Commercial real estate owners want the same thing that business owners everywhere want: to maximize the value of their assets. While each owner has unique priorities, one critical factor remains consistent: they need the right team to make it happen.

Why the Right Team Matters

Commercial real estate is a dynamic and sometimes complex industry. Success hinges on assembling a team of experts who can navigate market shifts, regulatory hurdles, and construction challenges while keeping the owner’s best interests at the forefront. Owners rely on their teams to mitigate risks, capitalize on opportunities, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

The Key Players

Building the right team starts with understanding the essential roles that drive success in commercial real estate projects. In addition to the financial and legal representation typical of any business deal, a commercial real estate project may also include any of a number of professionals:

Asset and Property Managers – Responsible for maintaining property performance, managing tenants, and optimizing operational efficiencies.
Leasing Professionals – Vital for securing quality tenants and negotiating favorable lease terms that align with ownership goals.
Architects and Engineers – Crucial for designing and maintaining buildings that attract tenants and comply with regulations.
Contractors and Project Managers – The backbone of any redevelopment, ensuring construction and renovations stay on schedule and on budget.
Specialty Contractors – These are the go-to experts when you have a very specific and unique scope of work.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls

One of the biggest mistakes in commercial real estate is waiting until too late in the game to assemble your team. Owners who wait until a problem arises to bring in the right professionals risk delays and increased costs.

Team alignment is another key thing to consider. A misaligned team—where priorities, timelines, or financial incentives don’t match—can create friction and slow down progress. It’s important for owners (sometimes with the guidance of an owner’s rep or project manager) to have a well defined scope of work to ensure the team is moving in the same direction.

For Professionals

Knowing how to assemble a team is great if you’re an owner, but what if you’re a commercial real estate professional – how do you ensure that you’re joining the right team? The first thing to determine, is what types of projects interest you? Working on projects that align with your interests will ensure that you’re also part of teams that are aligned with your goals.

Whether on the creative or project execution side of the business, below is a list of things that will help get you noticed for the projects you want:

Learn your craft– Attain technical proficiency in your field and make it easy for people to approach you for collaboration.
Communicate – An ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both verbal and written forms will differentiate you from your peers.
Be Adaptable – Learn to say “yes” to opportunities that interest you and be open to altering course if the right opportunity presents itself. As the saying goes, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Conclusion

In commercial real estate, success is rarely a solo endeavor. Owners who prioritize assembling the right team—from asset managers to contractors—position themselves for long-term growth and profitability. The right team not only mitigates risks and streamlines operations but also ensures that every project reaches its full potential.

For professionals looking to make an impact in the industry, aligning with the right projects and continuously refining their skills is key. By mastering their craft, communicating effectively, and staying adaptable, they can contribute to high-performing teams and unlock new opportunities.

At the end of the day, commercial real estate is about more than just buildings—it’s about the people behind them. Those who invest in the right partnerships will always be one step ahead in this ever-evolving industry.