Yen, the Euro, the Chinese Yuan and the Canadian Dollar.An increasing number of investors are looking for a safe haven for their capital. The US dollar has fallen by 10% since the beginning of the year against most of the major currencies. Indications are that it is forecast to fall even further when measured against other major currencies. We think that real estate investments in Canada represent a better risk adjusted proposition right now. This is based on the following observations:1) The slowdown in new construction that we have seen across the US is also present in Canada. This means that labor rates in Canada for new construction have moderated and we are seeing extremely competitive bids for new work. 2) Immigration to the US is down significantly since the start of the year and demand for new housing will decline as a result. The US has pretty much closed the door refugee claimants. This includes countries like Afghanistan where many US allies are stranded and have no path to enter the US. 3) Immigration to Canada remains in extremely high demand. The Canadian government has reduced its immigration targets slightly, but the numbers remain extremely high especially when compared to the US as a percentage of the population. 4) Interest rates in Canada are much lower for borrowing. The 5 year Canada mortgage bond is trading around 3.1% which means that a new construction and permanent financing loan could price below 4%. Rates are not that low in the US. 5) Canada is not waging a trade war against the rest of the world. While prices for certain construction commodities like electrical equipment and air conditioners will certainly be impacted by tariffs in the US, we are not seeing the same impact in Canada. Many manufacturers have operations in North America including Mexico. These goods can flow into Canada free of any tariffs under USMCA. 6) Even with new apartment supply having entered the market, vacancy rates in most Canadian cities are far below comparable US markets. 7) If the US dollar falls further as we see the Trump administration wishing, then any investment outside the US goes up in value on a relative basis. Investing is not the same as speculating on foreign exchange rates. That alone should not be a reason for investing outside the US. It's just one of many factors to consider when looking at aggregate probabilities.When we put all of these factors together, we see a compelling case for investing in Canada, even for US investors. ---------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)  

The long awaited pull back in pricing for apartments is here. These properties don't need to necessarily be poorly performing. It's the properties that were financed with bank debt from small local and regional banks. These smaller banks typically offered loans with a 20 year amortization period and if the loan was written five years ago, the 10 year Treasury yields were pretty low at 0.7%. The loan written five years ago would have been priced in the mid 4's. Oh, and here's the important part. It would have been written with a five year term. That means the loan would need to be renewed at current rates in five years and that five year period is up now. The borrower has the option to renew with the lender at the current rate with a new loan. But at today's higher rates, even if the property is performing well, the borrower is likely to be forced to bring additional cash to the table. The situation can be improved by moving out of the local bank financing into agency debt with a longer amortization period. Instead of a 20 year loan, maybe a 25 or 30 year loan will reduce the loan payment enough to make the numbers a little more palatable. --------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Brooke Kromer is a former sports broadcaster from Los Angeles. Today she makes the Florida Panhandle between Destin and Panama City her home. On today's show we are talking about the luxury segment along this stretch of beach. To connect with Brooke visit https://www.compass.com/agents/brooke-kromer/?referrer=omniboxYou can also visit her Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/brookekromer/?hl=en------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

David Becker is a principal with Time Equities based in NYC where his firm invests across 38 states and in Canada in multiple asset classes. Today's investment mandate has narrowed to focus more on opportunistic plays in industrial and multi-family. To connect with David, visit Time Equities--------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

