Written by: Daniel Lyner
Daniel is currently enrolled in his second year at The Ohio State University studying Finance and Real Estate. He is currently interning with Colliers | Columbus on the industrial brokerage side with Ben Johnson’s team. Keep reading for insight into Daniel’s intern experience.
What has been your favorite project to work on throughout your time at Colliers?
My favorite project to work on so far has been prospecting for Ben Johnson and Zach Rines Industrial team’s listing at 6161 Shamrock Ct. This project has been particularly rewarding because I was able to become a part of the process from beginning to end. I started by prospecting surrounding properties in the Dublin area to gather background information on nearby building owners and tenants. This allowed the team to gauge potential market interest for the property as well as to help expand our footprint in the Dublin area. Following my prospecting, I was able to listen in on calls and better understand how relationships are initially formed with potential clients and tenants in CRE brokerage. After all the groundwork was laid, I was able to participate in multiple site tours and am currently observing the negotiation process as we approach a contract. Overall, this was a great process, and I was able to learn more about the structural components of industrial buildings (such as dock vs drive-in doors, column spacing, clear height, levelers, etc.) and what aspects are important for potential buyers/ tenants. Additionally, I was able to learn about the steps it takes to get from listing a property to closing on a contract.
What has been the biggest learning lesson you will take away from this internship?
The biggest lesson I will take away from this internship is the importance of developing long-lasting relationships because you never know where those relationships might lead in the future. It is crucial to develop relationships with clients and coworkers alike in the real estate industry because they are ultimately the ones who will help you learn and grow your skillset. It has been a pleasure getting to know and learn from the team here at Colliers and I look forward to staying in touch with all the amazing people I connected with here.
What aspects of commercial real estate has this internship made you more interested in?
Overall, the internship has made me more interested in CRE as an industry specifically in research, investment sales, and capital markets. I hope to develop my newfound interests in the analytical side of the CRE industry and continue learning!