First, Worst, Best, & Next

Brad Weaver

First, Worst, Best, and Next Podcast is the ultimate real estate investing podcast where top investors share their most eye-opening deals—their first investment, their worst failure, their biggest success, and what’s next on their horizon. Hosted by industry experts, this show uncovers hard-earned lessons from seasoned professionals, giving listeners a front-row seat to the strategies, missteps, and triumphs that shaped their careers. Whether you’re an experienced investor or just starting out, you’ll gain invaluable insights into multifamily and apartment investing, along with other asset classes. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to scale your portfolio by avoiding costly mistakes and capitalizing on proven strategies. If you’re looking to grow in the real estate investing space, First, Worst, Best, and Next Podcast is your go-to resource for expert wisdom and real-world experience.

  1. -5 ДН.

    Beyond the First Deal: Scaling a Real Estate Portfolio with Ian Cruz

    In this episode, Brad chats with Ian Cruz, a former CPA and boxing coach who has successfully transitioned into multifamily real estate. Ian shares his journey from his roots in big four public accounting to becoming a value-add multifamily investor focused on the Cincinnati, Ohio market. He discusses the importance of building a strong local team when investing out of state, the value of in-person networking, and how a disciplined approach—honed from his years as a boxer—helps him navigate the inevitable challenges of real estate.   🔑 Key Topics Covered: How the discipline from boxing translated into success in real estate. The importance of building a local "boots on the ground" team for out-of-state investing. Why finding a local general partner (GP) with a property management and renovation company was a massive win. The benefit of a previous failed deal in building trust with investors. How to create "certainty of close" to win deals against higher bidders. The strategic advantage of buying properties that have fallen out of contract. Lessons learned from a "worst" deal, including the challenges of dealing with older assets and uncooperative sellers. How a successful first deal with a partner led to the acquisition of a much larger, 70-unit portfolio. The competitive advantage of operating in the "sub-institutional" space. How Ian is building a community of over 200 investors interested in the Cincinnati market. 💬 Memorable Quotes: "If you're raising capital when you have the deal, it's too late ". "You almost have to shake hands with the city you're investing in too ".   🔗 Connect with Ian Cruz: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cincycashflow/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbcruz/   🎙️ Connect with Host Brad Weaver: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradweaver

    34 мин.
  2. 5 СЕНТ.

    Bruce Fraser on Distressed Multifamily and Macro Investing

    In this episode, Brad chats with Bruce Fraser, a Forbes Real Estate Council Member and Managing Partner at Elkhorn Capital Partners. Bruce shares his unique journey from running a successful hedge fund for over a decade to becoming a multifamily investor. He explains how his background in macroeconomics led him to focus on hard assets, specifically distressed multifamily properties, as a hedge against inflation. Bruce also provides incredible insight into why his firm is a go-to buyer for brokers and lenders, and why trust and discipline are paramount to success in real estate.   🔑 Key Topics Covered: Why Bruce pivoted from managing a hedge fund to investing in real estate. Elkhorn Capital's focus on distressed multifamily turnarounds and why they don't invest in Dallas. The "first deal" that yielded a 50% return in just 14 months and the lessons learned from the buyer who overpaid. The challenges of managing a "worst deal" with drug dealers and the importance of having a proactive plan. How being vertically integrated and financially incentivizing staff leads to stunning results. The "home run" deal that was a Freddie Mac foreclosure and the "good problems" of a successful recapitalization. Why reputation and certainty of close are invaluable with brokers and lenders. Bruce's outlook on inflation and why he continues to acquire hard assets.     💬 Memorable Quotes: "You make the money on the buy... you just have to be disciplined." — Bruce Fraser “You can't get emotional about winning a deal and overpaying. Then you're kind of stuck with an albatross.” — Bruce Fraser "It's about bottom line... we're not just about expense minimization." — Bruce Fraser "It's just numbers... All you have to do is pay attention to it." — Bruce Fraser   🔗 Connect with Bruce Fraser: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-fraser-8806295/ 🌐 Website: https://elkhornpartners.com/     🎙️ Connect with Host Brad Weaver: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradweaver

    44 мин.
  3. 3 СЕНТ.