We are building a new apartment building in Ottawa Canada that is focused on meeting the housing needs in one of the hottest areas of Canada's capital. Projects in Canada are largely insulated from the uncertainty associated with the current US trade war. There is a window to participate in this exciting investment opportunity for accredited investors. This includes investors who reside in the United States. This is not a solicitation for investment. Any investment would be by prospectus only and in compliance with securities regulations. To find out more, visit Y Street Capital where you can learn more about this investment opportunity along with other opportunities in our development pipeline. Click HERE to learn more. If you don't have an account, then register to gain access to the resources on all of our projects. On today's show we are looking at the development of LNG facilities and how this is impacting demand for real estate along the Gulf Coast of the US.  We are going to look at two main areas on today's show. We need to put these investments into perspective. Each of them measures in the 10's of billions of dollars. --------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Jeff Currie is the Chief Energy Officer at the Carlyle Group, one of the world's leading private equity firms.He is the former Global Head of Commodities Research at Goldman Sachs, where he helped to build their commodities business. During his nearly three decades at the firm, he became one of the leading commodity market analysts.He authored a paper called "The New Joule Order" in March of this year. In that paper he asserts that decisions affecting energy investment are no longer being driven purely by cost or even environmental concerns. Rather, they are being driven by energy security considerations. This affects real estate investors that are making assumptions about energy investments that have regional impact on real estate in those area.-------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about a political setback for one of our projects. If you have been following this show for a while, then you know that we own a large property on the edge of Colorado Springs consisting of 1783 acres. We started developing the master plan for this project a couple of years ago. The annexation was approved by city council by a vote of 7-2 in both the first and second reading in front of council at the end of January this year. In April a petition was launched by another developer to oppose our project. The requisite number of signatures were collected on the petition and our annexation was put to a special election which closed yesterday on June 17.  The special election resulted in overturning the city council decision to annex the property into the city.  The vote was overwhelmingly against our project with more than 81% voting against. The property is currently going back into the county as a result of this vote. There are a number of options for the project at this point.I can tell you that we have a well developed plan B and plan C. We are not prepared to publicly announce those plans at this moment. We do have strong partners who see the long term vision for this project and they have the financial strength to see it through until the end. The land is owned free and clear with zero debt. So the holding cost for the land is minimal. This brings inherent safety to the project and the project can withstand a further delay as a result of the election. The loss of the election is regrettable and disappointing. But it is not a fatal blow to our project, far from it. 

On today's show we are talking about commercial real estate and whether it is better to lease or to own your own building. Deciding whether to own your commercial building or lease office space is a significant strategic choice for any business. Both options have distinct financial, operational, and flexibility trade-offs. There are certainly plenty of examples of both business models. The question is, which one should you pick? ------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about artificial intelligence and a few of the implications that are associated with it.I'm hearing a lot of chatter about how the development of AI will mean losing control of our society and our business. On today's show I'm going to make the case for maximizing the development of AI capability, but for constraining its use.But before we can talk about these ideas in the context of AI, it would be useful to talk about these same issues in the real world.The first issue surrounds the erosion of trust that is reaching epidemic proportions in our society. There was a time when you could believe what you see. With the capability of free AI tools, and for $20 a month you can generate images and videos that are nearly impossible to distinguish from reality. If you can no longer trust what you see, the circle of trust in each of our lives will become smaller and smaller. For some people it will disappear completely.--------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Anton Mattli is based in Dallas Texas where he is active in the world of commercial lending, primarily for multi-family apartments. On today's show Anton shares his perspective on how the landscape for lending has changed in recent months. To connect with Anton, visit peakfinancing.com--------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Daniel Angel Mehia is based in Atlanta Georgia where he is active in the development of Build To Rent product in a scattered site context, sometimes called infill. The demand for detached rental housing is higher than apartment housing which is currently saturated in many markets. To connect with Daniel, visit apexinvestments.us-------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

We are doing a mini-series on AI tools in real estate. Some of these tools are the same ones we use in our development company Y. Street Capital. We use these tools in-house and on projects belonging to our consulting clients. If you want to learn more about how our consulting division could help you with your projects, send an email to victor@victorjm.com.-----------------On yesterday's show we spoke about land.id. This is a tool that has a ton of capability for evaluating land. On today's show we're going to start with another tool called paxiv.ai. This tool started with mapping the state of Utah first and since is mapping out the entire United States. It's now boasting over 155M properties in its database. This tool has an AI language model built into it. You can perform searches for example you can ask it to find all of the properties in a particular city that is zoned industrial with a minimum size of 10 acres. It will then give you a list of properties. You can then refine your search to say increase the minimum building height to 40 feet tall. Once you find the property you are interested in, you can then turn on a whole bunch of layers including traffic counts on roads, soil types, building inventories, housing inventory, presence of fibre optics, water, mineral rights, building permits.; all kinds of different layers. Predictiv AI has been actively pursuing strategic acquisitions to expand its capabilities. Notably, they've been involved in discussions to acquire Shift Technologies Canada Inc. (an AI-driven fleet management platform) and HouseStack Holdings Inc. (which includes real estate intelligence platforms). HouseFax Appraiser Pro: Designed for appraisers to streamline the appraisal process with automated report generation and data analysis. (Currently in development).HouseStack AI Brokerage: An AI-driven brokerage combining technology with "expert guidance" for clients buying, selling, and evaluating real estate transactions.Propsize AI: A proprietary solution using advanced AI to provide precise property measurements and features for residential properties nationwide.LiLA AI Assistant: A generative AI assistant providing instant answers on real estate, leveraging a massive 11+ million nationwide property dataset. (Currently in beta development).Homeselling AI is primarily a tool for agents, enabling them to work more efficiently, provide data-backed insights to their clients, and focus on relationship-building and complex negotiations.-------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

