Curious about building wealth through commercial real estate? In this episode of The Most Dwanderful Real Estate Podcast Ever, Dwan Bent-Twyford sits down with commercial lending expert Kamyar Rezaie to discuss the ins and outs of investing in commercial properties, creating passive income, and leveraging tax strategies to maximize returns.

Celebrating a Milestone and Introducing Kamyar Rezaie

Dwan kicks off the podcast celebrating the show reaching 1 million downloads and introduces Kamyar Rezaie, a commercial real estate advisor specializing in various lending platforms, including SBA loans, CMBS, conventional loans, and more. Kamyar helps clients structure financing based on their needs and financial standing, ensuring smooth deals and successful closings.

“I help on the lending side on different platforms…depending on the client’s needs, we place the loan with a bank to make the deal happen and close escrow.” – Kamyar Rezaie

Kamyar can be reached online through WembleysInc.com or via social media for personalized guidance.

Understanding Commercial Real Estate

Dwan and Kamyar dive into the benefits of commercial real estate versus residential properties. Dwan shares his experience, having acquired 28 commercial properties in the past 10 years, highlighting how commercial investments offer less hands-on management and more passive income compared to residential real estate.

Key Tips for First-Time Investors

Kamyar emphasizes preparation before acquiring a commercial property:

1. Check your credit report – ensure accuracy and fix any errors.

2. Analyze tax returns – review the past two years to understand net income versus liabilities.

3. Determine purpose – are you buying for your business or as an investment? Each has different qualifying ratios.

“If you’re buying it to rent, banks look at your net income and personal financial statement, but if it’s for your own business, your corporate side has to support the payments.” – Kamyar Rezaie

Dwan adds real-life insights from his investments in opportunity zones and revitalized downtown areas, demonstrating how strategic commercial acquisitions can transform communities while generating long-term wealth.

Benefits of Commercial vs. Residential Properties

One of the biggest advantages of commercial real estate is the hands-off nature of ownership:

• Tenants handle utilities, maintenance, and property care.

• Owners receive regular rent payments without daily management stress.

• Long-term value appreciation and residual income are possible with proper property management.

“In commercial, you’re less hands-on. You’re literally just getting rent every month, while tenants take care of everything.” – Kamyar Rezaie

Dwan also shares the practical challenges of older buildings, such as expensive boiler repairs, while emphasizing the potential rewards after renovations and strategic refinancing.

Tax Advantages and Cost Segregation

Kamyar highlights powerful tax strategies that make commercial real estate particularly appealing:

• Cost segregation – accelerated depreciation in the first few years reduces taxes, freeing up capital for additional investments.

• Opportunity zones – potential elimination of capital gains taxes after 10 years of ownership.

• 1031 exchanges – defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting in another property.

“I have clients that buy one or two buildings a year just to take advantage of cost segregation…tax savings can be used to buy more buildings.” – Kamyar Rezaie

Dwan confirms the benefits from his own experience, noting how opportunity zones and smart tax planning have helped his family build multigenerational wealth.

Creating Generational Wealth

Beyond immediate financial gains, both Dwan and Kamyar stress the importance of long-term planning:

• Establish trusts to ensure properties remain in the family across generations.

• Focus on residual income, allowing future generations to enjoy wealth without constant work.

• Educate children early on financial responsibility to protect and grow the family portfolio.

“By the time the grandkids get it, they understand the value of the property and managing it responsibly, creating true multigenerational wealth.” – Dwan Bent-Twyford

Financing Options for Commercial Properties

Kamyar explains the range of financing available for commercial acquisitions:

• SBA owner-occupied loans – up to 25-year fixed amortization.

• Conventional loans – typically 10–20 years, sometimes fixed over 20 years.

• Investment loans – 3, 5, 7, or 10-year fixed terms, amortized over 20–30 years.

“Majority of my clients on fixed rates are enjoying life, especially after refinancing during low-interest periods.” – Kamyar Rezaie

He also advises first-time investors to explore LoopNet for available properties and seek guidance for underwriting and analysis.

Actionable Tips for New Investors

Kamyar provides practical advice for anyone starting in commercial real estate:

1. Check your credit report regularly.

2. Focus on a local area to stay hands-on.

3. Research property type – industrial, multifamily, retail, or owner-occupied.

4. Use online resources – LoopNet for listings and free analysis tools.

5. Seek expert guidance – one-on-one advice can prevent costly mistakes.

“I like to guide people through their first building so that 10–15 years from now, they can see the long-term success and equity they’ve built.” – Kamyar Rezaie

Personal Insights and Final Wisdom

The conversation closes with a reminder of the value of trust and mentorship in real estate:

• Work with experienced professionals to shorten your learning curve.

• Focus on proven strategies rather than chasing every new trend.

• Build relationships that last and guide you toward financial growth.

Word of the episode: Trust – trust the process, trust your advisors, and trust yourself to make smart investment decisions.

Take the Next Step in Your Real Estate Journey

Commercial real estate can feel complex at first, but with the right guidance and strategies, it’s an incredibly powerful way to build passive income and long-term wealth. Whether you’re exploring opportunity zones, leveraging tax benefits like cost segregation and 1031 exchanges, or simply learning how to analyze properties, the key is to start informed and plan for the future.

If you’re ready to take action, Dwanderful is more than just a podcast—it’s a real estate investing platform hosted by Dwan Bent-Twyford, designed to guide investors at every stage. On the site, you can access resources like Dwan’s free book, Real Estate Lingo, to help you understand industry terms, or her paid guide, Five Pillars of Real Estate Investing, for a deeper dive into strategy and success.

For a fun, interactive way to explore your potential, check out the Dwanderful quiz game. In less than a minute, it helps you discover how you could generate six figures in the next six months, whether you’re buying your first property or planning your next investment. With resources, expert insights, and actionable tools, Dwanderful gives you everything you need to confidently move forward in your real estate journey. Contact us now!