In this episode, Brad chats with Carlos Salguero, an entrepreneur and real estate expert with over 20 years of business and investment experience. After starting four seven-figure companies and exiting one for an eight-figure sum, Carlos is now focused on helping others invest in commercial real estate and building a $1 billion portfolio. He shares how his father's life inspired his interest in real estate and recounts the story of his first commercial deal—a 50,000-square-foot warehouse he purchased for his business. He also discusses a more recent, large-scale mixed-use property he acquired in Tennessee, explaining the importance of hands-on management and a strong business plan.
🔑 Key Topics Covered:

• The Path to Real Estate: Carlos shares how watching his father live off the rent from a warehouse complex he built influenced his own investment philosophy.

• The First Big Deal: The story of how Carlos bought a 50,000-square-foot warehouse in Denver, navigating dishonest brokers, a difficult seller's agent, and unexpected renovation costs to see the property’s value increase from $1.2 million to over $8 million.

• Active vs. Passive Investing: The difference between being a limited partner (LP), who simply writes a check, and a sponsor (GP), who actively runs the deal like a business.

• Lessons from a Challenging Deal: The journey of acquiring a Class A mixed-use property in Tennessee and overcoming challenges like a lender reducing proceeds by $1 million.

• The Power of Hustle: How Carlos and his team went from 66% commercial vacancy to 100% leased in just three years by actively seeking out tenants, rather than relying on a broker.

• Why Reputation is Everything: The importance of maintaining a five-star reputation online and keeping tenants happy, a lesson Carlos learned from his e-commerce background.

• The Next Chapter: Carlos outlines his goal to acquire $100-200 million in Class A assets annually and reach a $1 billion portfolio by 2030.

💬 Memorable Quotes:

• "I always thought that trading cash for real assets was a great idea." — Carlos Salguero

• "That's the power of real estate, right? Even folks that don't have systems and don't do things right... they can make money." — Carlos Salguero

• "Nobody will hustle more than you will for yourself." — Carlos Salguero

🔗 Connect with Carlos Salguero:

• 🌐 Website: https://cs3investments.com/

• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcarlosinfinite

• 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cssalguero/

🎙️ Connect with Host Brad Weaver:

• 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradweaver