Miami Dealmakers

Omar Morales
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Business

Miami Dealmakers is a podcast hosted by Omar Morales, a commercial real estate broker who has closed over $3 billion worth of deals in South Florida. This gives Omar access to some of the most prolific real estate dealmakers not only in South Florida, but across the country. This MDM podcast gives an inside scoop into the conversations and insights that power some of the most active real estate professionals in the field.

  1. Jun 18

    Moshe Popack | 11 Kids, Contrarian Investing, and the Spiritual Foundation Behind It All

    In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Moshe Popack, a South Florida real estate investor and father of 11, to discuss building wealth through contrarian thinking, spiritual grounding, and a long-term mindset. Moshe shares his journey from New York — navigating law school, a crashed market, and three kids and no job at 29 — to amassing over 2.5 million square feet of commercial real estate across South Florida and beyond. They dig into his investment philosophy: buying distressed office, multifamily, and assisted living assets when institutions are fleeing, structuring deals with certainty, and compounding returns through refinancing. Moshe also walks through two recent contrarian office plays that generated outsized returns. But the conversation goes deeper than dealmaking — exploring spirituality, unconditional love as a leadership principle, and what 11 kids teach you about patience, empathy, and letting go of judgment. This episode is a rare look at a dealmaker who operates from the inside out. ==================== AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildpass.ai/us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ==================== 0:00 - Intro1:40 - Law School, Marriage & Moving to Miami7:10 - Spirituality, Abundance & Entrepreneurship15:37 - Turning $10,000 into a Six-Figure Profit18:07 - Building a Multifamily Portfolio During the Crash24:04 - The Investment Philosophy Behind His Success28:44 - Finding Opportunity in Senior Housing31:49 - The Workforce Housing Challenge36:17 - Building Wealth by Creating Value for Others41:20 - The Miramar and Atlanta Office Deals49:37 - Why Certainty Wins Deals51:45 - Raising 11 Children While Building a Business1:00:36 - Advice to His Younger Self & Closing Thoughts

    1h 8m

  2. Jun 3

    Sam Nazarian | Turning a Lifestyle Brand Into a Billion-Dollar Exit

    In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Sam Nazarian, founder of SBE Entertainment Group, to discuss building one of the world's most influential luxury lifestyle hospitality companies—and selling it for nearly $1 billion. Sam shares his origin story as an Iranian immigrant who grew up in Los Angeles, his early entrepreneurial ventures in telecom and real estate, and how a passion for boutique hotels led him to create SLS, Hyde, Mondrian, and a portfolio that spanned 45 hotels across nine countries. They break down the strategy behind SBE's three-pronged approach to nightlife, restaurants, and hotels, the landmark partnership with Jorge Perez that helped define modern Miami, and the mechanics of building a lifestyle brand that developers around the world wanted to attach their buildings to. This episode is packed with lessons on brand building, strategic partnerships, and what it takes to reinvent yourself after reaching the top of an industry. ==================== AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildpass.ai/us⁠⁠⁠⁠ ==================== 0:00 - Intro1:49 - From Tehran to L.A. & His First Company Exit13:49 - Discovering the Boutique Hotel World20:18 - Building SBE & SLS27:36 - Navigating the Great Financial Crisis33:29 - Partnering with Jorge Pérez & Scaling the Brand Globally51:39 - Acquiring Morgans Hotel Group1:00:22 - Selling SBE to Accor for $850M1:17:29 - Launching The Estate & Longevity Hospitality1:24:36 - HQ Hotels & the Edgewater Project1:38:35 - Closing Advice

