Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast

The Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast is the go-to show for CRE brokers, investors, and developers who want to close bigger deals and build long-term wealth through commercial real estate. Hosted by Raphael Collazo, a CRE broker, investor, and developer in Louisville, KY, each episode features expert interviews, real deal breakdowns, and actionable strategies across retail, multifamily, industrial, and office real estate. New episodes every week. Subscribe and leave a review if you find value!

Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Raphael Collazo, with 119 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Raphael Collazo hosts Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast, a business show with 119 episodes published.

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  Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast

  Big Money in Big Buildings - How To Invest in Commercial Real Estate

  Aug 13, 202649 min

  How do you make the jump from residential real estate into commercial real estate investing? In this presentation, Raphael Collazo, CCIM , breaks down the fundamentals of investing in commercial real estate during his featured presentation, “Big Money in Big Buildings,” at the Kentuckiana Real Estate Investors Association (KREIA) in Louisville, Kentucky. Whether you're considering your first commercial property or looking to scale into larger real estate investments, this presentation provides a practical overview of how commercial real estate works, how investors create value, and what to consider when evaluating a CRE opportunity. Topics covered include: ✅ How commercial real estate investing works ✅ The pros and cons of commercial real estate ✅ Different commercial property types ✅ How investors add value to commercial properties ✅ Understanding income-producing real estate ✅ Evaluating commercial real estate opportunities ✅ Transitioning from residential to commercial real estate ✅ Raphael’s journey into commercial real estate ✅ Real-world commercial real estate case studies ✅ Strategies for taking on your first CRE investment ✅ How to scale into larger real estate deals ✅ Key risks investors should consider before buying Commercial real estate can include everything from retail, office and industrial properties to multifamily, mixed-use, self-storage and other alternative real estate investments. Unlike many residential investments, commercial real estate is heavily influenced by the income a property produces. Understanding leases, operating expenses, Net Operating Income (NOI), cap rates, financing, tenant demand and opportunities to increase a property's income are critical when evaluating a deal. Throughout this presentation, Raphael shares lessons from his own experience as a commercial real estate broker, investor and developer and walks through practical examples of how investors can approach larger commercial properties. The goal isn't simply to buy a bigger building. It's to understand how to identify opportunity, improve a property's performance, create value and build long-term wealth through commercial real estate. ABOUT RAPHAEL COLLAZO, CCIM Raphael Collazo is a commercial real estate broker, investor, developer, author and host of the Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast based in Louisville, Kentucky. Through his brokerage, investments, development projects, podcast and educational content, Raphael focuses on helping business owners and investors better understand commercial real estate. ️ Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast The Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast features conversations with brokers, investors, developers, lenders and other industry professionals covering topics including: • Commercial real estate investing • Real estate development • CRE financing • Retail real estate • Industrial real estate • Multifamily investing • Office properties • Adaptive reuse • Property valuation • Commercial leasing • Development strategy • Raising capital • Value-add real estate If you're interested in commercial real estate investing, real estate development or building wealth through larger properties , subscribe to the channel for more CRE strategies, interviews and real-world deal breakdowns. If you found the presentation helpful, LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE and leave a COMMENT with your biggest takeaway or CRE question. SEARCH TOPICS Commercial real estate investing | How to invest in commercial real estate | Commercial real estate for beginners | CRE investing | Commercial property investing | How to buy commercial property | Commercial real estate development | Commercial real estate valuation | Value-add commercial real estate | NOI and cap rates | Commercial real estate Louisville KY | Kentucky real estate investing | Real estate investing for beginners | Real estate development | Building wealth through real estate | Raphael Collazo | Commercial Real Estate 101 | KREIA

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  Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast

  USDA Loans for Commercial Real Estate: How Developers Finance Rural Projects with Jordan Blanchard

  May 22, 202639 min

  Most developers, investors, and business owners hear “USDA loan” and immediately think of farms, agriculture, or rural housing.But USDA financing can also be a powerful tool for commercial real estate projects, business acquisitions, new construction, renovations, equipment, working capital, and rural economic development.In this episode, Raphael Collazo, CCIM sits down with Jordan Blanchard, USDA lender and Co-Founder of X-Caliber Rural Capital, to break down how USDA-backed financing works for commercial real estate and business projects.Jordan explains how USDA loan programs can help eligible borrowers access capital for projects in rural communities, including areas near major cities that many people may not realize still qualify. He also shares what lenders look for during underwriting, how USDA financing compares to conventional loans and SBA loans, and the common mistakes that can delay or derail a USDA loan application.In this episode, we cover:✅ What types of commercial real estate projects may qualify for USDA financing✅ How USDA financing applies to business and commercial real estate✅ How USDA defines “rural”✅ Why some areas near major cities may still qualify✅ USDA loans vs. conventional commercial loans and SBA loans✅ The types of businesses and operators that are often a good fit✅ Using USDA loans for acquisitions, construction, renovations, equipment, and working capital✅ What the underwriting process looks like✅ Minimum and maximum loan size considerations✅ Common reasons USDA loans get delayed or denied✅ What brokers, developers, and business owners should do first if they think a project may qualifyWhether you are a commercial real estate broker, developer, investor, lender, or business owner, this conversation will help you better understand one of the most overlooked financing tools in commercial real estate.If you are exploring a project in a rural or secondary market, USDA financing may be worth a closer look.▶️ Connect with Jordan Blanchard:▶ Website: https://xrcusda.com▶ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/x-caliberruralcapitalIf you like the video, please SUBSCRIBE and don’t forget to press the bell 🔔, 👍 like, comment, and share.📌 About Your Host — Raphael Collazo, CCIM:Raphael is a commercial real estate broker, investor, and developer based in Louisville, KY. He is President & Co-Founder of Summit Commercial Group, a CCIM designee, and author of 3 CRE books. He has been featured in Commercial Property Executive for his innovative use of AI in commercial real estate brokerage.🔗 Website: https://raphaelcollazo.com🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/raphaelcollazo📧 raphael@sumcg.com | 📞 502-536-7315🆓 Free CRE Resources: https://linktr.ee/raphaelcollazocre

