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Interested In Commercial Real Estate? Get Started With Rob Finlay’s 5 Keys to First-Time Investments

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Despite being battered through 2020 due to the pandemic, commercial real estate is back and as lucrative and viable as ever. Investor sentiment is sweetening as deal processing time has doubled its rate when compared to last year, and secondary markets are garnering unprecedented attention.

Everyone knew the $10 billion industry wouldn’t stay down forever, but commercial real estate is coming back in a big way that should excite anyone interested in getting in on the action.

For first-time investors looking to expand their portfolio in one of the traditionally most stable markets, it’s helpful to have a few keys handy before you reach the door. One man happy to share the secrets of the industry is Rob Finlay, founder and CEO of Thirty Capital, whose services for years have been the solution for many looking to break into commercial real estate.

1. Identify an Expert

Flying blind is a risky strategy no matter what game you’re playing, and one that can lead to unnecessary disaster. While some might be tempted to forge a path out on their own without outside advice, this kind of thinking can land one in the gutter just as often as it might to the top.

By identifying the experts and weighing their advice appropriately, you can ultimately save yourself both crucial time and money. “We’ve had our fair share of setbacks over the years,” says Finlay.

“But these missteps are precisely what led to our current success. We’ve experienced it all over the years, commercial real estate is a multi-faceted and constantly evolving industry. We are here to help guide our clients towards profitable CRE investments that are based on our robust collective experience rather than just theory and guesswork.”

Having an experienced ally in the field is invaluable, and for those looking to seriously invest, it’s all but essential to first learn the ropes via an industry leader.

2. Rally All Resources

Before making any major moves, it is essential you know exactly what you have at your disposal. This includes everything from your network of experts to credit lines. “A well-defined budget does two main things for any first-time investor,” notes Finlay.

“First, it provides a sense of order to your overall situation and goals. And second — and perhaps most importantly — it allows you to decide whether additional funding is needed or not, based on the best available information at the time. Investing isn’t something to be done half-heartedly, and information is everything in making the best move.”

Organization is key to have a clear understanding of what is within your current reach, and once you have this kind of view, you can then make decisions with confidence.

3. Consider Your Options

Today’s market is a far cry from that of last year and almost an entirely different animal to that of twenty or even ten years ago. There are still traditional apartment rentals and retail spaces, but now there are a plethora of tech-based options that simply didn’t exist in years past.

“When looking at an area of investment,” says Finlay.

“It’s helpful to imagine the variety of ways you could make the location ideally function. What role it fills in the market now, and how this might change over the years. Properties need to be efficient, reliable, and ultimately quite flexible in what it can provide if you truly want it to remain profitable long-term.”

These kinds of thought exercises are helpful in mentally identifying a potential investment’s strengths and weaknesses, and determining the estimated timeline of the investment.

4. Toe Before Foot

Before you build out your commercial real estate empire with multiple properties occupying different roles, it can be helpful to start small. “While we encourage our clients to be aggressive in their research when it comes to actual investing, it’s best to begin with a walk rather than run,” advises Finlay.

“Getting used to the feeling of owning commercial space is a skill in itself, and one that for most requires time. Once you have some experience, then it’s time to branch out, but it’s important to not overwhelm yourself right out of the gate.”

As with any new endeavor, there will inevitably be some growing pains to begin. It’s best to go through these on a smaller scale where the damage is mitigated but the lesson is still learned.

5. Polish and Prepare

Once you have a property or two running to the point where they no longer needs as much direct attention, at that point, it might be time to prepare for the next steps. Polish your current holdings, everything from your website to your internal team.

You should be making regular assessments of your properties’ total cost vs. income, lead generation, and fine-tuning the process as you go until you get a feel for things. With polished systems in place, you are then better prepared for the future.

“We know how intimidating it can be as a first-time investor,” comments Finlay.

“Commercial real estate is a challenging but immensely rewarding investment opportunity. We are here to help people make the most of a historically unique market and substantiate their ambitions in physical spaces.”

The idea of Bigtime Daily landed this engineer cum journalist from a multi-national company to the digital avenue. Matthew brought life to this idea and rendered all that was necessary to create an interactive and attractive platform for the readers. Apart from managing the platform, he also contributes his expertise in business niche.

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Business

Remote Professionals Getting More Value for Their Work Thanks to Borderless Banking

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Not too long ago, the idea of working remotely from an island in Thailand or a co-working space in Berlin sounded like the kind of fantasy only tech moguls or backpacking freelancers could afford. 

Fast forward to today, and it’s as good as a global reality. Millions of professionals have cut the cord from traditional office life in exchange for flexibility, freedom, and a work-life balance that fits their personal rhythm and not their employer’s timezone.

However, as remote work has reshaped how people earn a living, it’s also pointed out the existing limits to most of the world’s financial systems. Traditional banking simply wasn’t built for a workforce that’s always on the move, operating in multiple currencies, and getting paid across borders. 

Thankfully, that’s where borderless banking like Black Banx have proven vital, and has quietly transformed the way money is managed for people vacationing and working overseas alike.

The Rise of the Remote Work Economy

Remote work isn’t just a pandemic-era trend that faded with Zoom fatigue—it’s become a defining feature of the modern workforce. A recent survey revealed that over 39% of Gen Z and Millennials planned to live and work abroad for extended periods this year, many staying six months or more in a single location. That’s beyond a short trip, and can be considered as good as a sabbatical with a substantial lifestyle shift.

According to recent estimates, the digital nomad economy now also contributes as much as US$787 billion annually to the global economy. And this isn’t just entry-level gig work. A third of digital nomads earn between US$100,000 and US$250,000, while another third take in US$50,000 to US$100,000 annually. 

It is indeed evident that the manner in which many make a living has changed. Unfortunately, most financial systems haven’t kept up.

Where Traditional Banks Are Still Falling Short

For those who have ever tried to open a bank account abroad or receive payment from a foreign client, they already know the drill: the paperwork is endless, delays are frustrating, and the fees? So much to do, even for the smallest amounts of money.

Just to name few of the hurdles remote workers still face with conventional banking:

  • Account setup restrictions: Need proof of residence, tax IDs, or a local job offer—things many digital nomads simply don’t have.
  • Slow international transfers: Payments can take days to process, which is a nightmare when rent’s due.
  • High foreign exchange fees: Currency conversions often come with steep, hidden costs.
  • Limited multi-currency support: Most banks still force users to operate in a single currency, making financial planning chaotic at best.

And perhaps most tellingly, many banks have digitized their operations but haven’t personalized their services. According to Accenture’s 2025 Banking Trends Report, while digital transformation has improved efficiency, it often sacrifices the customer experience. That’s not great news for people who live outside the lines.

Borderless Banking for Professionals Across the Globe

The concept of borderless banking goes far beyond wiring money internationally. Fundamentally, it’s also about being able to eliminate the friction between people and their money, no matter where they are in the world, and maintaining an ecosystem where geography, bureaucracy, and currency don’t stand in the way of financial freedom.

A working example of this is Black Banx, a Toronto-based fintech founded by German billionaire Michael Gastauer. Since launching globally in 2015, it has grown to serve over 78 million clients in 180+ countries as of Q1 2025, proof that people take to digital banking solutions when it is accessible, affordable, and is useful in just about any locale.

In the first three months of this year, Black Banx had also earned US$4.3 billion in revenue and US$1.6 billion in pre-tax profit, more than double from the same quarter the previous year and showing it has consistently delivered tangible value to global customers—remote professionals included

How Borderless Banking Maximizes Value for Remote Workers

1. Instant Account Access—No Strings Attached

The times of hunting down local branches or collecting endless documents just to open an account are finished. With borderless banks, users can open an account in minutes using just a photo ID—no proof of address or income required. That’s a lifesaver for anyone living outside their passport country or hopping from one location to another.

2. Multi-Currency Mastery

Managing money in multiple currencies used to mean juggling several accounts—or worse, losing money on conversions. Borderless platforms like Black Banx support 28 FIAT currencies and allow real-time currency conversions at competitive rates. That means remote workers can:

  • Invoice clients in one currency
  • Spend or save in another
  • Hedge against local currency fluctuations
  • Avoid excessive conversion fees altogether

3. Seamless, Real-Time Global Payments

Getting paid late, or paying others late, isn’t just inconvenient; it can damage relationships and disrupt your cash flow. With real-time payment support, remote workers can receive funds instantly, no matter where their clients are. This is particularly valuable for freelancers and entrepreneurs juggling multiple contracts across time zones.

Plus, bulk payment features and API integration streamline processes for those running teams or businesses.

4. Built-In Crypto Options

It isn’t surprising that many digital nomads are already deep into crypto. Whether it’s for investment, faster transactions, or avoiding traditional finance red tape, crypto is becoming essential.

Since 2016, Black Banx has allowed users to send, receive, and convert crypto (like BTC and ETH) within their accounts. That integration saves users from having to manage separate crypto wallets, and adds another layer of flexibility to their financial toolkit.

5. Secure Transactions

Remote workers often log in to work from cafés, coworking spaces, and airports, to name a few. Of course, this flexibility of being able to work almost anywhere should never come at the cost of security. Borderless banks like Black Banx use end-to-end encryption, AI fraud detection, and two-factor authentication to keep accounts safe from risky elements.

Financial Freedom, Not Just Convenience

Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of borderless banking is the freedom it provides. Not just to access money, but to fully participate in the global economy. For millions of professionals in underbanked regions like Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, borderless banking has become a gateway to financial inclusion and a way to take on opportunities that typically wouldn’t be available to them if not remote.

By removing barriers to entry, platforms like Black Banx empower underserved individuals to both take control of their finances and increase their earning power by working with companies from higher paying markets. This democratization of finance isn’t just good for individuals, it’s good for the global economy as a whole.

As Black Banx CEO Michael Gastauer put it: “Our multi-currency solutions enable businesses to tap into global talent without worrying about payment complexities. We make cross-border transactions as seamless as local ones.”

The Road Ahead

By 2030, the number of digital nomads worldwide is expected to soar past 60 million, according to the Forbes Technology Council. That means tens of millions of workers will be navigating foreign currencies, time zones, and financial systems—all while expecting the same seamless experience they’d get at home.

Indeed, remote professionals aren’t just looking for places to work—they’re looking for systems that work for them. In a lifestyle built on flexibility, traditional banking is proving too rigid, too slow, and too expensive.

Borderless banking services like those offered by the likes of Black Banx, on the other hand, offer exactly what today’s global workforce needs: instant access, multi-currency support, real-time payments, crypto integration, and enterprise-level security—all in a streamlined experience.

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