I’m going to warn you in advance that today show is completely a conspiracy theory. Whether this conspiracy theory resonates with you or not, I leave entirely up to you. I’m here to convince you or anyone of anything. I am merely observing what I see in the marketplace, and trying to make sense out of it. Debasement of currency has been going on for centuries. During the Roman Empire, the metal in coins whether it was gold or silver in the Roman denarius was whittled away by progressive...

On today’s show we are talking about one of our banks being forcibly closed and sold to another bank in Philadelphia in an FDIC auction this past week. The bank is known as Republic Bank and is legally named republic first bank, not be confused with the very similar sounding and much larger bank called First Republic which failed last year. Republic Bank was a local Philadelphia bank with about 20 branches in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It relatively new having been founded in 1988. In 2008...

Andrew Hellinger has been developing landmark projects for a number of years. His most recent signature project is called River Landing and is located on the Miami River. On today's show we are talking about community building and designing of the community as an amenity. To connect with Andrew and to learn more, visit https://www.riverlandingmiami.com ------------- Host: Victor Menasce email: [email protected]

On today's show I'm speaking with George about the financing of 40 Wall Street, a 75 story building located diagonally across from the NY Stock Exchange. George was responsible for the redevelopment of this iconic building in lower Manhattan when he was working for Donald. -------------- Host: Victor Menasce email: [email protected]

Join us for an insightful Ask Me Anything (AMA) session focused on tax-efficient investment strategies in real estate development and investing. Victor dives into listener questions, addressing scenarios like inheriting property, navigating renovation costs, and optimizing tax benefits. While this episode offers valuable insights, it's important to note that it's not intended as tax advice. For personalized guidance, always seek the expertise of a qualified tax professional. Tune in to learn...

Welcome to the Real Estate Expresso Podcast, your go-to source for the latest insights in real estate investing. Join Victor Menasce as he explores the ongoing shortage of electrical components, delving into the factors driving this phenomenon two years after the initial supply chain disruptions of the pandemic. Discover why electric utilities and other sectors are grappling with sourcing challenges, and how the surge in demand for electrical infrastructure is reshaping the industry...

Join us on the Real Estate Espresso Podcast as we dive deep into the latest employment statistics, unraveling the complexities and revealing the true narrative behind the numbers. Host Victor Minasce scrutinizes the unemployment rate, shedding light on how government definitions and economic shifts shape our understanding of workforce dynamics. From the gig economy to high-paying tech jobs, explore the factors influencing employment trends and gain invaluable insights into the evolving job...

Explore a landmark US Supreme Court ruling safeguarding property rights on today's episode. Discover how this unanimous 9-0 decision, authored by Justice Barrett, reinforces constitutional protections under the 5th and 14th amendments. Join us as we delve into the crucial role of the court in interpreting and upholding the law, and contemplate the global implications of such legal precedents. ---------- Host: Victor Menasce email: [email protected]

Discover cost-saving techniques for construction projects on the Real Estate Espresso Podcast. Join Victor J. Menasce as he delves deep into three aspects of interior finishes, revealing how to cut costs without sacrificing quality. Learn from real-world examples at Turkey's national Builder Expo and explore practical insights to enhance your construction budget. Tune in for expert guidance on value engineering and maximizing savings in today's challenging construction...

Join us for a special weekend edition of the Real Estate Espresso Podcast, broadcasting live from the TurkeyBuild Expo in Istanbul. Host Victor Menasce takes you on a captivating walking tour through the exhibition halls, uncovering groundbreaking innovations in interior finishes and construction materials. From revolutionary facade systems to cost-effective flooring solutions, discover firsthand how value engineering can transform your projects. Tune in for exclusive insights and actionable...

Aaron Letzeiser is based in Chicago Illinois where he specializes in helping rental property owners secure the right kind of insurance coverage. On today's show we are talking about a few strategies that can help reduce the ballooning cost of insurance. To connect with Aaron, visit obieinsurance.com ----------- Host: Victor Menasce email: [email protected]

I’m currently in Istanbul Turkey for their annual builder expo. This is a massive show with over 10 exhibition halls and they report that more than 52,000 people will attend the expo. I’ll do a separate show later this week specifically on the expo.  On today’s show I’m sharing my observations about Turkey. I have visited several cities in Turkey over the years including Izmir, Istanbul, Anatolia, Kusadasi, and Effesus.    It’s been about 5 years since I was here last and maybe 10 years...

