The Real Estate Espresso Podcast

Victor Menasce
  • 4.9 (132)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED DAILY

Welcome to The Real Estate Espresso Podcast, your morning shot of what's new in the world of real estate investing. Join investor, syndicator, developer, and author Victor J. Menasce as he shares his daily real estate investment outlook. Our weekday episodes deliver 5 minutes of high-energy, high-impact content to fuel your success. Plus, don't miss our weekend editions featuring exclusive interviews with renowned guests such as Robert Kiyosaki, Robert Helms, Peter Schiff, and more.

  1. 3H AGO

    My AI Agent Hacked A Website

    As part of my ongoing research for the podcast, I’ve been using AI to help streamline information gathering. That, in itself, is not too controversial. If you’re tracking multiple markets, multiple asset classes, and multiple sources of institutional research, there’s nothing unreasonable about wanting a faster way to collect reports, summarize themes, and identify what’s changed. I installed an autonomous AI agent on my computer. I asked the agent to locate and download any new research reports from the major brokerages, CBRE, JLL, Marcus & Millichap, Colliers, and others. In my mind, that was a simple productivity task. Go find the latest market reports, download them, organize them, and save me the repetitive work. I asked it to perform this task every Sunday morning so that I would have a fresh download of reports to choose from each week. Some of the websites accepted normal interaction. Some did not. A number of them rejected queries that appeared to come from automated sources. In some cases, even with valid login credentials, the websites still resisted the activity. And this is where the experience changed. The agent became more persistent than I was comfortable with. It interpreted the blocked access not as a signal to stop, but as a problem to solve. It began trying alternate paths to achieve the objective. I didn't compromise the website and I didn't get access to files that I could not otherwise get through a browser interface. I’m not going to get into methods, because that’s not the point, and frankly that’s where the ethical and legal lines become very important. But in that moment, I realized something profound. Without intending to, I had placed myself in the role of someone effectively attempting to circumvent the security controls of a brokerage website. ------------- **Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)

    6 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Asking Better Strategic Questions

    Today, I want to talk about the right questions to be asking when it comes to adopting AI in your business. There’s a lot of noise around AI right now. Most of the conversation is centered on fear. People are asking whether AI will replace jobs, reduce headcount, or make certain roles obsolete. Those questions may be understandable, but they’re not the most useful strategic questions. In many cases, they’re the wrong questions. If the only thing you ask is, “How many fewer people do we need?”, you’re already thinking too small. That’s a cost-cutting mindset. It assumes the opportunity is limited to doing the same work with fewer resources. But the better question is, “What can we do now that was previously impossible?” That’s the real opportunity. ------------ **Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)

    5 min

  3. 1D AGO

    Master Planned Communities with Tom Staub

    Tom Staub is based in Austin Texas where he develops master planned communities through central and south-east Texas. On today's show we are talking about the attraction and challenges of land development. To connect with Tom, visit https://redoakvc.com/ ----------- **Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)

    12 min

  4. 2D AGO

    Looking Into The Future with Robby Butler

    Robby Butler is Managing Director at Y Street Capital. He's based in St. Louis plays a key role in our company. On today's show we are talking about how real estate trends are affecting long term strategies of investing. To connect with Robby , visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/robby-butler/ or at https://ystreetcapital.com --------------- **Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)

    18 min

  5. 3D AGO

    Stagflation Will Be Back

    On today’s show we are talking about a parallel between present day circumstances and 1973. The mid 1970’s were characterized by the simultaneous surge in inflation and economic contraction. These were events that were up until that point considered to be mutually exclusive.  The embargo didn't just cause a temporary blip; it changed the structural behavior of the U.S. economy. Even after the embargo ended in 1974, inflation expectations remained high.  As prices rose, workers demanded higher wages to keep up. Employers then raised prices again to cover the higher wages, creating a self-reinforcing loop of inflation. If the oil supply remains constricted for more than a few weeks, I predict that stagflation will be upon us. It’s a remake of the same movie with different actors.

    6 min

  6. 5D AGO

    How Many More Data Centers Do We Need?

    When I first started my training in electrical engineering I was using a large mainframe computer at the university. Most other students had to book time in one of the terminal rooms to gain access to the computer. They were limited to 60 minutes at a time. I purchased my own terminal which I had in my bedroom and got a second phone line and I had unlimited access to the computer.  I also purchased one of the first personal computers. It had a tiny screen and it broke the link that tied me to the university mainframe. Fast forward to today and we all know how the distributed nature of computing has pushed the majority of processing into the palm of your hand.  That doesn’t mean data centers have disappeared. Today those traditional computing data centres provide a lot of the backbone that cannot practically processed on a personal device.  If you look at the state of AI today, the vast majority of the computing is being done in a data center.  I believe the Apple strategy is worth further examination because if Apple is correct, the demand for data centres will be reduced, but not eliminated. ------------ **Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)

    5 min

  7. 5D AGO

    The HUD Express Lane

    Today we’re talking about the HUD Express Lane initiative. Now, whenever government launches something called an Express Lane, people naturally assume it means the opposite. That’s not what this is. This is not a magic wand. It is not a relaxation of standards. It is not a broad-based shortcut for every borrower and every property type. It is much more specific than that, and once you understand the details, there’s a very important lesson in it for real estate investors.  HUD announced the Express Lane on July 10, 2025, for FHA-insured Section 232/223(f) transactions involving residential care facilities. In plain English, we’re talking about skilled nursing, memory care, assisted living, and board-and-care properties financed through HUD’s healthcare lending platform. For eligible low-risk refinance applications, HUD said the new process could reduce the time from application submission to issuance of a Firm Commitment from as much as 150 days down to roughly 10 to 15 days.  ------------- **Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)

    6 min

  8. MAR 10

    Hidden Property Tax Triggers

    Last week we talked about property taxes being reset when land changes hands. That is true, but it is not the whole story. One of our listeners, Steve related a personal story which I’m going to share here. He writes: Your property tax episode struck home.  My family owned what started as landfill since 1969 in California.  In the late 90’s it was full and a race track built on it.   The track builders signed a 25 year ground lease with extensions.  Since the lease was this long it was deemed an effective sale.  Taxes went from 15k/ year to over $200k per year.  Years later when we had to evict the tenants we got stuck with the new amount 😂🤣.  If the lease was structured differently this could have been avoided.   Expensive family lessons learned by my dad or grandpa are branded into my memory. Yes, Steve, this is a nuance that I missed in my earlier episode. In some jurisdictions, a reassessment can be triggered even when the deed never changes hands. A long-term ground lease can do it. An assignment of that lease can do it. In at least one important jurisdiction, a tenant default that terminates the lease can do it. And if you own property inside an entity, sometimes the transfer of interests in the entity can do it too.  ------------ **Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)

    6 min
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4.9
out of 5
132 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Real Estate Espresso Podcast, your morning shot of what's new in the world of real estate investing. Join investor, syndicator, developer, and author Victor J. Menasce as he shares his daily real estate investment outlook. Our weekday episodes deliver 5 minutes of high-energy, high-impact content to fuel your success. Plus, don't miss our weekend editions featuring exclusive interviews with renowned guests such as Robert Kiyosaki, Robert Helms, Peter Schiff, and more.

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