Property Profits Real Estate Podcast

What happens when decades of real estate experience meet the courtroom? In this episode of The Property Profits Podcast with Dave Dubeau, Jeff Potter shares his unique path as a developer, investor, consultant, and expert witness in real estate cases.
Jeff dives into his current projects in California, from adaptive reuse of shopping centers to affordable housing developments. He also opens up about the challenges of zoning, fire recovery, and housing shortages — plus why expert witnesses play a vital role in real estate disputes.
If you’ve ever wondered how legal battles and real estate development overlap, Jeff’s stories and insights will open your eyes. He also shares why he’s intentionally slowing down his development work to focus on meaningful projects, mentoring, and his growing expert witness practice.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
How adaptive reuse is transforming shopping centers into new housing opportunities
Why affordable housing development is so challenging (and rewarding) in California
What it means to serve as an expert witness in real estate disputes
Jeff’s perspective on balancing profits, purpose, and lifestyle in real estate
 
- Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

Dave digs into Brett’s contrarian take on 1031s and the risks of “equal or greater value/debt” replacement during tight deadlines. Brett breaks down how a properly structured installment sale with a dedicated trust (under IRC 453) can defer capital gains, allow flexible reinvestment (real estate equity or debt, diversified portfolios, even new ventures), and help investors “sell high, buy low.” He shares real client examples, common objections (legality, trustee control, fees), practical timelines, and how interest vs. principal payouts are taxed.
 
 
- Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

What happens when a property—or even an entire portfolio—hits hard times? For Bruce Fraser, Managing Partner at Elkhorn Capital Partners, that’s when the real opportunity begins.
In this episode of The Property Profits Podcast with Dave Dubeau, Bruce shares his unique approach to “distressed situation acquisitions” in the multifamily space. From properties with major operational or physical issues to today’s wave of financial distress caused by risky financing structures, Bruce explains why he sees these challenges as a clear path to profit.
You’ll hear how Elkhorn Capital Partners has built a strong portfolio by focusing on secondary markets like Oklahoma City and Tulsa, bringing property management in-house, and sticking to disciplined underwriting. Bruce also talks about why his hedge fund background gives him an edge, how inflation continues to shape real estate strategy, and why now may be one of the best times in decades to expand.
 
 
- Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

In this episode of The Property Profits Podcast with Dave Dubeau, we sit down with seasoned real estate investor Mark Fansler, who has been in the game since he was just 18 years old. With more than four decades of experience and a vertically integrated business spanning funds, property management, construction, and marketing, Mark shares how he has built a real estate empire designed to thrive in any market cycle.
Mark breaks down his unique approach to commercial mixed-use development and explains why diversification across occupancy types allows him to navigate market downturns with confidence. He also walks us through one of his most exciting projects in Colorado — a large-scale development that complements a nearby luxury resort community while filling a massive housing and retail gap.
 
 
- Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

Whitney shares her path from early house hacking to building a diverse portfolio across asset classes and layers of the capital stack. She explains why express car washes (not gas-station automatics or high-labor full-service models) can be a high-margin, subscription-friendly business—when you buy right, operate at scale, and choose the right corner. We dig into seasonality, water-use rules, equipment choices, and competition, plus how her team centralized third-party management across 30 locations in ~15 communities to gain purchasing power and in-house tech talent. Whitney also lays out how passive investors can evaluate these deals, target a healthy mix of subscription vs. single-pay customers, and balance cash flow today with equity plays when market cycles turn.
Key Takeaways
Express car wash ≠ automated gas-station bay. It’s a long, smart tunnel with minimal staff and strong unit economics.
Subscriptions smooth revenue. Targets around 75–80% recurring, while keeping single-pay volume for new-customer flow.
Location is everything. Right submarket, right side of the road, and strong daily traffic (convenience wins).
Scale matters. Centralized ops, in-house techs, and bulk contracts can lift margins beyond mom-and-pop levels.
Risk & fit for LPs. Understand seasonality, local water policy, equipment vintage, and whether you’re taking development risk.
Portfolio strategy. Diversify across asset classes and up/down the capital stack to ride different market cycles.
 
- Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

What if you could invest in real estate in a thriving, tropical market like Miami? In this episode of The Property Profits Podcast with Dave Dubeau, Natasha Falconi shares how she’s transforming communities in South Florida while building a profitable multifamily portfolio.
Natasha invests in Hialeah and Little Havana, two areas close to her heart. Instead of tearing down buildings, she focuses on value-add renovations — upgrading kitchens, bathrooms, landscaping, and infrastructure while keeping the spirit of the community alive. Her strategy creates homes residents love and assets that perform.
You’ll hear how Natasha:
Uses creative “Tetris-style” tenant relocations to renovate properties without displacing communities
Leverages hurricane-resistant upgrades to protect residents and lower costs
Keeps management in-house to maintain high standards and quick decisions
Invests close to home with deep market knowledge and a personal connection
Encourages more women to step into real estate investing and build generational wealth
 
- Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

Victorious came into real estate as a flipper/wholesaler in 2017, closing ~150 deals across Georgia and South Carolina. When COVID froze bank lending, he learned to raise private capital, shifted toward debt over equity to stay nimble, and built a relationship-driven machine that now fuels his investing and brokerage teams (he’s with eXp). We dig into his 36-touch “top 50” referral strategy—personal notes, newsletters, and “virtual door knocking”—and how he uses it to source deals, capital, and clients. He also shares a current “Pathfinder” milestone: closing a 25-unit multifamily with fellow veterans and a vets-focused fund partner. Lots of tactical takeaways for active investors, capital raisers, and agents.
You’ll Learn
Why debt capital can beat equity for many small–mid deals—and how to frame it for investors.
The exact pieces of a 36-touch annual plan for your top referrers.
How to segment contacts into core advocates, analytics-minded, bullet-point folks, and relationship-first connectors—and speak each “language.”
A simple outreach cadence (first of the month, every month) that keeps you top of mind without being pushy.
How to ask for referrals every 3rd–4th touch—without awkwardness.
Lessons from flipping 150 properties in secondary markets between Atlanta and Charlotte.
 
- Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

In this episode of The Property Profits Podcast, Dave Dubeau sits down with Ben Nelson of Wild Oak Capital to talk about how he and his team grew a real estate portfolio rooted in people-first investing. With a strong focus on relationships, community, and aligned values, Ben explains how Wild Oak prioritizes both investors and residents while navigating the ups and downs of the multifamily space.
Ben reveals how he transitioned from producing action sports to investing in real estate, the team dynamics behind their syndication success, and how honesty and connection build long-term investor loyalty—even when deals get tough.
You’ll also hear how Ben and his team are:
Focusing on stable markets in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas
Using value-add strategies that improve lives, not just cash flow
Approaching deals with long-term vision and conservative underwriting
Building investor trust through transparency, even in rough waters
Leveraging personal passions and LinkedIn for authentic investor outreach
- Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

What does it take to survive 44 years in commercial real estate? Jack M. Cohen has lived through market booms, busts, and everything in between. In this episode of the Property Profits Podcast, Dave Dubeau sits down with Jack to explore why he chooses to back entrepreneurs over institutions, and what today’s investors can learn from decades of market cycles.
Jack shares how he built his career financing entrepreneurial users of capital and why he believes real estate success comes from creating long-term value — not chasing quick wins. He talks about the importance of patience, relationships, and holding assets through multiple cycles. Along the way, Jack explains why price doesn’t equal value, why some investors need to be flushed out of the market, and how true wealth is built over decades.
Whether you’re new to real estate or a seasoned investor, this conversation will challenge the way you look at deals, financing, and the future of the industry.
 
- Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

Dave sits down with note investor Chris Seveney to unpack how buying non-performing first mortgages at a discount can lead to win-win outcomes. Chris shares a clear, numbers-based case study: acquiring a $100K delinquent loan for $70K, collecting an upfront reinstatement plus six months of payments, modifying the loan, and reselling it as a re-performing note for ~$80K. They discuss realistic timelines (often 12–18 months), what “bread and butter” deals look like, and the messy, real-world parts (paperwork delays, missed payments, bankruptcy stalls).
Chris also explains his “3 Ps” buy box—Person, Property, Predicament—and why he favors owner-occupied homes with demonstrable equity, borrowers facing temporary hardship, and properties that are still lived in. They cover where deals come from (whole-loan trading desks and broker networks), how exits work, and how his fund serves investors with a preferred return (with some share of upside depending on class).
Looking ahead, Chris sees more payment distress with high equity—“cash-poor, equity-rich” owners—creating opportunity for creative, ethical workouts (modifications, deed-in-lieu, assisted sales) while protecting downside risk. Time, he says, is the real cost driver.
 
 
- Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/