Did It Close?

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 FundOne 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

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 interestYou’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

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 systemsBruce 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.

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 teamYou’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.

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 HananKevin 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

What do commercial real estate investors need to know about 1031 exchanges and DSTs in today’s market?In this episode of Did It Close?, we sit down with Dave Bulger of Perch Wealth to break down the mechanics, timelines, and strategy behind 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), and 721 exchanges.If you’re advising clients on capital gains deferral—or considering selling an investment property yourself—this episode walks through the key rules, risks, and opportunities that can make or break a successful exchange.We cover:- What a 1031 exchange actually is (and what “like-kind” really means)- The critical 1031 exchange timeline (45-day identification & 180-day closing rules)- How depreciation recapture and capital gains are deferred- What happens when you take partial cash out (“boot”)- When refinancing after an exchange may create IRS scrutiny- How DSTs provide passive, institutional-quality replacement options- The fee structure, debt replacement mechanics, and diversification benefits of DSTs- How 721 exchanges into REIT structures workWhether you’re a broker, investor, developer, or advisor, this conversation offers practical insight into structuring exchanges strategically—not just compliantly.About Dave BulgerDave Bulger is a 1031 exchange specialist with over two decades of experience in securities and commercial real estate investments. He focuses on DSTs, Opportunity Zones, and tax-advantaged real estate strategies designed to help investors preserve capital and transition into passive ownership structures.🎙 About Did It Close?Hosted by Bryan McCann and David Dirkschneider, Did It Close? is a commercial real estate podcast focused on deals, development strategy, and market intelligence for CRE professionals.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leading operators in commercial real estate.👍 Like & comment with your experience using 1031 exchanges or DST structures.#1031Exchange #DST #CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateInvesting #TaxStrategy #DelawareStatutoryTrust #InvestmentProperty

Ep. 7: Creative Placemaking & Adaptive Reuse | Jeremy Waldrup, Pittsburgh Downtown PartnershipVideo Description:What is creative placemaking—and why does it matter for downtown revitalization today?In this episode of Did It Close?, we sit down with Jeremy Waldrup, President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, to break down how creative placemaking and adaptive reuse are reshaping urban cores across America.As cities navigate post-pandemic office vacancy, shifting residential demand, and changing workforce dynamics, creative placemaking has emerged as a powerful framework for economic resilience. Jeremy shares real-world insights from downtown Pittsburgh, including office-to-residential conversions, public-private partnerships, and transformational civic investment strategies.We discuss:What creative placemaking actually means in urban developmentThe economic and environmental benefits of adaptive reuseWhy downtowns must compete on quality of lifeHow public investment can unlock private capitalLessons from Oklahoma City’s MAPS program and Tulsa’s Gathering PlaceThe future of office buildings and mixed-use developmentWhether you're a commercial real estate broker, developer, investor, or city leader, this episode offers practical insights on building resilient, vibrant downtowns.About Jeremy WaldrupJeremy Waldrup leads the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, driving strategy around safety, vibrancy, sustainability, and economic growth. With prior experience in New York City government and urban economic development, he brings a national perspective to local transformation.🎙 About Did It Close?Hosted by Bryan McCann (SVP, Colliers) and David Dirkschneider (EVP, Colliers), Did It Close? is a commercial real estate podcast focused on deals, development strategy, and market intelligence for CRE professionals.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with top operators in commercial real estate.👍 Like & comment with your thoughts on adaptive reuse and downtown recovery. #CreativePlacemaking #AdaptiveReuse #CommercialRealEstate #DowntownRevitalization #UrbanDevelopment #CRE #OfficeToResidential

Apartment Afterhours with Reid 2nd

Join hosts Bryan McCann, Reid Bennett, and David Dirkschneider as they share their journeys in real estate, unpack the evolution of collaboration in the brokerage world, and explore how technology is reshaping industry practices.

"Hot under the collar in the humidity department" has won best double entendre on this podcast, and we're only four episodes in. Bryan and Dirk sit down with Wes Easly of Icebreaker Resources to chat about market narratives, investment insights, housing supply, and business accountability. Check out Mike Scott's (not The Office guy, the other guy) book: You can Count on Me

We're traveling back in time to December of 2024 (when we recorded this episode) to introduce co-host Bryan McCann, get his background, and let him take a guess at some CRE suggestions for 2025.

In this episode of the "Did It Close?" podcast, Bryan introduces us to co-host David Dirkschneider. Get the backstory on David's career in commercial real estate, what he loves about his work, and where he's at today.

In this episode of the "Did It Close?" podcast, your hosts David and Bryan sit down with Matt Rocco, President of Colliers Mortgage. Matt's insights on the equity, debt, and structured finance market are second to none - seriously, we've got to pull our phone out and google half of what he's saying just to keep up. Additionally, Matt offers fantastic advice on leadership and careers in commercial real estate, so we recommend tuning in if you're looking to elevate your industry game.