Carter Launches Retail Sales Group

ATLANTA-Locally based Carter has launched a retail investment sales group that will allow the firm to take advantage of market opportunities and expand offerings to its clients. Veteran broker Drew Fleming will lead the team as vice president.

Fleming, who was previously with Shane Investment Property Group, has broad experience in selling properties and working through challenging transactions. His team will represent buyers and sellers in acquisition, disposition and recapitalization of retail properties including malls, strip centers and grocery-anchored centers.

Fleming says the group has gotten off to a fast start, particularly where property owners are trying to reduce their debt ratios and lenders are attempting to take back properties after workouts. In some instances, he says, the banks are pressing owners into putting their properties on the market to get their best deal now.

“We’re beginning to see an uptick in REO properties, particularly in the past month,” Fleming tells GlobeSt.com. “There are some tremendous buying opportunities right now.”

Bob Peterson, Carter’s chairman and CEO, says the addition of a retail investment sales team is part of the 51-year-old company’s commitment to serving clients. “It also positions Carter to leverage our track record in investment sales during a turbulent time in the commercial real estate industry,” he adds.

Carter, which offers a broad range of services, has been diversifying its offerings lately. Most recently, it started a new program development services group to seek institutional and build-to-suit opportunities for larger corporations.