Caton Commercial Real Estate Group completed the acquisition of Cornerstone Realty Advisors, Inc, a St. Charles based appraisal company, in a strategic move towards stabilizing revenues and providing comprehensive client support services. Cornerstone will act as the appraisal arm for Caton Commercial, operating as its own entity to maintain continuity with existing staff, operations, and long-standing relationships.
Edward Kling MAI Certified General Appraiser founded RVG in 2000 and assembled RJ Schmit, Cornerstone, and RVG Appraisal into a single entity. Kling says, “Joining with Caton Commercial Real Estate Group gives our team the opportunity to scale while maintaining the quality of work our clients have come to expect. After 35 years in the appraisal industry, I’m thrilled at the chance to expand our client base within the established Caton framework.” The Cornerstone appraisal team functions in a valuation and advisory role to property owners, lenders, and attorneys, with areas of specialization in expert farmland appraisals and preliminary tax assessment analysis.
Caton COO, Amy Hall, commented “With the Quadrennial Reassessment taking place across Illinois, the timing of this acquisition was key. Property taxes are, and will continue to be, a critical component of the CRE transaction, so being able to offer third party valuation services was a strategic move towards meeting the market where it’s headed.” Caton has rebranded the new appraisal company to Cornerstone Realty Valuation Services.
Caton Property Management Hits Major Milestone
This move towards enhancing Caton’s capabilities to serve clients on the full spectrum of commercial real estate services comes as Caton Property Management hits a milestone at 1 million square feet managed. With an active Managing Director, two full time commercial property managers, a full-time bookkeeper and a dedicated client account administrator on staff, the group is looking to grow the team by adding a full-time commercial assistant property manager to support the growing portfolio of properties managed.
Caton Property Management manages Industrial, Retail, Office, and Multi-Family assets in the Chicago suburbs. In the three plus years since formalization of the division, they’ve experienced an astounding 150% portfolio growth year over year. Barbara Montes, Managing Director of Caton’s Property Management, attributes their success to the exceptional work of her team. “After 30 years of practicing property management, I truly believe that our team at Caton hits the sweet spot for owners who appreciate a more hands-on approach along with the sophistication of established management systems. We keep growing as a result of the hard work and diligence of our property managers and staff.”
About Caton
Since 1984, Caton Commercial Real Estate Group has represented the interests of landlords, tenants, investors and property owners in Chicago, its suburbs and beyond. Our strong community ties and relationships help foster our client-centric service model.
We lean on our corporate experience and professional networks in the local, national, and global real estate markets to find innovative solutions and opportunities that position our clients and strategic partners for success.