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Stop Behaving Like a Loser + 18 Common Loser Glitches
Last week, I got yet another troll on IG. Happens all the time. My all-time favorite comment? “You never summited Everest because no one saw... Read More
End-of-Summer Blues + 50 Ideas for Motivation
I’ve been inundated with articles (here, here, and here) on how to motivate yourself out of the end-of-summer blues—as if the beginning of autumn automatically... Read More
How We Spend Our Time, Building Relationships, and More
This week I stumbled upon a couple of graphs and couldn’t stop thinking about some of the data. TIME SPENT Think about what you see... Read More
New Take on Life, Team Leadership, and More
It’s the end of August. I’ve been reflecting on my summer. I managed to climb two mountains on my list – Mt Logan and Mt Damavand. I managed... Read More
Mt Damavand climb + Observations
In the past two weeks, I managed to visit four countries, one of which was Iran. Iran is home to Mt. Damavand (5,609 m), the... Read More
My Portfolio of Mountains
What is life without risk? Mountain Altitude Summit Date Comments Olympus Mons, Mars 21,287 m (69,841 ft) TBD 🙂 Tallest planetary mountain in the Solar... Read More
Mount Logan expedition
Mount Logan (5,959 m), the second highest mountain in N America summitted 6/15/24. See more pictures in ‘777 Summits’ folder on my IG @okglobaltravels. Expedition... Read More
Navigating the Office of the Future
State of the Office Market: Navigating the Office of the Future JLL just dropped its latest US Office Outlook, the numbers are slowly improving. Here... Read More
The Myth of a Male vs Female Brain
I came across some interesting data to close Women’s History Month out. A study by the Boston Consulting Group found that women are accumulating wealth... Read More
How To Master Peak Performance
To address a question posed by several people after my last blog post: my next expedition is in June to Mt. Logan (19,551 ft), the... Read More
Human Evolution and AI: A Note to Leaders (Part 2 of 2)
Human Evolution and AI: An Opportunity To Create A New Approach To Life A recent report by Goldman Sachs suggests that gen AI could raise global GDP by... Read More
Human Evolution and AI: A Note to Leaders (Part 1 of 2)
The human experience is changing by leaps and bounds thanks to AI. The recent headlines from around the globe make one pause. Chat GPT just got... Read More
CBAI Q124 The Remote Work Revolution: 5 Considerations
The Remote Work Revolution: 5 Considerations NAREIT reported its annual numbers and the office REITs again were among the worst performers. Since early 2020, the... Read More
Lessons for Success in Every Stroke
I just had a chance to watch NYAD. On her fifth try, 64-year-old Diana Nyad swam 110 miles from Havana to Key West. It has never... Read More
RESEARCH PAPER ON RISKS OF AI FOR REAL ESTATE
I recently co-authored a research paper titled New Risk-Management Considerations For The Real Estate Industry In The Era Of Artificial Intelligence for Global Studies on Economics and Finance. We presented a blueprint for real estate investment companies for novel risk considerations due to the rise... Read More
Fast Company: 4 leadership lessons I learned by climbing the world’s tallest mountains
Leadership advice published in Fast Company: 4 leadership lessons I learned by climbing the world’s tallest mountains Popular posts on similar topic: Why laziness... Read More
Building and Monetizing Your Mindset: monthly LIVE Masterclass
Next ‘Reach Any Summit’ Masterclass – Building and Monetizing Your Mindset Apply for a monthly private coaching program for female entrepreneurs Class Dates: first Saturday of... Read More
Self-leadership lecture at UW Foster Executive MBA
This week I gave a lecture on self-leadership at UW Foster Executive MBA (the School also develops a wide range of custom corporate programs). I... Read More
Why laziness is good for you
Naturally, there are periods of time when it seems like we have given up on everything we ever desired. At it feels as not just... Read More
Handling procrastination
Understanding why we start procrastinating is relatively straightforward. It often begins with feelings of anxiety, even when faced with familiar tasks. Fear of failure and... Read More
CBAI 0423: A strong case for REITs investing
CBAI Performance In March 2023 the CBAI model portfolio achieved -4.07% vs -2.07% return for NAREIT benchmark. Overall, the CBAI model portfolio continues to outperform... Read More
