SF Commercial Property Conversations

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we dive into the remarkable journey of Nikita Zhitov, founder of CityPlat and a dynamic force in the Carolinas’ commercial real estate market. From his start in real estate during high school to managing a $350 million portfolio, Nikita shares the strategies and philosophies that have shaped his success.
Tune in to hear about:
How Nikita discovered real estate investing as a teenager and made $50,000 on his first deal.
The challenges and lessons he learned during the 2008 recession.
Why adaptability and continuous learning are keys to long-term success in real estate.
CityPlat's focus on small-bay industrial properties and their lucrative investment strategies.
Insights into the Raleigh-Durham market and its unique advantages.
Nikita also discusses the importance of giving back, including his foundation that helps students enter the real estate industry. Whether you’re an investor, broker, or just curious about commercial real estate, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice.
 
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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Don Sutton, a seasoned real estate professional who transitioned from managing logistics at a global scale to becoming a prominent figure in LA's competitive real estate market. From speaking multiple languages to teaching at top universities, Don shares how his unique experiences shaped his successful career.
Join us as Don recounts his early days at LAX logistics, his unexpected pivot to real estate after 9/11, and his insights into managing income properties. He discusses his passion for education, his work with Cal State LA and UCLA Extension, and his practical approach to balancing brokerage and teaching. Don also delves into the challenges of California’s real estate market, deregulation trends, and his outlook on affordable housing.
Whether you’re an aspiring investor or a real estate enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and firsthand experiences from a seasoned pro.
 
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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with Jeremy Hoffman, a principal at Zen Development Consultants, LLC, and a seasoned expert in affordable housing. Jeremy shares his unique journey from architecture to real estate development and sheds light on the challenges and intricacies of affordable housing.
Discover how Jeremy’s work is reshaping the landscape of affordable housing through innovative financial modeling and creative problem-solving. He unpacks the differences between market-rate and affordable housing, explains the nuances of financing with tax credits, and dives into the complexities of California’s competitive housing environment.
Whether you're a developer, policymaker, or simply curious about the mechanics of affordable housing, this episode provides valuable insights into a sector that marries economic challenges with a commitment to community impact.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, we’re joined by Ryan Dougherty, a dynamic force in the commercial real estate (CRE) industry. From his early career in business journalism to his rapid rise as a top-performing CRE broker in Southern California, Ryan shares invaluable insights and strategies that are perfect for aspiring and experienced real estate professionals alike.
Ryan takes us through his journey, including:
Transitioning from business journalism to investment banking and CRE.
Key lessons from navigating Southern California's unique real estate market.
How his background in journalism gives him an edge in storytelling and client relationships.
Practical advice for building your CRE business, including the power of cold calling and effective client communication.
Whether you’re looking to start or scale your CRE business, Ryan’s candid advice will leave you inspired and ready to take action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Join us in this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean as we dive into the inspiring journey of Tracy Hodges, founder of Falcon Construction. Tracy shares her remarkable career progression—from her early days as a bookkeeper and her transition into the world of construction, to becoming a licensed general contractor and establishing her own company.
Tracy talks about the pivotal moments in her career, including her experiences with major projects, her passion for creating value for her clients, and how her father's legacy inspired her to start Falcon Construction. With a focus on ethical practices, building relationships, and leaving a lasting legacy for her family, Tracy exemplifies what it means to combine purpose and expertise in the commercial construction industry.
Discover how Tracy scopes projects, manages construction and brokerage operations, and juggles a pipeline full of exciting opportunities. Whether you're in commercial real estate, construction, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is a must-listen!
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

This week on SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we dive into the world of direct private money lending with Casey Hopkins, Senior Loan Officer at Rubicon Mortgage Fund, LLC. Casey shares her journey from Paradise, California, to becoming a key player in the commercial lending sector.
In this episode, you'll discover how Rubicon Mortgage Fund is reshaping the lending landscape by offering flexible and fast funding solutions tailored to borrowers who need alternatives to traditional banks. Casey explains the distinctions between direct lenders, syndicators, and brokers, as well as the nuances of hard money lending versus private lending. She also offers insights into the challenges and opportunities in today’s volatile real estate market, particularly in sectors like multifamily, industrial, and retail properties.
Whether you're an investor, borrower, or simply curious about private lending, this conversation provides a clear picture of the value direct money lenders bring to the table.
 
