Marianne Mathieu, FNF Family of Companies

Name: Marianne Mathieu

Title: VP/National Agency Accounts

Company Name: FNF Family of Companies

What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2020?
Helping my agency customers quickly learn new technology to navigate the turbulent business environment caused by the SARS CoV-2 pandemic. Most states deemed title insurance an essential business, and agents had to deal with county recording office closings and quickly figuring out how to conduct real estate closings be they in person, drive-thru, conference tables in parking lots or eClosings, either RON and AVN closings within the parameters set forth by state governors and title insurance underwriters.

What was the most challenging part of working during the pandemic?
I’ve always worked from home so there was no adjustment there. Adjusting to having my husband working from home as well has been a challenge. New York apartments, at least the ones I could afford, are not suited to two work from home residents.

What are your predictions for commercial real estate in 2021?
I am answering this after Pfizer’s vaccine news came out. While the vaccine doesn’t prevent anyone from getting infected with the virus, it does appear to keep infected people from developing COVID-19. Hence, my outlook is slightly more positive than the day before. I subscribe to the theory that nature abhors a vacuum. While it may not look the same, the office and retail market will come back as the more creative investors and developers come up with new ways to utilize the space. The industrial sector will benefit from growth in warehouse and R&D facilities. The multifamily and hotel sectors recovery is most closely tied to successful vaccination development and deployment.