We are going to do a mini-series on some of the latest AI tools that are specifically tailored for real estate investors. So we will be doing two shows back to back to highlight what is emerging as a new software arms race in property due diligence. On today's show we are taking a look at Land.id (formerly MapRight). This software consolidates data from multiple disparate data sources and allows for the plotting of more than 40 layers of information on top of satellite imagery. This includes survey data, soils reports, topography, zoning, to name just a few. --------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:**  - Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)  - Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)  - LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)  - YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)  - Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)  - Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)**Y Street Capital:**  - Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)  - Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)  

Today's episode was originally posted in April of 2018. We are talking about the psychology of raising funds from investors. -----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about how last week's drone attack in Russia will forever change the way investments are made in military equipment and warfare in general. The economy in the US is being bolstered by a significant amount of defence spending. Europe is about to increase its defence spending on a large scale. The same can be said for Canada. Conventional warfare has been based on the premise that the biggest baddest army will overwhelm an enemy and crush any opposition. That notion got challenged in some of the most prominent writings including Sun Tzu who wrote “The Art of War” in the 6th Century BC. It was employed during the Byzantine Empire along its eastern front in the 8th and 10th centuries. Sure you can shoot a $1000 drone out of the sky with a million dollar Patriot missile. But is that an efficient defence against these new threats? Now this is a real estate show, not a military show. We're here to talk about real estate. When we think of real estate investment one of the principles is that demand for real estate follows employment.When we think of military industrial complex it conjures up images of companies like Lockheed Martin, Harris, Honeywell, Textron. These companies drive major employment. But increasingly the military industry is seeing a lot of new entrants. One of my business partners runs a incubator that is focused on the defence industry in Colorado Springs. This facility is conducting some of the most advanced research and development on new military systems. The speed and agility with which the Ukraine has modernized its underdog military is a lesson for countries looking to modernize their military. ---------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

