Ones To Watch: Innovators In Commercial Real Estate: Russell Detres, Houlihan Lawrence Commercial

Industry Outlook:

I think the biggest opportunity for innovation is streamlining how commercial real estate deals get done in both leasing and sales. There are still too many unnecessary steps that slow transactions down and favor larger institutional firms with more resources. Technology, if used correctly, can help simplify the process, improve access to information and level the playing field. This gives smaller firms and individuals the ability to compete, pivot ideas faster and ultimately get more deals done.

Innovation in Action:

Everything is changing incredibly fast. AI, social media, and technology have completely changed how we work and communicate compared to 10-20 years ago. I try to embrace those tools without overcomplicating things or falling into the AI, Super Intelligence black hole. The goal is to be more efficient, not less human. Because even with all this innovation, the fundamentals of being successful in CRE haven’t changed. Working hard, relationships, trust, local knowledge and information still matter most.