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  Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast

  Local Real Estate Developer MeetUp - Announcement

  May 8, 202610 min

  In this episode of Commercial Real Estate 101 , Raphael Collazo shares a special update on the upcoming Local Real Estate Developer Meetup taking place in Louisville, Kentucky from August 27–29 . This event is designed for aspiring and active real estate developers who want to learn directly from people doing real projects across the country. The meetup will include speaker sessions, strategic partner panels, downtown and urban development discussions, project site tours, networking opportunities, and a VIP experience for deeper relationship-building. Raphael also discusses the mission behind the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast , which he co-hosts with Kristi Kandel , and how the podcast has featured more than 50 developers working on innovative residential and commercial projects nationwide. The goal is to inspire others to pursue their first development project and continue growing as real estate developers. Featured speakers and topics include: ✅ Ground-up development and adaptive reuse✅ Affordable housing development✅ Creative mixed-use and urban redevelopment projects✅ Strategic partners including lenders, attorneys, and other professionals✅ Downtown and urban development insights✅ Louisville project site tours✅ Networking with developers from across the country The event will also include tours of several Louisville development projects, including Raphael’s own East Broadway adaptive reuse project , where attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, lessons, and strategy behind bringing a commercial redevelopment project to life. Whether you are a broker, investor, developer, contractor, lender, attorney, or someone interested in pursuing your first real estate development, this meetup is designed to help you build relationships, gain practical insight, and connect with others who are actively working in the space. If you’re interested in attending, check the links below to learn more and register. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoy the show!

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  Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast

  How To Make It In Real Estate with John McNellis

  Apr 17, 20261h 5m

  What does it really take to make it in real estate development? In this episode, Raphael Collazo, CCIM sits down with John McNellis, veteran developer, co-founder of McNellis Partners, and author of the bestselling Making It in Real Estate: Thriving as a Developer (3rd Edition) — for a candid conversation about building a career in commercial real estate from the ground up.With over 40 years of experience and 100+ deals across shopping centers, mixed-use projects, and office buildings throughout Northern California, John shares the hard-won lessons most developers would never admit to. In this episode, you'll learn how to identify and evaluate real estate opportunities, how to structure partnerships and navigate financing, how to survive economic downturns and costly mistakes, and what it truly takes to build lasting wealth through real estate development.Whether you're just getting started or a seasoned developer looking to sharpen your edge, John's insights are practical, honest, and backed by decades of real-world experience. His new book is the field guide he wished existed when he started — and this conversation is one you won't want to miss.▶️ Connect with John McNellis:▶ Website: https://www.johnmcnellis.com▶ Book: Making It in Real Estate: Thriving as a Developer (3rd Edition) — Available on AmazonIf you like the video, please SUBSCRIBE and don't forget to press the bell 🔔, 👍like, comment, and share.📌 About Your Host — Raphael Collazo, CCIM:Raphael is a commercial real estate broker, investor, and developer based in Louisville, KY. He is President & Co-Founder of Summit Commercial Group, a CCIM designee, and author of 3 CRE books. He has been featured in Commercial Property Executive for his innovative use of AI in commercial real estate brokerage.🔗 Website: https://raphaelcollazo.com🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/raphaelcollazo📧 raphael@sumcg.com | 📞 502-536-7315🆓 Free CRE Resources: https://linktr.ee/raphaelcollazocre

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  Commercial Real Estate 101 Podcast

  CRE Development Breakdown: Leasing, Permits, Construction & Value Creation

  Apr 2, 202642 min

  In this episode, we break down a real commercial real estate deal in Louisville, KY, and how we’re transforming it from a vacant building into a stabilized, income-producing asset.We walk through the full process:✅ How we secured national healthcare tenants (including Genoa Healthcare)✅ Navigating permits, zoning, and multiple agencies✅ Managing construction challenges (plumbing, electrical, slab cutting, MEP systems)✅ Solving a flood zone issue to increase long-term value✅ How leasing + execution is helping us increase the property’s valuation✅ Our strategy to refinance and fund the next phase of the projectThis is a real look at what value-add commercial real estate actually takes—beyond the headlines.If you’re interested in:👉🏼 Commercial real estate investing👉🏼 Value-add development👉🏼 Net lease and tenant strategy👉🏼 Passive income through CRE👉🏼 Real estate deals and behind-the-scenes executionThis episode breaks it down step-by-step.Special shoutout to my business partner, Fred Newman (Newman Electric), whose construction expertise is critical to executing this project.📍 Project Location: 706 E Broadway, Louisville, KY

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