Mason Gates

Associate Vice President @Matthews_CRE
Politically Engaged

[Mason Gates @NetRSF]

At 20 years old, I ran for public office in one of the most affluent communities in the U.S. Here's what came of it:

12,350 votes & 1 official loss.

Yes, I lost. Not quite the inspiring victory story you might have expected. Thankfully, I don't believe in losing—only learning.

So here’s what I learned:
- Problem-solving at its core
- Coordinating strategic efforts
- Building and leading a team
- Engaging in municipal politics
- Grassroots fundraising
- Public speaking

But most importantly, I learned how to serve my community. Throughout the campaign, I connected with thousands of residents from diverse backgrounds, gaining a deeper understanding of the issues that matter most to them.

And honestly, I can't be too disappointed. Over 1,300 people signed my petition to get on the ballot, we raised $20k+ in small-dollar donations, and I ran beholden to no one except the people I sought to represent.

Many have asked me why I chose to run. The truth? My generation is often labeled as one of complaints and inaction. Sometimes, the change you're looking for is staring back at you in the mirror.

Policy is easy. Politics is hard.

[StripMallGuy @realEstateTrent]

I’ve never known a highly successful person who uses an auto-away email.

[Barry Graham @BarrySGraham]

Today, @BobLittlefield, @MichelleUgenti and I sent an open letter to the Board of Directors of Axon Enterprise.

While we have consistently supported keeping Axon’s headquarters in Scottsdale, we are deeply concerned about what appears to be direct intervention by senior company executives in the 2026 Scottsdale City Council election through significant PAC spending timed just before ballots begin mailing.

The full letter is attached.

[Mason Gates @NetRSF]

While it’s an honor to be recognized by @connectCRE, the relationships built along the way remain paramount.

Here’s to the road ahead. It has been, and always will be, uncertain, yet simple.

This career merely measures one’s ability to stand firm in the face of difficulty, solve problems effectively, and remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence.

Back to work.

https://t.co/fdBCIS67cC

[Mason Gates @NetRSF]

JUST CLOSED 📍 Snyder Mini Storage (Wickenburg, AZ)

[Mason Gates @NetRSF]

JUST LISTED | 📍 NP Storage Portfolio (Kearney, NE)

Excited to share a first look at the NP Storage Portfolio in Kearney, Nebraska.

This portfolio encompasses 139,100 NRSF across 614 units and is currently operating at an impressive 92% physical occupancy, with a strong history of sustained occupancy and performance.

With high occupancy (both current & historical), institutional-quality scale, and a strategic location in one of Nebraska's most important regional hubs located directly off I-80 in the 5th most populated city in NE, the portfolio offers investors an opportunity to establish or expand a dominant presence in the Kearney market through a single acquisition.

Ownership has elected to divest with intent to retire, creating a rare opportunity to acquire a proven portfolio with durable cash flow and long-term growth potential.

For more details, contact me directly:

📲 [phone]
📧 [email protected]

[Arthur MacWaters @ArthurMacwaters]

The fix everything button is literally just to arrest criminals and keep them in jail

Bukele was able to do this in a matter of months

When you see the crime and rot in western cities and feel unsafe letting your wife walk around, know that it is a choice.

[StripMallGuy @realEstateTrent]

I posted that unless something crazy comes up, re-trading a deal is an embarrassment.

Here’s an actual response from somebody who can be described as such.

Market is full of these idiots.

[Mason Gates @NetRSF]

Just watched a deal get listed in my market after 3+ years of consistent follow-up, evaluations, and site tours.

The deal is priced 30% above where I had evaluated it less than a year ago. Naturally, I was curious how the owner could've increased revenue that significantly.

Then I saw it — a 6.25% Stabilized CAP with a 24% OpEx assumption.

It took me approximately 6 seconds to conclude that this will be the most grueling 6 month listing process these owners have ever seen.

Seems like a great use of everyone's time.

[Leading Report @LeadingReport]

Spencer Pratt will face Karen Bass in runoff for LA mayor.

[johnny maga @johnnymaga]

Spencer Pratt dismantles hecklers as he walks through LA on Instagram Live:

“You literally have no experience!”

“What’s councilwoman Raman’s experience, putting drug addicts next to kids at schools? Is that what experience looks like?”

[Degen CPA @DrewVento]

Nobody making $50,000 plus a month is selling you a course on how to get in their industry and become their competition.

