We're Hiring in LA!
SURMOUNT is looking to expand our presence in Los Angeles.
We're the #1 net lease investment sales team in the country with $44B+ in closed transactions, 25+ years in business, and 150+ professionals across the nation. Our platform gives you the tools, the deals, and the team to build your career.
Email @KRGulock ([email protected]) and Scott Budzenski ([email protected]) to learn more.
#NowHiring #CommercialRealEstate #NetLease #CREJobs #InvestmentSales #Brokerage
The right questions to ask before a sale-leaseback.
Goal alignment. Rent sustainability. Lease structure. Factors every business owner should evaluate.
Part 3 of ‘Straight From The Source’ with @KRGulock & Matthew Anuszkiewicz
#SaleLeaseback#NNN#CRE#RealEstate#Financing
At SURMOUNT, what sets us apart is simple: our results, our track record, and our relationships.
Our ability to deliver for institutional clients is unmatched. We didn't just enter the market. We created it. And we've been advising our clients across complex sale-leaseback transactions for 25 years.
An in-house team of experts and real estate investment bankers delivering white glove service across every step of the transaction.
Built specifically for the middle market: private equity firms, portfolio companies, business owners, and franchise operators who need institutional-grade execution with people who actually know their space.
Meet the Institutional Coverage Group.
#InstitutionalCoverage #PrivateEquity #MiddleMarket #SaleLeaseback #Brokerage
Another strategic step west…
We’re excited to welcome Scott Budzenski as Managing Director, Capital Markets, further strengthening our West Coast presence and platform
Read more in our press release on @BusinessWire: https://t.co/0UrhnpYR6S
#CapitalMarkets#NetLease #WestCoast #CommercialRealEstate #RelationshipsOverTransactions
2025 was a defining year, and the numbers are in. See why we continue to be the #1 Net-Lease Investment Advisor.
This year, we launched SURMOUNT, expanded our platform, and continued to do what we do best: deliver through relationships, execution, and teamwork.
Proud to share our 2025 Year in Review 🏔️
#YearInReview #CommercialRealEstate #NetLease #CRE #RealEstate #RelationshipsOverTransactions
https://t.co/dUhhQnqpoe
Thrilled to welcome Jake Hartbarger to the @wearesurmount team!
Jake spent five seasons as the punter at @michiganstateu Michigan State University, competing at the highest level of college football while representing the program with consistency, toughness, and professionalism. Being a Big Ten athlete for half a decade requires focus, discipline, and an obsession with details. Those traits translate directly to success in commercial real estate.
Jake and I met in Los Angeles in 2020, and quickly became friends bonding over our shared love for Michigan State. Anyone who knows Spartans knows we don’t cut corners. We show up, put in the work, and hold ourselves to a high standard.
Jake’s focus, attention to detail, determination, and “Spartan Dawg” mentality give him a strong foundation to build a great career in this business. I’m incredibly excited to have him as part of the Surmount platform and look forward to working closely together as he grows in the commercial real estate world.
Welcome to the team, Jake. Go Green. 💚🤍
Is Bonus Depreciation the New 1031 Exchange?
At @wearesurmount , we didn’t just talk about it, we invested significant time and resources in Washington, DC to help push for permanent 100% bonus depreciation in the tax code.
Why bonus depreciation is becoming the “new 1031”:
- Immediate tax shelter – Offset active income now, not just defer gains later
- No reinvestment handcuffs – No strict timelines, like 45/180-day 1031 rules
- Works without selling – Monetize tax benefits while holding cash-flowing assets
- Pairs perfectly with sale-leasebacks – Liquidity + tax efficiency + balance-sheet optimization
- More flexible exit planning – Control timing, structure, and outcomes
Last week I was in New York for @ICSC one of the best annual pulse checks for commercial real estate. The vibe: optimistic, but disciplined. A few themes that came up consistently:
• Retail fundamentals remain resilient despite consumer being challenged.
• The Fed cut rates by 25 bps, but timing of true cost-of-capital relief is still uncertain.
• 100% bonus depreciation is back, creating meaningful opportunities for investors, operators, family offices, and brokers.
• Capital is getting more creative as groups look to manufacture value
One of the most interesting shifts I noticed:
With same-store sales largely flat to down year-over-year, operators are increasingly focused on value creation beyond operations. One of the most effective, yet underutilized, strategies to enhance EBITDA is the optimization of legacy lease structures, especially above or below-market agreements. Thoughtfully restructured, these leases can drive durable EBITDA improvement while aligning long-term interests between tenants and landlords. @wearesurmount
Restaurant Finance & Development Conference in Las Vegas Takeaways Restaurant Finance Monitor
The restaurant industry continues to impress me with its grit and creativity. Despite persistent headwinds, operators are finding ways to grow, adapt, and thrive. A few key takeaways stood out:
- Growth Mindset: Operators remain determined to open new stores and drive same-store sales, even in a more challenging environment.
- New Construction vs. Reality: With land and construction costs still elevated, new development often doesn’t pencil. As a result, many groups are pivoting toward second-generation and inline retail spaces to make deals work.
- The Sale-Leaseback Advantage: In the current interest rate environment, the sale-leaseback remains one of the lowest-cost forms of capital for operators looking to unlock value and reinvest in their business.
- The Consumer is "Choosey": Discretionary income is being squeezed by inflation, and consumers are making more intentional spending decisions.
- Tariffs Return to the Spotlight: A topic we haven’t talked about in a while, tariffs are once again impacting costs, especially as much of the industry’s equipment and FF&E come from China.
Overall, the tone of the conference was realistic but optimistic and that’s exactly where I think the industry sits today. There’s no shortage of challenges, but there’s also incredible resilience and creativity at every turn. This was my first RFDC with SURMOUNT and it was great to share all of the solutions we can offer!