Building Wealth with High-Yield Commercial Real Estate Deals with Ash Patel | 043

In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly insightful Ash Patel to unpack the secrets behind his commercial real estate success—and why he believes this asset class is the most underrated opportunity out there. Ash takes us on a journey from his corporate IT roots and relentless side hustles to becoming a powerhouse investor in strip malls, office buildings, and more. If you’ve been fixated on multifamily deals, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about real estate investing.We talk about why commercial properties are still flying under the radar, how Ash transitioned from self-funding to raising capital, and what he looks for in today’s market. Ash shares insights into creative deal sourcing, smart lease structuring, risk mitigation strategies, and his powerful cash-on-cash return philosophy. Whether you’re an active investor or exploring passive income options, this episode is packed with actionable insights and surprising truths.Episode Timeline[0:00] - Introduction[2:22] - Ash’s corporate journey and the party-fueled “quitting” story that backfired[5:36] - The unexpected toilet-clogging moment that made Ash go all-in on commercial real estate[10:52] - How he scaled his portfolio through value-add opportunities in underpriced deals[12:20] - What finally pushed Ash to start raising investor capital[14:21] - Why commercial is the “best kept secret” in real estate[15:59] - Flex industrial vs. retail: which asset class wins in 2025[18:24] - The truth behind the “retail apocalypse” and why vacancy is at an all-time low[20:15] - Where office demand is booming post-COVID[24:02] - Lease tactics that protect landlords from costly tenant issues[27:18] - The 22% preferred return deal that made a statement[30:22] - Off-market deal sourcing tips that outsmart the competition[34:05] - Why Ash avoids 10-year holds and prefers investor accountability[35:18] - The mastermind that grew from one Zoom call to a thriving 80-member community[37:03] - When to bring in brokers—and when to handle leasing in-house5 Key TakeawaysCommercial tenants can be your best asset – They often invest in property improvements, unlike residential tenants who may be a maintenance drain.Cash-on-cash return with tax implications is king – This is Ash’s north star metric when evaluating any investment opportunity.Retail is far from dead – Despite media narratives, strip malls and neighborhood retail centers have the lowest vacancy in history.Short-term holds = accountability – Ash caps all deals at five years to ensure focus, performance, and investor trust.There’s no one-size-fits-all path – Whether you’re an active investor or looking to go passive, there’s a place for you in commercial real estate—if you know where to look.Links & ResourcesLearn more: InvestBeyondMultifamily.comContact Ash: [email protected] you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, follow, and leave a review. And don’t forget to share it with someone who’s ready to think beyond multifamily investing!