It’s been four months since Houlihan Lawrence announced Tom LaPerch and I would be heading the company’s new commercial division , yet it feels so much longer with such a terrific third and fourth quarter heading into 2013. With just ten days left in 2012, we were able to close on the high-profile listing of Hollowbrook, the building that houses Dutchess Community College’s southern campus as well as Wappinger’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

Although it was a challenging process with mortgage assumption challenges, surprise encroachment issues and difficulties with a renewal of one of the primary leases, we were able to help our seller close on a $3.8 million deal—showing we both have the expertise and resourcefulness to overcome such challenges.

Using Houlihan Lawrence’s global reach through networks like Christie’s International Real Estate and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, we’re looking to use 2013 as a springboard to expand our network to work with sellers and buyers throughout the entire region and across multiple states. We are currently representing the sale of over 700 multifamily units on four campuses from two separate owners in Detroit, a Class A office building in New Haven, Conn., and exclusive mix-used listings right around the corner in Mahopac, Poughkeepsie and Mount Vernon.

With the closing of Hollowbrook as well as our arsenal of listings throughout our region and the country, we hope to make our mark as the premier commercial real estate team in the region. We are looking to a very bright 2013!