Always Be Closing. Szerlag has spent his entire career with the Thomas Duke Company and year after year he has been a top producer in his market. With more than $600 million in commercial real estate sales, he has listed and sold more commercial properties than anyone in his market.
“The greatest challenges are what makes this business so much fun,” Szerlag said. “Commercial real estate is an ever-changing, dynamic industry, impacted by a cyclical economy, changing rates, sellers’ and buyers’ motivation and supply and demand. All of these factors are further subject to the personalities involved in any one particular transaction.”
A few of his more notable deals include the sale of a 75 acre parcel of land for $11.5 million to Kojaian Management, who turned the former farm site into the Lyon Towne Center. He was also instrumental in St. John’s Providence Hospital’s extensive site search and acquisition for a new medical center as well as the listing and sale of a 90,000 square foot former medical facility in Novi, Michigan.
Team Player. Szerlag attributes his success to his competitive nature and being surrounded by a group of highly motivated associates. During his career, he has trained and mentored dozens of young brokers, passing along the experiences he’s had in his career, both good and bad.
“We can’t be all things to all people so I routinely involve other team members to help come up with real estate solutions,” said Szerlag. “I am also a strong believer in education and involvement in local communities and have often encouraged my team members to “join something!””
Giving Back. Despite a heavy work load and busy schedule, Szerlag makes the time to give back to his community and several charities. He is a member of the Lyon Township Downtown Development Authority and is actively involved in the Detroit Goodfellows, an organization that raises money for under-privileged children in the City of Detroit. “I have been very blessed throughout my life and career, so I try to “pay it forward” whenever I can,” Szerlag said.
He has also been a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) for 20 years and is a past president of the Michigan Commercial Board of REALTORS and director of CCIM for the State of Michigan. Szerlag is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, and the Urban Land Institute and is involved in local government.