Institutional Real Estate Investor Magazine: REITs, interest rates and fairy tales: Don’t fear the big bad interest rate wolf
Published in Institutional Real Estate Investor Magazine Dick Wollack of Fulton Advisors and I have discussed the effects of interest rate increases on REITs in... Read More
CBAI 0323: Multifamily – leading property type
With the rise of adoption of artificial intelligence in the financial sector, the analysis of the market is getting more precise and detailed. By... Read More
Mt Kenya Expedition
I summited Mt Kenya (5,199 m), the second highest mountain in Africa, end-February. The climb took us 4 days including time to get to the... Read More
I spent 20 min on top of Mt Everest. Here is what I learned about the meaning of life
I spent 20 minutes alone of top of Mt Everest, the highest mountain on the planet. Here is what I learned about the meaning of... Read More
CBAI 0123: Top Holding Overview – PSA
With the rise of adoption of artificial intelligence in the financial sector, the analysis of the market is getting more precise and detailed. By rigorously... Read More
CBAI 1222: Strong fundamentals in the self-storage sector
With the rise of adoption of artificial intelligence in the financial sector, the analysis of the market is getting more precise and detailed. By rigorously... Read More
Surviving is just a habit
A reader sent me a question: How am I supposed to set big goals if I am too busy handling my everyday life? Well… Yes,... Read More
How to not give up
When we get stuck in traffic, we are surrounded by people who are trying to go somewhere. They all have goals and a final destination.... Read More
Goal-setting 101
I hope you had a chance to review the goal-setting guide we have prepared. If not, here is the link again. To control and manage time... Read More
CBAI 0922: Why CBAI is 40% in multifamily
A sharp correction in REIT share prices in the first half of 2022 and quite a bit of volatility in recent months triggered a sell... Read More
CBAI 0922: Top holding overview AVB
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB) is currently a Top 3 stocks in CBAI allocation of August 15, 2022. The machine learning algorithm analyzed historic performance of... Read More
Life in the “death zone” and reader Q&A
October. The Halloween, the day of the year associated with death in many cultures. Let’s talk about death. I am writing this at the gym... Read More
CBAI Methodology
The following methodology is described based on the REIT securities strategy. CBAI Probabilistic Approach strategy takes all four REIT specific fundamental categories into account, factors... Read More
Simple tips on how to reach your hardest summits – UC Berkeley Haas lecture
I recently gave a leadership lecture at Berkeley Haas. Here are a few things we talked about: We talked about mindset, setting goals, taking risks,... Read More
Joining WWSG as an exclusive speaker
I am excited to announce that I am now available for speaking engagements exclusively through @WWSG. I will be sharing what I have learned during... Read More
Annapurna I expedition
Update: On April 28th 2022 I summited Annapurna I and became the 1st Russian female mountaineer to do so. Victory! Today is 2 months since... Read More
K2 NFT Collection
Announcing K2 Expedition NFT collection drop Olga Koroleva is a mountaineer and an AI entrepreneur. Olga summited her first mountain when she was 7 years... Read More
CRE. ESG. NFT…
After my K2 expedition I released my own NFT collection. While working on it I had to do a lot of research: I am a... Read More
Alpha pursuit: how we build machine learning investment products
Let’s start with the good news: Companies in North America added a record number of robots in the first nine months of this year as... Read More
Investment Management Technology: Metatrends
I recently spoke at the Financial Women of San Francisco event discussing the fintech innovation, solutions, and barriers in Investment Management, together with Autumn Smith, Michael... Read More
Investing in afforestation #ESG
Capital Brain was recently involved in the analytics project related to the climate change. The international organization is looking to work on carbon sequestration through... Read More
7 Metatrends in the real estate industry
Over the past year the real estate industry has suddenly realized that themes like remote work, ESG and cloud computing will persist beyond the pandemic.... Read More
