Baltimore RE full circle

We sat down with Jack Resnick of Platinum Realty Advisors, a leading expert in Maryland’s apartment leasing market, to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes with Section 8 and HUD programs. Are there fewer vouchers available? Has Section 8 reduced rent offers for owners? And what does the new rent evaluation system mean for your bottom line? If you own or manage rental housing in Maryland, this episode breaks down the real changes landlords are facing — and what you can do to stay ahead of them.

In this episode, Yaakov sits down with Jake Gluck, founder of Fortune Capital Group, for a raw and unfiltered breakdown of today’s multifamily debt market. Jake shares his path from starting at Eastern Union with zero industry background to becoming a top debt broker working across agency, bank, CMBS, and bridge platforms. They dig into the real issues driving distress—including skyrocketing delinquencies, bad management, unrealistic underwriting, and the false hope of “waiting for rates to drop.” Jake explains why so many owners are now accepting massive haircuts, why third-party managers are failing, why agency lenders are digging deeper than ever, how CMBS and new debt funds are quietly saving deals that no bank will touch, and why 2025 might be the most opportunistic buying window in over a decade—if you know how to execute.

We sat down with Jack Resnick of Platinum Realty Advisors, a leading expert in Maryland’s apartment leasing market, to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes with Section 8 and HUD programs. Are there fewer vouchers available? Has Section 8 reduced rent offers for owners? And what does the new rent evaluation system mean for your bottom line? If you own or manage rental housing in Maryland, this episode breaks down the real changes landlords are facing — and what you can do to stay ahead of them.

Real estate investor and Micasa Title partner Jacob Benzaquen joins Yaakov to break down the realities of investing in Baltimore. From surviving the 2008 housing crash and managing multifamily properties to tackling city bureaucracy, vendor hurdles, and regulatory red tape, Jacob shares hard-earned lessons on risk management, vendor relationships, and building lasting success. Whether you’re an out-of-state investor sizing up Baltimore or a local professional facing the city’s unique challenges, this episode offers practical strategies, candid insights, and long-term vision for navigating one of the most complex—but opportunity-filled—markets in real estate.

In this timely and urgent discussion, I sit down with Tibor Wilhelm , Managing Partner at Mount Wilson Capital, to explore the recent wave of foreclosures impacting both large-scale single-family and multifamily properties in the local Baltimore market. While many have pointed to fraud as the primary cause of these foreclosures, Tibor brings to light a groundbreaking idea: the real issue may be something entirely different. Don’t miss out on understanding the true factors driving these foreclosures and how many property owners could be directly affected.

In this episode, Steve Verstandig shares how his family journeyed from Holocaust survival to grocery stores, then built a real estate empire starting at age 18. We dive deep into why he pivoted from multifamily to retail, the realities of doing business in Baltimore, and what Maryland must do to stay competitive. If you’re serious about real estate, business strategy, or Baltimore’s future, this is a must-listen.

In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Cooper to explore how auctions work in the Maryland real estate market. Matthew dives deep into various case studies from the rich, 100+ year history of Alex Cooper Auctioneers, shedding light on the strategies and tactics that have made them a staple in the industry. Tune in for valuable insights into the auction process and learn how it can be a game-changer

In this episode, we sit down with Lawrence Reif, a seasoned real estate investor with deep roots in Baltimore. He shares his journey from growing up in a real estate-focused family to shaping the local property landscape through value-add investments. We discuss his early exposure to real estate, transition into commercial and industrial properties, and partnership with Continental Realty. Lawrence provides insights into Baltimore’s evolving real estate market, the resurgence of retail post-COVID, and strategies for scaling investments. He emphasizes the importance of relationships, structure, and creativity in real estate, along with his current focus on mentorship and philanthropy. Packed with valuable takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for investors, brokers, and entrepreneurs.

NYC multifamily legend Bob Knakal joins us to unpack the rise of rent stabilization in NY and its growing impact in MD. We dive into vacant unit trends, investor shifts, construction hurdles, and Bob’s bold 2025 market predictions. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of real estate!

Join Charles Mader as he shares his journey from flipping houses during the 2008 crisis to owning multifamily properties in Baltimore. He discusses property management strategies, navigating rent control regulations in Tacoma Park, and using refinancing to scale investments. Charles also offers cost-saving tips like water conservation and insights from his current renovation projects, providing valuable advice for hands-on investors adapting to market challenges.