At RETS Associates, we’re seeing it firsthand: CRE firms are ramping up the hunt for senior-level acquisitions and investment talent. Why? Because the most tuned-in players know where the market is heading—and they’re not waiting around. In hotbeds like Orange County, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and Phoenix, companies are stacking teams built to chase opportunity, not sit back and wait for it.
The first move? Hire like you mean it.
After years of economic uncertainty, interest rate spikes, and volatile capital markets, CRE firms are shifting from defensive to offensive strategies. To compete, they need professionals who can find, underwrite, and close complex deals fast.
This isn’t only about solving today’s needs—firms are thinking ahead, setting themselves up for long-term success.
And for good reason: CRE’s generational handoff is underway.
The U.S. is hitting the “Peak 65” moment—more Americans are turning 65 this year than ever before. In CRE, longtime executives are starting to step back. For firms with big growth plans, succession planning is no longer a luxury. It’s essential.
So, who’s next in line? For firms that want to maintain momentum—or accelerate it—it’s time to bring in the next generation of dealmakers. Not just experienced, but adaptable. Not just credentialed, but visionary.
That’s where RETS comes in.
We’ve spent nearly 20 years building deep, strategic recruiting partnerships across the CRE industry. We go beyond résumés—matching leadership styles, investment approaches, and regional experience with precision.
Case in point: Nearon Enterprises. The Walnut Creek-based investment firm partnered with RETS to expand their acquisitions team. We placed a senior executive from BlackRock with the perfect blend of institutional expertise and entrepreneurial energy. The result? A decisive competitive edge, given the new hire’s expansive network and experienced market knowledge
“Nearon engaged RETS to help identify a key investment professional to join our team—an important senior hire as we pursue our vision to grow AUM over the next five years. RETS delivered an outstanding candidate who met every one of our strategic criteria, “said Min Kim, President at Nearon.
TerraCap Management also turned to RETS to help build out their Western U.S. acquisitions bench. The executive we placed stepped in with fresh perspective and has already made a measurable impact.
Griffin Capital—an early leader in Qualified Opportunity Zones—recently refocused on multifamily. RETS brought in a senior acquisitions leader who’s helping Griffin move quickly and strategically in high-growth markets.
Across the West, we’re seeing similar momentum:
- Orange County: Industrial and mixed-use plays gaining speed
- Los Angeles: Still hot for multifamily and life sciences
- Bay Area: Repositioning around office and tech-adjacent assets
- Phoenix: Booming in logistics and land investment
Across the board, CRE firms are securing leaders who can deliver under pressure and adapt on the fly. When growth is on the table, the right hire isn’t a luxury—it’s a catalyst.
If your firm is serious about scaling its acquisitions or investment strategy, RETS is your advantage.
