YouTube: https://youtu.be/nDrV443aLWA

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/35ZJGLT

Summary

In this episode of Beyond the Resume, hosts Chris Papa and Lisa Flicker from Jackson Lucas sit down with Gunnar Branson, CEO of AFIRE (Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate), to discuss the future of global real estate investing, trends in U.S. markets, leadership, and the power of storytelling in business.

Gunnar shares insights on:

- Navigating foreign investment in U.S. real estate

- The impact of political uncertainty and tariffs

- Real estate market slowdowns and recovery timelines

- Investment hot spots like New York, Dallas, and the Sunbelt

- Climate risk and insurance impacts on real estate

- Lessons from his career in theater, radio, and executive leadership

If you're interested in real estate, foreign capital, urban development, or organizational leadership—this episode is packed with insight.

Chapters

(03:32) Leading AFIRE and the guide for foreign investors

(05:49) Foreign investment outlook in a volatile market

(08:11) Market distress, recovery timeline, and “Stay Alive Till 25”

(10:34) U.S. markets attractive to foreign investors: NY, Dallas, Sunbelt

(12:49) Climate risk and the insurance dilemma

(13:50) Asset class shift: from office to multifamily and logistics

(14:14) Gunnar’s storytelling roots and radio beginnings

(19:28) Becoming CEO at NAREIM and AFIRE

(22:03) Leadership lessons and designing meaningful meetings

(25:10) Book & podcast picks: Murakami, Jane Jacobs

(28:34) Hiring philosophy and love for career-switchers

(32:20) Leadership through inspiration, not control

(35:33) Mentors and shoutouts: Peter Dubner and Jeff Barclay

(40:20) Starting the AFIRE Podcast and learning to interview

(46:23) Real estate is the most important invisible industry

(46:53) Outro: What’s next for Gunnar?

📘 Mentioned:

The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami

The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs

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