How do real estate investors find the money they need to make deals happen? And how can AI help them save time and work smarter?

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean talks with Maxim Shapiro of Novateur Capital about raising money, finding lenders, and using AI in commercial real estate.

Maxim has worked in real estate since 2006. He started in private equity, moved into lending, and later opened his own business in California. Today, he and his partner help real estate owners and developers across the country find the debt and equity they need for their projects.

Finding Money for Real Estate Deals

Maxim explains why getting a bank loan can be harder in California than on the East Coast. He shares how private lenders and debt funds help fill that gap, especially for projects that need more work or carry more risk.

He also talks about what happens when older loans come due at higher interest rates. While some investors worry about a wave of troubled properties, Maxim believes many lenders would rather work with borrowers than take properties back.

Using AI to Save Time

One of the most interesting parts of the talk is how Maxim uses AI tools like Claude to run his business.

AI helps his team build loan packages, create financial models, track emails, and manage replies from lenders. Work that once took hours can now take much less time.

For a small business, that means more time to help clients and find new deals.

Looking Ahead

Despite higher interest rates and changes in the economy, Maxim is hopeful about the future of commercial real estate. He sees plenty of money looking for good projects and investors who are ready to move forward.

Whether you own property, develop real estate, or just want to learn how deals get funded, this episode offers a useful look at today's market.

What if you could own a beautiful vacation home in France, Italy, or Spain without paying for the whole house?

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean talks with Don Spradlin, founder of Joie de Vivre Homes, about a new way to own a second home in Europe through fractional ownership.

After 40 years in real estate and 20 years raising money for nonprofits, Don found a way to bring together two things he loves: real estate and travel.

His company helps people share the cost of owning beautiful homes in some of Europe's most popular places.

Don explains how buyers can own a one-eighth share of a vacation home instead of buying the whole property.

Unlike a typical timeshare, owners hold a share in the home through a legal ownership structure. They also have a say in how the property is managed and how much is spent on its care.

Don shares how his company handles home purchases, schedules visits, and helps owners enjoy their time abroad.

Bruce and Don talk about why sharing a vacation home can make sense for people who only travel to Europe a few months each year.

They discuss the difference between fractional ownership and timeshares, how owners choose their vacation dates, and how shared costs are managed.

Don also talks about the homes his company is offering in the south of France, Nice, Lake Como, and Barcelona, along with plans to explore more locations in Italy, Spain, and even Japan.

One of the best parts of the conversation is Don's view of travel. He believes having a home base abroad lets people feel like part of a local community instead of just being tourists.

What does it take to build a lasting career in commercial real estate? For Jesus Henao, it starts with hard work, discipline, and learning from the right people.

In this episode of SF Commercial Property Conversations, host Bruce Bean talks with Jesus Henao about his journey from serving in the Marine Corps to building a successful commercial real estate career spanning more than 30 years.

From the Marines to Real Estate

At just 17 years old, Jesus joined the Marine Corps to find a better path in life. After four years of service, including eight months in the Gulf War, he went to college at USC and later earned a master's degree in real estate development from Arizona State University.

His career took an unexpected turn when he joined Marcus & Millichap as a marketing assistant. There, he worked alongside top-producing agent John Walsh, who taught him the value of hard work, discipline, and staying focused.

The Challenges of Today's Real Estate Market

Jesus shares his views on the commercial real estate market in California and Utah. He explains how rising expenses, higher loan costs, taxes, and rent control can make it harder for property owners to earn a profit.

He also talks about why some investors are looking beyond California for new opportunities.

How AI Is Changing Commercial Real Estate

One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is how Jesus uses artificial intelligence in his daily work.

From reviewing long loan documents to checking lease agreements and writing property descriptions, Jesus explains how tools like ChatGPT and Claude are helping his team save time.

But he makes one thing clear: technology cannot replace the personal relationships that make real estate deals happen.

Meet Jesus Henao

Jesus Henao is a commercial real estate professional with more than 30 years of experience. His team focuses mainly on multifamily investment properties, serving clients in California and Utah. He also works with commercial properties, investment portfolios, and land development opportunities.