In this episode of The Deal Scout, host Susan Riley sits down with Central Florida CRE expert Fred Beasley—a lifelong friend and proven investor with decades of industry knowledge. From growing up in Haines City to closing major industrial and retail deals in Orlando, Tampa Bay, and the booming Polk County corridor, Fred shares the pivotal moments, lessons learned, and investment strategies that shaped his career.

What you'll learn in this episode:

How Fred’s early life and entrepreneurial spirit were influenced by his trailblazing mother

What it was like to work for industry giants like CBRE and Trammell Crow

Why Polk County is becoming Florida’s next big commercial real estate frontier

The difference between Orlando and Tampa CRE markets

How infrastructure, land availability, and rental rates are shaping Central Florida’s future

The benefits and trade-offs of passive investing as a Limited Partner

Why Fred believes small-bay warehouse development still holds promise—even in a high-cost environment

Fred also talks about:

The shift from institutional deals to private equity-backed projects

The rising pressure independent investors face with climbing property values

Lessons from the Great Recession and how they inform current investment strategies

The global forces influencing Florida markets, from New York to South America

Whether you're a CRE professional, passive investor, or just fascinated by how cities grow, this episode delivers a front-row seat to Florida’s economic transformation—told by someone who’s lived and invested through every phase.

Connect with Susan:
Have questions or want to get in touch with Fred Beasley?
Reach out to Susan Riley at Susan@TheDealScout.com or click the link in the show notes.

Want to be on the show?
If you’re working on an interesting deal and want to share your insights with fellow Deal Scouts, we’d love to hear from you. Email Susan or visit TheDealScout.com to learn more.

Subscribe to the channel and hit the bell to get notified when new episodes go live.

#CommercialRealEstate #FloridaInvesting #CRE #RealEstatePodcast #OrlandoRealEstate #TampaBayCRE #PolkCountyGrowth #DealScout