The Value Builder Podcast

This week, Saul sits down with Paige Gunn, VP at Sands Investment Group, for a boots-on-the-ground view of what’s really happening in industrial and office markets across Chicago and the Midwest.
With over $370M closed across her career, Paige shares where she’s seeing buyer movement, how operators are navigating high taxes and leasing softness, and why tertiary markets like Des Moines and Omaha might be the best play for 2026.
Key takeaways:
Which Midwest markets are heating up outside of Chicago
The real story behind small bay industrial leasing velocity
Why sellers are still holding on—and when that might change
Office-to-industrial conversions: what works and what doesn’t
Paige’s long-view strategy for navigating downturns with adaptability
Connect with Paige: pgunn@sandsig.com & LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pngunn/
If you’re operating or investing in secondary or tertiary markets, this episode gives you the field-tested insights to see what’s ahead.

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul interviews Michael Rebelo—founder of EverForward Capital Partners and a Gen Z entrepreneur who skipped college and built a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio before age 21.
Michael shares how he raised over $1M in capital, co-founded a firm with his mother and grandmother, and found his niche in capital raising and investor relations.
🎯 You’ll learn:
Why Michael walked away from day trading and chose multifamily
How he went from cold calling to co-managing 150+ units
What Gen Z gets wrong (and right) about real estate
Why he believes mentorship beats formal education
His vision for retiring his mom—and inspiring others to rethink financial freedom
If you’re curious about what it really takes to break into commercial real estate young—or to build generational wealth without a college degree—this is a must-listen.
Reach out to Michael by phone/text at (774) 264-3392 or online at everforwardcapitalpartners.com.
Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul welcomes Logan Freeman—Managing Broker at MWCRE Advisors and widely known as “Mr. Kansas City”—for a candid conversation on grit, reinvention, and the fundamentals driving small bay industrial in the Midwest. From being cut by the Raiders to cutting deals across 600,000+ SF of commercial property, Logan shares what sets Kansas City apart—and why data, discipline, and demand are fueling record absorption.
🎯 You’ll learn:
How Logan transitioned from NFL hopeful to CRE operator
Why Kansas City is quietly leading the Midwest in absorption and development
The systems behind pre-leasing, QR-code capture, and AI leasing bots
The real reason small bay industrial is outperforming
What developers should know about demand, lease rates, and build costs
If you’re looking for a blueprint for scaling with integrity—or you’re curious about Kansas City’s CRE momentum—this episode will hit home.
Reach out to Logan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livefreeinvestments/Visit MWCRE Advisors: https://www.mwcreadvisors.com/Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE insights every Wednesday.

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Adam Dunn—Managing Director at Berkadia and host of The CRE Deal Room Podcast—for a deep dive into building a multifamily brokerage career from the ground up. Adam shares how he went from leasing 6-unit buildings to closing $100M+ institutional deals, all while building a data-driven personal brand and podcast.
🎯 You’ll learn:
How leasing and property management laid the foundation for investment sales success
What it takes to move from private capital to institutional deal volume
How institutional buyers approach underwriting, rent growth, and risk
Why sub-5% cap deals can still pencil—and what’s driving investor confidence
What today’s capital stacks look like across debt and equity layers
If you’re navigating your own transition from small deals to institutional work—or just want a look under the hood of what makes a high-performing multifamily brokerage tick—this one delivers real-world insight with clear takeaways.
👉 Reach out to Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamdunncre/🎙 Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Danny Gould—CEO of Gould Capital—for a deep dive into hotel underwriting, value-add strategy, and how institutional capital looks at hospitality. From STAR reports to PIP renovations and brand-driven RevPAR boosts, Danny unpacks the levers that drive value in this unique asset class.
🎯 You’ll learn:
How STAR reports shape hotel acquisition and comp analysis
The 3 main value levers in hospitality: occupancy, rate, and brand
Typical renovation costs and what $5K vs $50K per key really buys
Cap rate ranges for flags from Marriott to boutique independents
Why hotel investing blends real estate fundamentals with operational risk
If you’ve ever considered hotels as a value-add investment—or want to raise capital from institutional partners—this episode will open your eyes to the structure and strategy behind the scenes.
Reach out to Danny:Email: dgould@gouldcapitalinc.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dannygouldWebsite: https://gouldcapitalinc.com/
Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Darren Smith—industrial investor and founder of Solid Growth Properties—to walk through the details of a class A, sale-leaseback deal in Newark, Delaware. With zero CapEx and major upside in year three, Darren shows how patience, clarity, and aligned negotiations created a no-frills win.
🎯 You’ll learn:
Why mezzanine space can skew underwriting (and how to correct it)
How to structure seller credits for bank-required escrows
When a clean sale beats seller financing—for everyone
How to re-tenant an asset and refinance investors out
The surprising emotional triggers behind legacy seller delays
This episode is a must-listen for investors who want real-world insight on buying below replacement cost, structuring long-term wins, and playing the long game with sellers.
Reach out to Darren at: darren@solidgrowthproperties.comSubscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more real estate strategy every Wednesday.

