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Meet Todd Strickland – SunVista’s Newest Partner

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Sometimes, you know there’s this guy who just quietly works in his office, and you see him here in the mornings, throughout the day, and also in the evenings, and you just wonder, what’s he doing all the time?  Well sometimes, that guy is someone like Todd Strickland who just works, and works, and works some more to go above and beyond to make sure every transaction is a win-win for both sides.  Todd is well known by his clients for one especially enduring trait; he goes out of his way to make a deal work.  His perseverance and tenacity have won him accolades from his clients, as well as advancement within our company. 

We were able to catch up with Todd and ask him some questions about his promotion to Partner.

Q. What did you do before your career in Commercial Real Estate began?

I owned and operated a special events company out of Atlanta, GA that catered to Fortune 100 Companies on the eastern half of the US.

Q. What made you take that leap and transition into commercial real estate?

Love for my wife …. I sold my business in Atlanta, and moved to Albuquerque to be with her. I did not know what profession I was going to take on once I got here, but had faith that my God already had something MAGNANIMOUS planned for me.

Q. What changes have you seen arise in Commercial Real Estate since you began?

Technology and (most recently) Covid has made it easy to either email or text rather than connecting with Clients / fellow Brokers. I believe that it is INVALUABLE to #1 connect with Clients (external & internal) in person, and #2, pick up the phone and give clients a call to discuss any of their questions regarding CRE, or whatever is MOST important to them.

Q. What trends are you noticing in the land/industrial markets that you are either excited for?

Industrial at the moment is “king” along with ANYTHING stand alone …. Commercial Real Estate has proven time & time again to be an incredible investment here in Albuquerque. Sometimes, you just have to be patient to find just the right property …..

Q. What is the most fulfilling aspect of being a Commercial Real Estate Advisor?

Connecting JUST the right Buyer to the right Seller, and the right Tenant with the right Landlord. (All of us CRE Brokers are “Pastors” in our own right. Marrying off the Bride (Tenant) / Buyer to the right Groom (Seller) / Landlord.)

Q. What would you say has led you to success in Commercial Real Estate?

A genuine desire to serve,  dig in, and do what is necessary to bring a property and a Buyer, Seller, Tenant, or Landlord together for the good of everyone involved.

Q. What would you say has been the highlight of your career to date? 

Working with others who are like minded, and want to get transactions completed for the benefit of those we serve.

Q. What parts of the job do you find most challenging?

I would not say that it is challenging, but just squeeeeezing all of the good opportunities to connect into the limited length of each day ….. (There are just so many hours in a day …)

Q. Commercial Real Estate can involve risk, how do you approach it?

Risk is just part of the opportunity. You just cannot let one blip on the map derail you from successes’ end goal.

Q. Who has influenced you the most?

God.

Q. What part of each transaction tends to be over looked?

Continuing the relationship with your Client beyond the consummation of the deal ….

Q. Where can we find Todd on the weekends?

Hiking the trails of northern New Mexico, spending time with my family, helping friends with projects of any kind, and relaxing with my wife.

To see what others are saying about Todd click here.

Meet DJ Brigman – SunVista’s Newest Partner

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Have you ever watched the face of a person determined to win?  Have you seen the strength of mind, the willpower and the resolve to rise above and grab the prize?  Well, if you haven’t, perhaps you have not been watching DJ Brigman in his quest to make Partner.  He set his sights, marked his goal and made it happen. 

We teed up a conversation with DJ to discuss his promotion to Partner. 

Q. What did you do before your career in Commercial Real Estate began? I played 17 years of professional golf. Played on the PGA Tour, traveled the world and have a total of 13 tournament wins.

