Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Feuerman.
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a commercial real estate broker, representing office and industrial tenants based in South Florida. I help them find the space that they occupy locally, and outside of the state, as well. I represent those tenants in finding space that best fits their current and future needs, negotiating business terms, and reviewing their leases and contracts. I’ve been in this business since 1999. From 1993 – 1999, I was a practicing commercial trial attorney in South Florida. I’m a Florida native, born in Hollywood, and I left for college (University of Pennsylvania, class of 1990) and University of Michigan Law School (class of 1993) and then returned home to work. I’ve been here ever since, married, and raised my family here. I love South Florida and I love what I do for work!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nobody’s road is smooth all of the time. I struggled for the first 6 years of my career (as business litigation attorney) to find enjoyment and purpose. It was not the right fit for me. I enjoyed helping my clients, but did not enjoy the battles that lawyers go through on a daily basis. I took a year to explore other careers, mostly in commercial real estate, and when I found commercial brokerage, specifically tenant representation, I knew I had the right path. It’s been 27 years and I never looked back. My marriage and home life have been easy, in comparison. I married a wonderful woman and we’ve raised two amazing children, 22 year old identical twin daughters, who now live and work in Washington DC.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I work for Berger Commercial Realty, a full service commercial brokerage firm based in Fort Lauderdale. While I only work with tenants, most brokers in the firm work on other aspects of brokerage – landlord representation, investment sales, retail brokerage. We also have a property management division and a multifamily management division. We have a second office in Boynton Beach where I”m the managing director. Berger Commercial is an excellent place to work. I’ve been there since 2015 and appreciate the firm’s support for the brokers and the professional, hard working team that I’m surrounded by every day.
My day-to-day work involves helping corporate occupiers of office space or industrial space to strategize and work out the best possible terms to own or lease commercial property. I have some clients who I’ve represented for over 20 years, and several clients who I’ve represented on repeat assignments, and on all of the real estate needs, both in and outside of Florida. I’m most proud of the repeat clients. It tells me that I’m bringing them value and they trust me to guide them through these complex transactions.
What sets me apart from most other brokers is my legal background. Having practiced commercial trial law for 6 years prior to becoming a broker, I’m familiar with may of the issues that can arise between a landlord and tenant, or a buyer and seller of commercial property. It helps me look over legal documents and spot trouble before it arises.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Always remember that, as a broker, you are a fiduciary. That means you must put your client’s needs above your own. Use that as your guiding principal and use all of your skills to help the client, and you’ll develop long-lasting and meaningful relationships with people that will return to you again and again for your help.
Another lesson learned is to volunteer your time, as much as you’re able. I always get back more than I give when I do this. An organization that I’m currently very involved with is the Society of Office and Industrial Realtors (SIOR), a commercial real estate industry group that allows me to network with, learn from, and form friendships and business relationships with top performing CRE brokers across the world. I’m currently on 3 committees and the global board of directors for SIOR and I’m so glad I joined and volunteered to help. I learn a tremendous amount from the other members and at the biannual conferences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SFLACRE.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feuerman/
- Twitter: @FLTenantRep
- Other: https://www.bergercommercial.com
Image Credits
I don’t have action shots of me working. Can we talk by phone to discuss other pictures that you think would be appropriate if you decide to write this article? Thanks!
