Why should you look at commercial real estate through a "creative" lens? Jon England joins Geordie Wardman to explain how problem-solving and strategic property exchanges are the keys to unlocking massive value in the Heartland. This episode moves beyond the basics, offering a masterclass in how to use data analytics and specialized education (SEC/CCIM) to find high-performing assets in self-storage, multi-family, and industrial sectors. If you want to increase your deal flow and move away from stagnant investment strategies, this episode provides the roadmap for high-growth commercial investing.

Key Takeaways:

• Creative Solutions: Why "exchanging" assets is often more lucrative than traditional selling.
• The Heartland Niche: Why Kansas City and the Midwest provide a unique stability for long-term data-driven investments.
• Specialized Education: How being a member of the Society of Exchange Counselors (SEC) provides an unfair advantage in deal-making.
• Sector Deep Dive: Why self-storage and industrial assets are currently the "gold mine" for savvy data analysts.
• Strategic Consulting: Moving from a "broker" mindset to a "consultant" mindset to close larger B2B deals.

Guest Bio:
Jon England, CCIM, SEC, is a Partner at NAI Heartland specializing in investment sales and strategic consulting. With over 20 years of experience, Jon is currently the only Missouri broker invited into the prestigious Society of Exchange Counselors. He has closed over 1 million square feet in self-storage transactions and is a recognized leader in Midwest commercial real estate.

Resources:
NAI Heartland - https://nai-heartland.com
Society of Exchange Counselors (SEC) - https://www.secounselors.com/
CCIM Institute - https://www.ccim.com/
"The Art of the Deal" (referenced for negotiation tactics)
Jon England - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonengland/

How to Find a Commercial Real Estate Mentor
CBRE Broker Steve Timmel on Investment Sales, Market Trends & Career Advice

Steve Timmel has seen every market cycle in the last 40 years.

In this episode, Geordie Wardman sits down with the CBRE legend to discuss the fundamental question: Do you want to get rich or stay rich? Steve breaks down the "Value Proposition" of different asset classes—from industrial R&D facilities to Class A office spaces—and explains how he navigated transactions totaling over 33 million square feet. This is an essential listen for anyone looking to scale their B2B real estate portfolio using proven, data-backed strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the shift from wealth creation to wealth preservation.
• Why industrial R&D assets remain a strong play in competitive markets.
• The importance of development feasibility in financial structuring.
• How to build a top-tier investment sales team that dominates regional markets.
• Strategic marketing secrets for income-producing investment properties.

Guest Bio:
Steve Timmel is a Senior Vice President at CBRE based in Cincinnati. With over 40 years of experience and $2.4 billion in transactions, he is a CCIM-designated leader in investment sales across the Midwest.

Connect with Steve Timmel on LinkedIn
CBRE Capital Markets
CCIM Institute
The Ohio State University Real Estate Program
LoopNet

Watch on YouTube

AI Tools for Commercial Real Estate Brokers | ChatGPT, Claude & Gemini Guide for CRE Dealmakers

🎙️ Duxree CPO Eric Vogel breaks down exactly how CRE brokers can start using AI today—from ChatGPT to Claude to Fireflies—plus why the brokers who refuse to adopt AI will get left behind by those who do.In this episode of Data to Deals, host Geordie sits down with Eric Vogel, Chief Product Officer at Duxree and a 15+ year tech veteran with experience in fintech, web3, and defense/aerospace. Eric delivers a practical, no-jargon guide to AI tools that commercial real estate brokers can implement immediately—no coding required. Where AI Is Headed in CRE: Lead Matchmaking & Zero Interfaces.

📌 KEY TAKEAWAYS:Eric explains that AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are conversational—you don't need technical skills to use them. He recommends Claude for long contracts and legal document review, Fireflies for meeting transcriptions, and Copilot if you're in the Microsoft ecosystem. The key insight: AI saves you hours on research, writing, and admin work so you can focus on what it can't do—building relationships and closing deals.

👤 ABOUT ERIC VOGEL: Eric Vogel is Chief Product Officer at Duxree, where he leads SaaS development for the company's AI-powered broker platform. A serial entrepreneur with 15+ years in tech, Eric has founded fintech and web3 startups and worked in defense and aerospace before joining Duxree to build Dash, the company's intelligent broker assistant. #AIforBrokers #CommercialRealEstate #ChatGPT #ClaudeAI #GeminiAI #CRETechnology #PropTech #Duxree #RealEstateAI #DataToDeals #BrokerTools #AIWorkflow #CREBroker

Watch this conversation on YouTube