What made you take that leap and transition into commercial real estate? When I decided that traveling 25-30 weeks a year was no longer in the cards, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Honestly, I thought I would transition into medical device sales. That door did not open and on a chance conversation with an acquaintance the commercial real estate seed was planted. I didn’t know a thing about commercial real estate, but I started researching the industry and liked what I saw. I interviewed with multiple firms in Albuquerque but landed at NAI SunVista because of a podcast interview I listened to that Dave Hill did back in 2015. As a result of that podcast, I reached out to Dave and an amazing journey started.

Q. What changes have you seen arise in Commercial Real Estate since you began?

Technology has been the biggest change in CRE. It is ever evolving and amazing the type of research one can do at the touch of a few buttons.

Q. What trends are you noticing in the office/industrial markets that you are either excited for?

The work place is evolving which is good for CRE. This means they will need to renew their leases, right size, or even look at owning instead or leasing. All mean they will need an expert to help make pivotal decisions for the future of their businesses.

Q. What is the most fulfilling aspect of being a Commercial Real Estate Advisor?

The most fulfilling part of CRE is helping business owners realize their dreams and being a small part of that success. Finding that perfect location, helping that business owner expand, or being a resource for questions relating to the market all bring satisfaction to me.

Q. What would you say has led you to success in Commercial Real Estate?

The quote that resonates with me is “I am pleased but not satisfied.” To be successful in professional golf you need to be self-motivated, driven, mentally tough, and refocus quickly. All of those ingredients applied to CRE with the ability to converse with people have led to my success.

Q. What would you say has been the highlight of your career to date?

The highlight of my career have been making top 5 as producer in my first year in the business, becoming a owner in the company, and a achieving  Partner.

Q. What parts of the job do you find most challenging?

Time management. This profession requires one to juggle many “balls in the air”. Managing expectations and responding in a timely manner can be a challenge.

Q. Commercial Real Estate can involve risk, how do you approach it?

Being a professional golfer required risk. You had to evaluate each shot, weigh the risk/reward, commit to your decision and execute. For me risk equals reward and I have always been willing to “take the shot” when needed.

Q. Who has influenced you the most? I have been lucky to have many influences in my life.

When it comes to CRE, Dave Hill, CCIM, SIOR has been a great mentor, friend, and partner. He took a chance with me, saw the potential, set the foundation, and let me do my thing!

Q. What part of each transaction tends to be over looked?

What I enjoy about each transaction is that they are all fluid.  Different parts of the deal pose challenges. Seeing the process from start to finish requires multiple steps, problem solving and what I do well.

Q. Where can we find DJ on the weekends? On the weekends you can find me hanging out with my wife, working out, playing some golf, and lighting up the grill.

To see what others are saying about DJ click here.

The Return to Office and to Retail

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In early June, Jones Lang LaSalle’s CEO Christian Ulbrich reported the Return to Work “Worst is Behind Us.”  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Ulbrich went on to say he is seeing 65% of its employees return to the office full time.  According to a CNBC report, Dallas, Houston and Charleston, SC are markets where office occupancy is more substantial because those cities didn’t have as strict lockdown policies in the past few years.  However, workers in other markets, especially on the coasts, are still reluctant to return.  As a measure of tracking employee attendance at the office, some employers are “tracking office badge attendance” and confronting workers who are not complying with company policy.  Albuquerque has been “back to the office” for well over a year now.  That said, the pandemic did cause attrition of due to Covid health risks, early retirements, and care duties, including working moms who found staying at home with their children beneficial to both themselves and their families. 

In addition to returning to the office, consumers are returning to dining out and brick-and-motor shopping.  Although recent macroeconomic changes and wider societal and technological innovations have led to shifts in shopping behavior, brick-and-mortar locations remain the primary channel for consumer purchases in the United States.  This is true for both retail and office locations.  Foot traffic analytics, which reveal how consumers behave in brick-and-mortar retail outlets, can provide critical insights into current consumer preferences. Landlords can use this information to their benefit to best understand who is visiting their retail and office buildings.  Are the visitors the Tenant employees who come and go daily, or are they customers and clients of the Tenants?  Here at NAI SunVista we have the ability to help Owners, Landlords and Tenants track such traffic.  If this is of interest to you, simply reach out to me and I will be happy to run the numbers for you! 

