The field of exit planning comprises a diverse range of advisors, specialists, software providers, and educators dedicated to facilitating optimal business exits for owners. Exit Planning Institute, recognized as a leading authority in this area, collaborates with numerous industry experts within this domain.

Meet one of our newest Strategic Partners, CBRE, below! 

What is a Strategic Partner?

Historically, Exit Planning Institute partnerships have been built around the Exit Planning Summit, offering a platform for partners to engage with hundreds of exit planning professionals once a year. While this event has blossomed into the largest in-person exit planning event in the United States, we have long felt there was an opportunity for more.   

Using the Summit as the cornerstone, the Strategic Partnership Program offers a year-long engagement opportunity that provides a platform for partners to interact directly with the EPI community and supplements those engagements with a consistent, integrated content-sharing and branding strategy. Positioned as a preferred partner of EPI, CEPAs and non-CEPAs should feel confident leaning into these partners as complementary, value-added offerings to their practices and business owner clients.

Josh Koza, our Manager of Strategic Relationships, shares, “For me, the beauty of this program is the chance to build meaningful, significant relationships while fostering that same opportunity for the EPI community – partners and advisors alike. Exit planning is not a one-size-fits-all for every advisor, nor is the exit planning ecosystem and one-solution-fits-all marketplace. My hope is that this program provides advisors with a clearer understanding of the tools, resources, and education they can lean on to build a more successful, and significant, practice.”  

Meet CBRE:

CBRE’s core focus is helping business owners maximize the value of their commercial real estate assets, especially when they’re at the cusp of significant transitions like selling their business. Over the years, CBRE developed a platform that ensures business owners not only protect their hard-earned wealth but also understand the real estate landscape to make informed decisions. In a business sale owners will either have to lease or sell their existing property or complete a 1031 exchange, all of which the CBRE team assists with. Even for the experienced investor, the 1031 exchange process can be an incredibly stressful endeavor. CBRE is there to guide, educate, and shoulder the challenges of the 1031 exchange ensuring it results in a smooth and successful transition. Their purpose is to ensure every business owner, no matter their level of experience, has a trusted advisor to safeguard their assets and future. 

How Does CBRE Drive Value for a Business Owner? 

• The commercial real estate landscape can be a confusing and nuanced marketplace for an inexperienced investor to navigate. CBRE shares, “We offer a blend of services to help business owners make commercial real estate-related decisions.”
• Valuations: They help business owners understand the value of their real estate and how to maximize that value in the event of a sale.
• Lease vs. Own: Business owners want to understand the after-tax benefits of keeping their real estate after selling their business and leasing it out versus selling and completing a 1031 exchange.
• Education: If a business owner needs to complete a 1031 exchange, CBRE educates them on the commercial real estate asset classes, pros & cons of owning each type, returns, and how returns vary across the country. In addition, they provide insight into where they see opportunities in the market.
• Turnkey 1031 Exchange Service: CBRE helps find replacement properties, vet those properties, secure financing if necessary, quarterback due diligence and escrows, and successfully close.

How would a Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA) engage CBRE?

CBRE shares, “Approximately 40% of business sales involve commercial real estate. Understanding the real estate side of the exit planning process is imperative to maximizing a business owner’s sales proceeds. We want to help advisors and their clients ensure they understand the value of their real estate and how to allocate that capital most effectively post-sale. Our nationwide platform at CBRE can provide information on any property type, anywhere in the country, very quickly. As part of the exit planning team, we help advisors maintain control of their clients and provide the opportunity to generate additional fees in the future. A CEPA should contact us as soon as a client indicates that commercial real estate is part of the exit plan. We would become part of the exit planning team and would pay a referral fee to the advisor.”

Are you interested in becoming a Strategic Partner? Contact our Manager of Strategic Relationships, Josh Koza, for more information!