Tyler Dechter is a senior associate broker with Baum Realty Group. Tyler works on both leasing and sales assignments for Baum’s Urban Office & Flex and Investment Sales Divisions. Tyler’s primary focus is on all aspects of property due diligence and underwriting. Additionally, he provides landlord representation services and market analysis to a portfolio of office and flex-industrial properties throughout the greater Chicago area.
Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up, where did you go to school?
I grew up in Northbrook and went to Glenbrook North High School. I then attended Butler University where I studied finance. As great as Indianapolis treated me, deep down I knew I had to get back to Chicago. I now live in Lincoln Park and love everything the city of Chicago has to offer, except the snow in the winter.
How did you get your start in the industry?
After my junior year of college, I did a summer internship at Simon Property Group in their leasing group. Like most kids in college, I was not sure what I was going to do, but after the first day at Simon I knew it was going to be commercial real estate. After college, I found my way back to the Chicagoland area and started at Baum Realty Group. Baum had just launched the Urban Office and Flex group and I joined the team as their first associate. We have been building this line of business for the past three years now at an impressive pace.
Did you have a mentor who helped you get on your feet, or is there someone you turn to now for support?
I am fortunate to have been surrounded with talented and caring people growing up. Bob Tanaka and Ari Topper have been guiding me through my real estate journey. I met Bob Tanaka of Randolph Street Realty Capital early in my college days while playing in a golf outing. Bob has had a very successful career in real estate, and we have remained close friends and still golf together to this day. He was instrumental in launching my career.
Ari Topper is the founder of the Urban Office and Flex group at Baum and the person who hired me. He has shaped me from day one and I continue to look for his support as I continue to grow at Baum.
What does an average day in the life of Tyler Dechter look like?
My day starts the evening before. Having my calendar and to-do list organized before I wake up allows me to jump start my day without wasting time. Additionally, I try and begin my day with the most important task at hand or the task I want to do least. If I can get the hardest thing done first, the day only gets easier. With an ever-growing portfolio of assignments, my days are mostly spent showing buildings to prospective tenants/buyers, fielding inquiries/sourcing tenant leads for our buildings, and updating ownership on existing listings. We pride ourselves on how communicative and proactive we are. We don’t just hang a sign and wait for the phone to ring, we are always in touch with our clients. I am on the phone a good portion of the day and I never want to go the day without getting back to someone.
What do you like most about your job?
This one is easy: The excitement of meeting new people and the opportunity to guide my clients through real estate transactions. I have always loved meeting people and learning their back stories, like how they got started in their respective careers or what they are trying to achieve. I am excellent in interacting with all different types of people, which is crucial as it’s my responsibility to bridge the gap between private equity firms, developers, and mom-and-pop small business owners. I guide and treat everyone just like I would my parents coming to me for advice. Most of all, real estate is about people and their lives.
Looking to the future, what do you hope to achieve/work on that you have not already?
The way I look at it, I am just getting started. I still have a lot to learn and accomplish in order to achieve the goals I have set for myself and as importantly, to make an impact at Baum. It is a wonderful company to work for and the support I have received has been awesome.
What kind of changes do you hope to see in the industry in the near future?
The adoption of blockchain technology will become huge in the business (for tracking transactions) and will be exciting to see. Technology in brokerage has been slow moving but it has not disrupted our industry like it has others.
How do you spend your time away from the office?
I love to golf. I am about a three handicap and play about 75 rounds a year. Golf, much like real estate, is about meeting new people and building relationships, and it’s about challenging and pushing yourself. When I am not golfing or working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. Once the pandemic calms down I would love to try new restaurants in Chicago and travel.