    From Cybersecurity to $217M in Real Estate: Tenny Tolafari's Journey

    In this episode, Brad connects with Tenny Tolafari, a cybersecurity professional turned real estate mogul and co-founder of Xsite Capital. Tenny shares his incredible journey from working 60-hour weeks in corporate America to building and managing a $217 million real estate portfolio. He recounts the full-circle story of a cold call that led to a valuable connection, the challenges of landing their first deal, and the importance of having the right team in place. Tenny also reveals how Xsite Capital navigated the complexities of a $49.1 million transaction and the valuable lessons learned from it.   🔑 Key Topics Covered: Tenny's transition from the corporate world to full-time real estate. The "secret sauce" of Xsite Capital's success: putting the right people in the right seats. The persistence required to build relationships with key players in the industry, like brokers. The story of their first deal, a $12.55 million acquisition that turned into a $5.3 million profit in 21 months. The unexpected fire that broke out just two weeks after closing their first property. The biggest challenge in today's market: raising capital for large transactions. Why the real goal isn't just to achieve something, but to become the person capable of achieving it. Xsite Africa's vision of creating a bidirectional investment bridge between Africa and the US. 💬 Memorable Quotes: "Relationship is a key important component... You have to think about this long term." — Tenny Tolafari "That's why we created Exsite [Capital] so that you don't have to worry about the challenge." — Tenny Tolafari "The essence of a goal is not for you to hit the goal, but for you to become the person that's capable of hitting that goal." — Tenny Tolafari 🔗 Connect with Tenny Tolafari: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ttolofari/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenny-tolofari 🌐 Website: https://www.xsitecapital.com/tenny 🎙️ Connect with Host Brad Weaver: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradweaver

    29 мин.
  4. 1 СЕНТ.

    Lessons from a $650M Portfolio: Insights from Real Estate Veteran Dusty Eddy

    In this episode, Brad chats with Dusty Eddy, founder of Eddy Capital Group, and a veteran real estate investor with over 23 years of experience. Dusty, who has led over $650 million in multifamily investments and completed 15 full-cycle deals with impressive returns, shares his journey from an institutional background to building his own firm. He discusses the importance of local expertise in avoiding bad deals and leveraging relationships. Dusty also opens up about his best and worst deals, revealing how even a "worst" deal can yield fantastic returns and what he learned from each one. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: Dusty's journey from an analyst at a prior firm to a solo real estate investor The importance of having "boots on the ground" and deep local market knowledge The challenges and advantages of buying from "mom and pop" owners The story of a "worst" deal that still generated a 26% IRR and 1.6x equity multiple The flawless execution of a "best" deal that delivered an 80% IRR and 4.4x equity multiple at the peak of the market The value of pushing rents and increasing NOI to create a floor for property valuation The long-term strategy of focusing on A and B locations with a value-add approach The benefits of adding creative amenities like private patios and outdoor spaces What's next for Eddy Capital Group and the importance of building a dedicated team 💬 Memorable Quotes: "Being local helps you avoid more bad deals than necessarily get good deals." — Dusty Eddy "Sometimes you literally get a rent roll on a napkin... I'm exaggerating, but not very much to be honest." — Dusty Eddy "The positive and the negative is that investors start to think that's normal and that's like, that's right, you're gonna do that every time, right?" — Dusty Eddy 🔗 Connect with Dusty Eddy: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dusty-eddy-mba-5630b53 🌐 Website: https://eddycapgrp.com/   🎙️ Connect with Host Brad Weaver: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradweaver

    33 мин.
  5. 27 АВГ.

