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.

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean sits down with Mindy Henderson, Vice President of Disability Outreach and Empowerment at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Mindy shares her personal journey with spinal muscular atrophy, her work in advocacy, and the crucial role of universal design in creating inclusive environments. She also discusses the gaps in ADA regulations, offering insights into how property owners can go beyond compliance to ensure better accessibility for all.

What You’ll Learn

• The significance of universal design and how it benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities.
• Mindy’s personal story of defying medical expectations and how it shaped her career.
• The potential business benefits of catering to individuals with disabilities, including tapping into a $21 billion market.
• Practical ways building owners can implement inclusive design without compromising aesthetics.

Guest Bio Mindy Henderson is the Vice President of Disability Outreach and Empowerment at the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A passionate advocate, speaker, and author, she has dedicated her career to advancing accessibility and inclusion. She lives with spinal muscular atrophy and uses her lived experience to inspire change in the corporate and public sectors.

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean sits down with Carla Pecoraro to dive into her fascinating journey from the restaurant industry to becoming a force in commercial real estate. Carla shares her experience of growing up with a family involved in real estate investments and how her early exposure to fix-and-flip projects in Marin County helped shape her career. She also discusses her transition from working in the Michelin-star restaurant scene to cold calling at Marcus & Millichap and how she found her niche in commercial real estate at Compass.

Throughout the conversation, Carla reveals the importance of being adaptable in a constantly changing market and emphasizes the value of cold calling and staying disciplined. Whether it's finding opportunities in the midst of bad news or guiding new business owners through the complexities of SBA loans, Carla shares insightful strategies for success.

Join us to learn more about Carla's passion for real estate, her take on the evolving San Francisco property landscape, and her advice for those considering a career in commercial real estate.

Guest Bio: Carla Pecoraro is a commercial real estate expert with Compass, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area. From her roots in residential investment to her current focus on all asset types, Carla brings a unique perspective to the industry.

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean talks with Mat Piro of California Bridge Loans about the ever-changing world of bridge financing. Mat shares his insight on the latest rate cut by the Fed and how it impacts different loan products, from investment residential term loans to private money options.

We also dive into Mat's experience with a high-profile 84-unit project in Palo Alto, funded amidst challenging circumstances, which ultimately cemented his firm’s reputation in the construction finance space. Mat explains how his company bridges the gap between traditional bank financing and private money lending, offering flexible solutions for real estate investors and developers.

Other topics include:

• The future of interest rates and what might happen next
• The changing landscape of private lending post-2008
• Unique loan products such as DSCR loans and construction loans
• How Mat’s team manages fast-turnaround private lending for clients

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean sits down with Kevin Hanan, the visionary behind CRE Task Wizard, a platform designed to revolutionize how commercial real estate professionals source and manage virtual assistants. Kevin shares his journey from starting as a broker at CBRE, moving into the world of PropTech, and eventually creating CRE Task Wizard. This platform offers specialized virtual assistant services tailored to the needs of brokers, property managers, and investors in commercial real estate. They discuss the growing importance of outsourcing administrative tasks, streamlining lead generation, and using AI tools to enhance efficiency.

Tune in to discover how Kevin’s innovative approach is helping real estate professionals focus on what they do best while his trained virtual assistants handle the rest!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Kevin transitioned from a career in real estate brokerage to founding CRE Task Wizard.
• The unique services CRE Task Wizard offers to brokers, property managers, and investors.
• How AI tools like Clay are transforming lead generation for real estate professionals.
• Why hiring a virtual assistant through CRE Task Wizard is different from traditional freelance services.

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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, Bruce Bean sits down with Jacob Sanchez, a commercial broker with BCCRE in San Jose. Jacob shares his unique journey from studying chemistry at San Jose State University to becoming a well-connected figure in commercial real estate.

Jacob reveals how his professors encouraged him to pursue a more people-oriented career, leading him into sales and eventually commercial real estate. With seven years in the industry, Jacob has carved a niche in industrial spaces and medical offices, working with a wide range of clients—from contractors to doctors.

Throughout the episode, Jacob talks about the challenges of relocating long-standing businesses, managing client expectations, and the importance of maintaining strong local connections in the South Bay area. He also shares his “secret sauce” for success, which lies in his love for people and the art of relationship-building. Whether it’s helping doctors move without losing patients or facilitating strategic business partnerships, Jacob’s passion for his work shines through.

Tune in to this insightful conversation to hear more about how chemistry, communication, and connections are the perfect mix in Jacob’s real estate career.

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