Episode 827 | 07.02.25
In Episode 827 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried is joined by capital markets expert Michael Cohen, founding partner of Brighton Capital Advisors, to talk about where the money is—and how to get it—in today’s evolving real estate environment.
With interest rates elevated and banks pulling back on commercial lending, many investors and developers are facing a new challenge: how to secure capital for deals in a shifting, risk-conscious market. Michael offers real-time insights into how Brighton Capital Advisors helps clients bridge that gap with creative financing strategies, tailored debt solutions, and targeted equity partnerships.
The conversation covers:
- How capital markets are reacting to rate pressure
- The role of private credit and alternative lenders
- Which asset classes are getting funded—and which are stalled
- How to position deals to attract institutional interest
- Trends in debt restructuring, refinancing, and construction lending
Michael also shares lessons from working across market cycles, emphasizing transparency, speed, and strategic alignment as the new pillars of deal-making.
Whether you’re a developer, investor, broker, or family office executive, this episode will give you clear insights on navigating capital markets in 2025 and beyond.
🎧 Tune in and discover how smart capital strategy is still possible—even in a tight financial environment.
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About Our Guest:
Michael Cohen founded Brighton Capital Advisors to assist Borrowers through the complexities of CMBS, Bank and Life Company commercial mortgage servicing. Mr. Cohen has over 25 years of experience and leadership in commercial real estate lending, property investments, debt sourcing, advisory/workout/restructuring, and equity sourcing from the private sector.
Mr. Cohen’s has participated in multiple real estate cycles which provides him with an in-depth understanding operational issues perspective from both debt and equity empowering him the knowledge to successfully structure complex transactions involving direct Borrower, lending, and broker relationships. His longstanding relationships with lenders, servicers, attorneys and other market specialists gains the access to efficiently obtain beneficial outcomes for his clients.
Mr. Cohen’s success in commercial real estate stems from an in-depth understanding of local markets, persistence, strong teams and partners, analytical and customer-centric problem-solving, and ability to define and execute a strategy – all of those core strengths make a difference.
Michael Cohen has an undergraduate BS and MBA from Boston University.