Today’s show is another example of out of control government spending.   Italy's government said on Tuesday fiscal incentives for home renovations had had a "devastating" impact on public finances over the last four years and were to blame for the expected rise in the country's massive public debt through 2026. The plan offered to pay homeowners 110% of the cost of energy saving renovations. Another project promised to cover 90% of the cost of improving the facade of a building. The...

On today’s show we are talking about how to determine the structure of an investment offering.  We often hear about the so-called 2 & 20 formula that is popular among fund managers. When we say 2 & 20, that refers to a 2% asset management fee measured on the value of the fund, plus a 20% carried interest in the ownership of the fund. For many funds, that 2% fee is an annual fee. Over a 10 year life of a fund, that fee can amount to 20% of the original investment. That means the...

On today’s show we are talking about how to scrutinize a quote for construction. Earlier this week we received a budgetary estimate for a new construction project. Needless to say, the price was high relative to what we were expecting. So now that you have an estimate, how do you dig in and scrutinize where it is off base? This falls into a category called “know your numbers”. That means knowing your numbers at a detailed level for specific line items.  I’m going to take you through a few...

On today’s show we are talking about aluminum wiring in apartment complexes. This was common from the 1960's to the mid 1970's. About 2 million housing units are estimated to still have aluminum wiring. Some insurance companies will decline to insure your building if you have aluminum wiring and those that remain will charge extra. But there are a couple of remedial solutions. ------------- Host: Victor Menasce email: [email protected]

Grant Reaves is based in the deep south where he invests in Flex Multi-Tenant Industrial. On today's show we are talking about his strategy for adding value to these types of buildings. To connect with Grant and to learn more, visit Stoic Equity Partners at stoicep.com or email him directly at [email protected]

Dan French is based in Austin Texas where he has amassed a portfolio in excess of 17,000 units investing in multi-family apartments throughout the South and Southeast. He divested of the majority in 2019 when it appeared that market was overheated and has been sitting on the sidelines ever since. On today's show we are talking about the market cycle and how being patient has proven to be a virtue. To connect with Dan and to learn more, visit atxacquisitions.com or call him directly at...

Real Estate Investors are gritting their teeth at the moment. The benchmark SOFR remains steady, but the 10 year treasury which is the benchmark for permanent financing has risen sharply in the past week and hit a high of 4.65% yesterday. Many are wondering what is causing the bond yield on the 10 year Treasury to continue to rise. We are also seeing oil prices rising at a time when major parts of the world are experiencing economic slowdown. We also have gold reaching record highs.  The...

On today’s show we are taking a look at the Macro economy. The bureau of Labor and Statistics published the latest CPI data which came in a bit hotter than expected. This is implying that the Fed will need to keep interest rates higher for longer to combat inflation. The Fed keeps saying that rates needs to be maintained higher for longer so that aggregate demand is reduced to stamp out inflation.  At least, if you read the mainstream media, that’s what they would have you believe.  The...

On today’s show we are talking about the EB5 Investor Visa and whether these sources of investment funds have the potential for being useful for real estate projects.  The goal of the EB-5 program is to enable immigrants to get an accelerated permanent residency permit through an investment in a qualified EB5 investment.  ----------- Host: Victor Menasce email: [email protected]

Today’s question comes from Paul who asks.  I’m putting together my plan for conferences for the remainder of this year. I’m curious how you determine how much time to spend out of the office attending conferences? How do you decide which events to attend?  ---------- Host: Victor Menasce email: [email protected]

On today’s show we are taking a look at data sources when it comes to understanding the market.  We know there is a gap between asking rents and contracted rents on average. Sometimes you will see a listing as a tenant and the landlord has listed the rent. Some tenants will treat the rent as a fixed number and either pay the asking rent or look elsewhere.  But then a subset of tenants will make a rental offer which might be different than the asking rent. The result is a negotiation.  The...

Dennis Cisterna is based in Las Vegas where he invests in institutional quality office and retail on a nationwide basis. On today's show we are talking about the opportunities that are evident when you're willing to go counter-current. To connect with Dennis and to learn more visit sentineloppfund.com. ------------ Host: Victor Menasce email: [email protected]