If you would like a copy of our Due Diligence Checklist, click HERE.-----------On today's show I'm sharing the story from this past week of someone who is in our investor ecosystem. She owns several properties in a tertiary market about an hour outside Toronto. She is in her 70's and her husband has several physical limitations. She is her husband's principal care giver. She has invested in several of our projects over the years and is someone who our team holds dear in our hearts. One of her properties is over 100 years old and was in need of some exterior brick repair. She hired someone who was "in the area" performing masonry work. They had a business name that sounded big and impressive. They listed an address in Toronto and their website had plenty of testimonials and photos. I got a call mid way through the week with an urgent request for help that the contractor was asking for a large up front payment. I made it clear that she should not every pay in advance and should only pay in tranches as work is completed. There was no contract. The price changed part way through the job, and the demand for payment was a huge red flag. By all accounts, the work was well done. This is one of those stories that has a relatively happy ending. But the entire engagement was built on a foundation of lies and it could have been a real problem. -------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Jeff Peterson is based in Cary, North Carolina. On today's show we are talking about the intersection of active business and real estate and the various twists in the road that make the journey take an unexpected route. You can connect with Jeff at TurtleShellRentals.com.You can also find his new book "Are We There Yet" on Amazon.---------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are looking at the economy and trying to figure out if the global economy is growing or shrinking, and by extension how the economy will be affected in North America.Thursday this week the ECB announced  another 0.25% rate cut while at the same time signalling that they are nearing the end of their rate cutting. --------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Jared Jones is based in Riverside California where he is taking advantage of the changing regulatory and zoning landscape to fill a unique need in the marketplace in ways that the national home builders are not positioned to capitalize on. Zoning changes have made it easier to intensify existing properties without impact fees and utility expenses while saving considerably on the land cost. You can connect with Jared on Instagram with the handle "MiddleHousingPartners". You will also find him active on LinkedIn. ------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about new dangers in apartment buildings that have not been fully handled in the design of buildings or the building code. Certain metals produce their own fuel once ignited. You probably have done the science experiment of lighting a piece of magnesium wire on fire. Once lit, you can put this piece of burning wire into a tub of water and it will keep burning. The conventional wisdom in fire fighting is that if you have a fire, then the fastest way to put it out is to remove its source of oxygen. But what happens when the fire produces its own oxygen and the chemical reaction continues no matter what you do? Have you ever wondered why fireworks don't go out even if it's raining? Once a firework is lit, it will continue to burn until all of the fuel is expended. Now imagine if the fire is in the underground garage in your apartment building, or perhaps in the bicycle storage room next to the lobby of your building. Those electric bicycles are now a new type of fire hazard that didn't exist a few years ago. The electric vehicles are a new type of fire hazard that didn't exist a few years ago. When I look at the risks in a building, I believe that the bicycle room represents an equal if not a greater fire risk than the garage. In many cases, charging is being retrofitted into buildings that were never designed to have electric vehicles. This is something that you as a building owner need to become educated about and take real steps to mitigate that risk. --------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are doing another in our monthly beginner series. The real estate espresso podcast is unlike other podcasts in that most others are focused on a more entry level audience. Our listeners are sophisticated. Many of you own large portfolios of apartments. But you also have people in your life who are interested in learning more, but maybe don't have access to high quality information. The idea of sending your spouse to a $199 weekend bootcamp for beginners where they are going to be abused by sleazy sales people sounds unthinkable. So where do they go. Look no further. We are going to dedicate a couple of shows a month to topics that will accelerate the learning for less experienced investors, and might give the most sophisticated investors a new way of explaining a concept that is otherwise complex to describe.On today's show we are talking about market cycles. Market cycles are the result of the delay between perception and reality. The best analogy I can use is what happens when you drive a car. If the delay between turning the steering wheel and the car actually turning was not instant, you would have a tendency to oversteer. You would be continually wavering in your lane because of the delay between cause and effect. The same situation exists in every market, including real estate. We see it in retail where retailers rush to build inventory in order to get ahead of possible tariffs. But then they are sitting on tons of excess inventory and the manufacturers witness a cycle of feast and famine. Huge orders and then the orders dry up. This pattern repeats itself in many places in the economy.