Investing in Warehouses & Flex Space: A New Commercial Real Estate Strategy - Episode 198
Wed Feb 04 2026
What is the best way to invest in warehouse real estate and flex space?In this episode of the Alternative Investing Advantage Podcast, Alex Perny welcomes Jens Nielsen, Founder and Operating Partner of Open Doors Capital, to discuss why investors are shifting from multifamily into warehousing and flex industrial properties.Jens explains how rising interest rates and compressed multifamily cap rates pushed his firm to explore warehouse real estate, where higher cap rates, simpler operations, and strong small-business demand create compelling opportunities. The conversation covers warehouse property classes, tenant profiles, lease structures, triple-net vs modified gross leases, market selection, value-add strategies, and key risks investors must understand.If you are exploring commercial real estate beyond apartments, this episode provides a practical framework for evaluating warehouse and flex space investments.00:00 Welcome & Episode Overview01:19 Jens Nielsen Background03:21 Why He Started in Commercial Real Estate04:30 Why Multifamily Stopped Penciling07:32 Why Shift to Warehousing & Flex Space09:43 Class A, B, C Warehouse Explained13:03 Market Selection & Demand Drivers16:50 Urban Warehouses vs Industrial Parks18:10 Value-Add in Warehouse Real Estate20:51 Triple-Net vs Modified Gross Leases23:27 Lease Lengths & Rent Escalators28:08 Self-Managing Warehouses vs Apartments30:39 Tenant Screening & Business Risk37:24 Insurance Considerations42:17 Biggest Risks in Warehouse Investing44:50 Buying Vacant vs Stabilized Warehouses47:25 Due Diligence Tips for LP Investors50:08 How to Contact Jens NielsenSubscribe to our YouTube channel and join our growing community for new videos every week.If you are interested in being a podcast guest speaker or have questions, contact us at Podcast@AdvantaIRA.com.Learn more about our guest, Jens Nielsen:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jens-nielsen-multi-family-real-estate-coach/Learn more about Advanta IRA: https://www.AdvantaIRA.com/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/advanta-irahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/Advanta-IRA/https://twitter.com/AdvantaIRA https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaIRA/ https://www.instagram.com/AdvantaIRA/#WarehouseInvesting #CommercialRealEstate #IndustrialRealEstate #FlexSpace #PassiveIncome #RealEstateInvesting #AlternativeInvesting #CashFlowInvesting #TripleNetLease #SelfDirectedIRAAdvanta IRA does not offer investment, tax, or legal advice nor do we endorse any products, investments, or companies that offer such advice and/or investments. This includes any investments promoted or discussed during the podcast as neither Advanta IRA nor its employees, have reviewed or vetted any investments, persons, or companies that may discuss their services during this podcast. All parties are strongly encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with the appropriate professional(s) before entering into any type of investment.
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What is the best way to invest in warehouse real estate and flex space?In this episode of the Alternative Investing Advantage Podcast, Alex Perny welcomes Jens Nielsen, Founder and Operating Partner of Open Doors Capital, to discuss why investors are shifting from multifamily into warehousing and flex industrial properties.Jens explains how rising interest rates and compressed multifamily cap rates pushed his firm to explore warehouse real estate, where higher cap rates, simpler operations, and strong small-business demand create compelling opportunities. The conversation covers warehouse property classes, tenant profiles, lease structures, triple-net vs modified gross leases, market selection, value-add strategies, and key risks investors must understand.If you are exploring commercial real estate beyond apartments, this episode provides a practical framework for evaluating warehouse and flex space investments.00:00 Welcome & Episode Overview01:19 Jens Nielsen Background03:21 Why He Started in Commercial Real Estate04:30 Why Multifamily Stopped Penciling07:32 Why Shift to Warehousing & Flex Space09:43 Class A, B, C Warehouse Explained13:03 Market Selection & Demand Drivers16:50 Urban Warehouses vs Industrial Parks18:10 Value-Add in Warehouse Real Estate20:51 Triple-Net vs Modified Gross Leases23:27 Lease Lengths & Rent Escalators28:08 Self-Managing Warehouses vs Apartments30:39 Tenant Screening & Business Risk37:24 Insurance Considerations42:17 Biggest Risks in Warehouse Investing44:50 Buying Vacant vs Stabilized Warehouses47:25 Due Diligence Tips for LP Investors50:08 How to Contact Jens NielsenSubscribe to our YouTube channel and join our growing community for new videos every week.If you are interested in being a podcast guest speaker or have questions, contact us at Podcast@AdvantaIRA.com.Learn more about our guest, Jens Nielsen:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jens-nielsen-multi-family-real-estate-coach/Learn more about Advanta IRA: https://www.AdvantaIRA.com/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/advanta-irahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/Advanta-IRA/https://twitter.com/AdvantaIRA https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaIRA/ https://www.instagram.com/AdvantaIRA/#WarehouseInvesting #CommercialRealEstate #IndustrialRealEstate #FlexSpace #PassiveIncome #RealEstateInvesting #AlternativeInvesting #CashFlowInvesting #TripleNetLease #SelfDirectedIRAAdvanta IRA does not offer investment, tax, or legal advice nor do we endorse any products, investments, or companies that offer such advice and/or investments. This includes any investments promoted or discussed during the podcast as neither Advanta IRA nor its employees, have reviewed or vetted any investments, persons, or companies that may discuss their services during this podcast. All parties are strongly encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with the appropriate professional(s) before entering into any type of investment.