Lori Judge expanded her downtown real estate brokerage office space earlier this year with an eye toward becoming a bigger player in commercial real estate.
Several local all-stars recently agreed to help her reach that goal.
Veteran commercial realtors Rhett Mouchet, Chuck Mitchell and Michael Bone, along with Mouchet’s son Tyler, have joined Judge Realty and will operate as The Mouchet-Mitchell Group. The quartet moves to Judge from Kulp|Mouchet Commercial Real Estate Services.
“We have been dabbling in commercial real estate since we founded the company, but the focus has been more on the residential side,” Judge said. “Having these guys on board takes us to another level. It’s a dream team.”
Judge has been active on the commercial side.
The firm's strong residential presence downtown led to its handling of many buildings that featured both residential and retail spaces. Judge brokered the sale of a downtown building last year and another downtown property this year as well as an apartment complex on the southside. Judge also did 12 commercial leases in 2011.
The addition of the four new agents increases Judge’s expertise in what Mitchell calls "classic commercial" — large-scale land, retail and industrial work.
Mouchet has brokered deals locally for 36 years, highlighted recently by the sale of the former Backus Cadillac property on Victory Drive and the former Candler Hospital site on Forsyth Park, while Mitchell is known for his development and marketing skills. He was heavily involved in the initial planning for Godley Station in Pooler as well as Buckwalter and Oldfield in the South Carolina Lowcountry and the marketing program for The Landings.
Bone is a versatile agent who partnered with Mouchet in negotiating the Backus Cadillac property deal as well as in the sale of another Backus property located on Abercorn Street.
Tyler Mouchet is a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi who earned his realtor’s license earlier this year.
"We bring a whole new range of services that expands Lori's base," Mitchell said. "At the same time, she gives us a place to build from."
Judge Realty joins a competitive group of local brokerages heavily involved in commercial real estate.
Sperry Van Ness, Colliers International, NAI Savannah, Gilbert & Ezelle Commercial Real Estate and PIER, formerly known as Hostetter Schneider Realty Partners, are among the long-standing big names. National brokerage C.B. Richard Ellis recently opened an office in Savannah.
Judge becomes one of the few large commercial brokerages not affiliated with a national brand, something that “sets the brokerage apart” from the competition, Judge said.
The arrangement with The Mouchet-Mitchell Group gives Judge 16 agents and will allow her to devote her energy to running the administrative side of the brokerage.
“I like the art of the deal and doing deals, but now that the firm is growing I have to put the business hat on,” Judge said. “But I’ll be asking my agents plenty of questions.”