My K2 Expedition
This blog is usually about real estate. Not this time… I want to share that I am currently in Pakistan about to embark on my... Read More
Micro-data centers
Data centers were the highest performing REITs sector last year, Everything from working from home to online shopping and self-driving cars fuels demand for data... Read More
President Biden and Affordable Housing – Part 2
Today, too many United States citizens do not have access to affordable housing options; “Affordable” is defined as only taking 30% or less of a... Read More
U.S. Housing Policy, Politics, and Economics: Bias and Outcomes – Part 1
Real estate investors need a basic understanding regarding the fundamentals of policy and economics, that continuously drive the demand and supply of housing; For the... Read More
The metrics of ESG in Relation to Real Estate
ESG, Supply-Chain Innovations, and Green Energy Investors could obtain long-term performance advantages when portfolio construction and investment analysis include ESG factors, When considering the metrics of ESG... Read More
ESG: Ways to Achieve Net-Zero in a Real Estate Portfolio
Reviewing Ways to Achieve Net-Zero in a Real Estate Portfolio The City Developments Limited (CDL) offers great guidance in achieving a net-zero portfolio through operational... Read More
ESG: New Opportunities for Investors
ESG: Why is it in focus? ESG, Environmental, Social, and Governance, is in focus for businesses and here’s why. Growing evidence is putting forward that when... Read More
Hotels: good deals are yet to materialize
Investing in hotels could be one of the most efficient ways to capitalize on the post-pandemic travel economy, Investors are starting to take advantage of... Read More
Thrive Global: Olga’s Interview with Parveen Panwar, Mr. Activated #whynot
I recently had a pleasure of being interviewed by Parveen Panwar of Thrive Global about building a real estate investment company, my climbing, and staying... Read More
Resurgence of single-family asset class
Institutional investors continue piling into single-family rentals, an asset class seen as a safe-harbor post-pandemic, The pandemic has sent Americans rushing to the suburbs, setting... Read More
Will tech companies solve the housing crisis?
Tech giants are stepping up to help alleviate the housing crisis, Amazon, Alphabet, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple – all launched affordable housing investment programs, Many... Read More
Life sciences real estate – state of the market Q4’20
Given the current pandemic situation the interest of the real estate investment community in the life sciences real estate sector is poised to grow tremendously... Read More
Life Sciences real estate – a new darling of real estate investing
Given the current pandemic situation the interest of the real estate investment community in the life sciences real estate sector is poised to grow tremendously... Read More
Technological Impact on Office Properties
The introduction of new technologies by landlords and residents has revolutionized the source of real estate revenues and uses of space. New hardware and software... Read More
Real Estate Technology: New Applications for Organizational and Portfolio Strategies
We recently looked at the technological impact on real estate investing, various applications of machine learning in real estate, and how these new technologies might... Read More
Post COVID Trends in Commercial Real Estate
Capital Brain advisor Dr. Larry Souza recently gave a presentation at the CCIM Chapter meeting. We compiled the main points below regarding post-COVID commercial real... Read More
Public Policy and the Economy in 2020
Capital Brain advisor Dr. Larry Souza recently gave a presentation at the CCIM Chapter meeting. We compiled the main points below: The outbreak of Covid-19... Read More
Data Tools and Trends in underwriting Retail Real Estate
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a decrease in demand for retail, resulting in the foreclosures of many stores nationwide. However there is... Read More
Retail Landlords Carnage: Retail Landlords Filing for Bankruptcy
The pandemic, along with changing consumer habits and few new retail focused real estate funds being launched have caused major financial consequences for retail landlords.... Read More
Asset Management: Machine Learning use cases in real estate 3
