NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast

Hosted by Rick Kaplan

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Discuss Commercial real estate in New England and New York with guests from all related fields connected to real estate.

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60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 1731 min

Benjamin Stef of Nexa Lending interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

Send us Fan MailRick Kaplan Host of the NEREJ/ NYREJ Podcast interviews Benjamin Stef of Nexa Lending. www.fundingfreedom.net Ben talks about really unique, high-leverage loan programs that most investors don't know about that can help them scale faster. We've been able to scale our mortgage business to multiple six figures in less than 6 months all while keeping margins low in order to benefit the investors and their pockets. At this point I've been invited to many other podcasts and speaking engagements sharing the knowledge my team and I have. Because we work with so many real estate investors at a high level across the country, we get to see a lot of strategies that work and a lot of strategies that don't work, coupled with having mortgage and lending knowledge, so we know how to structure deals to make sense on paper.

May 27, 202639 min

Jens Nielsen of Open Doors Capital interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

Send us Fan MailRick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/ NYREJ Podcast Interviews Jens Nielsen of Open Doors Capital. Jens spent 27 years in IT and telecom before transitioning full-time into real estate investing and coaching.Since 2016 I've been a partner in over 2,700 apartment units and 100,000+ square feet of commercial real estate, and I’ve raised over $10M in private capital.Over the past few years, I’ve also shifted focus toward industrial and other commercial assets, while helping investors and business owners improve decision-making, operations, and long-term strategy.What’s shaped me most isn’t just the growth—it’s navigating challenging deals, lender negotiations, and market shifts, which has forced me to become more disciplined around risk and capital preservation.Tells us what you would like to discuss on the show? ’d focus on how commercial real estate investors can adapt right now, especially as traditional multifamily deals have become harder to make work:Pivoting Across Asset ClassesHow investors can move into areas like light industrial or niche commercial to continue finding value.What Actually Works in Today’s MarketAdjusting underwriting, debt strategy, and hold periods in a higher-rate environment.Risk Management from an Operator’s PerspectiveLessons from managing through tough deals, working with lenders, and protecting investor capital.

May 21, 2026Episode 940 min

Rod Santomassimo The Massimo Group interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

Send us Fan MailRick Kaplan host of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interview with Rod Santomassimo of The Massimo Group. massimo.coach Rod Santomassimo is the founder of The Massimo Group, the leading coaching organization for commercial real estate brokers worldwide. He is a five-time bestselling author, a patented inventor, a former division one athlete, and a two-time recipient of Duke University’s MBA Alumni of the Year award. Globe St. and ALM Media have also named Rod a "Best Boss in Commercial Real Estate,” a recognition that reflects both his leadership and the culture he has built.Rod helps brokers earn more in less time by immersing them in the people, processes, and platforms proven to drive exponential growth. He’s leading the way in integrating AI into commercial real estate, assisting his clients in streamlining their work and securing more opportunities faster.Outside the office, Rod spends time with his wife of 30 years and their two grown children.

May 14, 2026Episode 839 min

David Fields CEO of AcquiOS interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

Send us Fan MailRick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews David Fields CEO of AcquiOS. Acquios.ai David Talks about how AI is fundamentally changing the speed and quality of commercial real estate deal analysis and what that means for acquisitions teams right now. Specifically: how firms are going from receiving 50+ broker emails a week and spending 5–10 hours per deal on underwriting to getting first-cut models in minutes, in their own templates. I'd also want to touch on the difference between AI tools that track your pipeline versus AI that actually tells you what a deal is worth. And I think your audience would find it interesting to hear how the platform learns from a firm's historical deals so that the 11th deal you underwrite is smarter than the first, essentially building a proprietary knowledge base that compounds over time. Happy to also get into the practical side: what does human-in-the-loop AI actually look like, and how do investment professionals stay in control while moving dramatically faster.

May 8, 2026Episode 746 min

Dave Ellis of Ellis Realty Advisors interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

Send us Fan MailRick Kaplan host of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Dave Ellis of Ellis Realty Advisors http://ellisrealtyadvisors.com Dave works with businesses, developers, landlords, tenants, and investors to understand and anticipate their business needs. He aims to create real estate solutions that help clients succeed. He grew up swinging a hammer next to his father, building homes on the South Shore. He is always looking at all sides of the market and is proud to provide outstanding service to buyers and sellers, adding insight, creativity, and value to help clients achieve their vision.Ellis Realty Advisors is establishing Hingham's 4 Pond Park as a new hub for business collaboration on the South Shore. It will also serve as the firm's new headquarters. Dave will discuss what the project will mean for the future of Ellis Realty and the South Shore.

