CRE Cafecito - CCIM Miami District

Ruben Ruban, CCIM
  • 5.0 (2)
  • INVESTING

The CRE Cafecito - CCIM Miami Podcast is where commercial real estate professionals come to learn, connect, and grow, with a shot of Miami flavor. Hosted by Ruben Ruban, CCIM (aka Ruben the Cuban) this podcast serves up real conversations with industry experts, deep dives into CCIM fundamentals, and timely market insights from South Florida and beyond. Each episode delivers practical nuggets of wisdom you can put to work right away in your commercial real estate business.  Now, grab your cafecito, and let’s fuel success in commercial real estate. ☕ Tune in biweekly for fresh episodes and subscribe to never miss your next CRE breakthrough.

Episodes

  1. FEB 18

    Building Miami’s Future With A Market Maker, Daniel Guerra

    Send a text What does it take to turn a skyline into a story that buyers believe in? We sit with Miami native and market shaper Daniel Guerra to trace the real mechanics behind Brickell’s rise, from construction know‑how and brand strategy to policy wins that clear the runway for bold projects. Daniel grew up on job sites, ran a major subcontractor in his 20s, and now represents top developers delivering towers that anchor entire districts. That experience fuels a simple but powerful idea: the best operators don’t chase comps—they make them. We dig into how selling a condo stack differs from typical brokerage work: you must sell the first and last unit with a plan that holds under pressure. Daniel breaks down the role of curated ground-floor retail, hospitality partnerships, and branded residences like Viceroy and Baccarat in setting expectations—and prices—across Miami’s distinct submarkets. Brickell, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and Doral aren’t interchangeable; each has its own buyers, pricing bands, and amenity logic. We talk through why larger floor plans came roaring back, how Coral Gables’ townhome niche defied skeptics, and how Doral’s amenity-rich model created a walkable, self-contained lifestyle. Beyond the projects, we go inside the civic engine: planning boards, design review, and RPAC’s issue-first advocacy that helped reduce Florida’s business rent tax and safeguard 1031 exchanges. With wealth migration accelerating and firms like Citadel, Microsoft, Amazon, and Blackstone expanding, Daniel highlights a pressing need for private and charter schools to support relocating families. Add Miami’s global flight network, tentpole events like Formula 1 and G20, and steady international demand, and the city’s long runway becomes clear. If you want a grounded playbook for creating value—one that blends construction literacy, brand strategy, and policy fluency—this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share with a colleague who loves Miami or market strategy, and leave a review with the insight that challenged your thinking most. For more information: Christie's International Real Estate Miami Realtors PAC Thanks for joining us on CRE Cafecito, the CCIM Miami Podcast where deals, insights, and Miami flavor come together. For more information on CCIM Miami District please visit: CCIM Miami Website LinkedIn Instagram You can find Ruben the Cuban on LinkedIn.

    33 min

  2. JAN 28

    Cafecito Talk with Patricia Quintana, CCIM: Patience, Guidance, and Grit

    Send a text A warm smile at the door led to a powerhouse career in Miami’s industrial real estate. We sit down with Patricia Quintana to explore how a hospitality background, bold career pivots, and the CCIM designation combined to unlock leadership roles, resilient deal flow, and ultimately the freedom of early retirement. Patricia opens up about her leap from the Miami Heat’s VIP lounge and ad shoots to the gritty, numbers-driven world of warehouse leasing—where she managed 3.5 million square feet, closed hundreds of transactions, and learned why small bay tenants often outlast the headlines. We dive into the mechanics that make South Florida hum: free trade zones that supercharge re-export, the airport and seaport advantages, and the steady pulse of freight forwarders and import-export firms. Patricia breaks down the practical playbook for new and seasoned brokers alike—document representation, master the financial calculator, and build a follow-up system that turns no into not yet. She shares unfiltered stories from the field, from real-life Miami Vice moments to the everyday wins that come from knowing ceiling heights, dock configurations, and power loads cold. What makes Patricia’s story stand out is the human arc behind the numbers. She stepped back to care for her husband, then returned with focus to invest, mentor, and give back. Her message to women in industrial is clear and empowering: show your technical depth, own the room, and let your expertise lead. If you want a grounded, inspiring guide to thriving in commercial real estate—backed by CCIM rigor and Miami street smarts—this conversation delivers insight you can act on today. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find conversations like this. What’s the next skill you’re committing to master this quarter? Thanks for joining us on CRE Cafecito, the CCIM Miami Podcast where deals, insights, and Miami flavor come together. For more information on CCIM Miami District please visit: CCIM Miami Website LinkedIn Instagram You can find Ruben the Cuban on LinkedIn.

    26 min

  3. JAN 17

    Mike Pappas on Miami’s Real Estate Long Game

    Send a text We chart Miami’s journey from a 1926 hurricane launch to a global finance hub, and how discipline, density, and demographics shape values. Mike Pappas shares cycles survived, why CCIM skills matter, and the long-game moves that keep firms resilient. • Keyes Realty’s origins, leadership transition, and growth strategy • CCIM as the language of real estate and decision framework • Owning real estate to stabilize a brokerage through downturns • Lessons from cycles: 1981, early 1990s, and 2008 to 2011 • Miami’s post‑COVID inflows, land scarcity, and density premium • Office recovery, construction costs, and negative leverage risk • Affordability pressures, regional shifts, and micro‑CBD growth • Conservative debt, swaps, and cash flow discipline • Street‑level prospecting, database rigor, and client motivation • 2030 goals to double volume and expand commercial platform www.keyes.com Thanks for joining us on CRE Cafecito, the CCIM Miami Podcast where deals, insights, and Miami flavor come together. For more information on CCIM Miami District please visit: CCIM Miami Website LinkedIn Instagram You can find Ruben the Cuban on LinkedIn.

