In this episode of Broker’s Blueprint, Martino and Nick are joined by Matt Smith, founder of Valor Built—a veteran-owned construction company making waves in the Philadelphia region. From his time as a platoon leader in Iraq to launching a residential and commercial building company, Matt breaks down the mindset, systems, and setbacks that shaped his journey from soldier to successful general contractor.

Whether you're a real estate investor, developer, or aspiring builder, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to lead construction projects in a market like Philly.

Key takeaways:

How military discipline translates into business leadership

Why communication is the biggest differentiator in construction

Lessons from managing subcontractors, clients, and chaos

The financial realities of being a small to mid-sized GC

How to grow a lean, profitable construction business without losing your edge

If you’re looking to partner with reliable builders, understand how construction timelines really work, or gain insight into running a service-first construction company—this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in now and don’t forget to subscribe for weekly insights into Philly real estate, development, and the brokers shaping the market.

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Powered by iFundCities — the lending platform built for real estate investors who move fast and think big. From fix-and-flips to long-term rentals, iFundCities offers flexible loan solutions, lightning-fast closings, and a transparent process you can count on. Ready to fund your next deal?

Learn more at iFundCities.com.

Make sure you subscribe the podcast here -

https://m.mtrbio.com/BrokersBlueprint

Visit our website to learn more about us -

https://www.hunterscre.com/

Follow the show here -

IG - https://instagram.com/hunters_creLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hunterscommercial/FB - https://www.facebook.com/huntersphilly

Subscribe to our YouTube channel -

https://www.youtube.com/@HuntersCommercialRealEstate

Connect with Martino Picariello here -

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martino-picariello-4898aa172/

IG -https://www.instagram.com/p/DFstUCLxbRi/

Connect with Nicholas Giganti

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-giganti-9bb4058/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/nickgigantirealestate/

In this solo episode, Martino breaks down the five most important questions he gets from seasoned investors looking to scale smarter—not just bigger. From calculating what actually makes a deal “good” to leveraging capital partners, mastering 1031 exchanges, and building systems that scale, this episode is a masterclass for anyone past their first deal and aiming for long-term success. Martino also shares real-world investor stories, including the mindset shift behind living below your means and how to consistently source off-market deals in a tight market.

Whether you're sitting on your first property or running a growing portfolio, this episode is packed with tactical advice and insider knowledge that will help you think more strategically, act with confidence, and build for the long haul.

🔑 Topics Covered:

The real way to evaluate deals (hint: it's not just cap rate)

Why capital recycling is the ultimate scale strategy

1031 exchanges: when to use them—and when to walk away

How to structure a JV deal that actually works

The three keys to finding off-market opportunities in 2025

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Powered by iFundCities — the lending platform built for real estate investors who move fast and think big. From fix-and-flips to long-term rentals, iFundCities offers flexible loan solutions, lightning-fast closings, and a transparent process you can count on. Ready to fund your next deal?

Learn more at iFundCities.com.

Make sure you subscribe the podcast here -

https://m.mtrbio.com/BrokersBlueprint

Visit our website to learn more about us -

https://www.hunterscre.com/

Follow the show here -

IG - https://instagram.com/hunters_creLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hunterscommercial/FB - https://www.facebook.com/huntersphilly

Subscribe to our YouTube channel -

https://www.youtube.com/@HuntersCommercialRealEstate

Connect with Martino Picariello here -

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martino-picariello-4898aa172/

IG -https://www.instagram.com/p/DFstUCLxbRi/

Connect with Nicholas Giganti

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-giganti-9bb4058/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/nickgigantirealestate/

This week on Broker’s Blueprint, Jesse Vandeboe joins the crew to break down how he’s consistently closing deals in one of the toughest real estate markets we’ve seen. From direct-to-seller prospecting to creative financing strategies, Jesse shares exactly how he sources off-market properties and spots value others miss.

You’ll hear why value-add multifamily is outperforming in 2025, how to build real seller relationships without wasting time, and what makes certain Philly neighborhoods worth betting on. Whether you’re trying to win more listings or lock in better investments, Jesse’s insight is pure gold for brokers and buyers alike.

📍 What you’ll learn:
• Why sellers are finally open to creative financing
• The cold call approach that still works today
• How to underwrite properties like a true investor
• What makes a unit layout un-rentable
• The Philly pockets smart investors are targeting right now

====

Powered by iFundCities — the lending platform built for real estate investors who move fast and think big. From fix-and-flips to long-term rentals, iFundCities offers flexible loan solutions, lightning-fast closings, and a transparent process you can count on. Ready to fund your next deal?

Learn more at iFundCities.com.

Make sure you subscribe the podcast here -

https://m.mtrbio.com/BrokersBlueprint

Visit our website to learn more about us -

https://www.hunterscre.com/

Follow the show here -

IG - https://instagram.com/hunters_creLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hunterscommercial/FB - https://www.facebook.com/huntersphilly

Subscribe to our YouTube channel -

https://www.youtube.com/@HuntersCommercialRealEstate

Connect with Martino Picariello here -

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martino-picariello-4898aa172/

IG -https://www.instagram.com/p/DFstUCLxbRi/

Connect with Nicholas Giganti

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-giganti-9bb4058/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/nickgigantirealestate/