1. Home
  2. Articles
  3. Investing

From Communist Dorms to a 9-Digit CRE Portfolio

Saul Zenkevicius smiling in a dark tweed blazer

By Saul ZenkeviciusCRE Investor

Humble beginnings

I own a growing 9-digit CRE portfolio.

I have purchased many great deals.

I have 20+ years of experience.

Here’s my story.

My Humble Beginnings

On paper, things couldn't be better.

But in reality, things have been far from perfect.

You see, in my early childhood, I grew up in Lithuania when it was the USSR, in what is known as "communist dorms".

To paint you a picture ↴

  • We didn't have much.
  • Definitely, no easy life.
  • 1 small room shared amongst all of us.
  • The living situation was hardly ideal.

Looking back, I sometimes feel a little embarrassed to share this side of my story.

But today, it's important that I do!

My Journey of Growth

I've spent the last 2 decades:

  • Learning as I go.
  • Overcoming mistakes.
  • Progressing and growing. (Not just professionally but personally too!)

But, I believe that anyone can change or reinvent their situation (just like I did.)

Why I'm Sharing This

This is why today I want to support and inspire more people on their own journey into commercial real estate.

  • Sharing the key lessons I've learned along the way.
  • Helping others to learn from my own mistakes.
  • Giving away the key tips I've accumulated.

All to help other people like me who are ambitious enough to succeed and reshape their paths.

My Weekly Commitment

So each week, I open my laptop and every Sunday morning I think about the key lessons and share advice I've picked up along my journey.

I want to help elevate others on their own journey to success.

Join Our Community

Ready to kick off or boost your CRE success?

Subscribe to my newsletter for commercial real estate insights and join 600+ savvy investors!

Follow me on LinkedIn for more commercial real estate insights.

Saul Zenkevicius smiling in a dark tweed blazer

Saul Zenkevicius

CRE Investor

Chicago-based commercial real estate investor and founder of Z Equity Group with a 9-digit portfolio across 200+ principal transactions and 20+ years in real estate. Specializes in small bay industrial and distressed commercial real estate.

Value Builder

Each week, I share insights and real-life case studies in my weekly Value Builder newsletter.

Join my Value Builder Newsletter

Investing

Investing posts covering deals, strategies, and the stories behind actual transactions.

View all →
  1. Buying for a Higher-Rate Cycle: What the 1970s Taught Me

    Sep 23, 2026

    I don't usually take a firm position on rates. This September I did. Here are the signals, what I found in the 1970s, and the acquisition strategy I think fits.

  2. How Many Deals Do You Need to Look At to Get One Accepted Offer?

    Sep 16, 2026

    There are no deals, nothing pencils. I used to say it too. Here are my own numbers from six months of screening, and how many at bats one accepted offer takes.

  3. How We Doubled a Property's Value Without Touching the Building

    Aug 12, 2026

    No new roof, no repaving, almost no capex. Clearing up the environmental and zoning questions on a Milwaukee yard, and leasing it early, roughly doubled its value.