Jared Epstein

Are you going to buy in `25? If so, what asset class?

I certainly hope so! Land to develop luxury residential. Office buildings to enhance or convert. Urban retail neighborhoods that we can transform.

Is there a single “good” sign you see in a distressed property that makes you want to buy it?

Location, location, location — along with aesthetic and physical attributes that separate it from the pack.

What real estate or tax policy would you like to see from a Trump administration?

President Trump recognizes that real estate is more than property — it’s a catalyst for community growth and economic prosperity. His approach shows a clear understanding of the real estate industry’s role in city life. By empowering landlords and developers through tax incentives and deregulation, he will bolster a stronger, more resilient New York City skyline. His policies will enable us to move capital effectively, creating jobs, housing and spaces that strengthen our communities. His focus on streamlining federal regulations will allow us to bring visions to life faster and more affordably, benefiting both developers and the residents who call these properties home.

By protecting 1031 exchanges, President Trump has an appreciation for the long-term investment required to maintain a robust real estate market. This preservation of a critical tax tool will allow developers to keep reinvesting and upgrading properties, adding enduring value to the New York City landscape. I expect President Trump will once again push through tax reforms which will be an affirmation of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives NYC. By supporting property owners and developers, he will support New Yorkers’ aspirations, helping to build a stronger, more dynamic cityscape.

Which market (outside of NYC) do you like best? Which market (including NYC) are you most fearful of?

I love Los Angeles because I find a vast amount of retail as well as food and beverage establishments so interesting and fun, which is likely due to the fact that they are owned and operated by creative people. I also love Boulder, Colo. It’s a magical town with great restaurants, welcoming people, and the incredible backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Also, my family and I are among the biggest fans and supporters of the CU Buffs football program, so being in Boulder is extremely special for us. I didn’t attend the university or ever live in Colorado.

The market I am most fearful of is any central business district with a plethora of antiquated office buildings and little demand for space.

What’s going to be your biggest expense in 2025?

My wife’s American Express bill. LOL! As for Aurora’s real estate business, the cost of capital is going to continue to hamper real estate unless President Trump pulls a few rabbits out of his MAGA hat.

What are your predictions for the mayor’s City of Yes, especially given the controversies within the Adams administration?

G-d help us. Hopefully the pendulum is swinging back in NYC like it evidently is nationally. The majority of Democratic leaders fail to realize that the success of business and real estate owners are a prerequisite to Make NYC Great Again (MNYCGA).

Do you still like Eric Adams? (Did you ever like him?)

Yes, I did and always will. My wife and I had the opportunity to get to know Mayor Adams on a personal level during a fundraiser we hosted at our home for his 2021 campaign. He is a good human with the right intentions. Unfortunately, he is handcuffed by those in greater power positions, and, more alarming, he is prosecuted instead of actual criminals.

Lightning Round:

Your social media of choice?
Instagram and LinkedIn.

AI: Helpful in CRE or a fad?
Game-changer for every industry, but it will lead to the downfall of the human race. Skynet!

Last movie you saw in a theater?
“Super Mario Brothers” a couple of years ago in East Hampton with my sons and wife.

You’re going on a six-month expedition into the Amazon. What’s your last meal before you get on the plane?
A six-course meal with pastas, meat, sushi, pastries and ice cream.

Tesla or BMW?
BMW with Tesla AI.

Will interest rates be below or above 4 percent on July 1, 2025?
Unfortunately, above.

If you could partner with one person in the business on a property, who would it be?
Jeff Blau.

What are you tired of talking about?
The election.