Bruce Kallen, commercial broker and office manager for First Team Real Estate in the High Desert, recently closed escrow on two large commercial transactions in the same week, for a total of $9.6 million in gross sales volume. The first sale was an elaborate 28-unit apartment building in Northern California closing at $8 million, and the second a local $1.6 million commercial building in the Victor Valley. Closing over $100 million in commercial real estate in just the past five years, Bruce empowers the agents in his offices to diversify their business and take advantage of commercial opportunities, personally helping oversee every transaction.
Working swiftly and efficiently to coordinate all details of the purchase, Bruce represented the buyer of the 28-unit apartment complex. Flying up to the Sacramento area to handle all inspections and transaction details on behalf of his clients, the deal successfully closed escrow after Bruce and his team also completed the sale of several other properties to fund the purchase.
“A transaction of this size and volume involves many details and intricacies to keep things on track,” describes Bruce. “My clients were on a strict time schedule to accommodate a 1031 Exchange, after my team and I had closed escrow for them to liquidate 12 single-family rental properties throughout the High Desert and Big Bear. All of these residential sales were completed in August and September, to set up for the 1031 exchange in Sacramento.”
The local $1.6 million commercial sale was completed by Bruce and broker associate Helen Bartkowski as co-agent from the First Team High Desert Victorville office. Representing the seller in this transaction, the building was owned by Helen’s client who operated it as a major printing facility, including two additional rental units. Together, the two successfully coordinated the sale to an investor who plans to utilize over half of the space as a future medical facility.
So many brokerages require their agents to refer their business to other companies or divisions with regards to potential commercial transactions, thereby limiting their potential to just residential sales. However, under the direction of Bruce, our First Team High Desert agents are moving their business forward with the ability to carefully expand into the commercial side of the business under his mentorship.
“We want our agents to be successful and well-rounded in all aspects of real estate, and assisting their expansion into the commercial space has proven to be a progressive and very successful concept in our offices,” explains Bruce. “While some other areas of California are regressing due to lack of commercial space and land, the High Desert has been flourishing. For agents who are capable and interested in other areas of real estate, we have the perfect company environment to help them take advantage of not only different markets but all different types of sellers and buyers.”
As co-owner and broker of First Team Real Estate’s High Desert offices located in Hesperia and Spring Valley Lake in Victorville, Bruce leads a team of over 75 knowledgeable and professional agents experienced in both residential and commercial. Nominated as Best Boss in the Best of the Desert, Bruce is always available by phone or in the office regularly for clients looking to buy or sell commercial properties anywhere in California.
“This is an exciting time on the real estate market. The High Desert market is hot right now, and our team is always ready to assist in home buying or selling needs, along with land and commercial investments,” says Bruce. “There are so many ripe opportunities for homeowners, investors, and sales professionals, which is why we’re always looking for enthusiastic and positive agents to join our team.”
For more information on the comprehensive services of the First Team High Desert team or how to join their thriving team of real estate professionals, contact Bruce Kallen directly at (760) 403-3000 or drop by a local office.
First Team Real Estate High Desert Locations:
(760) 881-3771
(760) 952-8326
