Ever wonder what the stats in those flashy real estate headlines really mean? In this episode, Bruce Bean welcomes economic and real estate expert Patrick Duffy for a behind-the-scenes look at the trends shaping commercial and residential property markets across the U.S.

Patrick shares how a background in economics and a few key internships launched his decades-long career analyzing the housing market. From uncovering why Omaha, Nebraska is currently the hottest market in the U.S., to breaking down how rising mortgage rates and economic uncertainty are reshaping buying behaviors—Patrick offers insights that investors, developers, and curious homeowners alike will appreciate.

The two also dig into:

• The rise of the build-to-rent movement in the South

• How retail is pivoting in a post-pandemic world

• Office return rates and what hybrid work really looks like

• Why property management is still one of the toughest jobs in real estate

• And the importance of economic resilience in local markets

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 welcomes Rocio Luna, a dynamic commercial insurance broker based in Southern California. Rocio shares her unique journey into the world of insurance—starting from the ground up with zero experience, facing challenges head-on, and eventually transitioning from claims management to a thriving career in sales.

Rocio explains the significance of the EMR (Experience Modification Rate) in the world of contracting and staffing, offering valuable insights into how it impacts premium costs and contract opportunities. She talks about her early days juggling stacks of legal documents, learning the ropes via Google, and the power of empathy when guiding businesses through stressful claims.

Listeners will learn how Rocio’s psychology background unexpectedly empowered her to connect deeply with clients, and how she evolved her approach to cold-calling and lead generation—eventually building a strong referral-based business through platforms like LinkedIn.

Whether you're a small contractor, staffing agency, or someone curious about the behind-the-scenes of commercial insurance, Rocio’s story is an inspiring look into what it takes to turn adversity into opportunity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 chats with Tim Chen, co-founder of Connected Companies, about his incredible journey from China to becoming a real estate entrepreneur in the U.S. Tim opens up about moving to the States with little English, failing early ventures, and how he finally broke into the commercial real estate world through sheer persistence.

He shares stories of cold-calling, learning on the job, and how he landed his first big opportunity at CBRE. Then, hear how Tim made the leap into co-founding Connected Companies, navigating the pandemic, and scaling a portfolio to over $100 million in assets under management.

Whether you're just starting out or already knee-deep in commercial real estate, this story of grit and growth will definitely inspire.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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