Commercial real estate broker Chris Cortese works 10-to-12 hour days. Not that he”™s complaining.
“I like working,” said the genial Cortese, a broker with NAI Elite, which covers all of Connecticut. “It”™s interesting putting deals together that shape how a city operates.”
Besides, long hours mean a lot of work and a lot of work translates into an economy that is finally on the road to recovery, despite a stock market that keeps bouncing around like a knuckleball.
More specifically, a lot of work for Cortese means a healthy commercial real estate market in lower Fairfield County, where he and his partner, Jesse Weber, operate. (Their firm is part of NAI Global, which has more than 355 offices in 55 countries, making it one of the largest commercial real estate brokerage companies in the world.)
Locally, Cortese said, “We”™re closing deals. We sold three properties in the last five months, with two in contract. The asking rents are going up. NBC Sports is moving into 1 Blachley Road in Stamford, next to Chelsea Piers, which is new. ”¦ People are signing leases, renewing leases. ”¦ It”™s a sign the economy is going up in Fairfield. It”™s good to hear. And,” he added and chuckled, “good for me.”
Cortese seems to have been predestined for Fairfield County real estate. As a child growing up in Greenwich, he watched intently as his mother and stepfather ran a mortgage-consulting company, based in Norwalk, that was involved in “very big debt-restructuring, investment and development deals in the tristate area.”
“It was just so interesting to me as a young child to see that,” he recalled.
After graduating from Greenwich High School, he headed off to Arizona State University, which is perhaps better known for the athletes it scouted (slugger Barry Bonds, Hall of Fame ace Jim Palmer) than the Realtors it has produced ”“ although the school has had its share of successes in every field.
“I loved it,” Cortese said. “It”™s a big school whose graduates are scattered all over the world.”
Back home, he worked for a family service business while getting his real estate license. He”™s been selling real estate for five years.
In April 2009, he co-founded Greenwich YPG (Young Professionals Group).
“We found there was a void among young executives and entrepreneurs in trying to form relationships with their peers.”
Greenwich YPG isn”™t only about networking, however. The group brings in speakers to offer everything from tips on social media to financial planning. And it volunteers to help other local organizations. Greenwich YPG was part of the recent “Go Wild! Family Field Day” benefit for the Greenwich Land Trust.
In a sense, too, Greenwich YPG underscores Cortese”™s passion by drawing attention to the buildings that make up Fairfield County”™s commercial landscape. Recently, the group held one of its monthly get-togethers at 660 Steamboat Road, a waterfront property in Greenwich that has some vacancies. YPG”™s roving events attract anywhere from 40 to 100 attendees, Cortese said. “We find that people flock to us.”
Cortese is not, however, only about his work. He and wife Laura, who live in Greenwich, enjoying tooling around Connecticut”™s byways in search of an undiscovered eatery or a thoughtful art show.
He”™s also fond of classic cars: “It”™s like looking at a work of art.”
If he were a car, what kind would he be?
“Wow,” Cortese said and laughed, “an efficient one.”
you are such a big shot I dont know if I could hang with you Congratulations, Your Proud FATHER
Congratulations Chris ! We need more young people who are as motivated as you are.