Welcome to The Profit Talk! In this show, we're going to help you explore strategies to help you maximize profits in your business while scaling and creating the lifestyle that you want as an entrepreneur.

I am your host, Susanne Mariga! I'm a CPA, a Fractional CFO, and a Certified Profit First Professional Mastery Level providing tax strategies to 7 and 8-figure entrepreneurs.

Let's dive into strategies to maximize profits in your business!

In this episode of The Profit Talk Show, host Susanne Mariga welcomes Ash Patel, commercial real estate investor and operator, to discuss why 2026 may present one of the biggest buying opportunities in office real estate. This episode is tailored specifically for Profit First entrepreneurs exploring commercial real estate as a vehicle for wealth building and portfolio diversification.

Together, we explore why office properties—particularly outside major downtown cores—are deeply discounted and positioned for strategic acquisition. Ash shares practical underwriting strategies, how to evaluate deals conservatively, and how to properly vet syndicators and partners before investing. This conversation is packed with tactical insights for seven- and eight-figure entrepreneurs ready to step into commercial real estate with clarity and confidence.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Office: The New Gold Rush – Why office properties are heavily discounted and how suburban office markets may present strong opportunities.
✅ Cash Flow First Investing – Why every deal must cash flow on day one before moving forward.
✅ Conservative Underwriting – Modeling 18-month lease-ups, vacancy assumptions, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and capital expenditures.
✅ Napkin Math Screening – How simple two-column underwriting quickly eliminates weak deals.
✅ Lease Review Discipline – Why reading every lease word-for-word matters, including out clauses and guarantees.
✅ Vetting Syndicators & Operators – Key due diligence questions, including operator capital invested, prior investor references, and background checks.
✅ Mindset & Scaling – Why mindset drives investor success and how raising capital strategically accelerates growth.

Memorable Quotes:
💡 "If the numbers don't work on a napkin, move on to the next deal." – Ash Patel
💡 "Cash flow on day one is non-negotiable." – Ash Patel
💡 "Mindset accounts for the majority of success in commercial real estate investing." – Ash Patel

Resources & Links:
🔹 Ash Patel's two-column underwriting spreadsheet is available upon request.
🔹 Interested investors can request reference lists and conduct due diligence before investing.
🔹 Join my FREE Facebook Group, The Profit First Masterclass, for additional exclusive trainings: https://profit-first-mastermind.mykajabi.com/profit-first

If you're excited about what's next for your business and upcoming episodes, please head to our iTunes page and give us a review! Your support helps me bring in other amazing expert interviews to share their best tips on how to powerfully grow your business.

Mariga Group's website: www.marigagroup.com
Contact us at: (713) 280-7975

DISCLAIMER:
The information contained within these videos is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an accountant-client relationship. While we use reasonable efforts to furnish accurate and up-to-date information, we assume no liability or responsibility for any errors, omissions, or regulatory updates in the content of this video. Any U.S. federal tax advice contained within is not intended to be used for the purpose of avoiding penalties under U.S. federal tax law.