[Mason Gates @NetRSF]

@jvale__ Don’t quote me on this, but I’m fairly confident that Scottsdale City Council never passed a resolution to pursue war in Iran

[Mason Gates @NetRSF]

Tempe leadership has the collective brain capacity of a kindergarten graduate

[Barry Graham @BarrySGraham]

It gets much worse. The Tempe city council is pushing a 28% sales tax increase (1.8% to 2.3%) to cover the costs of their unchecked vertical density boom, expanding social programs, and ballooning budgets—in addition to this sign.

Next door in Scottsdale, our conservative council majority is taking the taxpayers-first approach: budgeting that prioritizes road maintenance, reduces deferred infrastructure maintenance, maintains a lean and efficient workforce, and backs our public safety. 🏜️

Learn more: https://t.co/0r2AqEzkJi

[Mason Gates @NetRSF]

As I enter my fourth year in brokerage, I’m reminded almost daily that this career is not for the weak.

Success in this business generally comes down to three things:

1. Work ethic
2. Timing
3. Luck

And if the chart below tells any story… I started at what was arguably the worst possible time for commercial real estate since the GFC in 2008.

In September 2022, the U.S. 10-Year Treasury sat around ~3.3%. Today, it’s hovering around ~4.5%+. At one point in 2023, it crossed 5% for the first time since 2007. Financing costs surged. Bid-ask spreads widened. Transaction velocity slowed materially across commercial real estate.

For context:

• U.S. commercial real estate transaction volume fell roughly 50%+ from 2021 peak levels as interest rates climbed and debt became materially more expensive. Institutional capital largely paused, underwriting changed overnight, and sellers anchored to yesterday’s pricing expectations.

• In self-storage specifically, I entered brokerage immediately following what many operators, investors, and brokers would describe as the sector’s “golden age” (roughly 2016–2021). Historically low interest rates, explosive migration trends, COVID-era demand tailwinds, and unprecedented institutional appetite fueled a wave of consolidation as REITs, private equity, and regional operators aggressively acquired mom-and-pop facilities. The industry saw record transaction velocity, cap rate compression to historic lows, and substantial wealth creation for owners exiting during the cycle. By 2022, however, the environment shifted materially: debt costs rose, acquisition volume slowed, and underwriting became significantly more disciplined.

So yes — timing matters.

And if my annual trips to SSA Vegas have proven anything… luck probably matters too.

But this isn’t a pity post.

Because I’ve become convinced that the most dangerous skill in any economic environment is, and always will be:

Your work ethic.

Markets change, interest rates rise, capital disappears, deals die, people quit.

But the people who consistently show up — when the market is uncomfortable, when the phones aren’t ringing, when everyone else decides to wait for conditions to improve — tend to compound.

I entered brokerage at 19 with no connections in CRE, during one of the most difficult rate environments in modern commercial real estate.

And oddly enough, I’m grateful for that.

Because hard markets force you to build real habits:

• Persistence over emotion
• Process over motivation
• Consistency over entitlement

Easy markets can make people look talented.

Difficult markets reveal who laid the foundation.

[Mason Gates @NetRSF]

Residents in Tempe, AZ are gearing up for a major tax increase right after they footed the bill for a $2 million sign on Mill Ave.

Meanwhile — this is the face of the frontrunner’s city council campaign.

[Leading Report @LeadingReport]

CIA seized 40 boxes of JFK and MK-ULTRA files that were being processed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) for declassification.

[Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh]

🚨 NOW: The CIA has RAIDED DNI Tulsi Gabbard's office to seize documents regarding MKUltra and the JFK files

Gabbard was reportedly in the MIDDLE of declassifying MKUltra!

"The CIA just raided Tulsi Gabbard's office. Agents hauled out dozens of boxes, files on the JFK assassination, and MKUltra, the CIA mind control operation, which she was in the process of declassifying."

We need answers!

[Leading Report @LeadingReport]

CIA scientists concluded that COVID-19 originated from a lab leak, but the finding was removed and altered during a 2 a.m. meeting, per CIA whistleblower.

[Barry Graham @BarrySGraham]

Councilwoman Solange Whitehead is generating misleading information about Scottsdale’s water security. City Council is following our strategic water plan, and there are no cuts to residents’ water supply—in fact, we are increasing investments.

Unfortunately, Councilwoman Whitehead—who voted for 4,500+ high-density apartments and waived Axon's water requirements—continues to fan the flames of water concerns during election season, raising questions about whether her campaign tactics are aimed at pressuring water administrators to fast-track the controversial $150M “toilet-to-tap” initiative simply to justify even more density. 🚿🚰

City leaders should calm fears with facts, not exploit them for political gain. 🏜️

[Jeff Nelson @jeffreym_nelson]

A sitting member of congress complaining about Arizona being hot in the summertime. This is what happens when you import politicians from the east coast.