Between Two Chairs - Demystifying Commercial Real Estate

In this episode of Between Two Chairs, Fernando Arencibia Jr. and Jennifer Wollmann break down the Q2 2026 South Florida commercial real estate market and what it means for Miami commercial real estate brokers, investors, landlords, tenants, and developers. Using the latest South Florida commercial market data, they discuss why sales volume may be down while fundamentals remain strong, where institutional capital is moving, and why Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach continue to stand out nationally.The conversation covers the continued flight to quality across office, industrial, retail, and multifamily; the rise of Broward County as a stronger commercial real estate connector; the impact of new construction pipelines; and the opportunities emerging in Class B and Class C office buildings, small industrial lots, and value-add commercial assets throughout Southeast Florida.Key Topics Covered· Q2 2026 South Florida commercial real estate sales trends· Why South Florida commercial sales declined while market fundamentals stayed strong· Miami office market performance· Industrial real estate rent moderation· Retail real estate strength· Multifamily construction, rent pressure, absorption, and long-term demand· Broward County’s acceleration as a commercial real estate investment market· Flight to quality and investor demand for well-located commercial assets· Opportunities in Class B and Class C office conversions and improvements· · What brokers and investors should monitor in Q3 and Q4 2026Miami Association of Realtors Commercial ReportMiami Commercial Office Report

Real estate is a relationship business—and in commercial real estate, relationships can be the difference between seeing a deal after everyone else and hearing about a market shift before it becomes public knowledge.In this episode of Between Two Chairs: Demystifying Commercial Real Estate, Fernando Arencibia Jr. and Jennifer Wollmann kick off August’s relationship-building theme by exploring the professional communities, associations, and local networks that help commercial real estate brokers, investors, lenders, appraisers, developers, property managers, attorneys, designers, and service providers build trust, share market intelligence, and serve clients better.They discuss why commercial real estate networking is especially important in markets like South Florida, where information on lease terms, off-market opportunities, neighborhood trends, asset-class shifts, and transaction history often moves through trusted broker-to-broker conversations rather than public platforms.The conversation highlights national and international commercial real estate organizations—including the National Association of Realtors, CCIM Institute, SIOR, ICSC, ULI, CREW Network, IREM, and the Realtors Land Institute—along with South Florida resources such as Miami Realtors Commercial and CIASF, the Commercial & Industrial Association of South Florida.In This Episode Learn:· Why relationship building is essential in commercial real estate brokerage· How professional communities help new brokers understand local markets faster· Why broker-to-broker relationships matter for lease comps, sale comps, off-market opportunities, and neighborhood insight· The value of commercial real estate associations such as CCIM, SIOR, ICSC, ULI, CREW, IREM, RLI, Miami Realtors Commercial, and CIASF· How networking events, market tours, lunch-and-learns, deal-making sessions, and local chapters create real business value· Why giving information, making introductions, and being a resource matters as much as asking for help· How South Florida’s commercial real estate ecosystem supports brokers, investors, lenders, appraisers, inspectors, developers, and service providers

In this episode of Between Two Chairs: Demystifying Commercial Real Estate, we break down one of the most important steps for any real estate investor: defining your “buy box.” Instead of chasing anything that looks like a “good deal,” we explain how investors can create a clear investment framework based on goals, asset class, location, price range, property quality, management expectations, and desired returns.The conversation explores why a buy box helps investors move from vague interest to focused decision-making. We discuss how an investor’s “why,” risk tolerance, available time, market knowledge, and personal experience should shape the types of properties they pursue. Topics Covered· How to define a commercial real estate buy box· The difference between chasing deals and following an investment philosophy· How asset class affects management intensity and risk· Why location analysis goes beyond liking a market· The role of demographics, zoning, and economic drivers· How to evaluate price beyond the purchase number· Why flexibility matters in real estate investing· How operational experience can create value· Lessons from Airbnb, multifamily, industrial, self-storage, hotels, land, and retail· How brokers can help investors clarify what they actually want to buySuccessful investing starts before the search begins. By defining a buy box, investors can narrow their focus, learn their market, evaluate opportunities more objectively, and act with confidence when the right deal appears. The best buy box is not just about numbers; it should also reflect lifestyle goals, management capacity, risk tolerance, and the investor’s own strengths.Whether someone is buying a long-term rental, a short-term rental, an industrial box, a self-storage facility, or a small hotel, the key is to know how the property makes money, what could go wrong, what alternatives exist, and how the investor’s own experience can improve performance.If you are interested in investing in real estate and want help defining your buy box, reach out to Fernando and Jennifer to talk through the questions they use when evaluating their own investment criteria.