America's housing crisis has officially reached the 1%. Ultra-wealthy renters are struggling to find suitable properties in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Miami, despite being able to afford sky-high rents of $30,000-$60,000 per month. The number of millionaire renters surged 204% between 2019 and 2023, but supply hasn't kept pace. In San Francisco's tiny 47-square-mile footprint, mansions over 6,000 square feet vanish within 48 hours. New York's co-op restrictions and Miami's post-COVID inventory crunch have created similar shortages. The irony? While regular buyers battle affordability, billionaires are battling availability—proving that even unlimited budgets can't solve America's housing supply problem.

Big Beautiful Bill brings major tax breaks for real estate owners. On July 4th, President Trump signed the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which is packed with real estate tax advantages. The headline feature: 100% bonus depreciation extended through 2029, letting property investors write off qualifying building improvements and land upgrades in the first year instead of over multiple years. The bill also permanently increases the small business income deduction to 23% and raises estate tax exemptions to $15 million. Additional wins include enhanced Opportunity Zone benefits for rural areas and better tax credits for affordable housing development. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the package will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit over ten years, potentially pushing rates higher long-term. Still, for real estate investors timing their moves during this favorable window, the tax benefits could be substantial.

President Trump is cranking up the pressure on Fed Chair Jerome Powell, literally holding up a handwritten note at a press briefing suggesting rates should drop to around 0.5%—down from the current 4.25%-4.5% range. The note read: "Jerome — You are, as usual, 'too late'...You should lower the rate — by a lot. Hundreds of billions of dollars being lost." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent piled on, saying the Fed seems "frozen at the wheel." Markets are only pricing in a 20% chance of July cuts, but traders expect quarter-point reductions at the Fed's final three meetings. With Powell's term ending next May, Bessent is considered a top replacement candidate and said the White House is already working on succession planning.

Last week, I sat down with my friend Jaime Contreras on the Value Builder Podcast.

Jaime's known for creative deal structures and seller financing—but what struck me wasn't his tactics.

It was one simple philosophy:

"Commercial real estate is actually a much smaller universe than anyone thinks. All the key players know each other or know of each other."

That completely reframed how I think about every deal.

For years, I've been treating deals like a math problem: find property, run numbers, negotiate price, close.

But Jaime's built his entire approach around something completely different.

He's not just buying buildings—he's solving human problems that happen to involve real estate transactions.

And honestly?

It's working better than any spreadsheet strategy I've ever seen.

Most investors obsess over cap rates and construction costs.

Jaime digs deep into what sellers actually need beyond the transaction.

Here's his non-negotiable: he meets every seller face-to-face.

Even when brokers push back.

Even when it means flying across the country.

Even when the deal looks boring on paper.

"We literally tell brokers that we establish relationships with owners. We ask for in-person meetings and we're persistent about it."

Why?

Because that one conversation can transform an okay deal into something that actually makes sense.

Jaime told me about an "okay deal" that led to a completely different property from the same seller—all because of one hour-long call that became a friendship.

The deal nobody else knew existed.

Once he has that relationship, Jaime doesn't let it go cold.

He sets up weekly 15-minute calls throughout due diligence.

Not to negotiate.

Not to pressure.

But to practice radical transparency.

"We don't want our seller caught off guard by anything. So we're proactive about keeping them informed at every step."

When bad news surfaces—and it always does—it doesn't kill the deal.

Because he's been setting expectations every single week.

Think about that.

Most investors ghost sellers during due diligence, then show up with a laundry list of problems right before closing.

Jaime does the opposite.

He treats it like a partnership from day one.

Here's what blew my mind: Jaime flies out to celebrate with every seller after closing.

At their favorite restaurant.

Their choice.

"It seems small, but people value that. Those dinners set things up for future friendships, mentorships."

The result?

Sellers become his personal board of advisors.

They invite him to their homes.

They call him with deals before they hit the market.

One seller built 36 industrial buildings in his lifetime.

Now when Jaime has construction questions, he's got decades of expertise on speed dial.

Most investors celebrate alone.

Jaime celebrates with the person who made it possible.

"If your reputation is gone in commercial real estate, you got to change industries," we both agreed. "You're not coming back."

In residential investing, you might never see the same people twice.

Commercial?

It's a small world where everyone talks.

Jaime's witnessed it: "I've seen people who don't play the long game get scratched off the list immediately. 'Don't talk to that guy.'"

While others chase capital or squeeze construction margins, Jaime unlocks something different entirely.

Creative structures.

Seller financing.

Terms that don't exist for anyone else.

"Seller financing is such an easy win-win. You make them realize you're helping them."

It starts with one question: "What are you planning to do with the capital from this sale?"

That opens everything.

Tax strategies.

Cash flow needs.

Investment goals they hadn't considered.

Suddenly, you're not just another buyer.

You're a financial advisor helping them optimize their exit.

Here's what separates pros from amateurs: time horizon.

"We play to our reputation and our word. Because of that, we get rewarded."

I can imagine the places Jaime's career will take him.

But I know it'll be quite far—further than even he can see from where he stands today.

Because in a world of spreadsheets and cap rates, the buyer who genuinely cares about sellers' interests will absolutely destroy those who only think in IRRs and equity multiples.

Commercial real estate isn't just about buying buildings.

It's about solving problems for people who happen to own buildings.

Start thinking that way, and everything else falls into place.