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In this episode, Bruce Bean welcomes Ravi Jagtiani, a commercial real estate expert specializing in daycares. Ravi takes us on a fascinating journey from growing up in Mumbai to establishing himself as a key player in the California real estate market. He shares how his family background and entrepreneurial spirit led him into the niche of daycare brokerage. Ravi currently handles 95% of daycare sales in the Bay Area and nearly 60% across California.
Listen in as Ravi discusses the complexities of buying and selling daycares, including licensing processes, financial considerations, and why daycares are such a lucrative investment. Whether you are a daycare operator looking to sell or an investor seeking a stable, profitable venture, Ravi is the expert you need.
Guest Bio: Ravi Jagtiani is a commercial real estate broker with a unique focus on daycares. With extensive experience in real estate development and brokerage, Ravi dominates the daycare market in California. He is also an investor and a member of the Foster City Planning Commission.
 
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In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Chris Karageuzian, co-founder of Help With My Loan, to discuss how his company is transforming the lending industry using artificial intelligence (AI). Chris shares the journey of Help With My Loan, starting from his early career in banking to launching a cutting-edge platform that uses AI-driven Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to simplify and speed up the loan process for commercial, residential, and personal lending.
Chris explains how Help With My Loan’s AI platform can analyze complex financial documents like tax returns in just seconds, enabling a 97% match rate for borrowers across 300+ lending institutions. This revolutionary technology helps clients—from business owners to individual borrowers—find the best loan options faster than ever. Chris also discusses the company’s vision for the future, including its plans for continued innovation in lending and expansion into the Chicago market, where the team aims to create new opportunities for local youth.
Key Takeaways:
How AI OCR technology is speeding up the lending process by 80%.
The broad range of loans covered, from commercial real estate to SBA and business loans.
The ethical side of lending and the importance of helping minority communities access capital.
Chris’s vision for the future of Help With My Loan, including AI advancements and possible expansion into direct lending.
In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Chris Karageuzian, co-founder of Help With My Loan, to discuss how his company is transforming the lending industry using artificial intelligence (AI). Chris shares the journey of Help With My Loan, starting from his early career in banking to launching a cutting-edge platform that uses AI-driven Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to simplify and speed up the loan process for commercial, residential, and personal lending.
Chris explains how Help With My Loan’s AI platform can analyze complex financial documents like tax returns in just seconds, enabling a 97% match rate for borrowers across 300+ lending institutions. This revolutionary technology helps clients—from business owners to individual borrowers—find the best loan options faster than ever. Chris also discusses the company’s vision for the future, including its plans for continued innovation in lending and expansion into the Chicago market, where the team aims to create new opportunities for local youth.
Key Takeaways:
How AI OCR technology is speeding up the lending process by 80%.
The broad range of loans covered, from commercial real estate to SBA and business loans.
The ethical side of lending and the importance of helping minority communities access capital.
Chris’s vision for the future of Help With My Loan, including AI advancements and possible expansion into direct lending.
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, Bruce Bean talks with Caleb Angel, a lending expert with HouseMax Funding. Caleb shares his journey from Seattle to Southern California and provides in-depth insights into the fix-and-flip lending market. With experience in real estate, consumer lending, and numbers, Caleb found his way into private lending—combining his passion for relationships and real estate investment.
Tune in as Caleb breaks down how fix-and-flip loans work, offers advice for aspiring real estate investors, and highlights some of the most profitable markets for real estate flipping today. He explains the intricacies of lending, from cold calling prospects to nurturing repeat clients, and even provides practical tips on securing funding for your first investment property.
Key Takeaways:
How Caleb transitioned into private lending and real estate investments
Insights into ground-up construction and fix-and-flip financing
The importance of building long-term relationships in lending
A breakdown of loan processes, including construction draws and loan guarantees
Tips for new investors looking to get started with fix-and-flip properties
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Gisele Pinedo, a rising star in commercial real estate, as she shares her journey from studying psychology to becoming a successful agent at Marcus & Millichap. Gisele delves into the mindset shift she made, how she transitioned from being a teacher’s aide to a commission-based career, and the valuable lessons she’s learned about perseverance, cold calling, and managing client relationships.
Gisele also talks about the impact of her psychology background on her real estate career and why understanding people is essential in building trust and making deals happen. She highlights the importance of finding a mentor, the challenge of managing time between closing deals and prospecting, and her long-term goal of achieving financial freedom through passive income.
Whether you're new to the real estate industry or looking for inspiration to grow your career, this episode is packed with insights into the commercial real estate world and the personal development needed for success.
Key Takeaways:
Transitioning into commercial real estate from a different field.
The importance of mentorship in building a successful career.
Balancing prospecting and managing active deals.
The role of psychology in building client relationships.
Gisele’s long-term goal of financial freedom through real estate investment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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