Subscribe!

Sign me up for weekly short or full-length blogs about commercial real estate, life, and business.

Email*

I want to subscribe to the CEG blog

All Posts
Brokerage
Investing
Property Management
Business, Careers & Life
Shorts

Row of urban buildings in daylight; red brick, tan brick, and a garage with "Midwest Motorcycle." Clear blue sky. Street view setting.

An Evolving Neighborhood

In the 80s and early 90s, the Warehouse District (known as North Loop today) was known for its underground scene and 19th and early 20th century brick warehouses. Besides artists, who were looking for cheap rent in repurposed warehouses (zoning violations? 😉), not many people lived in the neighborhood. But artists brought galleries, which attracted patrons followed by bars and restaurants.

May 12 min read

A smiling man in a suit is inside a spacecraft cockpit with seats and control panels. Background has tubes and machinery.

5 Ways to Make a Big Impact as an Intern

Commercial Equities Group is happy to announce Max Giblin is joining the team as a brokerage intern. A student at Augsburg, Max plays college hockey so he understands about dreaming big and working hard to meet goals. I’ve been so impressed with his approach and work so far.

Apr 243 min read

Two people smiling, standing beside award plaques for Commercial Equities Group and The Woods. Dark backdrop with radiant light.

We Are Finalists!

Commercial Equities Group recently got some great news! We were named a finalist for Brokerage Firm of the Year by Minnesota REJournals! In addition, Nicole Langer was recognized as a finalist for Most Significant Investment Sale Transaction in 2025 for her Maple Grove retail deal, The Woods!

Apr 171 min read

A person in a blue suit smiles in a spacecraft interior with control panels and seats. The setting is mechanical and futuristic.

To the Moon!

This week, Artemis II broke the record for human travel in space, reaching the farthest distance from Earth, 252,756 miles. This is equivalent to ten times around the Earth’s equator. That’s some journey!

Apr 102 min read

Two women smiling at a restaurant table. Vintage photos on a wall with Italian names. Warm, cheerful mood.

Women Talking Commercial Real Estate

Recently, CEG brokers Nicole Langer and Diane Signorelli discussed commercial real estate over plates of pasta at Yarusso-Bros, an East Side St. Paul Italian restaurant. Two Italians having a delicious Italian meal while I was enjoying great food in Italy! 🇮🇹 Both Nicole and Diane have listings for sale in the neighborhood …

Mar 274 min read

Halie smiling inside a space capsule, surrounded by control panels and seats. The background is metallic with blue and beige accents.

Shining Bright

NASA’s countdown is famous. It packs drama, enthusiasm, and precision into one cultural and global event. Well, CEG has had its own dynamic countdown waiting for …

Mar 131 min read

A gloved hand holds a paint roller over a bucket. A pink piggy bank with sunglasses sits nearby. Text on the wall reads "Paint Me!"

What’s the Secret?

What’s the secret to leasing a space faster and for more money?

Mar 61 min read

A black and white dog (Snoopers) with tongue out, sits in a lush garden with purple flowers and a house in the background, conveying a joyful mood.

Progression and Stagnation

Commercial real estate has been a fantastic profession for me and my family. However, around 75-80% of new brokers leave in the first year and 50-65% of within the first five years. So what makes one broker progress to success and another to stagnate and thus drift away?

Feb 273 min read

A person in an astronaut suit rides a scooter on a dimly lit street at night, with illuminated storefronts and signs in the background.

Cornerstone of the Community

The idea of using real estate as capital in the US dates back to the 1700s, when land was used in place of money to settle debts. Now, it’s an industry supporting 20.4 million jobs through …

Feb 202 min read

Woman smiling inside a modern spacecraft cockpit with complex control panels. She wears glasses and a gray jacket. High-tech setting.

Onward and Upward!

We have a new team member on board! We’re happy to announce that Diane Signorelli has joined CEG as a senior broker. With her expertise in tenant representation and investment sales, she brings a wealth of experience to our team and that’s …

Feb 62 min read

Off-Market Deal Considerations for Buyers

Last week I discussed off-market deals from the seller’s perspective. Having just been part of an off-market closing, I want to flip to the pros and cons for buyers.

Jan 161 min read

Astronauts exchange an item on the moon with Earth visible. A commercial real estate building glows in the background, creating a surreal scene.

The Allure of Off-Market Commercial Real Estate Deals for Owners

The decision to list or not list a commercial property is a strategic one.

Jan 92 min read

Man smiling in holiday sweater with Santa, reindeer, menorah design, and Kwanzaa candles in a space theme with planets, astronauts, crescent moon, rockets, aliens, and stars. Snowy trees in background, conveying festive, cheerful mood.

May Your Sweater Be Ugly & Your Holidays Stellar!

This season, embrace the love, light, and joy with a side of weird! 😆 When you walk into a holiday party looking like a galactic supernova of yarn and symbols, just remember ...

Dec 19, 20251 min read

Astronaut in a blue suit reaches towards a large mechanical device in a futuristic setting. Reflections create a symmetrical effect.

3D Printers in Commercial Real Estate

I’ve been on a technology theme the last few blogs/shorts. With Alquist’s recent announcement that it will 3D print more than a dozen new Walmart buildings, I began to think about the impact of this improved technology on commercial real estate.

Dec 12, 20251 min read

Aerial view of a suburban area with roads, shopping centers, and greenery. An astronaut is humorously hovering above on a small drone.

High-Flying Tool Is a Commercial Real Estate Game Changer

In my recent blog, I talked about how AI is changing the way brokers work. I thought about another tool that over the last ten years changed the way we market, manage, and inspect properties. The drone.

Dec 5, 20252 min read

Astronaut facing large "AI" text in a digital space with binary code. Blue and orange hues, futuristic and technological vibe.

The AI Edge: Pathways for Innovation and Growth

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a cutting-edge luxury reserved for large companies with deep pockets. AI is now a plug-and-play framework accessible to commercial real estate businesses of all sizes, including small brokerages and independent investors.

Nov 21, 20253 min read

Man and child smiling with a creepy clown figure in a cage beside them. Background shows green trees, cloudy sky. Playful, spooky mood.

Trick or Treat?

‘Tis the season of tricks and treats! Let’s see what delectable joys or spooky steps are happening with commercial real estate deals this Halloween season. Just as kids do, let’s start with the “good candy.”

Oct 31, 20252 min read

Man and child on an Aventon bike on a tree-lined street. Both wear helmets and smile. Man has a backpack. House and car in the background.

100

The number became a seed floating around in my mind, and I began to think about how 100 plays out in my approach to life and commercial real estate.

Oct 24, 20253 min read

Three smiling men in business attire are in a spacecraft interior, with control panels overhead and a technical setup in the background.

On Board!

As our team grows, I’m proud of the work we do each day and of our team’s commitment to help our clients meet their goals. Having the right team on board makes the journey fun as the exploration of "space" continues onward and upward.

Oct 17, 20252 min read

Change Is Expected

Last Saturday, October 4, we felt a record breaking temperature of 91 degrees in Minneapolis. We also had a low of 39 degrees days later. In Minnesota, we’re used to those swings. We know what to do. We adapt because we’re prepared. Just as temperatures swing, so do aspects of the commercial real estate business.

Oct 10, 20251 min read

Jeff's Shorts 2022-2024