In light of recent Covid-19 events we are summarizing the ways machine learning and AI can help real estate industry handle the changes, weather the... Read More
Intelligent Underwriting: Machine Learning use cases in real estate 2
In light of recent Covid-19 events we are summarizing the ways machine learning and AI can help real estate industry handle the changes, weather the... Read More
Prospecting/Lead Gen: Machine Learning use cases in real estate 1
In light of recent Covid-19 events we are summarizing the ways machine learning and AI can help real estate industry handle the changes, weather the... Read More
Home Factory, Inc: Post-fire rebuilds in santa rosa, ca
California is mired in a housing crisis of epic proportions There is a housing crisis of epic proportions in the State of California and the... Read More
Machine Learning in Real Estate
Idea I recently had an honor to speak about automation for real estate at the IMN’s COO/CFO Forum in New York (awesome crowd!) This post... Read More
Don’t Count Retail Real Estate Out Just Yet
Kohl’s, Macy’s, JC Penny, and Sears have all reported lower sales from the prior year. Payless and Sports Authority have shuttered hundreds of stores.... Read More
Calpers Cuts Investment Targets. New Private Equity Funds Launched
Calpers Cuts Investment Targets, Greatly Impacting Local Governments With the declaration that California’s roads are “in dire shape” and the evacuation of 180,000 people due... Read More
Hotels: tons of activity
Time To Use Those Vacation Days? The U.S. dollar’s strength has seen a 14-year high last year, the price of flight tickets have been steadily... Read More
Retail Funds Stay Strong
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Retail Funds Are As Active As Ever Another Thanksgiving has come and gone, and through the wasteland of discarded wishbones... Read More
Telescope Peak: from -250 to 11,000 ft in one day
The “impossible” and the hardest day hike in the US completed in 14 hours. Climbing from the lowest point in Death Valley (and in the... Read More
Active Hotel Investors of 2016
Here are some notable events happening in the hotel world: 2016 has given us Brexit, the most unfavorable presidential candidates in history, and a summer... Read More
Most active investors in office deals
Investment Vehicles, The Big Apple, and Sand Hill Road Investment in office is still a lucrative business. Just ask WeWork, the community-oriented workplace who’s preparing... Read More
CB Databank launched!
Bay-area based Commercial Real Estate platform Monetarex is very excited to announce the launch of Capital Brain, a product which is specially designed to help... Read More
Retail real estate can’t catch a break
Let’s face it: Retail companies just can’t seem to catch a break, whether it be malls’ dwindling customer population, retail sales recording weaker than projected... Read More
2016’s Most Active Middle-Market Private Equity Firms
Active middle-market real estate private equity Real estate private equity firms manage investment capital obtained from institutional investors or high net worth individuals with the goal... Read More
Celebrity Real Estate Investors
ICelebrity investors Kobe Bryant announced Monday that he was starting a $100 million media, technology and data fund. Take a look at these famous sportsmen... Read More
Healthcare Shocker
In a move that’s sure to raise everyones’ blood pressure, insurance provider Aetna has announced that it’ll no longer be partnering with Obamacare in the... Read More
Facebook Ventures Into Affordable Housing
Need to reach out to affordable housing operators? Just grab a free bonus – a company list with investment strategies at the end of this... Read More
How Much is a Degree Really Worth to a Mobster?
Stay in school, kids— it may help you become a better gangster. The University of Essex recently analyzed U.S. Census data and information from the... Read More
Multifamily: Overbuilding and Concessions
Slowdown in Multifamily Private Deals Apartment Operator Aimco has just inked a $320 million deal in Redwood City for a 463-unit apartment community— and 18%... Read More
Investing in the Games
All That Glitters Is Not Gold There’s a shimmering light at the end of the tunnel. But it’s not a gold medal: it’s the outlandish... Read More
CalPERS Disappoints
The California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) has reported their 12 month net return on investments, which clocked in at a preliminary 0.61%. CalPERS total... Read More
Aquaculture Real Estate. New Trend?
