Alternative Investments Chat

Invessio's Erica Lanier and Erin Akers
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Welcome to Alternative Investments Chat—where hosts and listeners dig into industry news, innovative ideas, and alternative investing trends together. Every episode is a discussion: sometimes we uncover what’s shaping the market, sometimes we learn from expert guests. This is the space to explore new approaches, weigh fresh perspectives, and grow smarter—by asking questions and sharing insights as a community. Whether you’re an investing pro or an industry novice, join us as we make the complex approachable for everyone. Brought to you by Invessio.

  1. 4D AGO

    Real Estate After 2008: How the Crash Changed Investing Forever 

    The Great Recession wasn’t just a housing crash, it was a financial chain reaction that reshaped how investors, lenders, and policymakers think about risk, leverage, and real estate forever. In this episode, Erica and Erin unpack how subprime lending, mortgage-backed securities, and complex financial products collided to trigger one of the most severe economic downturns in modern history, and what today’s investors can learn from it. Listen to Learn: How subprime mortgages, adjustable rates, and weak lending standards fueled the housing bubbleWhat mortgage-backed securities, CDOs, and credit default swaps did to the financial systemWhy defaults triggered a global market freeze and historic job and wealth lossesHow government intervention, stimulus, and Dodd-Frank reshaped banking and consumer protectionWhat investors learned about leverage, risk, cash flow, and market psychology after 2008 This conversation is especially valuable for real estate investors, market watchers, and anyone building a long-term portfolio who wants to understand how past crises influence today’s rules, protections, and opportunities. Tune in to the podcast to learn more about how the 2008 financial crisis transformed real estate investing, financial regulation, and long-term investor strategy. Alternate Investments Chat socials:     Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @alternativeinvestmentschat     LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/alternativeinvestmentschat     TikTok: @altinvestmentschat         Parent company socials:     Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @invessio      LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/invessio/

    23 min

  2. FEB 24

    The Buyer’s Market Explained: More Homes, More Leverage

    A buyer’s market doesn’t make headlines, but it can build real wealth. In this episode, Erica and Erin break down what a buyer’s market looks like and why it may be one of the most overlooked opportunities in real estate. While seller’s markets often dominate headlines with bidding wars and soaring prices, buyer’s markets quietly shift the balance of power. More inventory, longer listing times, and increased negotiation leverage can create meaningful advantages for disciplined buyers and long-term investors. Together, Erica and Erin explore the economic forces, behavioral shifts, and market signals that define buyer-friendly conditions, along with what this environment means for acquisitions, exits, and portfolio strategy in today’s evolving housing landscape. Listen to Learn The key indicators: inventory levels, days on market, and price reductions How rising interest rates, migration trends, and affordability shape housing cycles Why negotiation power returns to buyers, and how that changes deal structure What buyer’s markets mean for investors, REITs, and long-term portfolio strategy Why today’s environment may represent a healthy reset rather than a housing crash This episode is especially valuable for first-time homebuyers, real estate investors, and anyone trying to understand where the housing market may be heading next. Tune in to the podcast to learn more about buyer’s markets, real estate cycles, and how smart investors position themselves when leverage shifts. Alternate Investments Chat socials:     Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @alternativeinvestmentschat     LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/alternativeinvestmentschat     TikTok: @altinvestmentschat         Parent company socials:     Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @invessio      LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/invessio/

