Jeffrey Estrada on LA Multifamily: Regulation, Risk, and Deals Still Getting Done

Jeffrey Estrada of Marcus & Millichap covers LA multifamily deals, Measure ULA, insurance risk, and why demand in Los Angeles hasn't disappeared. The Crexi Podcast connects commercial real estate (CRE) professionals with industry insights built for smart decision-making. In each episode, we explore the latest trends, innovations and opportunities shaping commercial real estate, because we believe knowledge should move at the speed of ambition and every conversation should empower professionals to act with greater clarity and confidence. Jeffrey Estrada brokers multifamily assets across Central and West LA, a market defined by rent control, regulatory complexity, and disciplined buyers. Before Marcus & Millichap, he worked in production lending and a CRE tech company, where mentors kept telling him the same thing: you think like an owner. Eventually, he listened. In this episode, Jeffrey joins host Ashley Kobovitch for a candid conversation about what it actually takes to survive the first 16 months in brokerage, how he prepares for every client meeting, what Measure ULA is doing to the development pipeline, and why despite everything, demand in LA multifamily hasn't gone anywhere. Welcome to The Crexi PodcastJeffrey Estrada's background and path to Marcus & MillichapFrom production lending to CRE tech to brokerageThe mentor who said "you think like an owner"Betting on yourself with no safety netWhere the work ethic comes fromWhat thinking like an owner actually looks like in practiceWhy sellers need someone they can rely on and trustMaking the jump: advice for anyone considering brokerage16 months to a first check — and what kept him goingBrokerage rewards outcomes, not effortHow Jeffrey structures his week: Mondays, Tuesdays, FridaysStacking meetings so prospecting never gets crowded outMorning routines and protecting the brainWhy he exercises to turn his mind on, not his bodyHow he preps for every meeting: reading beyond the headlineKnowing who wrote it, who funded it, and who brokered itNever going into a meeting without a clear purposeHow meetings have evolved: fewer, more strategic, more fruitfulWhy a great database is the unsexy foundation of everythingOne button, twenty tours: what a mature buyer list looks likeDiving into the LA multifamily marketMeasure ULA: what it is and who it's actually hurtingThe developer math that no longer works in LAInsurance: it's not the cost anymore, it's the insurabilityPanel upgrades, fire zones, and the AC mandateWhen a building has problems and a broker has a game planIt's never the problem that kills a deal — it's the responseHow to keep clients calm when headlines are scaryDemand is still there: five and six offers on active listingsWhat buyers in LA actually want right now: clarityWhere Jeffrey is seeing traction: Koreatown, Westwood, Miracle MileOlympic buzz and what it means for the marketRapid fire: $50M, the worst advice he gave himself, and LA optimismWhy opening up and sharing information changed everythingReal operators are still here — and still buying For show notes, past guests, and more CRE content, please check out Crexi’s blog.Looking to stay ahead in commercial real estate? Visit Crexi to explore properties, analyze markets, and connect with opportunities nationwide. Follow Crexi:https://www.crexi.com/​ https://www.crexi.com/instagram​ https://www.crexi.com/facebook​ https://www.crexi.com/twitter​ https://www.crexi.com/linkedin​ https://www.youtube.com/crexi About Crexi:Crexi is reimagining commercial real estate with an AI-powered platform built to deliver smarter, more efficient solutions at every stage of the deal lifecycle. From real-time data and market insights with Crexi Intelligence, to targeted property marketing and seamless deal management through Crexi PRO, and a transparent, time-bound bidding experience with Crexi Auction— Crexi enables users to evaluate opportunities, maximize exposure, and close with speed and confidence. To date, Crexi has subsidized over $2.74 trillion in property value, 26 billion square feet listed, and supports a growing community of more than 23 million yearly users.