Can impressive CRE returns hide more risk than investors realize?

Caleb David sits down with Jacob Vanderslice, co-founder of VanWest Partners, to discuss sponsor track records, debt risk, interest rates, self-storage supply, and smarter CRE due diligence.

Learn how to look beyond projected returns and understand what could actually make a deal fail.

👤 Host & Guest

Host: Caleb David

Host of Commercial Real Estate Unfiltered and a Colorado Front Range commercial real estate professional with nearly 15 years of experience.

Guest: Jacob Vanderslice

Co-founder of VanWest Partners. Jacob has been active in real estate since 2005 and has helped deploy more than $375 million into self-storage facilities.

💡 What You’ll Learn

Evaluate sponsors beyond their biggest wins.

Stress-test interest rates and refinance risk.

Identify self-storage supply risk.

Find value-add opportunities in CRE deals.

Evaluate the team behind an investment.

Use debt structure as part of due diligence.

Build wealth through disciplined long-term holding.

❓ Key Questions Answered

Q: What should investors ask a real estate sponsor?

A: Ask about their worst deals, recent exits, debt, and downside risk.

Q: Why can a sponsor’s track record be misleading?

A: Strong returns from easier market conditions may not show how they perform in a tougher market.

Q: What debt questions should CRE investors ask?

A: Understand the loan term, refinance assumptions, and what happens if rates rise.

Q: How do investors spot self-storage supply risk?

A: Look at future development, not just today’s supply-per-capita numbers.

Q: What makes a good value-add real estate deal?

A: Below-market rents, high expenses, and operational inefficiencies can create upside.

🔗 Connect & Learn More

Follow Commercial Real Estate Unfiltered for practical conversations about CRE investing and commercial real estate deals.

Jacob / VanWest Partners:

Website: vanwestpartners.com

Email: Jacob@vanwestpartners.com

⏱️ Chapters

(00:00) - Market Pain Ahead

(00:33) - Meet Jacob Vanderslice

(01:31) - From Residential to Self-Storage

(03:10) - Self-Storage Market Shift

(05:59) - Housing Slowdown & Storage Demand

(07:34) - A Real Estate Deal Gone Wrong

(09:46) - How to Invest in Self-Storage

(11:03) - Why Investors Keep Coming Back

(13:05) - What Limited Partners Should Ask

(15:28) - Finding Value-Add Opportunities

(18:40) - Future CRE Opportunities

(20:48) - Jacob’s Biggest Investing Lesson

💼 Connect with Jacob Vanderslice :

🌎 Website → https://www.vanwestpartners.com/team/jacob-vanderslice

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-vanderslice-02905b16b/

🎙 Follow Caleb David :

🌎 Website → https://www.davidcommercial.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/calebdavid/

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/calebdavid/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebdavid/

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

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