April 30, 2026Episode 641 min

Alex Brito of RKTB Architects Interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

Send us Fan MailRick Kaplan host of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interview with Alex Brito of RKTB Architects www.RKTB.com. Alex is a registered architect in New York State and a member of both the American Institute of Architects and the National Organization of Minority Architects. I studied my craft at Spitzer School of Architecture and Environmental Studies (City College of New York) and since then have amassed decades of experience in design, production, and project management across a variety of sectors, including affordable, supportive and market-rate multi-family housing; transportation; civic and cultural works; and educational facilities. With RKTB since 1992, I rose through the ranks and was named a partner in 2015.I've worked extensively on pre-design phases of projects such as zoning analyses and NYC building code analyses, as well as designing and managing major projects like East Clarke Place Court, Salem House, Site 8 Apartments, Cathedral Gardens, Anchor House for Women, P.S.29Q, and The AirTrain terminal in Jamaica, Queens. Recently I was named a board member of the New York Citizens Housing & Planning Council (CHPC).

April 10, 2026Episode 539 min

Toni Dupell of Equans Services interview on NEREJ NYREJ Podcast

Send us Fan MailRick Kaplan Host of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Toni Dupell of EQUANS Services Inc. www.equansservices.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-dupell/Toni talks about what EQUANS delivers a comprehensive suite of solutions that support mission‑critical environments. Our expertise includes Integrated Facilities Management, technical operations, asset management, building automation, and energy optimization. In the life science space, we help organizations maintain compliant, high‑performance facilities that enable research, development, and production without operational risk. We're here to fill the technical gaps traditional FM firms may miss in these highly technical environments.Sustainability is also a major focus for us. EQUANS partners with clients to reduce carbon footprints, improve building efficiency, and implement long‑term strategies that align with environmental goals while lowering operational costs. Thank you again for having me on the New England Real Estate Podcast today. I truly enjoyed our conversation and appreciated the opportunity to highlight my story, Women in Bio - Greater Boston, and the work we’re doing at EQUANS Services Inc., especially within the life sciences sector.

April 2, 2026Episode 444 min

Matthew Fornaro, P A interview on NEREJ / NYREJ Podcast

Send us Fan MailRick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Matthew Fornaro, P A'www.fornarolegal.com As a business law attorney with over two decades of experience navigating commercial litigation, contract disputes, construction law, and real estate matters here in Florida, I’ve seen firsthand how legal strategy shapes the success and growth of companies, large and small.Since founding my practice, I’ve been passionate about supporting entrepreneurs as they launch new ventures, guiding them through regulatory challenges and helping them draft all the documents necessary for a strong start. My years in both regional and national law firms gave me a deep perspective on everything from intellectual property to homeowner association representation, and I actively mentor new attorneys and business owners through programs like the Kaufman Foundation’s FastTrac.

March 6, 2026Episode 337 min

Michelle Hamilton of Answer Rocket talks AI

Send us Fan MailRick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Michelle Hamilton of Answer Rocket. www.answerrocket.com Michelle spent 30 years as a strategic leader in Commercial Real Estate and the AEC sector before pivoting to solve one of the biggest problems in enterprise technology: the gap between AI investment and workforce adoption. She founded Spark AI Strategy and AI Class Lab to close that gap in the built environment, and was recently recruited by AnswerRocket, an enterprise AI transformation firm that partners with mid-market and Fortune 2000 companies across industries including Construction and Real Estate, to design and lead their new change management and AI implementation division."

February 26, 2026Episode 252 min

Jay Pateakos Taunton Economic & Community Development

Send us Fan MailRick Kaplan host of the NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast Interviews Jay Pateakos Taunton Economic & Community Development. Jay discusses how the City of Taunton is transforming to become a great place to live, to own a business and enjoy entertainment. I’ve been in Taunton for 2.9 years. We have helped to transform the downtown into a restaurant and performing arts destination, have worked to redevelop our largest apartment project from the ashes of our biggest rundown site at the former Whittenton Mills 42-acre site and more. For information contact Jay: jpateakos@taunton-ma.gov (774) 406-9707 or find out more https://www.taunton-ma.gov/