Something’s in the Water Something smells fishy here, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s cause for concern. The Food and Agriculture Organization has reported that... Read More
Hines REIT dissolution and a few words about Blackstone
To close out a month that gave us the Brexit, which briefly wiped $3 billion off the global market; the 6th season finale of Game... Read More
Diamond Resorts Deal and a Slowdown in the Hospitality Sector
Apollo Global has been one of the most active PE firms this year purchasing 3 corporations each valued above a billion dollars. Recently Apollo Global... Read More
Q2’16: Market Volatility Does Not Affect Private Real Estate Capital
Monetarex has aggregated and reviewed the data in 679 Form D filings submitted to the SEC for the real estate industry group as of June... Read More
Mt. Denali, the hardest of the 7 Summits is conquered!
Mt. Denali is summitted after seven months of daily training, two weeks in -30F temperatures, 140 lb in a sled (I only weigh 110 lbs!)... Read More
Is brick-and-mortar retail dead?
Hostess Brands is back… with no retail locations Deep fried fair lovers, nostalgics, and kids rejoice: not long ago Hostess Brands announced it will soon... Read More
Private Capital activity Q1 2016: no signs of slowdown
Monetarex has aggregated and reviewed the data in 954 Form D filings submitted to the SEC for the real estate industry group as of March... Read More
No need to worry: private multifamily real estate funds are doing great
With the continuing “desuburbanization” and the Millennials’ preference for simpler uncluttered life, multifamily remains the most popular investment strategy for private real estate firms. Multifamily... Read More
Private capital in 2015 is at its most active in this cycle
Monetarex has aggregated and reviewed the data in 842 Form D filings submitted to the SEC for the real estate industry group as of December... Read More
California crushes other states for private real estate investment, New York is a runner-up (real estate edition)
California real estate never seizes to amaze. Monetarex has aggregated and reviewed the data on over $36 billion in offerings submitted to the SEC for... Read More
Black Friday: Private retail real estate funds fail to impress
Despite some choppiness in the GDP and employment statistics this year, historically retail remains one of the most popular investment strategies for private real estate... Read More
Crowdfunding platforms don’t diminish the role of the traditional broker-dealer
Monetarex analyzed private placement filings dating back to 2012 in an effort to determine whether the compensation structures for private commercial real estate sponsors have... Read More
Private Capital Activity Q3’15 results: construction up, capital commitments down
Monetarex has aggregated and reviewed the data in 668 Form D filings submitted to the SEC for the real estate industry group as of September... Read More
Crowdfunding for commercial real estate fails to meet expectations
On Friday SEC has finally approved the crowdfunding rules. Every real estate professional can now raise up to $1 million annually from non-accredited investors. Average... Read More
Every tenth real estate deal done in the US utilizes general solicitation
On September 23, 2013, the ban on general solicitation was lifted via Title II of the JOBS Act. Advertising deal terms publicly was illegal for the past... Read More
Q3’15 Private Real Estate Deals Activity is Strong but Fundraising Slowing Down
Despite a volatile time in public markets, private capital activity for real estate has been strong and is now already in line with the Q2’15 results.... Read More
Olga summits Elbrus, her third of the 7 Summits
I knew that if I failed I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying. –Jeff Bezos
[Infographic] How to Make a Billion in Real Estate
When it comes to making money in commercial real estate investing, there are many ways to do it but pretty much all of them involve... Read More
Olga Koroleva, CEO, Summits Aconcagua
Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside of Asia, at 6,960.8 meters (22,837 ft). It is located in the Andes mountain range, in the province of... Read More
[Infographic] The Rise and Fall of the Single-Family as an Institutional Asset Class
Several single-family investment companies have done really well during the crisis but the “easy gains” available to them through buying assets in “fire sales” have... Read More
[Infographic] Commercial Real Estate in 2014: What To Expect
Commercial real estate experts predict a positive year for the industry. Check out what they have to say.
[Infographic] Commercial Real Estate 2013: a year in review
Overview of major deals/events that happened in Commercial Real Estate in 2013.