    From Start-Up to $1 Billion Portfolio: Lessons in Commercial Real Estate with Carlos Salguero

    In this episode, Brad chats with Carlos Salguero, an entrepreneur and real estate expert with over 20 years of business and investment experience. After starting four seven-figure companies and exiting one for an eight-figure sum, Carlos is now focused on helping others invest in commercial real estate and building a $1 billion portfolio. He shares how his father's life inspired his interest in real estate and recounts the story of his first commercial deal—a 50,000-square-foot warehouse he purchased for his business. He also discusses a more recent, large-scale mixed-use property he acquired in Tennessee, explaining the importance of hands-on management and a strong business plan. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: The Path to Real Estate: Carlos shares how watching his father live off the rent from a warehouse complex he built influenced his own investment philosophy. The First Big Deal: The story of how Carlos bought a 50,000-square-foot warehouse in Denver, navigating dishonest brokers, a difficult seller's agent, and unexpected renovation costs to see the property’s value increase from $1.2 million to over $8 million. Active vs. Passive Investing: The difference between being a limited partner (LP), who simply writes a check, and a sponsor (GP), who actively runs the deal like a business. Lessons from a Challenging Deal: The journey of acquiring a Class A mixed-use property in Tennessee and overcoming challenges like a lender reducing proceeds by $1 million. The Power of Hustle: How Carlos and his team went from 66% commercial vacancy to 100% leased in just three years by actively seeking out tenants, rather than relying on a broker. Why Reputation is Everything: The importance of maintaining a five-star reputation online and keeping tenants happy, a lesson Carlos learned from his e-commerce background. The Next Chapter: Carlos outlines his goal to acquire $100-200 million in Class A assets annually and reach a $1 billion portfolio by 2030. 💬 Memorable Quotes: "I always thought that trading cash for real assets was a great idea." — Carlos Salguero "That's the power of real estate, right? Even folks that don't have systems and don't do things right... they can make money." — Carlos Salguero "Nobody will hustle more than you will for yourself." — Carlos Salguero 🔗 Connect with Carlos Salguero: 🌐 Website: https://cs3investments.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcarlosinfinite 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cssalguero/ 🎙️ Connect with Host Brad Weaver: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradweaver

    54 мин.
  6. 18 АВГ.

    40 Years of Real Estate Experience with Arn Cenedella

    In this episode, Brad chats with Arn Cenedella, founder of Spark Investment Group, who brings over 40 years of real estate experience, including 35 years as a realtor in Silicon Valley. Arn shares his transition from single-family to multi-family real estate investing, the lessons learned from his biggest investing mistake during the 2008 subprime crisis, and his strategy for building long-term wealth. He also discusses the benefits of syndication and how he leverages his experience and network to help others invest in the growing Greenville, South Carolina market. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: Arn's journey from a residential broker in Silicon Valley to a multi-family syndicator in Greenville, South Carolina. The transition from single-family to multi-family investing, and the differences in acquiring commercial versus residential properties. The details of his first multi-family deal: a 43-unit property in Greenville, South Carolina, and why having fixed-rate debt was crucial. How Arn built his investor pool and gained confidence for his first syndication deal, leveraging his past real estate relationships. The scalability of multi-family investing compared to single-family properties. Arn's biggest investing mistake: a condo purchase in Hawaii just before the 2008 subprime crisis, and the lesson of not over-leveraging. The importance of having cash reserves to ride out market downturns and the long-term outlook on real estate appreciation. A "home run" deal involving subdividing a large lot to create significant value. Flipping versus wholesaling as entry points for new real estate investors with limited capital. An explanation of different types of syndication deals (506b and 506c) and the difference between accredited and sophisticated investors. 💬 Memorable Quotes: “If you don't know what you're aiming for, you hit it 100% of the time.” — Arn Cenedella “The truth is, if you make investments, occasionally you're going to make mistakes and you're going to have failures.” — Arn Cenedella “If an investment's only going to work when things are going perfect, you don't have much protection on the downside.” — Arn Cenedella “You’re only in trouble when you need to sell.” — Brad Weaver Connect with Arn Cenedella: Website: https://www.investwithspark.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arncenedella/ Facebook Spark Investment Group - https://www.facebook.com/investwithspark/ Connect with Host Brad Weaver: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradweaver

    37 мин.
  7. 9 ИЮЛ.

