surance Turmoil

California's insurance market is facing serious challenges, and no one understands this better than Charles Katz. With nearly 57 years of experience in the insurance industry, Charles has seen it all—from working with Fortune 500 companies to helping individual homeowners navigate an increasingly complex system.

In this episode, Charles shares his journey from California to Indiana and back, and how he built a career in property and casualty insurance. He breaks down the current insurance crisis in California, including the billion-dollar assessment recently imposed on insurers, the growing reliance on the California Fair Plan, and how new players are emerging to fill the gaps left by major insurance companies exiting the state.

We also dive into:

• Why independent brokers like Charles are more important than ever
• How the online insurance world is changing the way people shop for coverage
• The impact of fire season and climate change on insurance rates
• The growing need for cyber insurance and how businesses should prepare

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What if you never had to cold call again? In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we dive into the future of business communication with David Criss, Director of Sales at Action2Call.

David shares how AI-driven voice agents are revolutionizing inbound and outbound calls, making life easier for commercial real estate agents, attorneys, and business professionals. Imagine AI assistants handling 20+ calls at once, pre-qualifying leads, and seamlessly integrating with your CRM—all without missing a beat.

David’s journey from real estate to high-ticket sales and AI development is fascinating, and his insights on automation, efficiency, and the future of AI in business are eye-opening. If you’re tired of spending hours on the phone and want to streamline your operations, this episode is a must-listen.

• How Action2Call’s AI voice agents work and why they’re a game-changer
• The real estate cold-calling dilemma and how AI can eliminate it
• The cost-effectiveness of AI vs. human receptionists
• How AI is expanding into industries like healthcare and government
• The future of AI-driven business communication

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean sits down with Noelle Bryce, an estate planning and asset protection attorney with Barth Calderon LLP. Noelle shares her journey from Glendora, California, to Washington, D.C., and back, and how her passion for governance and public policy led her to a career in estate planning.

They dive deep into California’s Proposition 19, its impact on property transfers, and the often-overlooked estate planning mistakes that can lead to probate court. Noelle explains how commercial property owners can protect their assets, why trusts are essential for succession planning, and how failing to title properties correctly can create legal and financial headaches.

Key Takeaways: ✅ How Proposition 19 changed property tax laws in California ✅ Why trusts don’t necessarily protect against reassessment ✅ How commercial property owners should structure ownership to avoid probate ✅ The biggest mistakes people make with estate planning and how to avoid them

If you own property—residential or commercial—this episode is packed with must-know insights to help you preserve your wealth for future generations.

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with Jason Malabute, a CPA specializing in commercial real estate taxation. Jason shares his inspiring journey from dreaming of being a professional basketball player to becoming a tax expert and real estate investor.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Jason initially had no interest in accounting until his mother encouraged him to pursue it. Fast forward to today, and he’s built a thriving accounting firm focused on real estate investors. He discusses how he transitioned from tax preparation to real estate investing, including how he strategically studied the market before purchasing his first properties.

Jason also dives into the tax challenges that property owners and investors face, common mistakes he sees from property managers, and the accounting tools he recommends. Plus, he shares why he believes real estate is the best wealth-building strategy available and how his firm helps investors maximize tax benefits.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How Jason pivoted from basketball dreams to CPA success
• The role his family played in shaping his career
• His first real estate investment and lessons learned
• Why he believes real estate is the ultimate wealth-building tool
• The importance of proper tax planning for investors
• His thoughts on the future of real estate investing

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we welcome Sam Louwrens, a commercial insurance broker specializing in construction insurance. Sam shares his unconventional journey—from being homeschooled in Cody, Wyoming, to navigating university in record time, and eventually finding his way into the world of insurance.

Sam opens up about:

• His experience being homeschooled and how it prepared him for the real world
• How he fast-tracked his education, completing a finance degree in just 1.5 years
• His unexpected entry into the insurance industry through a mentor connection
• The reality of building a client base through cold calls, strategic consulting, and referrals
• Why Texas and California are prime markets for construction insurance
• The secrets to negotiating better insurance rates and why many businesses unknowingly overpay

If you're in construction or commercial real estate, Sam shares some must-know strategies for managing insurance costs and standing out to underwriters.

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In this episode, host Bruce Bean sits down with Peter Quinn, a seasoned commercial real estate expert based in San Diego, California. Peter shares his fascinating journey from working at IBM to becoming a top-tier CRE professional. With decades of experience in land brokerage, development, and investment, Peter provides insights into how he navigated the evolving Southern California real estate market.

What you'll learn in this episode: ✔ How Peter transitioned from IBM to commercial real estate ✔ His early days at CBRE and the impact of having great mentors ✔ The evolution of Orange County’s industrial and office markets ✔ Insights into land acquisition and development in San Diego and beyond ✔ The role of AI and data in modern CRE decision-making ✔ Thoughts on industrial, retail, and affordable housing trends

Peter also shares his perspective on government real estate holdings, affordable housing initiatives, and where he sees the market heading. If you’re a commercial broker, investor, or just love real estate stories, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with Paul Levine, a former CPA turned commercial real estate expert. With over 50 years of experience in income taxes and financial strategies, Paul brings unique insights into commercial real estate, cost segregation, and tax-saving strategies.

Paul shares how an unexpected turn of events led him to pass the real estate exam and dive into the world of CRE. He explains the fundamentals of cost segregation—how breaking down property assets into different categories can lead to significant tax benefits. Paul also discusses the importance of working with the right professionals and how cost segregation can apply to properties beyond traditional commercial buildings, including single-family rentals and even airplane hangars.

Other key topics include:

• The basics of cost segregation and why it matters
• How tax laws are evolving and what investors should know
• The risks and rewards of 1031 exchanges
• Common tax strategies that can save property owners thousands

If you're in commercial real estate or looking to maximize your investment returns, this episode is packed with expert advice and real-world examples.

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What if the key to sales success isn’t just strategy but mindset? In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean sits down with Vernon Webb, a leadership coach and mindfulness expert, to uncover the mental roadblocks that keep professionals from reaching their full potential.

Vernon shares his fascinating journey—from discovering the Silva Mind Control Method in the 1970s to coaching Fortune 500 companies and government institutions on harnessing the power of the subconscious mind. Learn how meditation, visualization, and belief systems can directly impact sales, influence, and overall business success.

This episode is a must-listen for sales professionals, real estate agents, insurance brokers, and business leaders looking to break through mental barriers and elevate their performance.

Key Topics Covered:

• How Vernon discovered the Silva Method and its impact on his life
• The science behind brainwave states and their connection to success
• Why belief systems shape sales outcomes more than we realize
• How to reprogram your subconscious for confidence and high performance
• The similarities between Vernon’s coaching and Tony Robbins' mindset strategies

If you’re ready to shift your mindset and unlock new levels of success, tune in now!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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