Commercial Real Estate Secrets

Hosted by Aviva Sonenreich

Business Investing

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Episodes

223

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Commercial Real Estate Secrets, hosted by Aviva Sonenreich, a seasoned commercial real estate owner, broker, and content creator. On this podcast, you'll hear real stories from real people who have created real success in commercial real estate. Join us each week to gain invaluable insights and practical steps you can take to achieve your dreams of becoming a successful commercial real estate investor, agent, or broker.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 26, 2026Episode 22611 min

Hard Money Lending Explained: Why Investors Choose It Over Banks

Why would a real estate investor choose a more expensive loan when traditional banks offer lower rates? In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets , Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Jason Balin, Founder of Hard Money Bankers, to explain how hard money lending works and why speed and flexibility can sometimes matter more than interest rates. From qualifying for financing and evaluating collateral to understanding the four Cs of lending, Jason shares what private lenders look for, why banks turn down certain deals, and the risks investors should understand before borrowing.

October 23, 2026Episode 22515 min

Commercial Real Estate Zoning: How Developers Find Hidden Value

Two commercial properties can look nearly identical, yet one could be worth millions more. The difference? Zoning. In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Stephen Palmese, Managing Principal of Integritas Capital, to uncover how developers identify opportunities other investors overlook. From rezoning and land assemblage to navigating development approvals, Stephen explains how zoning can unlock hidden property value and what investors should know before making their next purchase. Enjoy the episode!

October 21, 2026Episode 22416 min

Why Is Finding an Apartment in NYC Still So Hard?

Finding an apartment in New York City can take months, but why is the process still so complicated? In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Gabe Einhorn, Co-Founder of Nesso, to explore why apartment hunting is so difficult for renters and how choosing the wrong tenant can be just as costly for landlords . From endless applications and rental scams to tenant screening and AI-powered apartment matching, they discuss what's broken in the rental process and whether technology could finally make it easier for everyone. This episode is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first six months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/cres (Terms and conditions apply)

October 19, 2026Episode 22311 min

The LinkedIn Strategy That Helped Him Stand Out in Real Estate

What if the LinkedIn posts nobody notices today could bring you clients tomorrow? In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Gabe Einhorn, co-founder of Nesso and former commercial mortgage broker, to discuss how he turned daily LinkedIn posts into a competitive advantage. After months of little engagement, Gabe began attracting clients, closing deals, and eventually generating millions of views across social media. They also explore how personal branding creates business opportunities and whether social media or AI offers the greater advantage in real estate. If you're a broker or business owner wondering whether posting consistently is worth the effort, this conversation might change how you think about showing up online.

October 14, 2026Episode 22229 min

How to Successfully Complete a 1031 Exchange

A 1031 exchange can be incredibly valuable, but there’s a lot more to it than the 45-day rule. In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with 1031 exchange specialist James Bean to break down what investors need to know before selling an investment property. James explains the 45-day identification and 180-day closing timelines, common misconceptions that can derail an exchange, why planning should begin before the property sells, and how net lease properties can provide a lower-management replacement option. If you own investment real estate and want to understand how to successfully complete a 1031 exchange, this episode is a practical place to start.

October 12, 2026Episode 22117 min

The Hidden Real Estate Data Inside CMBS Loans

What if you could see the actual financial performance of commercial properties before making your next investment decision? In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Lonnie Hendry, Chief Product Officer at Trepp and co-host of the TreppWire Podcast, to uncover the valuable information hidden inside commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS). Lonnie breaks down how CMBS loans work, why their data has become increasingly important in commercial real estate, and how investors, brokers, and property owners can use actual rental rates, occupancy figures, operating expenses, and loan performance data to make better decisions. They also discuss how greater transparency and technology are changing the industry, giving real estate professionals access to information that was once difficult to obtain.

October 7, 2026Episode 22030 min

Commercial Real Estate Tokenization Explained

What does it actually mean to tokenize commercial real estate, and why are investors paying attention? In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Matthew Davis of DeFi CRE to break down what commercial real estate tokenization actually means and why investors and property owners should be paying attention. Matthew explains how blockchain could enable fractional ownership, create new ways for owners to access capital, and potentially bring greater liquidity and efficiency to traditionally illiquid real estate investments. They also explore smart contracts, regulatory considerations, asset-backed tokens versus speculative crypto, and Matthew’s plans to use tokenization for hotel-to-housing conversions. Whether you’re skeptical of crypto or curious about where real estate investing is headed, this conversation offers a practical look at an emerging technology and the risks investors still need to understand.

October 5, 2026Episode 21911 min

The Fastest Way to Learn Commercial Real Estate

Breaking into commercial real estate can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re starting with no industry experience. In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with her very first CRE mentee, Ciara Monfort, to talk about how mentorship helped Ciara learn the business, discover her niche in tenant representation, and build a career helping growing companies find commercial space . Ciara shares what she learned working alongside Aviva, why she ultimately gravitated toward representing tenants, and the lessons she’s picked up from negotiating leases and working with entrepreneurs as their businesses grow. If you’re trying to break into commercial real estate, this episode offers a firsthand look at why learning alongside an experienced broker can accelerate the process.

September 30, 2026Episode 21835 min

We’re Outranking S&P 500 Brokerages in AI Search. Here’s How

In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Joe Killinger, Managing Partner of Commercial Brokers International, to talk about how AI and digital marketing are changing the competitive landscape in commercial real estate. Joe explains why brokers who consistently create useful content are positioning themselves to show up in AI search, how smaller independent brokerages can compete with major national firms, and why technology still cannot replace market knowledge, relationships, and good brokerage fundamentals. They also discuss Joe’s growing commercial real estate affiliate network, the opportunities AI and social media are creating for the next generation of brokers, and why building a real business and reputation matters more than chasing overnight success. If you’re a CRE broker wondering how to stay relevant as AI changes the way clients find and evaluate brokers, this episode is for you.

September 28, 2026Episode 21720 min

Sales Gets You In the Door. 30 Years in the Business Taught Him What Keeps You There.

Sales gets you in the door. This is what keeps you there — according to Ken Ashley, Executive Director at Cushman & Wakefield, who's spent 30 years building a name for himself in commercial real estate.In this episode, Aviva sits down with Ken to talk about the brutal first year that almost made him quit the business entirely (8.5 months with zero closed deals), the three decisions he made after the 2008 crash that changed everything financially, and why he became one of the first brokers in the industry to build a personal brand on social media back in 2009. That early bet eventually turned a COVID-era Twitter list into CREI Summit, the conference where some of the top producers in the industry openly share the exact strategies most brokers keep secret — including the "meet sheet" system Ken now teaches every young broker who asks him for advice.

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