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“Frankly, I am Surprised How Well You Turned Out!”

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Dear El Cardinale’

I was in your 7th-grade English composition class with Ms. Ledingham. You were quite the cut up.

You distracted your fellow classmates while learning effective analysis and summarization in written works. I am sure that I suffered from your tomfoolery by not knowing the finer points of the English language! And now I see that you are being sought after as an Expert Witness.

Frankly, I am surprised how well you have turned out. What do you have to say for yourself?

– Ms. Darcy Ellison

There, their, they’re Darcy, you would be surprised at how far you can go in life writing at a 7th-grade level.

Seriously, I find it interesting and fun being an expert on commercial real estate matters. Just last week I took a call from an attorney seeking an expert witness for a case.  The attorney was defending a broker who was being sued by her client. The plaintiff contended the broker did not perform adequate due diligence on the property the buyer purchased. After reviewing the facts, I found the broker performed that amount of DD that is customary.

The attorney did a Google search on me and asked that I send him a copy of my book, Go For Broker: An executive’s guide to hiring a broker for today’s complex real estate deals, along with my checklists and worksheets.

Ironically, this created a potential problem. The attorney believed saw where I have pushed my industry to deliver at a higher standard. In fact, a higher standard than the gal who was being sued. The attorney worried if I came into court as a witness the opposing attorney would contrast Cardinal’s standards against those his client had used.

I was bummed to miss out on that assignment. However, it was also a nice reminder that the standards we adhere to are among the highest in my profession. It’s why my business is built on repeat customers and referrals.

So, Ms. Ellison, I may not have an answer for you. But this I know: by having awesome mentors, good instincts, a passion for real estate, and the inspiration of my family’s achievements, it’s worked out for me.

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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TESTIMONIALS

Our clients get senior-level attention.

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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