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On this episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the guys sit down with Tony Potthoff, President of Constructors Lincoln Inc., and Elizabeth Elliott, Director of Transportation and Utilities for the City of Lincoln, to talk about one of the biggest infrastructure projects happening in downtown Lincoln right now — the massive O Street rehabilitation project.

Elizabeth is leading the effort for the City, while Tony and the Constructors Lincoln team are the boots on the ground after winning the project through a competitive Request for Proposal process. Together, they break down the long history of O Street, the unique challenges of rebuilding Lincoln’s main street while keeping traffic moving, and what it takes to coordinate a project on both a city street and a federal highway in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The conversation dives into everything from streetscape improvements and replacing a 70-year-old water main to preserving historic roadway details and improving walkability between downtown, the Haymarket, Telegraph District, and the University area.

They also discuss how the project team is working closely with business owners to minimize disruptions by scheduling water shutoffs and sidewalk closures during non-peak hours whenever possible. Construction is happening in phases, and street closures are only planned during active work.

The project is expected to wrap up around September or October of 2027, and while everyone is excited for the final result, Mike and Marc ask the questions everyone wants answered right now:

• How long is this going to take?
• When will it impact my business or commute?
• And can we still get downtown without losing our minds?

With weekly community meetings, streamlined communication between departments, and even free coffee for attendees, the team is making a major effort to keep the public informed throughout the process.

It’s been nearly 50 years since a major restoration project of this scale has happened in this corridor — and when it’s complete, O Street will serve as a stronger, safer, and more walkable backbone connecting the core districts of Lincoln for decades to come.

Thanks for tuning in to In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc—where we break down commercial real estate without putting you to sleep. Powered by NAI FMA Realty in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more, visit naifmarealty.com.

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This week on In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, the team at NAI FMA Realty dives into one of the biggest topics in commercial real estate today: cap rates versus interest rates.

With interest rates rising while cap rates remain compressed, many deals simply aren’t penciling the way they used to. Buyers want yield, banks want a wider spread, and sellers are still adjusting to changing market realities. In today’s environment, there often needs to be a 2–3 point spread between cap rates and borrowing costs for deals to make financial sense.

Mike and Marc discuss why 1031 exchanges have become more difficult, why buyers are hesitating, and how “decision paralysis” has become a real factor across the market. A Class A+ office building trading at a 7% cap rate may have disappeared overnight five years ago — today, it’s sitting. Even multifamily properties around a 5.75% cap are seeing slower activity.

The market has changed, expectations need to evolve, and creativity matters more than ever. Fortunately, Mike and Marc still find a way to have some fun while talking through the chaos.

Thanks for tuning in to In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc—where we break down commercial real estate without putting you to sleep. Powered by NAI FMA Realty in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more, visit naifmarealty.com.

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Commercial real estate agents: professional door unlockers? Commission collectors? People who magically know every property and every deal in town?

Not exactly.

On today’s episode of In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc, we’re busting the biggest myths about CRE brokers and commercial real estate firms. From the idea that “anyone can do it” to the classic “property management is just collecting rent,” Mike and Marc break down what actually happens behind the scenes: problem-solving, research, unpaid legwork, post-closing follow-up, local market knowledge, and yes, occasionally unlocking a door.

We also tackle company myths, including whether all firms are the same, whether small deals matter, and how a national platform can still be deeply local.

Spoiler: the hourly wage is sometimes sad, the work does not stop at signing, and small business deals matter a lot.

Thanks for tuning in to In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc—where we break down commercial real estate without putting you to sleep. Powered by NAI FMA Realty in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more, visit naifmarealty.com.

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NAI FMA Realty was voted 2026 Journal Star Lincoln’s Choice Award winner for Best Commercial Real Estate Company, and we’re cracking open the vault to talk about what that really means.

This episode features Alexandra “Alex” Cassidy, Vice President of Business Development, who joins Mike and Marc to discuss the award, the team behind it, and the clients and community who made it happen. We dig into NAI FMA Realty’s long-standing Lincoln relationships, a family business legacy that spans generations, and the foundation of ethics, integrity, and trust that continues to set the company apart.

Lincoln loyalty runs deep, and yes—we somehow end up talking about cute but smelly zoo animals.

Thanks, Lincoln. This one means a lot.

