Ep 13: How to Become A Better Real Estate Leader | Featuring Elisabeth Soose, AAMP

Ep 13: How to Become A Better Real Estate Leader | Featuring Elisabeth Soose, AAMP

What does real estate leadership actually look like in today’s market? In this episode of Did It Close?, we sit down with Elisabeth Soose, owner-operator and President of the Apartment Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (AAMP), to talk about leadership, advocacy, and what it really takes to operate in the multifamily space today. Elisabeth shares her unconventional journey from physical therapy to real estate, and how a move to the UK completely reshaped her perspective on housing, community, and the role real estate plays in people’s lives. From there, we dive into her work with AAMP, including how the organization supports property owners, advocates on legislative issues, and builds a strong network across the Pittsburgh real estate community. We also explore: 💡 The real role of apartment associations (and why they matter more than you think) 💡 How property owners can engage with local government and legislation 💡 The challenges of public perception in the rental housing industry 💡 Why empathy is a critical leadership skill in real estate 💡 How AAMP is making an impact through charitable initiatives like the Homeless Children’s Education Fund One of the biggest takeaways? Real estate isn’t just about properties—it’s about people. As Elisabeth puts it: “Housing is emotional.” If you’re a broker, investor, owner, or anyone working in commercial or multifamily real estate, this episode is packed with insights on leadership, communication, and building a lasting impact in your market. 👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with top real estate operators and industry leaders. #realestate #commercialrealestate #cre

Ep 12: Apartment After Hours - How to Increase NOI in Multifamily | Featuring Reid Bennett

In this episode of Did It Close?: Apartment After Hours, David Dirkschneider, Bryan McCann, and Reid Bennett break down one of the most important topics in today’s multifamily market: how to increase NOI (Net Operating Income). With deals getting harder and buyers more selective, operators can no longer rely on market appreciation alone. Instead, they’re getting creative—finding new ways to drive revenue, improve operations, and maximize property value. In this conversation, the team covers: - Why “clean” deals are still trading (and others aren’t) - The best value-add upgrades right now (including washer/dryer connections) - How bulk internet programs can boost NOI - The rise of “other income” (fees, tech packages, valet trash, and more) - What amenities actually matter to renters in 2026 - Creative ways to structure deals and keep them alive - Bonus depreciation and why it’s driving renewed investor interest You’ll also hear real-world stories from the field, including how small operational tweaks can translate into major returns—and why some owners are “making a killing” on overlooked revenue streams. If you’re a multifamily investor, broker, or operator looking to stay ahead in today’s market, this episode is packed with actionable insights. 👉 Subscribe for more real-world multifamily deal talk 👉 Comment below: What’s your best strategy for increasing NOI right now? #MultifamilyInvesting #NOI #RealEstateInvesting #ApartmentInvesting #ValueAdd #CommercialRealEstate

Ep 11: Building A $1 Billion Business | Featuring Bruce Fraser, Elkhorn Capital Partners

What does it take to outperform during a financial crisis—and then walk away to build a $1B real estate platform? In this episode of Did It Close?, we sit down with Bruce Fraser of Elkhorn Capital Partners to break down his journey from running a hedge fund during the 2008 financial crisis to becoming one of the most disciplined multifamily investors in the country. While most investors were getting crushed in 2009, Bruce hit all-time highs—then pivoted into multifamily with a data-driven, risk-first approach that still guides his strategy today. We dive into: - Why most multifamily investors got it wrong in the past few years - Fixed-rate vs floating-rate debt (and how it impacts your returns) - Why he focuses on workforce housing instead of Class A assets - How to identify markets with real pricing power - The biggest mistakes investors are making right now - His macro outlook on inflation, interest rates, and the economy - And how personal adversity tested—and proved—his team and systems Bruce also shares how his upbringing shaped his risk tolerance, why he’s obsessed with downside protection, and the exact mindset he uses to manage other people’s money. If you’re a real estate investor, operator, or capital allocator, this is a masterclass in disciplined investing.

Ep 10: Apartment After Hours—Good Vs Bad CRE Brokers | Featuring Reid Bennett

What separates great commercial real estate brokers from the ones who wash out of the business? In this episode of Apartment After Hours, Bryan McCann, David Dirkschneider, and Reid Bennett dive into the realities of life in multifamily brokerage—from the skills that separate top producers from “paper passers” to the marketing strategies that can add millions to a deal. Along the way, they break down how the best brokers create real value for their clients, why competitive marketing processes matter, and how to survive the stress and volatility that come with commission-based work. If you’re a commercial real estate broker, investor, or someone considering a career in the business, this episode offers practical insights from professionals who have spent decades navigating deals, negotiations, and market cycles. In this episode, we cover: - What separates good brokers from bad brokers - Why “paper passers” struggle in brokerage - How great brokers create value and control the deal process - On-market vs. off-market deals and when each makes sense - Why sellers typically benefit from a competitive marketing process - The dangers of giving multiple brokers the same deal - Listing agreements, protect lists, and incentive fee structures - The chronic stress and income volatility of brokerage - How to build a high-performing brokerage team You’ll also hear real-world deal stories, lessons learned from deals that didn’t close, and practical advice for younger brokers trying to break into the industry. Whether you’re trying to improve your brokerage skills, understand how investment sales really works, or simply hear how experienced brokers think about deals, this conversation delivers actionable insights you won’t hear in most real estate podcasts. 🎙 About Did It Close? Hosted by Bryan McCann and David Dirkschneider, Did It Close? is a commercial real estate podcast focused on deals, strategy, and actionable insights for CRE professionals. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with top operators in commercial real estate.

Ep 9: CRE Virtual Assistants | Featuring Kevin Hanan, CRE Task Wizard

What can a commercial real estate virtual assistant actually do for your brokerage? In this episode of Did It Close?, we sit down with Kevin Hanan, CEO and founder of CRE Task Wizard, to break down how offshore talent is transforming commercial real estate teams. From lead generation and transaction management to underwriting support and AI workflows, Kevin explains how brokers can leverage virtual assistants to scale efficiently—without sacrificing quality. If you’ve ever felt buried in admin work, CRM cleanup, prospecting lists, marketing coordination, or underwriting prep, this conversation will help you understand what to delegate, how to onboard correctly, and how to avoid common mistakes when hiring offshore talent. We cover: - What a commercial real estate virtual assistant actually does - The four core verticals offshore talent can support (lead gen, transaction management, marketing, financial analysis) - Why most first-time VA hires fail—and how to prevent it - How cold calling offshore can work in CRE - The difference between generalists and specialists - How AI tools like ChatGPT integrate with virtual assistants - Best practices for onboarding (Loom videos, SOPs, recurring standups) - Typical cost ranges for part-time and full-time offshore support - Whether you're a solo broker, team leader, or managing a growing CRE platform, this episode will give you a practical roadmap to building leverage in your business. About Kevin Hanan Kevin Hanan is the CEO and founder of CRE Task Wizard. A former broker, Kevin built his company after successfully using offshore talent in his own brokerage career. Today, he helps commercial real estate professionals hire and manage virtual assistants trained specifically for CRE workflows. 🎙 About Did It Close? Hosted by Bryan McCann and David Dirkschneider, Did It Close? is a commercial real estate podcast focused on deals, strategy, and actionable insights for CRE professionals. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with top operators in commercial real estate. 👍 Like & comment if you’re considering hiring a commercial real estate virtual assistant. #CommercialRealEstate #VirtualAssistant #CRE #LeadGeneration #AIinRealEstate #Brokerage #Productivity