----------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are looking at the anxiety of missing a deal. Real estate investors are deal junkies. Let's call it like it is. We're going to look at a real life example. We're going to talk about creating value with land. There are two main methods for creating land value. One is to start with raw land and carve it up and get it zoned and serviced for development. The other is to take land that has already been carved up into tiny parcels and put it back together so you can do something more substantial with it. Sellers are often of a mindset that they are the ones holding the cards. Their property is worth a gazillion dollars, especially if it has development potential. Some rich developer will come along and offer me so much more than the property is worth in its current condition to an owner occupant. In a dense urban environment land is both scarce and abundant. It's abundant in the sense that there are hundreds of properties for sale at any given time. Most of the land is not suitable for redevelopment in its current form.A case in point is a small land assembly that has already been designed for a 66 unit mid rise  building. 66 units is a bit small from a property management standpoint. Ideally a building should have more than 100 units in order to optimize the economics of staffing the project.The proposed building is already compliant with the zoning requirements and can be built by right. There are constraints on the size of a building on this street because of utility capacity on the street. A larger building would require an upgrade to the water main which would add considerable cost and delays to the project. The main constraint is water volume for fire suppression. A larger building would require a larger water main pipe and possibly a booster pump if the pressure at the top of the building is not sufficient. So we know we are not going to get more density on that block regardless of the zoning. The original land assembly consisted of two properties and along the way different scenarios of three and four properties were considered and negotiated.In the end, while a larger project would have been possible, we opted for a smaller mid-sized project at only 66 units. This past week, two more properties came up for sale on the same street. Among those was a property that had previously been considered. It was being offered at 30% below the original asking price. This is where sellers often get confused. You see there are realtors out there who will pick the most expensive comparable sale in the area and recommend that as the asking price for the sale. It's as if there is a broad market for development land and the offers will start pouring in the second the land hits the market. But when you are offering a property that will ultimately form part of a land assembly the market for buyers shrinks dramatically. You have two neighbours, one on the left and one on the right. There are only two possible buyers for your property as a development site. ----------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about a new provision of the latest tax bill that passed the US Congress and is now before the Senate. During the election campaign, President Trump said clearly that he did not favor a central bank digital currency. In fact he has made several statements in support of crypto currencies and his family is active in various crypto initiatives. But it seems that the President may have accidentally created the underlying systems that in fact amount to a CBDC. Whether this is an accident or deliberate is hard to tell. But the effect on the long term freedom and privacy of the citizens of the US is the same. The Federal Reserve Act explicitly prohibits ordinary citizens from having an account at the Fed. In order for a CBDC to be enacted in the US, it would require that aspect of the legislation to be modified. On today's show I'm going to unveil the plumbing that is being created in the system that effectively amounts to a CBDC with direct government oversight.-------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Alex Freytag's "Stretch Not Snap" is a business fable that addresses a common challenge faced by entrepreneurial companies: how to transform the employee mindset into one of ownership, engagement, and shared vision, particularly through the strategic implementation of incentive plans.The book builds upon the foundation laid in another  business fable book by Gino Wickman and Mike Paton's "Get A Grip”. Freytag revisits the characters of Vic and Eileen, the leaders of Swan Services, as they navigate the next phase of their entrepreneurial journey.The story opens with Vic and Eileen facing a growing frustration. While their company, Swan Services, has successfully implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) – gaining traction, clarity on priorities, and leadership team alignment – they observe a fundamental disconnect among their employees. Despite the company's progress and the leaders' dedication, a prevailing "me-first" or "entitlement" mentality has taken root. Employees seem to expect bonuses and rewards merely for showing up, rather than genuinely connecting their daily efforts to the company's overarching vision and financial health. This disengagement is stifling Swan Services' potential and preventing the full realization of its culture.The core of "Stretch Not Snap" is the unfolding of the ProfitWorks Solution, a methodology designed to create a self-funded incentive plan that genuinely drives employee engagement and financial results. The fable illustrates this solution through the practical challenges and successes faced by Vic, Eileen, and their team. The essence of the ProfitWorks Solution revolves around six key principles:1. Financial Literacy and Transparency2. Identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Leading Measures3. The Self-Funded Incentive Plan4. Ending the Entitlement Mentality5. Sharing the Vision and Building Ownership6. Continuous Learning and Adaptation------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

