Mher Vartanian | Senior Associate | Marcus & Millichap
Years with company/firm: 3
Years in field: 4
Years in real estate industry: 4
Real estate organizations/ affiliations: National Retail Group
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
In December of 2021, we negotiated, went under contract, and closed a 172 townhome deal and 502K sq ft industrial deal simultaneously. Closing those two deals in conjunction in the most hectic month of the year was our greatest accomplishment. It is when I honestly understood what "Running a Process" is. The coordination we orchestrated for inspectors, appraisers, lenders and attorneys elevated us to a new level of brokerage and solidified the fact that the years of work we put into learning the industry paid off. I am incredibly proud of my team and our accomplishments that month, and I am also honored to have worked with so many of our industry's brightest minds to see it all come to fruition.
How do you contribute to your company and/or the industry?
I contribute to my industry and Marcus & Millichap by providing mentorship to newer agents. Coming into the industry, I didn't have a mentor and had to figure out a lot on my own, which resulted in months of trial and error. While this ultimately made me a better broker, not every new agent has the luxury of time like I did. Helping new agents is very important to me because I believe offering a little bit of my time can make a big difference in someone else's life. Real estate is a relationship-driven industry, and being a pillar for new agents to lean on brings me immense joy.
Who or what has been the strongest influence in your career?
One of my most significant influences in this industry has been my partner, Craig Dunkle. I believe the way we work with one another is unparalleled to any other brokerage team in the industry. We are constantly pushing each another forward not only in our professional lives, but in our personal lives as well. This is a fast-paced, high-stress industry and having somebody you can unconditionally rely on gives one an advantage. Craig and I are in lockstep with our mindsets and we’re comfortable enough to consistently challenge each other to make sure we serve our clients and drive our business forward to the best of our abilities. The team we are building and the direction we are heading is a result of our constant support of each other.
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in, about your current position and why you chose the field/profession you are in today?
I fell into brokerage accidentally. After leaving a brief stint as a financial analyst for one of the largest investment banks in the world, I tried to keep an open mind for my next position. Before Marcus & Millichap, I didn't know anything about commercial real estate, but I figured the industry was interesting enough to look into. I secured an interview with the firm and the rest is history.
Since then, my partner and I have built one of the most successful brokerage teams in the Mid-Atlantic, and I believe the future has a lot in store for us. I love waking up for work everyday and having the opportunity to surround myself with so many of the industry's most prominent minds. The best part about my career is learning new things from different people everyday. There’s nothing else is like it.