2016 Year in Review: Rob Cord, Coldwell Banker Commercial Advisors

Rob Cord, CBC Advisors

Name & Title: Rob Cord, President

Company Name: Coldwell Banker Commercial Advisors (CBC Advisors)

What was your most notable project, deal, transaction or professional achievement in 2016?

2016 was a dynamic year for CBC Advisors in terms of organic growth, market expansion, new service lines and talent acquisition. Over the last year, CBC Advisors grew to 30 offices in primary and dynamic secondary markets across the United States.

Perhaps the firm’s most significant achievement occurred when it merged with the second largest Coldwell Banker Commercial affiliate in the world. This merger was a natural progression toward strengthening a 110-year-old legacy brand in Coldwell Banker Commercial and allowed for significant increases in platform, resources and footprint.

What project, transaction, market trend or product had the greatest impact on your industry this year?

Demand for certain property types was balanced in U.S. markets. Markets with diversified economies, particularly those that include technology-oriented businesses, universities and distribution, have experienced tremendous growth. Our clients took advantage of current market conditions to sell off assets which may not be core or have reached, in their opinion, the highest practical value rebalancing their portfolios moving forward. We see clients venturing into multi-family (who have not previously), self-storage, aggressive revitalizations and condo projects to compete for product and place capital when unable to meet their return requirements in more conventional office, industrial or retail investments throughout the country.

How will you be supercharging your productivity in 2017?

CBC Advisors is redefining the commercial real estate industry through a client-centric culture and broker-lead approach to management. The firm is disrupting the overlooked middle market with an institutional grade platform. CBC Advisors’ principal focal point through 2017 remains supporting our personnel; brokerage, operations, marketing, research and asset services with the best tools and resources required to deliver results for every client need.

What emerging trends will drive investment and development in 2017?

Though optimistic in general, growing unoccupied space and layoffs in the hi-tech industry globally and what appears to be a slowing in capital investment for new ventures is concerning. Leasing slowing and vacancy increasing, as tenants seek less expensive alternatives and landlords push rents, has historically been the beginning of a cycle adjustment. This combined with the potential post-election impact, increase in interest rates, declining consumer confidence, and uncertainty within the global economy, are cause to advise clients to take advantage of the immediate benefits of the market today and move toward cautious strategies moving forward.