    1h 43m

  3. May 20

    David Martin on Building Terra and Shaping the Miami Skyline

    In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with David Martin, CEO of Terra, to discuss building one of South Florida's most influential real estate development firms. David shares the story behind his Cuban-American roots, his entrepreneurial path from a college coffee shop to launching Terra at 23, and how mentors, capital partners, and hard-won lessons shaped his approach to development. They break down Terra's strategy of going deep in a handful of neighborhoods rather than expanding geographically, along with David's philosophy on design-driven development, community impact, and why parks and green space are core to every project. This episode is packed with lessons on entrepreneurship, placemaking, and building a legacy in South Florida real estate. ==================== AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildpass.ai/us⁠⁠⁠ ==================== 0:00 - Intro1:56 - From Selling a Coffee Shop to Starting Terra at 23 years old6:23 - Early Projects and Learning Development From Scratch9:52 - Surviving Multiple Downturns15:46 - Building Relationships, Trust & the “Working CEO” Mentality22:14 - Walkability, Wellness & Building Neighborhoods That Last29:42 - Behind the Coconut Grove Transformation36:42 - Parks, Public Space & the Five Park Vision44:53 - Family and Legacy50:24 - How Quantum Helped Transform Downtown Miami55:31 - Why Terra Only Develops in South Florida57:35 - Jungle Island, Key Biscayne & Terra’s Biggest Bets1:09:12 - Favorite Markets and Closing Advice

    1h 15m

  4. May 7

    Christina Pappas | President of Florida's Largest Independent Brokerage on Building a 100-Year Legacy

    In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Christina Pappas, President of The Keyes Company, to discuss leading one of Florida’s largest independent residential brokerages. Christina shares the story behind her family’s 100-year-old business, her path from hospitality back to Miami real estate, and how she worked her way from agent to leadership. They break down the advantages of staying independent in a consolidating industry, along with practical insights on building a real estate business—from habits and consistency to lead generation and mindset. This episode is packed with lessons on leadership, longevity, and succeeding in South Florida real estate. ==================== AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: ⁠⁠https://www.buildpass.ai/us⁠⁠ ==================== 0:00 - Intro1:51 - Inside a 100-Year Real Estate Family Business10:51 - Finding Her Own Path Before Joining the Business15:39 - Navigating a Family Business24:33 - Starting as an Agent + Transitioning Into Leadership31:33 - Traits of Top Producers40:28 - Understanding Client Acquisition in Real Estate49:11 - The Mental Game of Sales & Discipline57:18 - How AI is Changing Real Estate1:05:27 - South Florida Market Trends Explained1:16:30 - Understanding Buyer Behavior Today1:31:12 - Hot Retail Markets in Florida + Building a Business That Lasts===================== Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok⁠

    1h 44m

  5. Apr 23

    ⁠Scott Sherman | The Contrarian Investor Who Won Big on Retail & Office

    In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Scott Sherman, Founder & Principal of Torose Equities, to break down his path from South Florida native to one of the most active retail and office investors in the market. Scott shares his journey from Ernst & Young to Thor Equities, the decision to leave a seven-figure role to start his own firm, and how he built a platform focused on finding value where others don’t. The conversation covers his contrarian approach to investing, including major deals like Wynwood’s Cube and Level 6 in Coconut Grove. A sharp conversation on market cycles, risk-taking, and spotting opportunities before the crowd. ==================== AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: ⁠https://www.buildpass.ai/us⁠ ==================== 0:00 - Intro1:50 – Accounting Major & Early Career in New York10:28 – Institutional Deal Experience at Thor Equities14:38 – The Decision to Go Out on His Own20:35 – Retail Playbook25:20 – The First Deal: St. Pete & Buying Ground Retail Strategy31:40 – The Cube Office Deal During Covid37:46 – Raising Capital for Torose Equity39:37 – Coconut Grove Record-Breaking Office Exit58:51 – Hot Retail Markets in Florida & Closing Thoughts=================== Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok

    1h 12m

  6. Mar 22

    EXCLUSIVE: Edgardo DeFortuna | Inside the Mind of a Miami Development Legend

    In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Edgardo Defortuna, founder and CEO of Fortune International Group and one of the key figures behind the evolution of Miami’s luxury condominium market. Edgardo shares his journey from immigrating to Miami from Argentina in the early 1980s to building a brokerage and development platform that has helped shape the city’s skyline. He discusses identifying early international demand, launching landmark projects like the Jade Residences, navigating market cycles including the financial crisis, and the leadership mindset required to build and sustain a real estate business across decades. This conversation offers valuable insights for brokers, developers, investors, and anyone looking to understand how vision, persistence, and market awareness can create long-term success in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the world. ==================== Henry.AI: Join the waitlist: https://www.henry.ai/join-waitlist and tell them Omar Morales - Miami Dealmakers sent you. ==================== AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: https://www.buildpass.ai/us ==================== 0:00 — Intro3:20  — From Argentina to Miami6:59 — Identifying a gap in the foreign market12:29 — Growing His Brokerage Business20:07 — Brokerage to Development30:44 — The First Big Project: The Grand View39:21 — Notable Projects and Brickell’s Boom48:48 — Navigating the 2008 Financial Crisis1:00:06 — Expanding into Property Management, Vaster Capital, and Growie1:13:36 — Miami Post-Covid1:17:48 — Key Biscayne Project1:25:13 — Favorite Markets and Closing Advice=================== Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok

    1h 33m

  7. Jan 20

    Tere Blanca | The Woman Leading Miami's Office Market

    Tere Blanca is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Florida’s leading independent commercial real estate advisory firm. Founded in 2009, the firm has grown to more than 50 professionals across three Southeast Florida offices and has sustained approximately 30% market share of Miami’s Class A and B office lease transactions since 2016.In this episode, Tere shares her decision to launch the firm during the 2008 financial crisis, her experience leasing and advising on over 17 million square feet of office space, and her perspective on branding office, building teams, and Miami’s evolution as a global business hub. ===================== 0:00 Intro 2:16 Tere’s Background & Early Career 8:51 Moving Back to Miami & Joining Coldwell Banker and Codina 16:01 Joining Cushman & Wakefield to Lead the South Florida Region 21:51 Dealing with Tragedy & Starting Blanca Commercial Real Estate 27:06 Leasing the First Project: 1450 Brickell 31:34 Building the Blanca CRE Team & Early Scaling 46:58 Big Wins and Growth into Different Markets 50:26 COVID Hits: Team Response and Survival Strategy 56:16 Blackstone Enters the Market and Scaling After the Boom 59:01 The Future of Office: Wellness, Mixed-Use, and Experiences 1:05:43 Mamdani Effect, New York Migration, and Miami Outlook 1:08:22 Advice for Women in CRE and Closing Thoughts ===================== Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok

    1h 20m

  8. 11/26/2025

    Fred Zutel | Insuring Miami’s Skyline — The Waldorf, St. Regis, Bentley & More

    In this episode of Miami DealMakers, Omar Morales sits down with Fred Zutel, Partner and President of Lockton’s Florida Division, the largest privately held and independently owned insurance brokerage in the world. Fred shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Hialeah and selling nails and screws to insuring some of the most iconic developments in Miami — including the Waldorf Astoria, St. Regis Brickell, and Bentley Residences. He opens up about his early struggles breaking into the insurance world during the 2008 recession, how a chance meeting at Zuma led to his first major developer client, and the mindset that helped him scale a 30-person team into 130+ employees statewide. The conversation dives deep into the inner workings of real estate insurance — from how mega-projects are structured across 40+ carriers, to why prices spiked after Hurricane Ian, and how falling interest rates are now reshaping the market. Fred also discusses leadership, grit, and staying hungry, even after reaching the top of his industry. Whether you’re a developer, broker, or investor, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, execution, and the business behind Miami’s biggest buildings. ===================== 0:00 – Intro0:36 – What Lockton does + Fred’s background3:40 – Early jobs and how Fred got into insurance in 200914:40 – Pivoting into insuring real estate and getting clients19:02 – First big client (Zuma bar story)21:55 – Now insuring Waldorf Astoria Miami and how mega-projects are insured23:45 – How does Lockton provide outsized value?28:36 – Why insurance prices spiked in 2021 + interest-rate impact34:12 – Breaking down layers of insurance (liability, builder’s risk, etc.)40:16 – Building a team and joining Lockton46:26 – How insurance brokers make money50:25 – Grit and motivation to keep pushing54:05 – Future of Florida’s insurance market56:28 – Advice for young professionals in their 20s===================== Follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Miami Dealmakers is a podcast hosted by Omar Morales, a commercial real estate broker who has closed over $3 billion worth of deals in South Florida. This gives Omar access to some of the most prolific real estate dealmakers not only in South Florida, but across the country. This MDM podcast gives an inside scoop into the conversations and insights that power some of the most active real estate professionals in the field.

Information

  • Creator
    Omar Morales
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Omar Morales
  • Show Website
    Miami Dealmakers

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