Shelly Branscom, CCIM is an NAI SunVista commercial real estate specialist who provides substantial long-term strategies and business planning services to her clients.  She prides herself on thinking outside the box, enabling her to contribute unique solutions and outcomes specific to each of her clients.  Learn more about Shelly and her listings.  

NAI SunVista is a full-service commercial real estate company serving New Mexico since 1996. The company is a dynamic commercial real estate firm offering best-in-class real estate services in brokerage, property management, asset management, business brokerage and development services.

Federal Reserve Pauses on Interest Rates (For Now.)

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After a 15-month interest rate hike increases, in mid-June, the Federal Reserve hit pause on increasing the interest rate, for now.  By mid-month, Chairman Powell cautioned, “don’t expect the most recent rate hike pause to continue.  However, he went on to say, “Price stability is the responsibility of the Federal Reserve, and without it, the economy does not work for anyone.  In other words, inflation must return to the 2% level that the Fed and other banks say is the desired level.  Look for the Fed to provide additional interest rate hikes as well as continued quantitative tightening reducing the amount of liquidity in markets.  Because inflation pressures continue, the process of getting inflation back down to 2% has a ways to go.  “The Fed’s forecasted terminal rate increased another 50 bps, doubling down on a “higher for longer” run on rates.  Although we have been expecting a recession for the past 10 months, there has been no sign of any economic downturn in the United States.  That said, the continued rate increases most certainly will push the economy into a recession, potentially within the year. 

You might ask, what is the best way to be successful in a recession?  Plan. Take advantage of opportunities, such as buying low.  Know your company’s strengths and weaknesses and capitalize on them.  Cut unnecessary costs.  Make everything you do count!  As with the great recession, there will be opportunities.  Keep your eyes peeled, ears open and work with an Advisor to help you get the most bang for your commercial real estate buck. 

Shelly Branscom, CCIM is an NAI SunVista commercial real estate specialist who provides substantial long-term strategies and business planning services to her clients.  She prides herself on thinking outside the box, enabling her to contribute unique solutions and outcomes specific to each of her clients.  Learn more about Shelly and her listings.  

NAI SunVista is a full-service commercial real estate company serving New Mexico since 1996. The company is a dynamic commercial real estate firm offering best-in-class real estate services in brokerage, property management, asset management, business brokerage and development services.

Genieve Posen Named to the Leadership Committee of the NAI Global 2023 Women’s Alliance

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Albuquerque/New Mexico – June 12, 2023: Genieve Posen, Senior Advisor, NAI SunVista has been named as a Leadership Committee Member of the NAI Global Women’s Alliance. NAI Global is a leading global commercial real estate brokerage firm. 

“We are very pleased to have Genieve Posen in this role,” said Lindsay Fierro, SVP, Operations of NAI Global. “She/They shares deep optimism about our ability to do transformative work in this critically important area where different viewpoints, opinions, thoughts, and ideas are encouraged and embraced amongst the women of our network.”

The NAI Global Women’s Alliance is a council that allows the women of NAI to easily come together to celebrate each other while driving commercial real estate services worldwide by forming powerful connections throughout the company. We welcome principals, managers, agents, marketing directors, property managers and so on. It fosters and promotes activities, education and communication that elevate the level of engagement and productivity of our women professionals and the organization at-large.

“To have a seat at this particular NAI Global Leadership table is an honor and I look forward to working with outstanding professionals in their respective fields. Leadership is about being brave, present, and supportive of others.” – Genieve Posen

Genieve Posen brings 16 years of experience in landscape architecture, urban development and commercial real estate marketing to her role of Senior Advisor at NAI SunVista. She has extensive knowledge in site design, urban planning and brokerage for commercial real estate projects. At NAI SunVista, Genieve specializes in land sales and land development for retail, industrial, and other mixed-use projects, however, she has knowledge and experience in most disciplines of commercial real estate. Genieve represents local, regional, and national clients in a variety of transactions.

