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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3641 Trousdale Drive - Industrial, flex space for lease in South Nashville
The Most Overlooked Asset Class for Experienced Investors

If you’ve been investing for a while, you know the grind.

You’ve closed deals, managed contractors, worked through leases, and seen both wins and setbacks. Maybe you’ve owned single-family rentals, a few duplexes, or even some small commercial buildings. You understand the fundamentals: how to run numbers, navigate debt, and keep properties occupied.

But here’s a question that hits at a different level: are your investments giving you leverage or just more responsibility?

As your portfolio grows, so does the complexity. More tenants often mean more phone calls. Bigger buildings bring additional systems, staff, and liability. And while your equity might be growing on paper, your time can get stretched thin across too many directions.

That’s why more experienced investors are quietly shifting toward asset classes that offer something rare in commercial real estate: simplicity that still delivers strong returns.

Two of the most overlooked categories in this space are flex industrial and industrial outdoor storage (IOS).

They’re not flashy. You won’t find them in luxury investor decks or high-end brochures. But these properties produce solid returns, attract long-term tenants, and are surprisingly light on operational headaches. Best of all, they give seasoned investors a way to keep growing without being consumed by the demands of their portfolio.

In this post, we’ll walk through:

  • What makes flex and IOS so attractive

  • The numbers behind why they work

  • How they fit into a growing portfolio

  • And why they might be the most strategic asset class you haven’t explored yet

This is not about going bigger for the sake of scale. It’s about going smarter.

Because the goal is not more units. It’s more freedom.

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“Most people think about their first deal. Few think about their last.”

That quote stuck with me the first time I heard it. It’s a reminder that in commercial real estate, the endgame matters just as much as your entry point. Too many investors pour all their energy into getting that first property across the finish line only to realize they never thought about where it was actually taking them.

Commercial real estate isn’t just about buying buildings. It’s about building something bigger than yourself: a business, a portfolio, a legacy. Without a clear vision, your investing journey can start to feel like spinning plates, one more deal, one more tenant, one more issue to solve. But with the right long-term strategy, every property becomes a stepping stone toward financial freedom, generational wealth, and impact.

This post isn’t about your next deal. It’s about your last one, the one that makes the whole journey worth it. Whether you’re on property one or property ten, this is your guide to thinking bigger and building a CRE portfolio that lasts.

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There’s a certain rhythm to East Nashville — slower than downtown, grittier than the suburbs, and richer in stories than most places you’ll visit in the South. Cross the Cumberland River and you’ll find a neighborhood that’s quietly resisted the gloss of rapid development while still embracing change on its own terms. It’s where musicians, chefs, makers, and misfits all seem to converge — and somehow, it just works.

If you’re looking for a weekend that blends small-town comfort with big-city flavor, East Nashville delivers. The kind of place where you can drink single-origin coffee in a converted garage, shop vintage denim next door to a tattoo parlor, and end the night with world-class cocktails under string lights — all within a few blocks.

Tucked into this creative corridor is the Salt Ranch Hotel, a boutique hideaway that serves as the ideal jumping-off point for exploring East Nashville. It’s not trying to be the scene — it’s quietly part of it. With a design that nods to the neighborhood’s roots and a layout that encourages both solitude and serendipity, it sets the tone for a weekend that’s intentional, immersive, and unmistakably local.

Your 48 hours start here.