Too many new investors are skipping the most important step in commercial real estate: defining your Buy Box.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through my Accelerator Buybox Framework—the same system I use with students in my program to bring total clarity to what you should (and shouldn't) be buying. If you're browsing listings, meeting with brokers, or analyzing deals without clear criteria, you're not investing—you're gambling.

In this episode of Lessons Learned, I sit down with Brandon Thornberry—Founder of UrbanGate Capital and a former tour manager turned real estate investor. Brandon shares how he went from house hacking in East Nashville to building a multimillion-dollar portfolio of commercial and multifamily properties. We cover everything from seller financing and creative deal structuring to managing hairy value-add properties and designing a business around your ideal lifestyle. Brandon doesn’t hold back—he shares his biggest mistakes, wildest property management stories (including one with a dead possum), and the framework he uses to de-risk deals with huge upside. Whether you're just getting started or scaling your real estate portfolio, this conversation is packed with real-world insights you won’t find anywhere else.

I’ve got nothing against BiggerPockets. They helped me get started! But they’ve also convinced thousands of investors that residential real estate is the only path to freedom—when in reality, it’s just another job. 👉 Midnight tenant texts 👉 $200/month cash flow (if you're lucky) 👉 “Passive” income that’s anything but Meanwhile, commercial real estate investors are building scalable portfolios, creating real cash flow, and forcing appreciation—without the stress.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the shady side of commercial real estate. Bribery, corruption, backdoor deals—it all happens more than you’d think.

I’m sharing stories straight from my own experience and from other brokers and investors who’ve seen it firsthand. Everything from brokers getting offered cash under the table to steer deals, to politicians mysteriously “changing their minds” after a developer cuts a check, to contractors inflating bills mid-project hoping you’ll just pay up to avoid a fight. And yeah—I’m in the middle of a $102,000 roofing debacle myself that’ll make you shake your head.

Everyone knows what the wealthy drive and wear — but few know what they buy to build true wealth: Triple Net (and absolute net) properties.

These “boring” commercial real estate deals quietly deliver predictable, passive cash flow month after month, with tenants like CVS, Dollar General, and 7-Eleven paying not just rent but also taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

No clogged toilets. No late-night calls. Just checks in the mail.

On this episode, Logan Freeman and I sit down with Jake Clark, one of Nashville’s fastest-rising commercial brokers — and a guy whose story is all about grit and getting after it.

Jake shares how he went from getting laid off in private equity to becoming a successful multifamily broker in just 18 months. It’s a wild ride, and one any broker or investor can learn from.

What does it take to go from knocking on doors… to owning a $50 million commercial real estate portfolio? In this episode, I sit down with Jess Read—an agent-turned-investor who walked away from chasing commissions to build true financial freedom through commercial real estate.

Whether you're a high-producing agent or just getting started in real estate, this conversation will show you what’s possible—and what mistakes to avoid—when you stop selling and start owning.

In this episode, I’m taking you inside our latest deal—a 100,000-square-foot flex space property at Friars Crossing in Chattanooga, TN—and sharing why we’ve stopped chasing multifamily altogether.

I’m joined by Dave Codre from Greenleaf out of Atlanta as we break down why flex industrial has become our top target for 2025. From smaller tenant suites that keep vacancy low, to flexible layouts that let us reposition space fast, we’re seeing real advantages over apartments.

In this episode, I break down why multifamily real estate might be the worst place to invest in 2025—and what asset classes are actually delivering results right now. From self-storage to flex space developments to NNN triple net leases, I’ll show you the real deals I’m buying, how we’re operating them, and why they’re outperforming apartments in cash flow, stability, and scalability.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Investor Podcast, we’re tackling one of the biggest questions I get: When should you quit your W2 to go full-time in real estate?

It’s a conversation packed with lessons from the front lines—because let’s face it, syndication sounds sexy… until you realize those fees don’t cover the mortgage, much less your rent. I’ll walk you through how I approached this decision, why I’m only now closing my first solo deal after a decade in CRE, and what most gurus won’t tell you about raising capital and replacing your paycheck.