George Ross taught negotiation at the law school at NYU for over 20 years. He honed those skills over a career working with Goldman and DiLorenzo, his own law firm, and as Executive Vice President in The Trump Organization. Today we are talking about preparation for negotiation, a topic that he emphasizes in his book. -------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

At Y Street Capital, we have several projects across several states. We currently have two storage projects in construction and we have more in the pipeline. If you would like to learn more about our storage fund, click HERE find out more about our storage projects. If you don't have an account on our investor portal, you can register and we promise not to spam you with tons of email. These opportunities are only open to accredited investors residing in the United States and are in compliance with SEC regulations. ---------------On today's show we are talking about staffing projects with the best people possible. Yesterday I had an experience that quite frankly was humbling. I'll come back to that later.In the world of traditional HR, the emphasis is overwhelmingly on skills and experience. But when you hire for a key role you are always looking for a combination of both skills and attributes. Skills are those things that can be learned over a relatively short time period. Attributes are developed over a much longer period and reflect the makeup of the individual. We look for a set of attributes across several dimensions including their sphere of influence, their planning horizon, their ability to handle complex multi dimensional problems, their financial acumen, their character.The humbling part is at the end. Enjoy....---------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about the tradeoff between security and convenience. Your phone is a device that has so much knowledge about you embedded within it. How long before the very devices that we rely upon to act as our communication device, our camera, our entertainment screen, our wallet, and the key to unlock the entry door to our home becomes too much of a liability?The epidemic of identity theft has been problematic for some time. It used to be the case that identity theft could allow someone to get a credit card in your name. So the question is what do you as a real estate investor need to know to protect your properties? How do you prevent someone from entering a building who is not authorized to do so? Smart building systems are extremely convenient. But are they secure? How do you perform the evaluation to know whether you are buying the right system? These are more questions than answers. Even if you have an answer today, who knows whether the answer will still be correct in a year or a month or a week from now. The capability of AI systems is growing at an exponential rate. -----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Computer algorithms are great at processing vast amounts of data and then making either recommendations or decisions based on that data. AI is even better at that process. Yet somehow consumer groups feel like landlords have a disadvantage when it comes to data and therefore should not have the right to use that market data when it comes to setting rates for a rental property.The latest legislation to pass through the US Congress has a Federal statute that aims to block the states and local governments from oversight of AI and automated decision systems for 10 years. This won't block claims of anti-competitive behaviour. If successfully passed, this would give companies like Yardi, RealPage, and numerous others a clearer path to use their algorithms for the benefit of making pricing decisions based on supply and demand. If the data is being used for landlords to collude, then that would constitute a cartel which violates anti-trust laws. But the use of data for dynamic pricing, both up and down does not constitute collusion. The new legislation keeps the playing field favouring the development of technology to improve market efficiency. The states should not be blocking the use of technology.-----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