    From LP to Operator to Business Owner: Sam Khairi’s Pivot from Real Estate to Entrepreneurship

    In this episode, Brad chats with Sam Khairi, founder of Afto Capital and a former mechanical engineer who walked away from a secure 15-year career to chase freedom through real estate and business ownership. Sam shares his journey from passive investor (LP) to active syndicator (GP), the challenges of entering the multifamily space full-time in 2022, and how he's now scaling a portfolio of small businesses with the long-term goal of fueling real estate investments.   🔑 Key Topics Covered: Why Sam’s first LP investment was the best decision he ever made The lessons and missteps of trying to “go big” in syndication too fast Pivoting into small business acquisition when multifamily deals stopped penciling Why buying a $65K house in Cleveland taught him more than any course The difference between LPs and GPs—and which role might be right for you Key struggles of running remote service-based businesses Why Sam is choosing corporate ownership over franchising The long-term strategy: using cash-flowing businesses to fund hard-asset real estate plays   💬 Memorable Quotes: “I thought I’d raise all the capital and become the next Grant Cardone... and reality hit fast.” — Sam Khairi “That $65K house beat the crap out of me, but I learned more from it than anything else.” — Sam Khairi “Two plus two doesn’t equal four in small business—it equals ten. That’s the power of scale.” — Sam Khairi   🔗 Connect with Sam Khairi: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsamkhairi 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samkhairi   🎙️ Connect with Host Brad Weaver: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradweaver

    33 мин.
  8. 2 ИЮЛ.

    From Wholesaling Hustle to 400+ Units: How Marine Veteran Joseph Kimbrough Built a Real Estate Empire

    In this episode, Brad sits down with Joseph Kimbrough, Marine Corps veteran turned entrepreneur, and the CEO of both Baruk Capital Group and Apex Real Estate Investments. Joseph’s journey started with door-knocking and speeding tickets—and led to creative financing on a 400+ unit deal in Phoenix. We talk wholesaling, multifamily syndications, the importance of investor communication, and why niche assets like workforce housing are key to the future.   🔑 Key Topics Covered: How Joseph went from the Marines to door-knocking real estate leads The $10K wholesale deal that launched his investing career Why he raised $11M for his first 160-unit multifamily investment Lessons learned from paused distributions and floating-rate debt The difference between a syndication and a fund—and why Joseph favors the latter What makes a deal "niche" (and why investors love it right now) Why owning a roofing or landscaping business could improve your NOI Inside the 2.9% fixed-rate Phoenix deal with 400+ units   💬 Memorable Quotes: “If I need a rifle to go check on one of my properties, I shouldn’t own it.” — Joseph Kimbrough “Track record is great—until things hit the fan. Then experience means a lot less than resilience.” — Joseph Kimbrough “People don’t want cookie-cutter anymore. They want niche deals—workforce housing, DOD projects, real impact.” — Joseph Kimbrough   🔗 Connect with Joseph Kimbrough: 📧 Email: joseph@barukcapitalgroup.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephkimbrough 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephkimbrough   🎙️ Connect with Host Brad Weaver: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradweaver

    23 мин.

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First, Worst, Best, and Next Podcast is the ultimate real estate investing podcast where top investors share their most eye-opening deals—their first investment, their worst failure, their biggest success, and what’s next on their horizon. Hosted by industry experts, this show uncovers hard-earned lessons from seasoned professionals, giving listeners a front-row seat to the strategies, missteps, and triumphs that shaped their careers. Whether you’re an experienced investor or just starting out, you’ll gain invaluable insights into multifamily and apartment investing, along with other asset classes. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to scale your portfolio by avoiding costly mistakes and capitalizing on proven strategies. If you’re looking to grow in the real estate investing space, First, Worst, Best, and Next Podcast is your go-to resource for expert wisdom and real-world experience.

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