SF Commercial Property Conversations

Bruce sits down with 1031 exchange specialist James Bean to unpack the biggest reasons exchanges fail and how to avoid them. James explains why “like-kind” really means investment property for investment property, the truth behind the 45-day identification crunch, and where net lease (NNN/absolute) properties and DSTs (Delaware Statutory Trusts) fit for hands-off income. You’ll hear how term length, tenant credit, and today’s interest rates shape cap rates—and why many investors over 65 are trading management headaches for mailbox money.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Gina Tang, a powerhouse in LA’s luxury real estate scene. Gina shares how she transitioned from selling over 200 high-end homes to becoming a successful luxury home developer and flipper in Los Angeles. She dives into what makes the LA market thrive, why foreign investment (especially from the Pacific Rim) remains strong, and how private lending supports overseas buyers.
You’ll also hear how Gina's brief stint in commercial real estate shaped her strategic approach to flipping homes, and how her fictional book series was inspired by her real-life experience selling to Chinese billionaires. Whether you're into real estate, investing, or global property trends, this episode delivers a unique look at LA’s luxury market from someone who's lived it inside and out.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

What does it take to build a career that spans decades in commercial real estate, weathering cycles, resets, and market disruptions? In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Gary Mozer, Managing Director and Co-Founder at Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), part of Marcus & Millichap.
Gary shares how he made the leap from graduate school in Chicago to building a lasting presence in Los Angeles real estate. With 38 years of deal-making experience, he brings a rare perspective on navigating capital markets, raising equity and debt, and guiding clients through today’s shifting landscape.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

What does it take to go from the NFL to closing hundreds of millions in real estate deals? In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, guest Logan Freeman shares his remarkable journey from Jefferson City to the NFL, and ultimately, to building a thriving career in commercial real estate.
Logan opens up about growing up in Missouri, his NFL experience with the Oakland Raiders, and the life-changing moment when he pivoted into real estate after losing his corporate job. Today, Logan has brokered and invested in over $400 million worth of property in Kansas City, while building a reputation as one of the market’s most trusted voices.
We also dig into the current commercial real estate landscape, exploring everything from multifamily trends to Kansas City’s surprising growth story. Logan offers a clear-eyed view of what’s happening in today’s market, why the Midwest is attracting new attention, and how investors can position themselves to succeed in the months ahead.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Bruce welcomes Phil Copulsky, a Manhattan native whose career path has taken him from Goldman Sachs to Russell Investments and now into the world of commercial real estate at Westmount Realty Capital in Dallas.
Phil shares how his financial background and MBA experience helped him transition into real estate, why he focuses on family office investors, and how Westmount’s unique deal structure provides flexibility and control that traditional REITs and funds often lack.
You’ll hear insights on:
The difference between syndication and REIT investing
Why family offices value deal-by-deal discretion
How Westmount navigates industrial and multifamily markets
Why Midwest properties offer strong risk-adjusted returns
The challenges and opportunities in today’s pricing environment
What distressed multifamily assets might mean for investors in the coming years
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

From surviving hostile takeovers to building one of San Diego’s fastest-growing companies, Jennifer Barnes has learned the power of resilience, flexibility, and people-first leadership. In this episode, Jennifer shares her journey from her early days at Petco to founding Optima Office, a thriving firm providing fractional CFO, controller, bookkeeping, and HR services.
You’ll hear how Jennifer transformed challenges into growth opportunities, why culture and client care drive Optima’s rapid expansion, and how outsourcing financial and HR functions can help companies of all sizes thrive.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
How Jennifer pivoted her career after setbacks and turned them into new ventures.
Why Optima Office’s “speed of execution” and caring culture set it apart.
The benefits of outsourcing finance and HR functions instead of hiring full-time.
How Optima tailors services for industries like real estate, nonprofits, and professional services.
The role of flexibility and hybrid work in Optima’s success
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, Bruce sits down with Kaaren Hall, founder of uDirect IRA Services, to talk about how self-directed IRAs can open the door to financial freedom and real estate investing.
Kaaren shares her journey from radio announcer to real estate professional and ultimately to launching her own company, helping thousands of people take control of their retirement savings. She explains how self-directed IRAs work, why commercial real estate is one of the top investment choices inside them, and how individuals can move beyond traditional 401(k)s and into more flexible wealth-building opportunities.
You’ll learn:
What makes self-directed IRAs different from traditional retirement accounts
How investors can use them to participate in commercial real estate syndications
The role of contribution limits and rollovers in building up retirement funds
Why the Roth IRA “clock” is essential to long-term tax-free investing
Resources and education available for anyone looking to take charge of their retirement
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with Kate Zanobini of Kiavi, the nation’s top private money lender. Kate shares her unconventional journey from studying psychology and communications to finding her niche in real estate finance. From early days at Trulia and Zillow to becoming a well-known figure in the private lending space, Kate’s career path is full of unexpected twists—and solid advice.
Kate walks us through the ins and outs of private lending, how it differs from traditional loans, and why Kiavi’s tech-driven, flexible approach has made it a leader in the fix-and-flip and DSCR loan markets. She also opens up about how Kiavi supports brokers and adapts to changing real estate conditions across the country.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

What does it take to thrive across multiple real estate cycles — from the financial crisis to today’s shifting market? In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, guest Julian Scurci shares how he built a career spanning industrial, multifamily, office, and retail investments, while navigating some of the toughest market turns.
Julian takes us through his journey from New Jersey to Denver to the Bay Area, and how early lessons at Prologis during the financial crisis shaped his approach as a value-driven investor. He opens up about what he’s seeing right now across different property types, including:
Why today’s market may be the best buying opportunity since 2008
How distressed office properties in San Francisco could become prime investments
The rise of industrial and the long-term e-commerce and logistics tailwinds
What makes retail and multifamily resilient in today’s climate
Why volatility often creates the biggest opportunities for investors
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

How does a background in electrical engineering lead to developing high-end communities in Texas? In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, guest Venkat Avasarala shares his remarkable journey from Hyderabad, India to Dallas real estate.
Venkat opens up about his early days in the U.S. working in tech, how he scaled from buying single-family homes into large multifamily syndications, and why he ultimately shifted his focus to Class A properties. He explains how COVID reshaped his strategy, why serving higher-income tenants makes sense in today’s market, and what it takes to build large-scale developments in fast-growing Texas counties.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest