I went to Brown University, but my mom said I couldn't be an artist because I would starve.

I suppose I was a frustrated artist. I like fitting things together, and there are plenty of different ways to do that with real estate.

You go public because you want access to capital in the form of debt and equity.

If I had high-ticker 10 percent financing, which would probably be the market rate, I would have to dump stuff. The interest payments would be killing me.

Properties have different characteristics, like companies, and the market throws up more opportunities because it is inefficient.

Pay attention to the big themes because that's what will help you earn ten times your money.