Episode 408: Mastering Commercial Real Estate with Cathey Kuo

Episode 408: Mastering Commercial Real Estate with Cathey Kuo

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Cathey Kuo, a commercial real estate broker, investor, and principal at Elite Commercial Real Estate in Las Vegas. Cathey shares how she got her start analyzing deals alongside her mother in high school, what it takes to transition from residential into commercial investing, and how she evaluates risk and opportunity in a market still navigating high office vacancy rates and shifting demand post-COVID. She also breaks down the power of 1031 exchanges as a tool for repositioning portfolios and preserving generational wealth through tax-efficient strategy. Plus, the hosts explore the lock-in effect and how golden-era mortgage rates are keeping the housing market frozen. With a large share of homeowners holding sub-4 percent mortgages, sellers aren't listing, inventory is tight, and first-time buyers are running out of room. They dig into what it might take to finally break the gridlock. Filmed as part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MORE) Network, powered by Brown Harris Stevens. Subscribe the The Build Up: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-build-up/id1716615268 Guest: Cathey Kuo Hosts: Candice Milano | @candicemilano https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/candice-milano Malessa Rambarran | @malessa_innyc https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/malessa-rambarran Sponsor: Brian Scott Cohen of Guaranteed Rate, providing the best mortgage experience possible. | https://www.grarate.com/ Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. https://bhsusa.com/

Episode 407: Building Wealth and Community with Jude Bernard

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Jude Bernard, a NYC-based real estate investor, broker, and general contractor who built a significant portfolio of brownstones and rental properties across Brooklyn and Harlem. Jude shares how combining construction, brokerage, and investing gives him control over the full lifecycle of a deal, the risks and realities of operating short-term rentals in one of the most regulated cities in the country, and how value-add strategy has been central to growing his portfolio. He also opens up about the mission behind The Brooklyn Bank, his financial literacy and real estate education platform focused on helping underserved communities close the racial wealth gap through property ownership. Plus, the hosts unpack one of the biggest forces keeping housing inventory frozen: the lock-in effect. With nearly 60 percent of American homeowners holding mortgage rates under 4 percent, sellers aren't selling — and the ripple effects are pricing out first-time buyers and stalling the market. They explore what it would take to break the gridlock. Filmed as part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MORE) Network, powered by Brown Harris Stevens. Guest: Jude Bernard Sponsor: Brian Scott Cohen of Guaranteed Rate, providing the best mortgage experience possible. | https://www.grarate.com/ Hosts: Candice Milano | @candicemilano https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/candice-milano Malessa Rambarran | @malessa_innyc https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/malessa-rambarran Subscribe the The Build Up: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-build-up/id1716615268 Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. https://bhsusa.com/

Episode 406: How to Stop Overthinking and Buy Your First Investment Property

Most people who want to invest in real estate never buy a single property. Not because the opportunity is not there. Because they talk themselves out of it before they ever get started. In Episode 406 of The Build Up podcast, we sat down with Henry Washington, co-host of the BiggerPockets podcast and author who built a multi-million dollar rental portfolio starting with no savings and poor credit, to break down exactly how new investors can stop waiting and start moving. Here is what he wants every first-time investor to know. Filmed as part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MORE) Network, powered by Brown Harris Stevens. Guest: Henry Washington Sponsor: Brian Scott Cohen of Guaranteed Rate, providing the best mortgage experience possible. | https://www.grarate.com/ Hosts: Candice Milano | @candicemilano https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/candice-milano Malessa Rambarran | @malessa_innyc https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/malessa-rambarran Subscribe the The Build Up: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-build-up/id1716615268 Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. https://bhsusa.com/

Episode 405: Building Wealth Through Community with Liz Faircloth

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Liz Faircloth, co-founder of the Real Estate InvestHER community and longtime multifamily investor. Liz shares how she built a platform that empowers women to invest with confidence, the strategies she teaches for scaling sustainably, and why financial freedom should support life purpose, not replace it. Plus, the hosts revisit a growing industry debate about AI and the future of the real estate professional. They explore how technology is changing the way deals are analyzed and marketed, and why relationships and trust may matter more than ever. Filmed as part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MORE) Network, powered by Brown Harris Stevens. Guest: Liz Faircloth Sponsor: Brian Scott Cohen of Guaranteed Rate, providing the best mortgage experience possible. | https://www.grarate.com/ Hosts: Candice Milano | @candicemilano https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/candice-milano Malessa Rambarran | @malessa_innyc https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/malessa-rambarran Subscribe the The Build Up: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-build-up/id1716615268 Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. https://bhsusa.com/

Episode 404: Financing Smarter Deals with Brian Scott Cohen

This week, Candice and Malessa sit down with Brian Scott Cohen, a top mortgage lender who has closed billions in loans and helped thousands of buyers and investors structure stronger deals. Brian explains why financing is often the real driver of returns, common mistakes borrowers make, and how investors can position themselves in a shifting rate environment. Plus, the hosts explore a question reshaping the industry: will AI replace real estate brokers? They break down how technology is changing pricing, marketing, and client relationships, and why the future may depend on professionals who know how to combine data with human judgment. Filmed as part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MORE) Network, powered by Brown Harris Stevens. Guest: Brian Scott Cohen Sponsor: Brian Scott Cohen of Guaranteed Rate, providing the best mortgage experience possible. | https://www.grarate.com/ Hosts: Candice Milano | @candicemilano https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/candice-milano Malessa Rambarran | @malessa_innyc https://www.bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/malessa-rambarran Subscribe the The Build Up: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-build-up/id1716615268 Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. https://bhsusa.com/