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My Brand New Podcast

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Cardinal Insights – the Podcast is rolling and my guest will be no other than the real estate pioneer, Clay Grubb. Funny name – great guy.

Clay is CEO of Charlotte-based Grubb Properties. Founded in 1963 by his late father, Robert Clay Grubb, Jr., Clay has been at the helm for 20 years. From its start, Grubb Properties focused on enhancing its assets through exceptional management. The company has a great story in how Robert Grubb started it, which Clay shares in the podcast.

In short: Grubb Properties has evolved from being a single-family developer in Lexington, N.C. to be one of the most esteemed multifamily and office real operators in the region. Owned by its employees and board members, with offices in Charlotte, Cary, and Lexington, N.C., and Atlanta, Grubb Properties has completed over $2 billion in investment transactions. This includes seven private equity real estate funds. Grubb’s transaction and development experience span over 25 years, 4 million SF of commercial and 15,000 residential units.

That’s the official story. My story is Clay and I have known each other for almost forever. We spent summers off-roading in rural parts of the state. He dated my cousin. My family has done – and still does – business with him. He and I like to mountain bike together and then enjoy a cold brew as we rest our sore muscles.

In all seriousness, Clay also is one of the smartest, most ethical and hardest working real estate professionals you will ever meet. During the podcast, we talked about how his dad got his start building Grubb Properties, and how that has shaped the values that still drive the company today. I also learned some surprising facts about Opportunity Zones (Franklin Street in Chapel Hill is in an Opportunity Zone!?!).

Clay and I also talked about Clay’s concerns about the economy and where he sees the most opportunity. (Have I mentioned that this guy is smart and observant?)

As you know, I enjoy sharing stories and observations about real estate. I wanted to experiment with a new format, and so in recent months, I’ve been busy recording in our podcast studio. The plan is to air these podcasts throughout this fall and winter. I’ve talked with some great guests, including Clay, economic developer Ronnie Bryant, and CRE veterans Brad Cherry of JLL and Anne Johnson with CBRE, among others.

I hope you will enjoy listening to Cardinal Insights – the Podcast as much as I’ve enjoyed recording them. I’d appreciate your feedback. And if you’d like to be a guest, let me know.

Happy listening!

Real estate transactions can be fraught with frustration and pitfalls.

Sometimes the hardest part turns out to be working with your broker, the person who is supposed to help you through the complexities. Veteran commercial real estate broker and client advisor John Culbertson discovered that brokers’ interests aren’t always aligned with those of their clients. He realized there was a better way to advocate for clients and get the deal done.

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We’re grateful for our clients. They are extraordinary leaders who have achieved tremendous results. When we think about the companies and people we are fortunate to work with, we are blown away.

Jay Faison
Former President, WirePath and ZoboTV

John and his team were exceptional advocates on our behalf. Their team approach makes sense, and it yielded an excellent value for my company.

Bob Spencer
Senior Vice President, RBC Bank

I got to know John while serving on a state board and observed him be one of very high integrity and commitment to his clients. His approach to serving clients in the real estate business is unique and results-focused. I have no hesitation recommending him to any of my clients. I know he is a true professional and an expert in his field. He understands partnering like no one else!

Lee Roberts
Former Managing Director Piedmont Community Bank Holdings

Truth is, we can easily find real estate that is available in SouthPark. But Cardinal called the landlord of one of our competitors and helped us make a deal for an awesome Charlotte branch. I am extraordinarily pleased with the engagement in every possible dimension.

Ronnie Bryant
Former CEO, Charlotte Regional Partnership

Working with a smaller shop gets you more personal attention. I got the top guy’s attention. You don’t get that with a large organization where sometimes you end up with junior people doing the work. John is detailed; he’s professional, he’s aggressive, and not in a negative way, but in terms of wanting to get it right. He’s tenacious. He would be my No. 1 choice for any real estate deal. I know what to expect. He’s a good guy, and over the years, he's become a good friend, too.

Stephen Pandos
Director of Finance, Insite Properties

Few people have a Rolodex like John. He's about the most networked person I know and people take his call. He has deep contacts with all the major players, both locally and around the region. As a result of John's introductions, we have found several exceptional deals and developed some valuable relationships. You can't put a price tag on this type of access and speed of trust.

Stephen Pandos
Director of Finance, Insite Properties

John has a high tolerance for the mental pain it takes to solve a complex problem. Frankly, his peers in the brokerage industry just don’t have it. I think John’s experience as an operator, investor, developer, and broker gives him a unique perspective when looking at opportunities. His vision, his ability to think forward, is unique in his profession. His ability to see the bigger picture and what the future looks like on opportunities is remarkable. He also is networked - he has deep contacts with all the major players, both locally and around the region. John’s network has opened doors for us. People take his call.

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