In this episode of The Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I sit down with Mike "Big Mike" Zlotnik, CEO of TF Management Group and host of The Big Mike Fund Podcast. Mike's journey from tech executive to full-time investor and fund manager is a masterclass in timing, risk management, and courage.
We unpack what it takes to transition from a corporate career to real estate, why masterminds are the fastest way to collapse your learning curve, and how today's commercial market offers one of the best entry points we've seen in years.
Mike also shares his expert take on market cycles, cap rates, AI's growing impact on real estate operations, and why "fear in the market" often signals opportunity for disciplined investors.
If you're serious about learning how to analyze risk, find predictable cash flow, and invest strategically in a changing economy, this episode is your blueprint.
Key Talking Points of the Episode
00:00 Introduction
01:03 Who is Mike Zlotnik?
02:20 From IT to investing: how Mike went from VP in tech to full-time investor
03:55 Are you investing to learn or learning to invest?
05:03 The power of masterminds and how surrounding yourself with the right people changes everything
06:05 Networking, knowledge, and doing business with people you know, like, and trust
07:41 Why paying for access beats free advice: Value always outweighs cost
09:08 Making the leap in 2009 during market chaos: Burnout, courage, and timing
10:03 "Be greedy when others are fearful": Why the bottom of the market breeds opportunity
11:16 Why 2025 is shaping up like 2009: Commercial real estate values today
16:10 TF Management's current strategy: Precision over volume
17:43 Breaking down a commercial deal: cap rates, spreads, and downside protection
19:02 Why triple-net industrial is a hidden gem in today's market
20:35 Finding deals nationwide through trusted relationships and not by chasing markets
22:50 How to underwrite for safety: Positive spreads and conservative leverage
23:51 The impact of AI on real estate: Efficiency, deflation, and productivity
25:39 Why AI may push interest rates lower and create new tailwinds for real estate
28:05 Mike's interest rate forecast and why the next few years favor disciplined investors
Quotables
"Are you investing to learn or learning to invest? It's always both."
"When the cycle is at the bottom and fear is high, that's when I get greedy. That's where wealth is built."
"Success isn't ready, aim, fire—it's ready, fire, aim. You just keep adjusting until it works."
Links
BigMikeFund
The BigMikeFund Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bigmikefund/id1333666009
QLS 4.0 - Use coupon code for 50% off
https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls
Coupon code: pod
Apprentice Program
https://3paydaysapprentice.com
Coupon code: Podcast
Masterclass
https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast
Wicked Smart Books
https://wickedsmartbooks.com/podcast
Strategy Session
https://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast
Partners
https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com