This is not a political podcast. It's a real estate podcast. Now NYC is an important market for real estate. I personally don't invest in NYC for reasons that many will understand. Part of the affordability problem is that NYC's population is made up of 25% low income families. As housing demand has increased, so too have rents. Affordable rents get pushed further and further away which increases commute times.The race for Mayor in NYC is a hotly contested one with an incredible array of candidates. When I say incredible, it's because each of these candidates can bring sweeping impacts to this city of 8.5M people. If people flock to NY, or if they leave NY, it affects other markets in a material way. There are seven candidates on the democratic ticket for Mayor. The incumbent Mayor Adams who is under criminal investigation is running as an independent. There is one republican candidate. The Democratic primary is going to be held on June 24 which could reshape the election. On today's show we are going to look at the top 3 candidates according to the polling results and dissect their real estate platforms.----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

The latest tax legislation winding its way through the Congress and the Senate is sunsetting a number of tax credits. These can have a material impact on your projects. So understanding them is important. ----------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Dr. Tom Burns is based in Austin Texas where he invests and develops real estate. On today's show Tom and I are having a fireside chat about perspective on the current market conditions. Tom is one of my favorite people in the world. He maintains perspective and wisdom even during turbulent moments. To connect with Tom and to learn more visit richdoctor.com or email him directly at tom@richdoctor.com--------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Jack Martin is based in Scottsdale Arizona and invests in mobile home parks in business friendly states. On today's show we are talking about the investment mandate that is their focus. To connect with Jack and to learn more, visit 52ten.com-----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about our project in Colorado Springs. If you've been listening to the show for a while then you will know that we are the developer of a master planned community on the edge of Colorado Springs. This 1800 acre project was successfully annexed into the city of Colorado Springs at the end of January this year. The latest move has been the launch of a petition, which having a sufficient number of signatures would put the annexation of our property to a public special election. This is precisely what was done. The ballots in the special election were mailed out to Colorado Springs voters today. There is a single large development inside the boundary of the city which comprises approximately 18,000 acres. This property was annexed into the city in the 1990's. Over 85% of the city's development land is owned by one party. They have been taking steps over the years that would stifle competition for new homes and make their development the only game in town.The citizens of Colorado Springs need to know that this election is not about a small patch of land that is immediately adjacent to land that is owned by the city. It is about developer corruption and a monopoly for a single developer. We could not have predicted this the trajectory of this development project. We did not expect to uncover the dirty underbelly of politics and influence peddling. --------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about the risk premium being attached to US sovereign debt and how this has the potential to destabilize real estate markets for all US investors. We are accustomed to thinking that the Fed sets the interest rate. But the truth is that the Fed only sets one interest rate. That is the Fed Funds rate that banks use to lend to each other. The downgrade of the US debt by Moody's debt rating agency last Friday was a reflection of the government's persistent failure to adopt measures that would “reverse the trend of large annual fiscal deficits and growing interest costs.” Moody's was the third bond rating agency to downgrade the US sovereign debt after S&P and Fitch downgraded the US debt in August of 2023. It's not the downgrade per se that is the problem. The market makes its own determination and does not just look at what the bond rating agencies have to say.Spending is heading higher, regardless of who is in the White House. The demographic impact on entitlement programs is unavoidable. The population is aging and when the social security program was launched, there were 16.5 people in the workforce for every one person collecting benefits. Today there are 2.71 people in the workforce for every one person collecting benefits. By the mid 2030's, that number is expected to fall to 2.3 people working for every one person collecting. The math doesn't fund the liabilities. The current White House was elected on the promise of the economy and of fiscal responsibility. The latest budget bill that had wound its way through the Congress shows an increase in spending and a widening budget deficit. Despite desires to cut government waste and abuse, the impact seems somewhat muted. The bond market is clearly seeing significant risk to the ballooning US sovereign debt. This week's auction in new US Treasuries did not go well. The appetite for new paper from the US government was muted and the price that was bid for the 30 year was so low that the yield on the 30 year is now above 5%. The 30 year Treasury is a long denomination bond and its yield moves very slowly. To have the price for that bond drop so sharply in a matter of days has definitely rattled markets. ------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about the elephant in the downtown. This is the property that was once a symbol of success that has now become a central embarrassment to the city. It seems that almost every city has one, and in some cases more than one. In Houston it's the One City Center Building with 600,000 SF that is 80% vacant. In Portland Oregon it's the 45 story office tower affectionately called The Big Pink that is now 50% vacant and partly over-run with homeless people sleeping on vacant floors. That building just sold for $0.20 on the dollar. In Chicago it's the old post office. This colossal art deco building, one of the largest in Chicago, sat vacant and decaying for nearly two decades after the U.S. Postal Service moved out in the mid-1990s.In Los Angeles there is Oceanwide PlazaIn Memphis it's the Sterick Building. There are quite a few across the nation. ------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are taking a deeper look at AI. I realize that this is a real estate podcast. But real estate is a business like any other business. AI has changed the world. It has democratized information in ways that we have not even begun to process. I am increasingly finding myself asking more and more questions of AI that historically I would have asked myself. Some people think that AI is over-hyped. I actually think it is under hyped. Most businesses have not even begun to think about how their organization will change as a result. They have not planned how roles and responsibilities get defined with the assumption that AI is going to assume much of the work that would have been delegated in the organization.-----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Today's show is truly fascinating and an example of business ingenuity. Johnathan Brooks is based in Scottsdale, Arizona where he is the CEO of Warehouse on Wheels. His company operates nationally along all 8 of the major transportation corridors providing 53 foot trailer rentals as a solution to warehousing and manufacturing temporary storage needs. The solution is 4x more cost effective than a physical warehouse. To connect and to learn more, visit wowtrailers.com--------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Brandt Stiles is based in St. Louis where he is co-CEO at Subtext Living. The company develops student housing nationwide. Their portfolio consists of over 10,000 beds and they are one of the top 3 developers of student housing across the US. The world of education has changed, especially during the pandemic and that represents both risk and opportunity for universities and for student housing. On today's show we are talking about navigating those shifting market forces. To connect with Brandt and to learn more, visit https://subtextliving.com/-------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Today's show is an unusual show in that we are quoting national statistics. As you know, I don't love national numbers because they reflect averages and the average often doesn't apply in specific areas. When we look at demand for homes, and for rentals, there are historic norms that are based on demographics and employment that most market analysts use to predict demand for housing. This feeds into well understood models for household formation, the age at which people start having children, and the time when they purchase their first home. Recent studies are showing that the high cost of housing, combined with higher interest rates rates are reducing the number of new homes being sold to first time buyers across the US. The Mortgage Bankers Association published a new report earlier this week that outlines some startling statistics for single family home sales. We're going to look at these numbers and then infer what the implications might be for property investors, specifically in the apartment space and in the built to rent segment. Historically, first time home buyers have accounted for an average of 36% of home purchase transactions over the past 20 years. For 2024, this proportion fell to an all time low of 24% of purchases. First homes are being purchased nearly a decade later than historic norms. All of the major national home builders are reporting a slowdown in home sales and an acute slowdown in first time home buyers. Pulte homes, the nation's third largest home builder reported an 11% decline in first time home sales. -------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