    19 min

  3. FEB 17

    The Seller’s Market Explained: Housing, Policy, and Smart Money Moves

    A seller’s market is often framed as a win for homeowners and a nightmare for everyone else, but that oversimplification misses the bigger picture. In this episode, Erica and Erin break down what a seller’s market is, what creates it, and how it reshapes strategy for buyers, investors, and institutions alike. From interest rates and zoning laws to tax policy and institutional capital, seller’s markets don’t just drive up prices, they influence timing, behavior, and where long-term capital flows. This conversation goes beyond headlines to explore how REITs and seasoned investors operate inside tight supply environments, why patience matters more than panic, and how history shows these cycles always evolve. Listen to Learn What defines a seller’s market and why scarcity creates leverage The role legislation plays in tightening (or freezing) housing supply Why institutional investors change the rules in competitive markets How REITs benefit from seller’s markets without overpaying How investors can stay disciplined when competition heats up Whether you’re investing, waiting, or just trying to understand today’s housing landscape, this episode gives you the context you need to think clearly in a competitive market. Tune in to the podcast to learn more about seller’s markets, real estate cycles, and how investors navigate periods of extreme demand. Alternate Investments Chat socials:    Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @alternativeinvestmentschat    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/alternativeinvestmentschat    TikTok: @altinvestmentschat       Parent company socials:    Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @invessio     LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/invessio/

    23 min

  4. FEB 10

    Industrial Real Estate: The Backbone of Modern Commerce

    Industrial real estate rarely gets the spotlight, but it’s one of the most essential and resilient asset classes in the global economy. From warehouses and distribution centers to logistics hubs and research facilities, industrial properties are where commerce works behind the scenes. In this episode, Erica and Erin break down what industrial real estate is, how it differs from traditional commercial properties, and why investors are drawn to its long-term leases, tenant responsibility structures, and alignment with e-commerce and global supply chains. They also explore the risks, regulatory considerations, and why this asset class isn’t always beginner-friendly but can be a powerful stabilizer in the right portfolio. Listen to Learn: Why location matters differently for industrial assets than for residential or retail How long-term, triple-net leases shift costs and responsibility to tenants The income potential and operational advantages of industrial properties Key risks, including vacancy, obsolescence, and regulatory changes How investors can access industrial real estate through REITs, funds, and syndications A must listen for investors looking to understand industrial real estate, diversify away from stock market volatility, and gain exposure to long-term economic infrastructure. Tune in to learn more about why it’s considered one of the most quietly essential asset classes in modern portfolios. Alternate Investments Chat socials:   Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @alternativeinvestmentschat   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/alternativeinvestmentschat   TikTok: @altinvestmentschat     Parent company socials:   Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @invessio    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/invessio/

    19 min

  5. FEB 3

    Commercial Real Estate Explained: The Businesses Rent, the Investors Win

    Commercial real estate is everywhere, offices, restaurants, hospitals, warehouses, but most people don’t realize how it actually works behind the scenes. While businesses operate inside these buildings every day, they usually don’t own them. Instead, commercial real estate is typically owned by investors, private groups, REITs, or even government entities, all with very different goals and strategies. Erica and Erin break down what commercial real estate really is, who owns it, who rents it, and how money flows through this powerful asset class. This episode is ideal for investors curious about commercial real estate, business owners who lease space, or anyone looking to understand how large-scale property ownership generates long-term income and stability. Listen to Learn: What qualifies as commercial real estate (and why it’s more than just office buildings)Who owns commercial real estate and why most businesses choose to leaseHow individual investors, private equity groups, REITs, and governments make money in CREThe different investment strategies behind buy-and-hold vs. value-add commercial real estate Tune in to the podcast to learn more about commercial real estate, how ownership works, and why it remains one of the most resilient alternative investments available today. Alternate Investments Chat socials:  Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @alternativeinvestmentschat  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/alternativeinvestmentschat  TikTok: @altinvestmentschat    Parent company socials:  Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @invessio   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/invessio/

    26 min

  6. JAN 27

    From House to Investment: How Residential Real Estate Builds Wealth

    Residential real estate is often viewed simply as “buying a home,” but for investors, it represents one of the most accessible and powerful alternative investment strategies available. From long-term rentals to short-term stays, house hacking, and manufactured housing communities, residential real estate offers multiple ways to generate income, build equity, and diversify beyond traditional markets. In this episode, Erica and Erin break down how residential real estate actually works as an investment, not just in theory, but in practice. They walk through common strategies, the realities of managing rental properties, and what investors should expect when turning a home into an income-producing asset. This episode is ideal for investors exploring real estate for the first time, curious about turning property into passive income, or looking to diversify with tangible, cash-flowing assets. Listen to Learn: Different residential strategies, from long-term rentals to short-term stays The step-by-step process of preparing, listing, and managing rental properties Key differences between long-term and short-term rentals What it takes to purchase a rental property and navigate the buying process The real costs, risks, and responsibilities investors should plan for Tune in to the podcast to learn more about residential real estate investing, how everyday investors can turn homes into income-generating assets, and where this asset class fits into a diversified portfolio. Alternate Investments Chat socials:   Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @alternativeinvestmentschat   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/alternativeinvestmentschat   TikTok: @altinvestmentschat     Parent company socials:   Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @invessio    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/invessio/

