July '24 Recap: Key Insights from Office Hours

July '24 Recap: Key Insights from Office Hours

Office Hours is a livestream series hosted by yours truly (Tyler Cauble) on YouTube, designed to answer audience questions about commercial real estate. Every Tuesday, I dive into various topics, providing valuable advice, market insights, and personal experiences to help viewers navigate the complexities of the commercial real estate industry. The series fosters a community of learners and professionals, offering a platform for interactive discussions and knowledge sharing. Here's a recap of the key insights and highlights from the July sessions.

  1. Walgreens Closures and Market Implications

July kicked off with a significant discussion about the impending closures of Walgreens stores across the U.S. Walgreens plans to close a substantial number of its 8,600 locations to reset its business model, which has been struggling. This news sparked a lively debate about the potential opportunities for investors interested in acquiring dark Walgreens properties. These properties, often situated in prime, high-traffic locations, could be repurposed for various uses, making them attractive investment opportunities despite the closures.

2. Launch of the 12 Weeks to Break into CRE Program

One of the major highlights this month was the successful launch of the "12 Weeks to Break into CRE" program. This initiative aims to provide foundational knowledge to aspiring commercial real estate brokers. The program started with a cohort of 27 participants, exceeding the initial target of 20, and is receiving positive feedback. This new venture reflects a growing demand for accessible, comprehensive education in the commercial real estate sector.

3. CRE Conference and Upcoming Events

Plans for a major CRE conference in October were also unveiled. The conference aims to gather between 250 and 500 attendees, featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and exclusive mastermind workshops. This event promises to offer invaluable networking opportunities and insights into current market trends and strategies.

Additionally, the monthly happy hour event continues to be a success, fostering community engagement and providing a relaxed environment for discussing industry topics. The next happy hour is scheduled for August, and anyone interested in commercial real estate is welcome to join.

4. Addressing Market Affordability and Housing

Discussions on market affordability, particularly in Nashville, highlighted the ongoing challenges and potential solutions for developing affordable housing. The conversation underscored the need for government incentives and high-density rezonings to make affordable housing financially viable. These insights are crucial for investors and developers navigating the complexities of the housing market.

5. Q&A Highlights

  • Financing Commercial Real Estate: Brian’s question on financing deals using properties he currently owns led to a detailed explanation of commercial lines of credit, refinancing options, and leveraging equity as collateral for new loans.

  • Northwest Arkansas Market: The potential of the Northwest Arkansas market was explored, with a recommendation to reach out to Logan Freeman for more specific insights.

  • Office Space Conversions: Marcus shared his experience of converting an 8,700-square-foot office space into a flex space, sparking interest in office-to-flex conversions as a viable investment strategy in the current market.

6. Personal Updates and Achievements

  • Celebrated a birthday with a camping trip at Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky (if you haven’t been, I couldn’t recommend it more!).

  • Completed a deposition related to a tenant lawsuit, highlighting the importance of having attorney fee clauses in leases to protect against legal expenses.

  • Working on a new book with plans to release it around the time of the upcoming conference in October.

  • Started setting up a new YouTube studio, enhancing the production quality of content for the channel.

7. It’s been a Great Summer So Far!

July was a month filled with significant updates, insightful discussions, and new initiatives aimed at empowering the commercial real estate community. From the launch of educational programs to preparations for a major conference, the focus remains on providing value and fostering growth within the industry. Stay tuned for more updates and continue to engage with the community through office hours, happy hours, and upcoming events.

For those interested in delving deeper into commercial real estate investing, check out The CRE Accelerator Mastermind. We provide in-depth insights, real-world case studies, and practical strategies to help you navigate the complexities of commercial real estate and achieve success in your ventures. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting in the world of commercial real estate, there's always more to learn. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive in commercial real estate.

Learn more about our commercial real estate mastermind
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Where to Stay in East Nashville: The Ultimate Traveler’s Guide

East Nashville is what the kids are calling - a vibe.

Known for its indie music roots, chef-driven restaurants, and unmistakable creative energy, East is where locals live, artists create, and travelers come to experience a side of Nashville that’s authentically its own. Whether you're catching a show at The Basement East, sipping coffee at a corner café, or browsing vinyl at Grimey’s, staying on the East Side means being immersed in the heartbeat of Nashville culture.

But with the surge of growth and revitalization, where you stay in East Nashville can shape your entire trip.

Boutique hotels, B&Bs, converted churches, and next-gen hospitality concepts have popped up in every corner—from Five Points to Dickerson Pike. And with the much-anticipated opening of The Salt Ranch, a new destination hotel just minutes from downtown, East Nashville is solidifying itself as the creative traveler’s home base.

This guide breaks down your best options for staying in East Nashville—whether you’re looking for high design, local flavor, extended-stay comfort, or something brand new and buzzy.

Let’s dive into where to stay, why it matters, and how to make the most of your visit.

How to Stress Test CRE Projections So You Don’t Get Burned
How to Stress Test CRE Projections So You Don’t Get Burned

On paper, every deal looks like a winner—until reality hits.

If you’ve ever reviewed a commercial real estate (CRE) pitch deck, you’ve seen the same glowing numbers: 18% IRR, 8% cash-on-cash return, and an “attractive” 2x equity multiple in just five years. It’s hard not to be tempted. But as seasoned investors know, projections are just that—projections. And relying solely on optimistic pro formas can be the fastest way to get burned.

In the world of passive real estate investing, one of the most critical yet overlooked skills is learning how to stress-test a deal. While you may not be operating the property yourself, your capital is still at risk. And if you want to preserve and grow that capital over time, you can’t afford to take the sponsor’s numbers at face value.

That’s where stress-testing comes in.

This blog will walk you through the mindset, techniques, and real-world metrics you can use to evaluate whether a deal holds up when things don’t go as planned. We’ll show you how experienced limited partners (LPs) break down assumptions, test the limits of a deal’s performance, and make investment decisions based on realistic—not rosy—scenarios.

Because here’s the truth: markets shift, expenses rise, tenants leave, and financing gets tighter. And when that happens, the deal you thought would double your money might just return your principal—if you’re lucky.

By the end of this post, you’ll know how to:

  • Identify the most common areas where projections go wrong

  • Ask the right questions to sponsors about downside scenarios

  • Use simple tools to run stress tests—even if you’re not a spreadsheet wizard

  • Evaluate whether a deal is built to survive turbulence or only thrive in perfect conditions

This isn’t about fear—it’s about fortifying your investing approach. The best LPs are prepared, informed, and calm when markets wobble. And that preparation starts before the check is written.

So let’s dive in—and learn how to stress-test like a pro, so you never get caught off guard when the market delivers a curveball.

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Yet, not all opportunities are created equal. For high-income professionals, entrepreneurs, and early-stage commercial investors, learning how to vet and select the right passive investment is where the real leverage lies.