    49 min

  4. 10/08/2025

    From Returns to Redesigns, How George Dargham turned returned office furniture into a growth engine for Miami's workplaces

    Send a text What happens when curiosity meets execution? George Dargham, founder of Office Furniture 4 Sale, shares how a logistics insight sparked a thriving business. Hear how he scaled from local ads to global sourcing, mastered rapid installs, and embraced “resimercial” design to meet the modern workplace. Office Furniture 4 Sale website Thanks for joining us on CRE Cafecito, the CCIM Miami Podcast where deals, insights, and Miami flavor come together. For more information on CCIM Miami District please visit: CCIM Miami Website LinkedIn Instagram You can find Ruben the Cuban on LinkedIn.

    33 min

  5. 09/26/2025

    Seeds That Grow: How One Inspector Built Miami's Largest Inspection Company with Luis Perez

    Send a text Luis Perez of TrueView shares his rise from working construction summers to building Florida’s largest inspection company. In this cafecito chat, he unpacks Miami-Dade’s strict recertification rules, why they apply to more properties than many realize, and how proactive inspections protect both investments and lives.  You can get in touch with Luis at luis@truviewinspections.com or visit True View's website. Miami Dade Recertification Website Thanks for joining us on CRE Cafecito, the CCIM Miami Podcast where deals, insights, and Miami flavor come together. For more information on CCIM Miami District please visit: CCIM Miami Website LinkedIn Instagram You can find Ruben the Cuban on LinkedIn.

    35 min

  6. 09/25/2025

    Loopnet, CoStar, and Ten-X: How Digital Marketing Shapes Miami's Real Estate Landscape with Brian Gonzalez

    Send a text What happens when Miami’s unstoppable growth meets cutting-edge real estate tech? Brian Gonzalez of Loopnet reveals how search demand is soaring, office space is thriving, and digital platforms are changing the game. Tune in for insider tips and a fresh look at South Florida’s CRE market. To get in touch with Brian, you can email him at bgonzalez@costar.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.  Thanks for joining us on CRE Cafecito, the CCIM Miami Podcast where deals, insights, and Miami flavor come together. For more information on CCIM Miami District please visit: CCIM Miami Website LinkedIn Instagram You can find Ruben the Cuban on LinkedIn.

    25 min

  7. 09/25/2025

    Wealth Management Strategies for Real Estate Professionals from Henry Silva

    Send a text Wealth Advisor Henry Silva reveals how CRE owners and brokers avoid costly tax pitfalls. Hear about a costly lesson from a CRE transaction, the “Freedom Fund” framework for variable income, and smart entity setups that keep more in your pocket. Practical, tactical, and made for dealmakers. Ready to explore how wealth management strategies can benefit your commercial real estate practice and clients? Connect with Henry Silva on LinkedIn or at henry.silva@apollonwealth.com to continue the conversation. Apollon Wealth Management, LLC (Apollon) is an investment advisor registered with the SEC. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax or legal advice. It is not a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investing involves risk, and clients should carefully consider their own investment objectives and never rely on any single chart, graph, or marketing piece to make decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results. When information is sourced from third-parties, although believed to be reliable, it has not been independently verified and its accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Opinions are subject to change as market conditions evolve. Please consult a licensed professional before making investment, tax, or legal decisions. Thanks for joining us on CRE Cafecito, the CCIM Miami Podcast where deals, insights, and Miami flavor come together. For more information on CCIM Miami District please visit: CCIM Miami Website LinkedIn Instagram You can find Ruben the Cuban on LinkedIn.

    33 min

  8. 09/25/2025

    From Wisconsin to Miami: Louis Archambault's Journey Through Commercial Real Estate

    Send a text From Wisconsin winters to Miami sunshine, Louis Archambault’s journey shaped his unique perspective on law and real estate. In this cafecito chat, the Saul Ewing partner and CCIM Miami board member shares insights on Miami’s industrial market, creative deal-making, and the philosophy behind condo law. Tune in for a dynamic conversation blending personal story, market trends, and fresh strategies for navigating South Florida CRE.  Visit Louis website Thanks for joining us on CRE Cafecito, the CCIM Miami Podcast where deals, insights, and Miami flavor come together. For more information on CCIM Miami District please visit: CCIM Miami Website LinkedIn Instagram You can find Ruben the Cuban on LinkedIn.

    35 min
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The CRE Cafecito - CCIM Miami Podcast is where commercial real estate professionals come to learn, connect, and grow, with a shot of Miami flavor. Hosted by Ruben Ruban, CCIM (aka Ruben the Cuban) this podcast serves up real conversations with industry experts, deep dives into CCIM fundamentals, and timely market insights from South Florida and beyond. Each episode delivers practical nuggets of wisdom you can put to work right away in your commercial real estate business.  Now, grab your cafecito, and let’s fuel success in commercial real estate. ☕ Tune in biweekly for fresh episodes and subscribe to never miss your next CRE breakthrough.

Information

  • Creator
    Ruben Ruban, CCIM
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 © 2025 CCIM Florida Chapter - Miami District
  • Show Website
    CRE Cafecito - CCIM Miami District