Thanks for tuning in to In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc—where we break down commercial real estate without putting you to sleep. Powered by NAI FMA Realty in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more, visit naifmarealty.com.

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In this week’s episode of In the CRE Vault, Mike and Marc from NAI FMA Realty dive into the real-world art of due diligence—aka the “tire kicking” phase where deals either get stronger… or fall apart.

From 30-day timelines (if you’re lucky) to buyers who want everything under the sun—and others who barely scratch the surface—the guys break down what actually happens once a deal goes under contract. Drawing on their experience in the Lincoln market, they walk through the big-ticket items like roofs, HVAC, and sewer lines, along with environmental concerns like Phase I reports and deferred maintenance.

They also unpack the details that can catch buyers off guard—title issues, easements, impact fees (a common factor locally), and even handwritten documents from the 1800s that still carry weight today. With insights from a team that knows the history behind many of Lincoln’s buildings, this episode highlights why “trust but verify” is more than just a saying.

Bottom line: You don’t really know what you’ve got until you do your due diligence… and sometimes, what you find might send you running.

Thanks for tuning in to In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc—where we break down commercial real estate without putting you to sleep. Powered by NAI FMA Realty in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more, visit naifmarealty.com.

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This week we sit down with Aaron Peregrine from NAI FMA Realty—and let’s just say, his career path didn’t exactly follow a straight line… unless that line ran through a commercial kitchen in Chicago first.

Aaron grew up in Lincoln, took his talents to culinary school, got a taste of the high-pressure kitchen life (literally), and decided it wasn’t the long-term recipe. From there, he stumbled into real estate by showing apartments—and the rest is history.

Now in property management, Aaron walks us through what the job really looks like:

• Spoiler: there is no “typical day”
• Mornings start with tenant emails and ongoing projects
• Afternoons might include… dealing with a property getting hit by cars. Twice.

At its core, Aaron’s role is all about problem-solving—thinking on the fly, adapting quickly, and keeping properties (and people) moving forward. It’s a career that offers freedom, variety, and just enough unpredictability to keep things interesting.

And when it comes to the numbers? He’s the first to admit—he leans on NAI FMA’s all-star accounting team to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

If you’ve ever wondered what property management is really like—or how someone goes from chef to CRE—this episode is worth a listen.

🎧 Tune in now!

Thanks for tuning in to In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc—where we break down commercial real estate without putting you to sleep. Powered by NAI FMA Realty in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more, visit naifmarealty.com.

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This week on In the CRE Vault with Mike & Marc, the team at NAI FMA Realty breaks down the investment pitfalls that can catch even experienced buyers off guard.

From tenant stability to the realities of unpaid rent, we dig into why it’s not always simple to enforce leases—and how that risk impacts your bottom line. We also cover the true cost of property maintenance, including what it takes to turn over space for new tenants, and why those expenses are often underestimated.

We talk through the advantages of multi-tenant properties (hint: diversification matters), and how vacancy can quietly erode returns if you’re not planning for it. Plus, a look at capital expenditure reserves—one of the most common oversights for first-time investors—and how shorter-term financing can add another layer of risk.

If you’re evaluating your next deal or just want to avoid the mistakes we see too often, this episode is packed with practical insight.

🎧 Tune in and invest smarter.

Thanks for tuning in to In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc—where we break down commercial real estate without putting you to sleep. Powered by NAI FMA Realty in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more, visit naifmarealty.com.

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This week on In the CRE Vault with Mike & Marc, the team at NAI FMA Realty dives into one of the most overlooked opportunities in commercial real estate: investing in tertiary markets.

While primary markets are crowded and increasingly competitive, tertiary markets offer a different story — often driven by a strong owner-user base, more balanced supply and demand, and slightly higher cap rates. Instead of dramatic peaks and valleys, these markets tend to grow steadily, supported by reliable economic drivers like universities and healthcare systems.

We break down why investors start shifting to smaller markets when larger metros heat up, what makes these markets resilient, and how places like Lincoln, Nebraska continue to provide stability even as overall activity begins to slow.

If you’re looking for a more consistent, long-term approach to CRE investing, this episode is worth a listen.

🎧 Tune in for insights from NAI FMA Realty on where smart investors are looking next.

Thanks for tuning in to In the CRE Vault with Mike and Marc—where we break down commercial real estate without putting you to sleep. Powered by NAI FMA Realty in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more, visit naifmarealty.com.