Real Estate Advisor vs Broker: What's the Difference?

We are frequently asked what makes Atlas Real Estate Advisors different from  a “normal” real estate brokerage. The short answer is an advisor can offer services that often fall outside the scope of buyer/seller and tenant/landlord representation.  

The long answer is that good advice is hard to come by for investors with complex real estate questions.  When you need professional assistance selecting a site for your new business, preparing a development/project proforma, negotiating financing terms with a lender, restructuring a portfolio to maximize return, or with anything that falls outside of the scope of a single transaction, where do you turn?  We can help. 

What services does Atlas offer that other companies do not? 

• Evaluating or completing a highest and best use analysis for a property
• Assisting with capital allocation strategies for portfolio owners
• Leading rezoning efforts to enhance a property’s development potential and marketability
• Conducting feasibility and renovation projects for for income-producing properties
• Guiding in developing, building or renovating residential and commercial properties
• Improving management operations and customer satisfaction for your real estate team
• Assisting in site improvements including surveys, engineering, soil tests, etc.
• Choosing appraisers, attorneys, contractors to assist you with related needs

Isn’t every real estate broker an ‘advisor’?  

The truth is anyone can call themselves an advisor, but if they are working for a national franchise or publicly traded brokerage, the likelihood that they can offer consulting and advisory services outside of a transaction is slim. Most agents are compensated through commission payments when a property sells or leases. If there is no sale or lease transaction, the agent doesn’t get paid, and working for free or as a consultant does not fit within the traditional brokerage model. 

The reason we chose to establish an independent firm is so we could operate with the client in mind, rather than reporting to a corporate entity. As a result, we offer traditional brokerage services and wide range of non-traditional services that aren’t dependent on a transaction taking place. In fact, many of our advisory projects do not involve a transaction at all.  The best part is that our services can be tailored to the needs of your project or portfolio.  

What makes us qualified to be an 'advisor'? 

Each member of Atlas has extensive experience, with advanced degrees and additional certifications beyond what is commonly required by the local and national associations.  Our team has experience in every asset class, and has worked with public, private and institutional investors large and small. We are also owners and investors ourselves, so our guidance comes from real life experience, not just a real estate course we took online. The bottom line: our knowledge goes deeper, and that’s a good thing for you.

We are locally based in Athens, GA but..

When we work in an advisory capacity, we don’t have geographic boundaries and that allows us to assist our clients in any market. In fact, our team is licensed and experienced in multiple states, and has assisted clients both nationally and abroad. And we have a database of referral partners across the country that can assist in the areas we can’t.

Have questions about how we can help you? Let's talk!