 On today show we're talking about what is happening in the world of energy. This is a Real Estate podcast. The only reason to be talking about energy is that energy is the economy. For every unit of economic output there is an equivalent unit of energy consume somewhere in the world. These two track one another with razor like Precision.To start with we need to acknowledge that there is no universe in which you can have US energy dominance and low oil prices at the same time. These are mutually exclusive. The cost of shale oil production is so much higher than conventional oil and the capital markets are much more intelligent than they were back in 2009 at the start of the shale oil revolution. There are a handful of oil analysts who I follow. They truly understand, energy markets. In my experience, the mainstream media take a very simplistic view and completely misreport if not outright misrepresent what's happening in the world of energy.-------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about the tax reform that was tabled in the US Congress Ways and Means Committee. This new tax bill, ambitiously titled the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" by House Republicans, is poised to introduce a cascade of changes that could reshape the landscape for real estate investors. While still navigating the legislative process, the bill's provisions target substantial tax alterations designed to invigorate various sectors, with real estate emerging as a notable beneficiary.------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about small bay industrial. This is a segment that offers incredible flexibility. It doubles as office space, as a gym, as last mile inventory for e-commerce. It can even be used as a man-cave for exotic vehicle collections. The past few years have seen a lot of large bay industrial capacity added to the market. In fact, I think there has been so much new supply added, that in some markets, there is excess supply. Amazon overbuilt by nearly 33M SF in 2022 alone. Of course they're just one supply chain. Adaptability is one of the primary advantages of small-bay facilities. It allows properties to be easily reconfigured to suit different operational needs, allowing landlords to benefit from higher occupancy rates, reduced downtime between tenants, and the ability to cater to shifting market demands. Low competition from new small-bay development enhances the landlord-friendly aspect of small-bay facilities and allows for consistent rent appreciation. We have seen rents in many major cities rise from $8 per SF NNN to over $14 per SF NNN. This represents a significant opportunity to buy existing properties and push rents higher. -------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are looking at China's global leadership in automotive. This is something that will ultimately affect US design an manufacturing, which in turn affects real estate. -----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Kelley Brine is based in NYC where she is President of Rose Valley Management, managing a portfolio of more than 10,000 units. On today's show we are talking about the investment mandate and how it has changed. ------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Kris Reid is based in Valencia in Spain from where he is active in US real estate investing. On today's show we are talking about how to use a podcast as a relationship building platform as a source for new business and referrals. To connect with Kris, visit iconsofrealestate.com----------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are talking about life changing new habits. I'm going to share how I am using artificial intelligence on a daily basis. I have an AI assistant perpetually open on my phone and on my computer's desktop. If you are like most people, you probably  experience decision fatigue at a certain point. I know that I certainly do. So one of the ways in which I use AI routinely today is to save mental calories. So if I want to come up with an idea, I will often ask an AI tool to brainstorm 10 ideas on a very specific topic. It takes less energy to review a list of 10 ideas snd use that to stimulate my own thinking than coming up with something from a blank page. -------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

I'm astounded at the frequency with which I see absolute fantasy in proposed commercial projects. The discussion involves the development of a luxury mid-rise building in a tertiary market. Where these smaller tertiary markets have an advantage, is that they have less infrastructure at the municipal level. They won't have a multi-billion dollar subway system to build and maintain. They don't have a massive social assistance program. The extent of their utilities is much more contained and therefore the impact fees charged to developers are much lower. So that has the effect of lowering the land cost. Generally speaking, the land cost will be lower compared with the competitive environment of the big city.This past week I looked at a project that has taken investor capital from some pretty savvy people. Yet somehow in a matter of about 3 minutes I was able to spot the flaws in the investment thesis by this so-called developer. -------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

On today's show we are looking at an event in financial markets that could represent a tipping point. These events have occurred with regularity over the years. Think of the Greek Sovereign debt crisis in 2012 that threatened to topple the entire European banking system. Think of Lehman Brothers in 2008. There was the bank failures in the US in 2023. These events often expose the counter party risk that is inherent in our globally interconnected financial system. The problem is showing up in the latest spike in US Treasury yields. It happened very rapidly between May 1 and May 2 of last week. Now we have become accustomed to very high volatility in US Treasury yields. Most of that is routinely blamed on the unpredictable nature of the White House.But this one was different. There was no news from the White House that fundamentally would affect Treasury yields. The threat to impose tariffs on foreign movies is not enough to move the needle. So who is dumping US Treasuries? What happened at the same time as the spike in US Treasury yields was a precipitous drop in the Taiwanese dollar against the US dollar. So who in Taiwan is dumping Treasuries? It turns out that Taiwanese life insurance companies had loaded up on US Treasuries and failed to purchase a hedge against interest rate volatility.  Why did they not buy insurance? They thought the insurance was too expensive. The liberation day announcement from Donald Trump had been pending for weeks. It was making front page headlines around the world, and still the risk managers at these Taiwanese insurance companies thought that they would take the risk and not buy the insurance. The high price of the insurance was a reflection of the elevated risk.---------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)