If you had the choice of feeling joy and contentment or misery and hopelessness, which would you chose? Most people would choose the former rather than the latter. But because of life experiences, mental health conditions, or having a negative mindset, some people struggle to get there.

As an investor, I find the window of due diligence to be the most critical. In fact, without it, what looks like a good investment could turn into a failed one after it’s too late.

Next Tuesday, November 11, is Veterans Day, a day when we honor those of us that served in the Armed Forces. Decades ago, I took the Oath of Enlistment when I joined the Army, and that oath holds a lifetime commitment.

‘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.”

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.

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.

Most of the time, I feel like I run my days. However, sometimes I find that my day is clearly running me. I’m sure most of you know what I mean. I've built a habit …

“You can’t seize what you don’t see.” Just seven simple words, but they pack a punch.

Do the limits of your vocabulary limit your world? That doesn’t have to be the case in commercial real estate. Brokers know the vocabulary of their profession –– the jargon and words, their meaning and context. That’s why all who enter the commercial real estate …

This week we saw the wrap up of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Two million people attended this year’s state fair, generating an estimated $300 million economic impact to the Twin Cities. To make the fun last a little longer, a team member gave me three facts about the MN State Fair and challenged me to make commercial real estate connections to each one. Here goes …

Pink piggy bank with sunglasses in front of a striped building with colorful doors. Blue logo with "M" on top right. Sunny day.

Industrial leasing is still going strong. In Q2, leasing activity went up 18.5% … On the office side, vacancy rates have seen a slight decrease.

Life events can be both predictable and unpredictable. Our CEG team has been through tough personal losses over the last few years. Although the cycle of life is predictable, loss can be devastating. Grief is messy. It’s layered. And it’s individual. It generally comes in waves, sometimes with a gentle back and forth, other times treacherous and pounding. But it in that mess, it delivers time for reflection.

Brokers are in the business of helping people. There’s plenty of research out there that supports the importance improving someone else’s life.

As an owner, tenant, and/or client, you need to be prepared in order to most effectively launch a deal. Preparation is the difference between starting from a strong position or a weak one.

Seller carryback, also known as owner financing or seller financing, is a creative way for buyers to invest in CRE. Especially if you want to preserve your cash for another deal.

Many of my 4th of July memories include family and friends blasting tunes and shooting fireworks from our Wisconsin cabin pier. The music was (and still is) a collection of …

With this month marking the 250th year of the US Army, I’ve been thinking about my service as an Airborne Rigger. I enlisted in 1986 during the time of, “Be All You Can Be.”

It’s hard to believe that when Father’s Day was first proposed in the early 1900s there was push back. Many men thought it was a way to “domesticate manliness” and…

This week I went to another Minnesota REJournals continuing education summit. I’ve recommended them in the past, as I think they are well done and beneficial.