The Value Builder Podcast

Saul Zenkevicius
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

The Value Builder Podcast delivers real-world strategies for creating lasting value in commercial real estate. Hosted by Saul Zenkevicius, each episode features operators, developers, and investors who specialize in value-add, adaptive reuse, and execution that performs. No fluff—just tested insights that move the needle.

  1. 3d ago

    One Year of Value Builder: The Lessons That Hit the Hardest

    Over the past year, the Value Builder Podcast has featured developers, investors, operators, entrepreneurs, brokers, and builders from across commercial real estate. Different markets. Different strategies. Different backgrounds. Yet certain lessons kept showing up again and again. In this special one-year anniversary episode, Saul reflects on the biggest insights from the first 47 episodes and revisits some of the most memorable moments from guests who shared hard-earned wisdom about business, investing, entrepreneurship, leadership, money, fulfillment, and life. In this episode, you'll hear lessons on: Building wealth without losing sight of what matters Why fundamentals still win in commercial real estate The difference between income and asset ownership Entrepreneurship, risk, and resilience Capital raising and long-term investing Gratitude, generosity, and legacy What the best operators seem to understand that most people miss Whether you've been with us since episode one or you're discovering the show for the first time, this episode captures the themes that shaped the first year of Value Builder. Thank you to every guest, listener, subscriber, and supporter who helped make year one possible. Here's to the next chapter.

    22 min

  2. May 27

    He Built CRE Wealth… Then Realized Something Was Missing

    Shay Yakobovich built commercial real estate wealth, then made a different choice: fewer deals, smaller headaches, and more life.   In this episode, Saul sits down with Shay to talk about what happens after you have enough. They cover passive income, lifestyle creep, gratitude, giving back, and why chasing bigger deals is not always the right answer.   In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Shay stepped away from chasing larger CRE deals How he built a team that lets him work only a few hours a week Why “less is more” became his operating philosophy How gratitude and giving back changed his view of wealth What smaller retail and flex deals can offer that larger deals often cannot Why sleeping well at night became part of his investment criteria   Connect with Shay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shay-yakobovich-783296a3/   This episode is for CRE operators and investors asking a deeper question: what is all this work actually for?

    46 min

  3. May 13

    How to Manage 14,000 Units with Joe Fairless (The $3.9B Blueprint)

    Joe Fairless has built one of the largest multifamily investment platforms in the country, overseeing more than 14,000 units and $3.9B in assets across the Sunbelt. In this episode, Saul sits down with Joe to break down what it actually takes to operate at that scale, how today’s multifamily market is really performing behind the headlines, and why disciplined operations matter more than ever in this cycle. The conversation dives into capital raising, supply pressure, concessions, property management, and the realities of navigating large-scale apartment investing during a shifting market environment. Listener takeaways include: How Joe scaled to 14,000+ units and a $3.9B portfolio What’s really happening in Sunbelt multifamily markets right now Why concessions and supply pressure are lasting longer than expected How institutional-quality operations create long-term stability The importance of diversifying capital sources and investor relationships What experienced operators are watching over the next 12–18 months Whether you're an active multifamily operator, passive investor, syndicator, or CRE entrepreneur, this episode offers a practical look into managing large apartment portfolios through changing market conditions. Connect with Joe Fairless: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefairless Podcast: https://www.bestevercre.com/podcast Website: https://ashcroftcapital.com 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with commercial real estate operators, investors, and builders creating long-term value. #CommercialRealEstate #MultifamilyInvesting #ApartmentInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #CapitalRaising #CRE #ValueBuilderPodcast

    24 min

  4. Apr 29

    Flex Industrial Forecast: Where Rents, Demand & Smart Money Are Headed

    In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Cody Payne of Flex Parks USA, one of the most experienced operators in small bay flex industrial, alongside partner Shea Lewis. With over 20 years in the space and more than 10,000 transactions closed, Cody breaks down what’s actually happening in today’s flex industrial market—from rent trends and tenant demand to why newer metal product is outperforming traditional infill. This conversation goes beyond surface-level insights and gets into what’s really driving pricing, leasing velocity, and investor behavior in 2026. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why newer metal flex parks are commanding higher rents than infill assets The real difference between contractor-driven demand vs growth-driven markets What buyers are actually looking for in stabilized vs value-add deals How tenant mix, clear height, and location impact long-term performance Why basic “commodity” flex space is most at risk of oversupply The key amenities and features that separate top-performing parks From development strategy to disposition insights, this episode gives a clear look at where flex industrial is heading—and how to position yourself on the right side of it. Connect with Cody: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Flex-Space-Domination-Capitalizing-Industrial/dp/B0D385755L LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codypayne/ Online: https://flexbusinessparks.com/