Alec McElhinny is an industrial owner, operator, and developer based in Texas. He was one of the earliest members of my CRE Accelerator mastermind and today, we're diving into why he decided that developing flex space from the ground up was the right move for him.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Investor Podcast, I’m sharing some hard-earned insights on navigating commercial real estate in uncertain times. Whether we’re heading into a full-blown recession or just riding out economic headwinds, one thing’s clear: success in CRE isn’t about predicting the market—it’s about how you position yourself when things get tough.

This past week’s been a whirlwind—jumping straight out of meetings, dealing with a contractor dispute that ballooned to a $100,000 overage on a $166,000 job, and preparing for our upcoming CRE Accelerator Mastermind event right here in Nashville. We’re talking full-scale underwriting workshops, deal pitches over cocktails, and a deep dive into live property analysis with the mastermind community.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Investor Podcast, we’re exploring the art of Creative Capital—how to leverage strategic funding options and partnerships to accelerate your real estate journey.

I’m breaking down my proven methods for building wealth in commercial real estate without needing millions of dollars in the bank. You’ll learn why Creative Capital stacking is a game-changer, how to leverage 100% seller financing, and how I’m constantly connecting with high-net-worth investors and partners to scale faster. I’ll also share insights from the CRE Accelerator Mastermind, where I help investors navigate complex deals and build successful portfolios.

The best deals never hit the market—and the best brokers know how to uncover them. In this no-fluff session, Chad, Jesse, and Adam unpack the exact tactics they’ve used to uncover high-margin, off-market opportunities. From building referral pipelines to leveraging tech and data to think like an investor, you’ll learn how to source smarter, move quicker, and build a reputation as the broker who always brings the deal.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Investor Podcast, we’re diving into the 12 most impactful lessons I've learned from over a decade in the world of commercial real estate. These aren't just abstract theories – they’re hard-earned insights from my own journey, each shaped by deals closed, mistakes made, and relationships built.

In this episode of the Investors Round Table, we'll explore one of the most important — and overlooked — skills for commercial real estate investors: crafting and delivering compelling deal pitches. Logan, Matt, and I will break down what makes a deal pitch magnetic, how to think like a marketer when presenting investment opportunities, and the key mistakes to avoid when selling to brokers, partners, and investors. We'll share real-world examples, give actionable advice on improving your pitch game, and discuss how to tailor your messaging to different audiences. Whether you're raising capital, wholesaling a property, or trying to win broker support, mastering the pitch can be the difference between deal flow and deal famine.

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Investor Podcast, we're diving deep into the art of finding and vetting contractors for your next big project.

I'm breaking down my proven strategy for connecting with the right contractors—whether you're developing a restaurant, medical office, or self-storage facility. We'll talk about why not all contractors are created equal, and how to find the perfect match for your specific project type.

In this episode, we break down the top three fastest ways to land your first commercial real estate listing—whether you’re transitioning from residential, starting out in CRE, or hitting the reset button. Join Chad (Industrial), Jesse (Office), and Adam (Retail) as they each share practical, sector-specific strategies that helped them build early traction and credibility.

This week on the Commercial Real Estate Investor Podcast, I’m going live for Office Hours and tackling the big question—does commercial real estate still make sense in today’s market?

Between global turmoil, inflation pressure, and rising construction costs, a lot of investors are sitting on the sidelines. But if you know how to underwrite, stress test, and play the long game, CRE still offers massive opportunity. I’m sharing how I’m navigating the current market, what returns are actually worth chasing, and why timing the market is a losing game.

What does a $370,000 mistake really teach you?

In this first episode of Lessons Learned, I sit down with Marcus Kittrell—founder of Marc-1 Car Washes, partner at Mammoth Holdings, and 40+ year commercial real estate investor—to unpack one of the most expensive lessons of his career.

From building car washes in the ‘80s to scaling a portfolio of 17 commercial properties and launching a private equity venture, Marcus shares what he got right, what he got very wrong, and how he’s preparing the next generation to carry on his legacy.