In this episode, we interview Jake Klamen, founder of Klamen Commercial Advisors and co-owner of My Ten Management. With deep family roots in St. Louis real estate, Jake has successfully completed over 48 commercial transactions valued at over $125 million since founding his brokerage in 2021. Beyond brokerage, Jake plays a key role in managing a large residential and commercial portfolio through his family-run management company.Throughout the conversation, Jake shares how focusing on revenue-generating activities, reputation, and relationship-building has been the backbone of his success. He dives into the resilience of neighborhood retail centers, strategies for positioning properties for sale, and insights into navigating the nuances of the St. Louis market. Key themes include the importance of working hard early in your career, maintaining client trust, and why focusing on daily activities rather than just results is critical in commercial real estate.

Twitter: twitter.com/ItsRajTut

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajtut/

Instagram: instagram.com/ItsRajTut

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsrajtut

Connect with James:

Website: klamencommercial.com

Email: jake@klamencommercial.com

Phone: (314) 680-9919

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-klamen-6916ab1a0/

Timestamps:

00:00

00:54 Jake’s background and founding Klamen Commercial Advisors

05:58 Family legacy: Three generations in real estate

08:21 Core values that built a lasting real estate business

11:36 Early brokerage years at Marcus & Millichap and Colliers

13:05 Overcoming the brutal first year in real estate

14:35 How sports mentality shaped Jake’s success in brokerage

15:51 Challenges and wins in starting his own brokerage

19:49 Why neighborhood retail centers remain a resilient investment

22:29 Ideal tenant mix for successful shopping centers

24:34 Expanding beyond St. Louis into regional markets

30:32 How unsophisticated sellers create buying opportunities

32:02 Current retail cap rates, lending, and positive leverage

40:11 Why St. Louis confuses out-of-state investors

42:23 Preparing a property for sale + strategic advice from Jake

48:37 Jake’s advice for young brokers: Focus on daily activities, not just results (Hole in One)This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.

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