    37 min

  7. JAN 20

    Investing in Water: Scarcity, Stability, and the Next Big Global Commodity

    Water is no longer just a basic human necessity; it’s becoming one of the most important alternative investments of the modern era. As clean, accessible freshwater grows increasingly scarce and global demand accelerates, investors, institutions, and governments are beginning to treat water like the critical asset it is. In this episode, Erica and Erin break down why water is being called “the commodity of the century,” how it became financialized, and what that means for portfolios, infrastructure, and global stability. Whether you’re new to alternatives or already investing beyond traditional markets, this conversation unpacks the realities, opportunities, and ethical considerations behind water investing, without the jargon. This episode is especially valuable for investors interested in long-term, defensive assets, ESG-aligned strategies, inflation hedges, and understanding how real-world constraints shape financial markets. Listen to Learn: Why freshwater scarcity is accelerating worldwide and why demand is inelastic How water became a tradable, institutional asset The role of utilities, infrastructure, ETFs, and private capital in water investing How water functions as a quiet inflation hedge and portfolio stabilizer What a global “water investment supercycle” could look like over the next few decades Tune in to the podcast to learn more about water as an alternative investment, how capital is shaping global water systems, and why this asset class may define the future of long-term investing. Alternate Investments Chat socials:   Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @alternativeinvestmentschat   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/alternativeinvestmentschat   TikTok: @altinvestmentschat     Parent company socials:   Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @invessio    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/invessio/

    30 min

  8. JAN 13

    High-Yield CDs: Safe returns without the Stock Market Roller Coaster

    High-Yield certificates of deposit (CDs) may sound like your grandma’s favorite asset, but today they are having a serious comeback moment. In this episode, Erica and Erin break down high-yield CDs in plain language, explaining how they work, why banks are suddenly “thirsty” for your cash, and how you can lock in safe, FDIC-insured returns without stock-market swings. High-yield CDs are a low-drama, predictable way to earn solid interest while keeping your principal protected up to applicable insurance limits. This episode is especially valuable for risk-averse investors, cash-heavy savers, and anyone saving for short-term goals like down payments or big trips. Listeners who are curious about how to balance “fun” investments with safe, guaranteed options can gain practical insight on how high-yield CDs can fit into a modern portfolio. Listen to Learn: What high-yield CDs are and how they differ from traditional CDs The key pros and cons, including safety, limited liquidity, and tax considerations Who high-yield CDs are best suited for, from risk-averse investors to businesses parking extra cash How strategies like CD laddering and multi-bank setups can turn CDs into a smart cash management tool Tune into the podcast to learn how high-yield CDs can be part of a strategy to smooth out portfolio volatility, support your short-term goals, and give you that “responsible adult” feeling, all without a finance degree. Alternate Investments Chat socials:  Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @alternativeinvestmentschat  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/alternativeinvestmentschat  TikTok: @altinvestmentschat    Parent company socials:  Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @invessio   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/invessio/

    22 min
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About

Welcome to Alternative Investments Chat—where hosts and listeners dig into industry news, innovative ideas, and alternative investing trends together. Every episode is a discussion: sometimes we uncover what’s shaping the market, sometimes we learn from expert guests. This is the space to explore new approaches, weigh fresh perspectives, and grow smarter—by asking questions and sharing insights as a community. Whether you’re an investing pro or an industry novice, join us as we make the complex approachable for everyone. Brought to you by Invessio.

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