The End Of The Commercial Real Estate Recession With Ben Miller, CEO of Fundrise

The End Of The Commercial Real Estate Recession With Ben Miller, CEO of Fundrise

Author: Sam Dogen: Financial Samurai founder, personal finance blogger September 17, 2025 Duration: 35:43

Since 2022, commercial real estate (CRE) investors have endured one of the toughest stretches in decades. Surging inflation drove mortgage rates higher, cap rates expanded, and property values sank. The mantra became clear: "survive until 2025."

Now, with inflation cooling, rates easing, and capital returning, the tide may finally be turning. In this episode, I sit down with Ben Miller, CEO of Fundrise, who shares why he's more optimistic about CRE's future—and why the next three years could be far better than the last.

Invest In CRE In A Diversified Way

If you're looking to gain exposure to commercial real estate, take a look at Fundrise. Founded in 2012, Fundrise now manages over $3 billion for 380,000+ investors. Their focus is on residential-oriented commercial real estate in lower-cost markets - assets that tend to be more resilient than office or retail. Throughout the downturn, Fundrise continued deploying capital to capture opportunities at lower valuations. Now, as the CRE cycle turns, they're well-positioned to benefit from the rebound.

The minimum investment is just $10, making it easy to dollar-cost average over time. I've personally invested six figures into Fundrise's CRE offerings, and I appreciate that their long-term approach aligns with my own. Fundrise has also been a long-time sponsor of Financial Samurai, which speaks to our shared investment philosophy.

Related post: The End Of The CRE Recession Is Finally Here 

Subscribe To Financial Samurai 

Pick up a copy of my USA TODAY national bestseller, Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps to Seven Figures. I've distilled over 30 years of financial experience to help you build more wealth than 94% of the population—and break free sooner.

To expedite your journey to financial freedom, join over 60,000 others and subscribe to the free Financial Samurai newsletter. You can also get my posts in your e-mail inbox as soon as they come out by signing up here.

Financial Samurai is among the largest independently-owned personal finance websites, established in 2009. Everything is written based on firsthand experience and expertise.


Money isn't just about numbers on a screen; it's the tool that carves out the life you want to live. On The Financial Samurai Podcast, Sam Dogen digs into that reality with the same direct, experienced perspective that built his influential personal finance blog. You'll hear conversations that go beyond basic tips, focusing instead on the strategic decisions and mental shifts required to build genuine wealth and security. Sam explores the intersection of career, investing, and lifestyle design, drawing from his own journey and insights from various financial trenches. This isn't about get-rich-quick schemes, but about developing a sustainable and intelligent approach to your finances. Each episode feels like a candid discussion with a knowledgeable friend who isn't afraid to tackle the tough questions about risk, opportunity, and what "financial freedom" actually means for different people. Tune in for a podcast that consistently challenges conventional wisdom, offering actionable advice for making your money work harder so you can focus on living better, on your own terms.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Financial Samurai Podcast
Podcast Episodes
From Making $2 Million A Year To Quitting His Finance Job With Khe Hy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:52
I speak with Khe Hy, who spent 15 years on Wall Street and became one of the youngest Managing Directors at BlackRock at just 31. He earned up to $2 million a year—then he quit! His journey mirrors mine in many ways, tho…
Most Important Personal Finance Ratio: The Home-To-Car Ratio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:39
I've decided that my Home-To-Car Ratio guide is the most important pesonal finance guide for everyone to fall. After all, everybody needs a place to live, real estate is the best asset to build wealth for the average per…
Your Saver's Mindset Will Naturally Kick In If You Need Money [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:50
I spoke to my wife about how my saver's mindset naturally kicked in after purchasing our new house in October 2023. Our liquidity was tight, and we were literally living paycheck to paycheck for six months. This is when…
Property Bidding Wars And The Best Time Of The Year To Buy A House [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:32
Property bidding wars are back, despite persistently high mortgage rates, due to the strength of the economy and the stock market. This episode discusses why people are getting into bidding wars and the best time of the…
The Career Path From VC, To Big Startup, To Creating Your Own Startup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:05
I talk to Emily Luk, Co-Founder and CEO of Plenty, a wealth platform for today's modern couples about her career path from VC, to joining a big startup, to creating her own startup. I wanted to now why she lifted a cushy…
Your Provider's Clock Helps Explain Your Desire To Work And Provide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:39
For the longest time, I've wondered the following about some men: Why claim to be retired while having a working spouse? Why work so many hours after having a newborn? Why leave your family when your children are still y…