In this episode, Bruce Bean welcomes Ken Simons, a seasoned real estate broker with over four decades of experience, to discuss the evolving real estate market in Greater Los Angeles. Ken shares his journey from starting in property management in the late '70s to becoming a top broker for ILLI Commercial Real Estate. His expertise spans across leasing, sales, and financing, with insights into how strategic relationships have been the backbone of his success.

Ken offers practical tips from his years in the industry, including the importance of inspecting building rooftops and HVAC systems to avoid costly repairs for tenants and landlords. He also provides a deep dive into the Los Angeles retail leasing market, sharing how interest rates and market trends are affecting current deals. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting in real estate, Ken’s stories and advice are invaluable.

Tune in to hear about Ken’s hands-on approach, his views on the LA market’s recovery, and how relationships drive success in real estate.

Key Takeaways:

• Ken’s journey from property management to a billion-dollar broker
• Why rooftop inspections can save landlords and tenants money
• How the LA retail leasing market is bouncing back post-COVID
• The importance of fostering long-term relationships in real estate

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In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Luca Giaramidaro, an urban and regional planner at Multistudio, to discuss his fascinating journey from Italy to San Francisco and his work in the world of urban planning and transit integration. Luca shares his experiences working in global and local projects, including transit-oriented development and high-speed rail in California. He discusses the importance of integrating community voices in the planning process, creating sustainable transportation solutions, and addressing the challenges of long-term urban development. Tune in to hear Luca’s insights on how transit can shape the future of cities and why he believes the future of transportation is so exciting.

Guest Bio: Luca Giaramidaro is an experienced urban and regional planner at Multistudio, specializing in transit-integrated development. He has a background in architecture and sustainable design from Italy and has worked on major international and local urban design projects.

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In this insightful episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Jay Shaffer, co-founder of Colton Commercial, to explore the evolving landscape of San Francisco's commercial real estate market. Jay shares his journey as a Bay Area native and real estate expert, detailing over two decades of experience navigating the boom-and-bust cycles of the city’s property market. He discusses the challenges and opportunities that have arisen post-COVID, offering unique insights into office space demand, tenant negotiations, and commercial property investments.

Key takeaways include:

• The dramatic shifts in San Francisco's office space market, with vacancy rates hitting 38%.
• How businesses can capitalize on current market conditions to save up to 50% on leases or even purchase properties at 70-80% discounts.
• Jay’s experience in growing Colton Commercial from a small operation into a leading full-service real estate company.
• The rise of AI companies in San Francisco, including OpenAI, and its impact on the commercial market.
• Jay’s commitment to community involvement, sitting on the boards of nonprofits and the Bank of San Francisco.

For anyone interested in the future of commercial real estate in the Bay Area, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Guest Info: Jay Shaffer is the co-founder of Colton Commercial, a real estate firm specializing in San Francisco 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