- Keep Them Coming Back
-
When it comes to providing customer service, the golden rule applies &ldquo Try to put yourself in your customers' shoes and figure out how you would want to be treated,&rdquo says Edward Craine, CCIM, president of Smith Craine Finance in
- Make It Rain!
-
Normal 0 false false false EN US X NONE X NONE
- Making the Corporate Connection
-
For years the corporate real estate world comprised a close knit community of executives and their staffs. But as today's shrinking budgets force layoffs in real estate departments, corporations increasingly look to local service providers for assistance with their brokerage
- Cash Flow Tips
-
Business owners have been cutting expenses, reducing payroll, and trying to chase down new sources of cash flow for two years. Yet, as the economic recovery lags, many realize they need to do even more. But what is left to
- Choosing a New Path
-
After almost 30 years as an independent broker, B.K. Allen, CCIM, GRI, owner of B.K. Allen Real Estate in Reston, Va., decided to affiliate with a national commercial real estate company. “I was doing more administrative work than interacting with
- Helpful Hiring Hints
-
Help wanted Commercial real estate company seeks professional with strong sales and people skills and considerable industry experience who fits the company's culture. Anyone who's ever hired a commercial real estate professional knows the demands of trying to find the
- Learning From the Pros
-
Upon winning his fourth Masters Tournament earlier this year, Tiger Woods dedicated his victory to a mentor who has been with him every step of the way his father. While Woods’ golf skills have helped him earn esteem, awards,
- Making the Corporate Cut
-
Working with corporations can be challenging, rewarding, and profitable for commercial real estate professionals. However, there are special considerations in securing corporate business and making sure that corporate clients&rsquo unique real estate needs are understood, appreciated, and addressed. The first
- Self-Made Success
-
In the commercial real estate world, bigger isn't always better. Many commercial real estate professionals have found success by staying independent despite a recent trend toward business mergers and affiliation. Contrary to popular belief, independent brokers don't necessarily have to
- The Private Investment Pool
-
Last year, national and local private investors purchased more than $60 billion of commercial real estate through November, accounting for more than half of all commercial real estate investment, according to Real Capital Analytics. This makes working with private investors
- The Road to Success
-
The rocky economy presents many bumps in the road for commercial real estate professionals mapping their future paths. Other obstacles block the view of what tomorrow's workplace will require. For example, how will you deal with a new breed of
- Star Search
-
Some commercial real estate companies have the magic touch They attract and retain the best and brightest brokers. Others aren't so fortunate. Maybe they hire good people, but they soon lose them to the competition. Which type is your company?
- Seeking Out Small Businesses
-
Even though commercial real estate professionals offer important services to small businesses, they don&rsquo t always come looking for them, says Jeffrey Hulett, CCIM, a tenant representative at DHC Associates in Cleveland. &ldquo These companies are small and tend to
- Strategies for Start-Ups
-
The start up business client that Steve Marcusse, CCIM, industrial adviser with Grubb & Ellis Paramount in Grand Rapids, Mich., took on last year had very specific space needs a 17,550 square foot property with eight firetruck size drive in
- Looking Good
-
Todd Gold, CCIM, president of REOC Partners in San Antonio used to show clients his appreciation by employing typical entertaining methods. "Lunches, breakfasts, broker events, etc. It was nothing extra special," he admits. "Then, someone in the office had the
- Personnel Assets
-
To recruit and retain talented professionals, commercial real estate companies must recognize that employees are one of their most valuable assets. Highly skilled employees bring companies new business, increase revenues, build strong client relationships, provide referrals, and gain industry recognition.
- Solo Success
-
Working solo was the right career move for Benedict J. Frederick III, CCIM. “I love what I do. Work is not work. I just get to have fun all day long,” says the founder of Ben Frederick Realty in Baltimore.
- Asset Management Strategies
-
Through the acquisition, management, and sale phases of an investment property, it is up to the commercial real estate consultant to mix instinct and strategy for the benefit of the client. This can be a challenge in the hands on
- Thinking Big
-
How do they do it? Those brokers and sales agents who operate in small markets or who work solo or with just a partner or two? How do they survive in a market as tough as today’s? Common thought might
- Assessing Risk
-
In the commercial real estate investment context, risk is anything that creates volatility in a property or portfolio's expected or actual returns. In addition to analyzing returns and running cash flow projections, the most astute investors effectively understand risk analysis
- Connecting With Corporate Clients
-
More than ever before, corporations today are outsourcing real estate functions, including strategic planning and financial structuring, transaction management, and design and construction consulting, according to a recent Ernst & Young Real Estate Advisory Services study. But they are steering
- The ABCs of TICs
-
Interest in structured tenancy in common ownership as replacement property for 1031 exchanges has grown dramatically since the Internal Revenue Service issued Revenue Procedure 2002 22 in March 2002. One of the largest TIC deals took place last October when
- End-Game Strategies
-
Most commercial real estate investors are clear on the benefits of owning income property, but many underestimate the importance of creating an end game strategy for the timely and favorable disposition of their assets. In fact, many investors today find
- Deal or No Deal?
-
What's a transaction broker to do? In 2008, commercial real estate deals were down 71 percent from 2007, according to Jones Lang LaSalle. Total 2008 volume was only $126 billion, far below 2007's market peak of $437 billion. " This
- Fast-Moving Deals
-
Traditionally, commercial property buyers have had 30 days to 60 days to perform due diligence on potential property purchases before putting down sizeable deposits. But in today's competitive climate, diligence periods are shrinking to as few as five days to