About NAI Global

NAI Global is a leading global commercial real estate brokerage firm. NAI Global offices are leaders in their local markets and work in unison to provide clients with exceptional solutions to their commercial real estate needs. NAI Global has more than 300 offices strategically located throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific, with over 5,100 local market professionals, managing in excess of 1.1 billion square feet of property and facilities. Annually, NAI Global completes in excess of $20 billion in commercial real estate transactions throughout the world.

NAI Global provides a complete range of corporate and institutional real estate services, including brokerage and leasing, property and facilities management, real estate investment and capital market services, due diligence, global supply chain and logistics consulting and related advisory services. To learn more, visit www.naiglobal.com.  

10 Myth Busters for Downtown Albuquerque: Perception Versus Reality of Albuquerque’s Central Business District

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1. Myth: Downtown Albuquerque is dead

Fact: Downtown Albuquerque is in the midst of a major multimillion-dollar revitalization.  You will find bustling nightlife along Central Avenue (Route 66), including many nightclubs, theaters and restaurants. Additionally, the migration into and out of Downtown Albuquerque from 2019 -2022 was -0.6 businesses for every 1,000 city residents.

2. Myth: Downtown Albuquerque is unsafe

Fact:  The City of Albuquerque has placed significant emphasis on safety and the mental health of the homeless in Downtown Albuquerque.  In a recent personal experience, I felt safer walking on the streets of Downtown than I did in Uptown. Did you know there is an APD substation on 4th Street between Gold and Central Avenue?  Have you noticed how clean the streets and sidewalks are in Downtown Albuquerque?

3. Myth: There’s nowhere to eat downtown

Fact:  The newly developed 505 Food Hall located at the corner of 5th and Central contains 9 local venders offering everything from Chicken, street tacos, burgers, fries, beer/wine and more.  Additionally, Slate Street Café, Cocina Azul, Monroes’, Baca Boys Café, Asian Noodle Bar, Rumor Pizza and many other bars with tapas are located in downtown Albuquerque.    

4. Myth: There’s nowhere to live downtown

Fact:  Currently downtown Albuquerque enjoys 1,590 households in Downtown Albuquerque.  Additionally, there is a $50 million public-private project slated for Downtown that will bring more than 200 housing units to the area.  This project cleared Albuquerque City Council on March 7, 2023, approving an agreement that includes a timeline and performance benchmarks for the Downtowner, a mixed use project at First Street and Silver Avenue that has been years in the works.  The Downtowner, a multistory development expected to span 131,700 square feet, is one of a handful of supported project by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) which includes the Palladium Townhomes, the Villa Agave redevelopment project and the Imperial Inn

5. Myth: All the high rise buildings in Downtown Albuquerque are vacant 

Fact:  Downtown Albuquerque is currently experiencing an approximate 18% office vacancy rate.  In comparison, overall the City of Albuquerque is experiencing an approximate 14% office vacancy rate. 

6. Myth: There’s no entertainment in Downtown Albuquerque

Fact: I recently attended a concert at the Albuquerque Convention Center.  Parking was easy to find, streets and sidewalks were clean and I felt safe.  Every day, I see advertisements for theater experiences, food trucks, movie nights, growers markets and other forms of family entertainment.

7. Myth: There’s no lodging in Downtown Albuquerque

Fact: Downtown Albuquerque enjoys over a dozen hotel experiences from locally owned boutique hotels to national name branded chains.  Downtown Albuquerque has something for everyone when it comes to overnight stays. 

