SF Commercial Property Conversations

In this engaging episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Jeff Schween and his daughter Kelsey McCaffrey to talk shop—and legacy. Jeff brings over 35 years of real estate experience in Santa Rosa, including deep involvement in the post-2017 Tubbs Fire rebuild. Kelsey, a former educator and school principal, shares how her career pivot has brought fresh insights and tech-savvy innovation to the family business.
 
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In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean sits down with East Bay real estate expert Gabriel Galiothe to dive into the current state of Oakland’s multifamily market. Gabe shares how he got his start in real estate after studying urban land development at Fresno State and how his journey led him to become a key player in Oakland's commercial real estate scene.
From shifts in rent control to buyer hesitancy, Gabe unpacks the political, economic, and social dynamics impacting today’s East Bay property landscape. He offers insights on emerging opportunities for investors, the potential rebound of Oakland’s rental market, and why 2026-2027 could be a major turning point.
If you’re a buyer with cash and patience—or simply curious about where Oakland is headed—this is a must-listen.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

Kamyar Rezaie joins Bruce for a timely update on the lending landscape. With interest rates showing some signs of retreat and banks eager to lend, Kamyar shares how borrowers with strong reserves are securing attractive financing terms. He also dives into the dynamics of construction lending, noting a shift toward bridge and hard money loans as traditional financing begins to loosen.
The conversation turns to bigger forces affecting lending—like tariffs, global unrest, and the U.S. government shutdown—revealing how each one ripples through the loan process. Kamyar explains the shutdown’s direct hit on SBA and FHA loans, including the domino effect on escrow timelines, IRS documentation delays, and the broader economy.
Finally, the discussion pivots to ownership trends, tax advantages of buying property, and why owner-occupied purchases are surging despite few price drops in hot markets like LA.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean chats with Steven Bloom, founder of Rent TV, a web-based media platform for commercial real estate professionals. From his early days working on developments in New York City to launching a video-first CRE media company in Southern California, Steven shares his incredible journey of entrepreneurship, innovation, and grit.
You’ll hear how Steven went from brokering deals to hosting events across the western U.S., launching a podcast, and building The Review — a curated, searchable video platform for real estate content. He dives into the challenges and opportunities in today’s real estate markets including retail’s resurgence, office space turmoil, and California’s evolving commercial landscape.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

J. Hickingbotham joins Bruce Bean to share his unique journey from growing up in Menlo Park to selling real estate in Lake Tahoe, and ultimately managing a 400-unit portfolio with properties across Oakland, Reno, and beyond. With deep roots in the industry and hands-on experience in both brokerage and property management, Jay offers real insights into how to build wealth through real estate — especially when commissions stop flowing.
He discusses the evolution of the rental market in Oakland, the power of partnerships in multifamily investing, and what it means to “stay hands-on” as a property manager. From choosing the right neighborhoods to navigating regulatory challenges like seismic retrofits, Jay brings both wisdom and work ethic to the table. Whether you're a seasoned investor or thinking about getting into multifamily real estate, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

In this episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Ryan Sudeck, whose journey spans from Stanford rower to Wall Street dealmaker, to real estate innovator leading one of the most exciting strategies in the market: converting underused hotels into affordable workforce housing.
Ryan shares how his passion for real estate started with buying small multifamily properties on weekends while juggling a demanding corporate career. That passion snowballed into the launch of Sage Investment Group, which now spearheads adaptive reuse projects across the U.S., helping meet the urgent need for affordable housing while generating strong investment returns.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

In this engaging episode, Bruce Bean sits down with Jason Piazza—co-founder of WeCann and longtime commercial real estate agent based in Orange County—to explore the intersection of cannabis and commercial property. Jason shares how his upbringing shaped his views on cannabis, what led him to pivot from generalist real estate work into the cannabis sector, and how the market has evolved dramatically since California went recreational in 2016.
Jason offers a candid look into the current state of the cannabis real estate market in California—discussing oversaturation, licensing complexities, and the surge in mergers and acquisitions. He breaks down the different cannabis license types and sheds light on regulatory challenges, banking limitations, and the future of federal cannabis reform.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations with Bruce Bean, we sit down with Anthony Shell, a seasoned commercial real estate broker who has carved a unique path in the Bay Area market. Anthony opens up about how his older brother inspired his career, his early days at Cushman & Wakefield, and his transition to leadership roles at Avison Young and now Colliers.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

In this episode, Bruce sits down with David Berneman, the founder and CEO of Golden Bee Properties, a Los Angeles-based real estate investment and management firm. David shares his journey from urban planning and environmental science to managing over 1,500 multifamily units.
You’ll hear how a childhood spent tagging along with his parents on maintenance runs sparked a lifelong interest in real estate. David walks us through his professional evolution—from analyzing sites for Westfield Group to launching his own vertically integrated real estate company.
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

In this episode, Bruce Bean talks with Patrick Butler, a civil engineer with Kimley-Horn, about his journey from aviation projects to becoming a key player in the data center development boom. Patrick shares how he helps clients vet sites, navigate zoning hurdles, assess infrastructure, and even plan for unique utilities like water and power usage.
He also reveals which Bay Area cities are open to data center expansion and which ones aren’t—and why. From land requirements to the impact of AI and cooling systems, Patrick breaks down the surprisingly complex world of these high-demand facilities.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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