    35 min

  5. Apr 22

    Multifamily Is Breaking: Where Smart Operators Are Actually Winning Now

    Tim Chen brings a ground-level view of what’s actually happening in multifamily today—from rapid expansion during peak markets to navigating one of the toughest cycles in recent memory. After scaling from brokerage into ownership and development, Tim shares how shifting strategies, controlling costs, and thinking long-term are shaping his current approach. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why many multifamily deals are underwater and what caused it How rising rates and stalled rent growth are reshaping underwriting Why development can outperform value-add in certain markets How California’s property tax structure changes long-term strategy Where real deal flow is coming from in today’s market Why vertical integration is becoming a competitive advantage Connect with Tim: Email: tc@connectedcompanies.com Phone: (949) 391-6668 LinkeIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timdchen/ Website: https://www.connectedcompanies.com/ This episode is for operators, investors, and builders who want a clear, honest look at today’s market—and how to adapt without relying on yesterday’s playbook.

    30 min

  6. Apr 8

    Fixing Capital Raise in CRE: Inside GPLPMatch.com

    Aleksey Chernobelskiy went from managing a $10B real estate portfolio to building one of the most practical platforms in CRE capital markets. In this episode, he breaks down how GPLP Match is simplifying the connection between GPs and LPs—without fees, without friction, and without the noise. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why capital raising in CRE is still inefficient How GPLP Match filters and connects the right investors What LPs actually look for beyond IRR Why most deal decks fail before they’re even read The difference between short-term and long-term capital strategies This episode is a clear look at where capital markets are heading—and what operators need to fix if they want to compete. If you're raising capital or deploying it, this one gives a real-world edge. Contact Aleksey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chernobelskiy/ Sign up as a GP or LP at: https://gplpmatch.com/

    25 min

  7. Apr 1

    How to Exit the Grind: Pat Hiban’s Playbook for Horizontal Income & Better Deals

    Pat Hiban of Gobundance has done what most in real estate never reach—over $1B in sales, a dominant team, and a successful transition into multifamily investing and passive income. But what stands out now isn’t what he built… it’s what he walked away from. In this episode, Pat breaks down how he engineered a life working just 90 minutes a day, why he left commissions behind, and the simple framework he now uses to evaluate every opportunity that comes his way. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why high-volume sales eventually stops being the right game The shift from transactional income to true “horizontal” income How the 2008 crash forced a complete career pivot Why most side hustles fail—and how to quit them fast The “Easy, Lucrative, Fun” filter for evaluating deals How Gobundance scaled into a 1,000+ member network organically Pat’s story is a reminder that success isn’t just about building more—it’s about building better, then knowing when to step back. If you're chasing freedom, rethinking your business model, or evaluating what’s actually worth your time, this conversation will recalibrate how you approach the next opportunity.   Contact/Links Email - pat@hiban.com Gobundance - https://gobundance.com Matt King - The Ride - https://gobundance.com/theride   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pat Hiban 03:54 Life Updates and Work Balance 10:31 Transitioning from Real Estate Sales 15:22 Side Hustles and Lessons Learned 22:36 The Journey of Adapt Acquisitions and GoBundance 24:17 The Magic Touch in Business Ventures 25:05 Real Estate Cycles and Future Predictions 28:57 Exploring New Business Models 36:39 The Evolution of GoBundance 45:48 Connecting with Pat Hiban

    48 min

  8. Mar 25

    Dirt to Disposition: 40 Years of Hard Lessons in Commercial Real Estate

    After more than 40 years in commercial real estate, developer, broker, and general contractor Paul Frank shares why he is shifting away from ground-up development and focusing on brokerage and coaching the next generation of operators. In this conversation, Paul and Saul break down what has changed in development economics, entitlement timelines, and permitting costs. From six-figure permit fees to multi-year approval delays, they explore why demand for certain asset classes is strong while new supply remains constrained. They also discuss where opportunity still exists in today’s market, including light industrial shortages, commercial condo strategies, and the long-term value of drive-through retail sites. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why entitlement timelines and permitting costs are reshaping development How developers can adapt by shifting strategy and roles The growing supply-demand gap in light industrial real estate Creative value-add approaches like commercial condo conversions Why drive-through retail sites remain a resilient investment If you want a grounded, real-world perspective on what is actually happening in development today, this episode delivers decades of hard-earned insight. Connect with Paul: Email: paul@pdf-usa.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulfrankpdf/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulfrankpdf/ Web: https://www.pdf-usa.com/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly commercial real estate insights from operators and investors: www.joinvaluebuilder.com

    28 min
See All (47)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

About

The Value Builder Podcast delivers real-world strategies for creating lasting value in commercial real estate. Hosted by Saul Zenkevicius, each episode features operators, developers, and investors who specialize in value-add, adaptive reuse, and execution that performs. No fluff—just tested insights that move the needle.

Information

  • Creator
    Saul Zenkevicius
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Value Builder Podcast

You Might Also Like