The Hotel Investor Playbook
Welcome to The Hotel Investor Playbook, hosted by real estate investors and hospitality experts Michael Russell and Nathan St Cyr. As the founders of Malama Capital and Howzit Hostels, Michael and Nathan have a wealth of experience in owning and operating boutique hotels, hostels, and other experiential lodging properties. With over $30 million in real estate investments, including short-term rentals, long-term rentals, commercial retail, and hospitality properties, they bring a unique perspective on how to turn passion-driven investments into financial freedom.
In this podcast, they share their roadmap for transitioning from traditional real estate investments to boutique hotels, offering listeners the insights and strategies needed to succeed in this niche market. Whether you're looking to learn about identifying the right property, managing operations, or understanding the financial complexities of boutique hotel ownership, The Hotel Investor Playbook has you covered.
Join Michael and Nathan each week as they document their journey towards building a $400 million real estate-based business and bring you along for the ride. Subscribe now and start turning your real estate investment dreams into reality.
The Hotel Investor Playbook
The 3 Distress Signals That Make the Next 12 Months a Buyer’s Market | Suraj Bhakta E61
Is now a terrible time to buy a hotel, or the best buying window you will get this decade?
In this episode, Michael sits down with Suraj Bhakta, CEO of NewGen Advisory, a national hotel brokerage that has closed deals in 44 states. Suraj explains what he is actually seeing in today’s market, from the SBA shutdown fallout to the quiet distress building under the surface.
In this conversation, you will learn:
- Why are the 2021–2022 performance numbers misleading so many sellers and buyers
- Where distress is most likely to show up first, and how to spot it before the crowd
- How to think about value-add when required upgrades do not pencil on the back end
- Concrete steps buyers should take this week if they want to be ready when deals crack
If you are serious about buying hotels in this environment, this episode will help you see what is really happening behind the scenes and how to move with more confidence.
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About Suraj
Suraj Bhakta is the CEO of NewGen Advisory and Chief Legal Counsel for NewGen Worldwide, where he leads a national brokerage team that has executed hospitality transactions across 44 states. Drawing on over two decades of experience as both a commercial real estate attorney and a lifelong hotelier, Suraj has advised on more than $850 million in acquisitions and facilitated nearly $500 million in capital raises. He specializes in guiding investors through the full property lifecycle, offering expert counsel on complex market challenges ranging from financing and Property Improvement Plans (PIPs) to creative adaptive reuse projects.
Connect with Suraj
Email: suraj.bhakta@newgenadv.com
Phone: +1.602.648.2702
Website: https://newgenadv.com/
LinkedIn: Suraj Bhakta
Instagram: @newgenadvisory
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