What if you could invest in a commercial building without buying the entire property—or raise capital from investors without relying solely on a traditional bank loan?
Real estate tokenization aims to create those options by using blockchain technology to represent an interest in a property or investment fund. But what does owning a real estate token actually mean, and what risks should investors understand before buying one?
In this episode, Aviva Sonenreich and Matthew Davis, founder of DeFi CRE, explore how blockchain and decentralized finance could change commercial real estate investing. They break down tokenization in practical terms, from fractional property ownership to new ways for building owners to access capital.
The conversation also examines the questions behind the technology. How are tokenized investments structured? What happens when a property’s value changes? And how should investors evaluate a project’s legal structure, underlying real estate, and promises of returns? Matthew shares his plans for Hotels to Homes, a proposed tokenized fund focused on converting hotels into workforce housing, as an example of how the concept could be applied.
Key Topics Discussed
- What real estate tokenization means and how blockchain can represent an interest in commercial property or an investment fund
- How fractional ownership could give investors access to real estate investments without purchasing an entire building
- How property owners might use tokenization to raise capital through ownership interests or debt arrangements
- Why liquidity is a potential benefit of tokenization—and why it should not be assumed or guaranteed
- How tokenized real estate differs from traditional commercial real estate investing and other crypto assets
- The proposed Hotels to Homes fund and its approach to converting hotels into workforce housing
- Why securities compliance, investment structure, and professional legal guidance matter when raising capital
- How investors can evaluate the underlying property, project team, and projected returns before investing
- Where smart contracts and blockchain records could have practical applications in real estate transactions and leasing
About the Guest
Matthew Davis is the Founder of DeFi CRE and a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser with Arapahoe County, Colorado. Combining his background in property valuation with an interest in decentralized finance, Matthew explores how blockchain technology and tokenization can create new ways for investors to access commercial real estate and for sponsors to raise capital. Through DeFi CRE, he examines how digital ownership structures and alternative financing models can connect emerging financial technology with tangible real estate assets.
About the Host
Aviva Sonenreich is the Managing Broker and Owner of the Warehouse Hotline, a Denver commercial real estate brokerage specializing exclusively in industrial properties. She leads the firm’s brokerage operations, negotiates industrial sales and leasing transactions, advises clients on acquisition and disposition strategies, and oversees the company’s marketing and business development efforts. Through Commercial Real Estate Secrets, she interviews leading investors, brokers, developers, and industry experts to provide actionable insights on commercial real estate investing, brokerage, leasing, development, and market trends.
Exploring an Industrial Real Estate Investment?
New technology may create different ways to invest, but understanding the underlying property still matters. Location, tenant demand, operating expenses, and a clear investment strategy remain important considerations when evaluating commercial real estate.
The Warehouse Hotline helps investors buy and sell industrial properties in the Denver metro area. Whether you’re looking for your next warehouse investment or evaluating a property you already own, our team can help you navigate the local market and assess your options.