8. Myth: There’s no plan to make Downtown Albuquerque more vibrant.

Fact:  The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) has created seven strategies as the most essential steps to creating a healthy, safe, and vibrant downtown district plan.  These seven strategies include making downtown safe, extending compassion to those in need, giving people something to do, building more housing, strategizing strategic investments, investing in sustainability and creating tools for redevelopment.

9. Myth: There’s no outdoor culture in Downtown Albuquerque

Fact: A 7 mile loop will link Albuquerque’s vibrant downtown area to nearby neighborhoods, mass transportation options, and the Rail Yards, creating a world class urban amenity that will catalyze redevelopment.  The Albuquerque Rail Tail will transform Downtown’s rail corridor into a safe, vibrant and artistic urban trail that creates opportunities for economic development, healthy recreation, and cultural expression.  The Trial will connect the diverse communities it travels through and build bridges across those that have been disconnected.  The Rail Trail is the next expression of this essential trade route, embracing a resilient future for Downtown Albuquerque.  Read more about it here.  https://www.abqjournal.com/2526771/abq-trail-project-gets-injection-of-federal-money.html

10. Myth: Downtown Albuquerque is not walkable

Fact: According to Walk Score, Downtown Albuquerque has a Walk Score of 96, Transit Score of 54, Bike Score of 91.  Comparatively, Phoenix has a Walk Score of 41, Transit Score of 36 and Bike Score of 56 while Denver has a Walk Score of 61, Transit Score of 45 and Bike Score of 72.  Check out your favorite City’s walk score here.  https://www.walkscore.com/score/loc/lat=35.0844/lng=-106.6504/?utm_source=liquidspace.com&utm_medium=ts_api&utm_campaign=ts_api

Downtown Albuquerque has made great strides in their safety, vibrancy and livelihood in recent years and is a place to live, work and play.  I invite you to visit Downtown Albuquerque and witness for yourself the change that has and is taking place.  Additionally, I challenge you to revisit Downtown Albuquerque and join forces with the organizations, businesses and governments that continue to make a change in yours and mine Downtown Albuquerque!

Shelly Branscom, CCIM is an NAI SunVista commercial real estate specialist who provides substantial long-term strategies and business planning services to her clients.  She prides herself on thinking outside the box, enabling her to contribute unique solutions and outcomes specific to each of her clients.  Learn more about Shelly and her listings.  

NAI SunVista is a full-service commercial real estate company serving New Mexico since 1996. The company is a dynamic commercial real estate firm offering best-in-class real estate services in brokerage, property management, asset management, business brokerage and development services.

Meet Land & Industrial Director Riley McKee

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Precision and accuracy, meticulous follow-through and un-wavering loyalty. These are words we use to describe Riley McKee. Anyone who works with Riley knows these words to be a true and accurate representation of his character and his abilities. Please join me in congratulating Riley on his advancement from Senior Advisor, to Director.  

What changes have you seen arise in Commercial Real Estate since you began?

When I first began my career as a broker in 2016, industrial real estate was on the verge of something special. Today, it is the dominant asset class in Albuquerque (and nationwide) and should continue to be for the foreseeable future. This is in large part because of e-commerce, which as a percentage of total retail sales has grown steadily over the last 30 years. In 1994, Jeff Bezos had a novel idea to sell books on the internet. That idea has since been expanded to just about everything, all of which must be stored in a warehouse somewhere before it arrives at your front door.

What trends are you noticing in the land/industrial markets that you’re excited for?

The vacancy rate for industrial real estate has steadily declined throughout my 7 years in the industry. On one level, this is a good thing as unused space is being filled. However, it’s also a signal that not enough new space is being added to the market to meet demand. Between the Great Recession of 2008 – 2010 and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, almost no new construction of industrial real estate occurred in Albuquerque. Only very recently have developers come to recognize the level of demand for warehouse space. By the end of this year, roughly 440,000 square feet of new industrial space will be completed while another 3,000,000 square feet is planned in the coming years. This is much needed and exciting activity in Albuquerque.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of being a Commercial Real Estate Advisor?

