Larry Much Inducted into Midwest Real Estate Hall of Fame

From Midwest Real Estate News – 2022 Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame.

Lawrence (Larry) R. Much is an Executive Vice President and founding Principal of NAI Hiffman specializing in industrial real estate including building sales, tenant representation, corporate relocation, build-to-suit analysis and consulting.

After graduating from Drake University and beginning his career in commercial real estate in 1987, Much has honed his skill for negotiating lease agreements and purchase/sale contracts for warehouses, manufacturing plants, office buildings and vacant land across the U.S. and has completed over 350 transactions ranging in size from 10,000 square feet to 700,000 square feet with a value of $1 billion. His clients include CenterPoint Properties, CR Laurence, FedEx, IRIS USA, KTR Capital Partners, The Missner Group, Principle Real Estate Investors, Opus North Corporation, Public Storage and Ridge Property Trust.

Much’s drive stems from finding an equal balance to both sides of a transactions. Negotiations can be challenging but finding creative was to make both parties happy is rewarding on many aspects, especially cultivating the trust that builds relationship into life-long client. But to what Much credits his success is the talented people he’s surrounded by at NAI Hiffman.

“I learned from my dad to maintain a good name for yourself and treat others fairly, because being credible is something you can count on” Much said. “He told me the only thing that could not be taken away from me is my name, so I’d better make it good. So, I subscribe to being ethical, honest and fair on a regular basis, and it is a motto that I live by personally and professionally.”

The road to success has been long, and like anyone, he’s faced a fair share of challenges along the way.

“The business has changed drastically since 1987—starting with the internet and the fear it could replace us, even though I didn’t see it that way,” Much said. “Technology made many aspects of my career easier with information accessible at the touch of a button, the ease of computers and smartphones, and being able to conduct meetings from my car or a beach in Florida. With all of the changes we’ve seen over the years, the results are still in finding the right fit for a client under the right terms.”

As for the steps he’s has taken to succeed in the business, Much said they’re ongoing. He continues to learn through other successful people both within NAI Hiffman and CRE as a whole. While Chicagoland brokers are competitive, Much said they also have a relationship that helps them succeed. “It could be as simple as getting a comp by a fellow broker,” he said, “and of course, providing the same when asked, as it helps all parties.”

Much is member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR), the Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers (AIRE), the NAI Industrial Council and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), and he is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). He has been awarded the NAIOP Industrial Redevelopment of the Year Award (2009) and the SIOR Largest Dollar Volume Transaction Award (2009).

Absent from work, Much loves golfing with friends, practicing yoga to keep balanced and calm, and spending time in Florida to escape the Chicago cold.

About Hiffman National: 

Based in the Chicago area, with an additional five regional hubs and 30 satellite offices, Hiffman National provides superior property management, project services and accounting services to a diverse portfolio including office, medical office, retail and industrial properties nationally. The firm’s comprehensive property management platform and attentive approach to service contributes to client NOI and has helped the firm to more than double in size in five years. Hiffman National is an award-winning company with more than 250 employees strategically located throughout North America.

About NAI Hiffman:  

NAI Hiffman is one of the largest independent commercial real estate services firms in the US, with a primary focus on metropolitan Chicago, and part of the NAI Global network. We provide institutional and private leasing, property management, tenant representation, capital markets, project services, research, and marketing services for owners and occupiers of commercial real estate. To meet our clients’ growing needs outside of our exclusive NAI Hiffman territory, we launched Hiffman National, our dedicated property solutions division, which provides property management, project services, and property accounting services across the country. NAI Hiffman | Hiffman National is and award winning company headquartered in suburban Chicago, with more than 250 employees strategically located throughout North America.