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Joe Terzano—VP of Commercial Lines at Safeguard Insurance Solutions—for a practical, ground-level conversation on commercial property insurance. From fire suppression systems to roof reports and multi-tenant risks, Joe explains what underwriters are actually looking for and how to prepare your property to avoid red flags.
🎯 You’ll learn:
What COPE data is—and why every underwriter relies on it
How sprinklers, roof access, and tenant mix affect your premium
Why drone footage is out and AI roof scans are in
The role of municipal code vs. NFPA standards
What to have ready when an inspector shows up
If you own or operate industrial or commercial property and want to stop overpaying for insurance—or getting blindsided by avoidable issues—this episode is a must-listen.
Reach out to Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-terzano/Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Jason Medley—founder of Collective Genius—to unpack what it really takes to build a high-performance mastermind and eventually step away from day-to-day operations without killing your momentum.
 
🎯 You’ll learn:
How CG built a thriving culture from day one—and still opens every event by stating core values
Why most founder-led companies stall between $10M–$50M
What it really means to replace yourself as CEO (and why it takes a year)
The mindset shift from income to enterprise value
What happens when you stop playing the “operator” game and start playing the “owner” game
 
Whether you’re nearing burnout or aiming to build something that outlives you, this episode delivers real clarity and tested frameworks.
 
Learn more about Collective Genius: https://thecollectivegenius.comSubscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and operator insights every Wednesday.

In this episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul sits down with Tzvi “LLC” Weiser—an attorney, CPA, and real estate investor—to demystify the confusing world of LLC formation. From Delaware vs. Wyoming to TIC structures for 1031s, Tzvi breaks down what matters, what doesn’t, and how to protect your assets and avoid costly mistakes.
🎯 You’ll learn:
Why Delaware is best for raising capital—but Wyoming wins on asset protectionHow to structure operating vs. holding companies for real estate dealsThe dangers of single-member LLCs (and how to fix them)Why Series LLCs aren’t as safe as they seemHow to bring a 1031 investor into your deal without blowing up the syndication
Whether you’re forming your first LLC or restructuring for long-term growth, this episode delivers essential clarity with real-world insight.
Reach out to Tzvi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzvi-weiser/Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.

In this Deal Deep Dive episode of The Value Builder Podcast, Saul Zenkevicius breaks down a 155,000-square-foot mixed-use property he recently toured in a mid-sized Illinois town. With stable tenants like Dunkin’ Donuts, Anytime Fitness, Ace Hardware, and fully leased medical offices, the deal presents two distinct paths: a light value-add strategy with quick upside, or a long-term cash-flowing hold. Saul walks through his underwriting, leasing analysis, and the offer process—sharing how he navigated seller expectations, avoided overpaying, and left the door open for a more favorable re-entry.
🎯 You’ll learn:
Why this retail-office asset has hidden upside despite surface-level stigma
Two potential plays: value-add flip vs. 10-year hold
How leasing mix and medical tenants reduce downside
The power of pulling your offer—and getting invited back
What to look for when a property looks like a mall but acts like a cash cow
Whether you’re chasing your next deal or sharpening your acquisition strategy, this episode shows how to stay flexible, make smart offers, and spot value beyond first impressions.
Subscribe and follow The Value Builder Podcast for more CRE and business operator insights every Wednesday.