Miami Dealmakers

Omar Morales

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. 4d ago

    Matt Baron | From No College Degree to Real Estate Billion-Dollar Deals

    In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Matt Baron, founder of Barron Property Group, to discuss building a multifamily development empire spanning New York and South Florida. Matt shares the story of his family's immigration from the former Soviet Union, his unconventional path from cold-calling telemarketer to Morgan Stanley top producer, and how a chance conversation reshaped his understanding of wealth and led him back to school and into real estate. They break down how Matt and his late partner built Simon Baron into a major New York development firm, the lessons learned from a costly first ground-up project, and how Barron Property Group expanded into Miami — including their large-scale projects in Hialeah and the highly anticipated Merrick Park site in Coral Gables. This episode is packed with insights on navigating market cycles, the long-term case for South Florida real estate, and the mindset required to outwork the competition and build lasting success. =================== 0:00 – Intro00:56 – From Food Stamps to Wall Street10:54 – Returning to College After Dropping Out & Breaking Into Real Estate24:14 – Becoming a Principal & Founding Simon Baron29:39 – Surviving the 2008 Financial Crisis37:23 – How Today's Market Compares to 200843:58 – Pivoting to Ground-Up Development50:58 – Expanding into Miami & Betting Big on South Florida1:02:41 – What's Fueling Miami's Growth1:14:05 – Advice on Outworking Everyone to Win

  2. Jul 2

    Gabe Navarro | The Navarro Pharmacies Story: From Selling to CVS to Building a Real Estate Empire

    In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Gabe Navarro, co-founder of MMG Real Estate, to discuss building one of South Florida's most recognizable family business legacies — and what came after. Gabe shares the story of Navarro Discount Pharmacy, from his grandfather's first store in Little Havana to a 30-location chain his family eventually sold to CVS, and how the real estate they accumulated along the way became the foundation for what's next. They get into MMG's evolution from distressed debt buyer post-GFC to active retail developer, the unconventional move to acquire and revive Tamarack Resort in Idaho, and how Gabe approaches JVs, long-term holds, and finding deals where institutional capital hasn't crowded you out. This episode is packed with lessons on generational business, relationship-driven dealmaking, and what it takes to reinvent yourself after a major exit. ==================== AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildpass.ai/us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ==================== 0:00 - Intro1:55 - The Story Behind Navarro Pharmacy8:03 - Discovering Real Estate13:55 - Selling Navarro, Private Equity & CVS22:31 - Building MMG Equity Partners After the Exit34:45 - Expanding Beyond Retail Real Estate43:28 - From Shopping Centers to Ski Resorts59:02 - South Florida Development1:04:58 - Finding Opportunities in Today's Market1:11:36 - Family, Leadership & Raising the Next Generation1:15:56 - Advice for Younger Self & Closing Thoughts

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Omar Morales
  • Show Website
    Miami Dealmakers

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