Economic impact. Every transaction I am involved with promotes some form of growth for the local economy. Whether it’s a startup company leasing its first space, an established business expanding its operations, or an investor purchasing and renovating a dilapidated building, productivity and capital are being exchanged. To have a direct role in that process is both fulfilling and rewarding. 

What would you say has led you to success in Commercial Real Estate?

There’s no singular personality type or profile that has a monopoly on success in commercial real estate. I’ve seen many different styles and approaches lead to success. For me, discipline has been the key to getting ahead. It’s engaging in the “blocking and tackling” of brokerage day by day, month by month, year by year. There’s nothing sexy, profound, or novel about this approach but it works. Consistent hard work over time always wins out.

What parts of the job do you find most challenging?

Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame wrote a song in 1991 called “The Bug”. In it is the famous line “sometimes you’re the windshield; sometimes you’re the bug” which perfectly encapsulates what daily life as a commercial real estate broker feels like. The work week—sometimes even an individual workday—can seesaw from good to bad or bad to good rather quickly. The lows are definitely the most challenging aspect of brokerage, but they also make the highs feel that much higher. It’s not a career for the faint of heart but it’s definitely worthwhile. 

Who has influenced you the most?

Any chance I can I shout out my mentors—Jim Wible and Keith Meyer—for helping me find my footing in commercial real estate. Without mentors, it’s very difficult to find success in the industry. I’m grateful to work with two of the best.

Where can we find Riley on the weekends?

My favorite place in the world is anywhere where my wife Jordan and daughter Margot are. On the weekends we enjoy running (Margot rides in a jogger), renovating our house in the Albuquerque Country Club neighborhood, and being involved at Citizen Church.

Land/Industrial – 2023 Q1 Market Review

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The vacancy rate creeps up; new construction arrives.

Research and Analytics provided by Riley McKee

 – For the second consecutive quarter the vacancy rate for industrial real estate in Greater Albuquerque has increased, albeit very slightly. It currently sits at 1.39%. This remains very low by historic standards, as high demand persists for warehouse space of any kind.

 – About 550,000 square feet of existing space is available, roughly 40% of which is located in the North I-25 corridor. Submarkets with the lowest amount of vacant space are Rio Rancho (with a grand total of 13,660 SF) and the West Mesa, which currently has no existing vacant space (new construction is on the way, though, more details below).

 – The median triple-net (NNN) asking lease rate has now gone above $12/SF annually. This could be a high watermark as lease rates appear to be leveling off, but with vacancy as low as it is, it’s not unreasonable for asking lease rates to remain in the $12/SF range for some time, possibly into next year.

 – The first of several buildings under construction (a ±80,000 SF distribution center in the South Valley) was completed in Q1 2023. Two others—a ±150,000 square foot distribution center located in the West Mesa submarket and a ±60,000 square foot office/showroom/warehouse building in the North I-25 corridor—will likely be available to occupy at some point in Q2 2023. Another ±150,000 square foot distribution center in the South Valley is not far behind. All told, roughly 590,000 square feet of new construction industrial space will be added to the market before the year ends.

 – Developers looking to get in on the action should seriously consider projects that offer smaller unit sizes, particularly in the 2,000 – 5,000 square foot range. Only one such project (a 15,000 square foot building in north Rio Rancho that can be demised into 5,000 square foot units) is underway. When compared to the 590,000 square feet of large-scale space in progress, the near total lack of new construction of smaller-scale industrial space is a clear indicator of the next big development opportunity.

Macroeconomic indicators including interest rate increases, bank failures, inflation, and labor shortages continue to dominate the news, but industrial real estate as an asset class is well positioned to weather any of these gathering storms. Vacancy remains low, lease rate increases are outpacing inflation, and not enough new space is being built to soften demand.

