In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with James Nelson, a New York-based real estate investment sales expert and longtime leader in the industry. James shares his journey from his early days in Madison, Wisconsin, and competitive swimming at Colgate University, to becoming a key figure in New York City's commercial real estate scene.

They explore James’s career path—starting at Massey Knakal, building market dominance in middle-market sales, and later transitioning through Cushman & Wakefield to his current leadership at Avison Young. James explains his strategic outreach approach, his passion for mentorship and nonprofit work with SparkYouth NYC, and how real estate professionals can build stronger broker relationships and uncover seller motivations.

James also touches on insights from his book The Insider’s Edge to Real Estate Investing, offering practical advice for investors and brokers alike.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

What does it mean to play the long game in a city that's constantly evolving? In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Norman Liang, a Bay Area entrepreneur and seed fund investor, to discuss the evolution of San Francisco, the realities of tech investment, and the community shifts reshaping the region.

Norman shares his personal journey from growing up on the East Coast to planting roots in Silicon Valley, revealing the challenges and opportunities he’s witnessed firsthand. They dive into topics like the post-COVID transformation of downtown San Francisco, the future of housing and infrastructure, and how cities like Redwood City are getting it right.

Listeners will gain insight into Norman’s vision for supporting tech founders while maintaining community values, his experiences at GoPro and Alibaba’s Entrepreneurs Fund, and why he believes in betting long on the Bay Area—even as others look elsewhere.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest

What happens when a Disney and Warner Bros. executive trades film reels for floorplans? In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Neal Collier, a fourth-generation Angeleno who transitioned from the entertainment industry to become a successful real estate investor in Los Angeles. Neal shares how he turned a modest condo purchase into a multi-property portfolio of Spanish-style apartment buildings — all while preserving architectural charm and managing every renovation himself.

Learn how Neal leveraged debt creatively, rebuilt vintage bathrooms with surgical precision, and tracked hipster migration trends to buy in up-and-coming neighborhoods. He discusses why attention to detail matters in attracting tenants, how he built custom real estate financial models, and why he remains bullish on DIY investing—despite the many hurdles LA landlords face today.

If you’ve ever wondered how to spot value in overlooked buildings, how to bootstrap your first investment, or how to balance artful restoration with smart financial planning, Neal’s story is a blueprint worth hearing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We’re excited to feature your voice in the conversation about building wealth and legacies through commercial real estate. Join us to share your journey and insights with our growing audience! Learn more and apply at https://sfcommercialconversations.com/guest