Welcome to 2021 and the time for a new year forecast. Projection requires reflection, and when I look back at last year’s message, I am reminded that 2020 was brimming with bright projections and excitement. Little did we know we were about to board a professional and personal pandemic roller-coaster beyond our imaginations.
And yet, our enthusiastic and optimistic forecast for 2020 was, in many ways, accurate. Because Kislak has successfully weathered the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” for more than a century, and because hallmarks of our team include persistence and resilience, we were ready to successfully regroup, rebound and respond to COVID-19’s many challenges.
A very strong first quarter of 2020 was followed by an almost nonexistent second quarter as we all worked to understand health and safety guidelines and implement new ways of safely conducting business while physically distanced. Thankfully, we transitioned quickly to remote operations while still productively and effectively serving our clients. The second half of the year, we were back on track and keeping pace with the first quarter, and we ended the year strongly with sales totaling $600 million. The persistence of our exceptional team in a difficult environment resulted in the sale of more than 4,500 residential units and the sale and leasing of more than 500,000 s/f of commercial space.
Now, we find ourselves beginning a new year still dealing with a continuing pandemic and with a volatile post-election cycle and its as yet unknown ramifications. And once again, we are optimistic. We remain a relied-up resource for clients, potential purchasers, and investors, and we are positioned to do what we do best – successfully close deals.