Download: Q1 2023 Land & Industrial Quarterly Report

The Land and Industrial Q1 market research and data is compiled by NAI SunVista commercial real estate land and industrial specialist, Riley McKee. Riley advises industrial and logistics real estate owners and occupiers on leasing, acquisitions, and dispositions.

The Year Ahead: Commercial Real Estate

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By  –  Real Estate Reporter, Albuquerque Business First

As the impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic linger and talks of a recession float heavy in the air, trying to predict what 2023 might bring seems like a fool’s errand.

Over the past few years, very few things have gone to plan. The overused “pivot” word rests on the tips of business leaders’ tongues, ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.

Just when we think we’ve figured out the road to a new normal, something else comes along and sends us in a totally different direction. Why even try to forecast?

See what Jim Wible, Partner of NAI SunVista has to say to the Albuquerque Business First here.

Meet Land & Industrial Senior Advisor Genieve Posen

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We have seen determination and grit win the day, and we have seen hard-work and perseverance overcome the obstacles. With great confidence, Genieve will accomplish anything she sets her mind to do.  Her willpower and fortitude has driven her advancement to Senior Advisor. Genieve is well on her way down the road of success and has just reached a milestone in her journey.  Please join me in congratulating Genieve on her advancement from Advisor to Senior Advisor.

What did you do before your career in Commercial Real Estate began?

I was the Marketing Director for NAI SunVista for 6 years before transitioning to brokerage. Before starting at NAI SunVista, I was a designer for a commercial landscape architecture and planning firm for 9 years. 

What made you take that leap and transition into commercial real estate?

Having designed commercial real estate sites for near a decade and marketing commercial sites for another good amount of time, it only made sense to grow my career with brokerage.  I had always been intrigued by the brokers in our office and could relate to their competitive, self-motivating and entrepreneurial personalities. 

What part of being a new broker did you find most challenging?

Well the “valley of death” first year in brokerage certainly held up to its reputation.  You are drinking from a fire hose at a rapid pace.  There are so many details and lessons in this industry that are learned when you are in the thick of a transaction.  In addition, developing systems is difficult to do when you first start because you do not know what systems you need and how they will benefit you in the run of your career. 

What advice would you give someone considering a career in CRE?

Find a mentor, hands down.  There is not a school for “brokerage” so you must learn from others experience as you gain your own experience.  I would suggest that a new broker research their brokerage house to see what type of education, support and mentorship is offered to them.  Surround yourself with experience as often as you can.  Ask questions, take experienced brokers out to coffee/ lunch to listen and learn – then repeat!

Who has influenced you the most in this role?

My mentor and partner, Jim Hakeem, has taken me under his wing from day one and has taught me an incredible amount in just my two years working with him.  He challenges me, supports me and encourages me constantly.  In addition, I give much credit to our QB and CEO, Debbie Harms, for her professional guidance throughout my various careers within the company.  To be very honest, I can add multiple senior brokers at our company to this list that have invested their time and mentorship to me.  I am very lucky to be surrounded by professionals that truly care. It is my mission to pay this mentorship forward. 

What would you say has been the highlight of your career to date?

Hitting this milestone of Senior Advisor within two years of starting my career all while I was pregnant and gave birth to my second little girl.  Growing a career and family is not easy, and I could not have done it without support from my husband, family, mentor and partners.  I take pride in my ability to balance a career and a family.  It is not easy but it is worth every effort. 

What trends are you noticing in the land/industrial markets that you’re either excited for?

The market for these two asset classes is still very active despite concerns of interest rates and a cooling economy.  Land with strong fundamentals and flexible zoning will continue to be attractive in a changing market.  As for industrial properties, the demand is there and shows no signs of slowing in the immediate future.  Low vacancy rates and e-commerce in full swing, the industrial sector is still going strong. 

Where can we find Genieve on the weekends?

Spending time with my family, working out, caring for our animals, traveling, and jumping at the opportunity to do anything that involves creativity and design around our home.

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