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B U S I N E S S P RO F I L E S 58 B U S I N E S S P R O F I L E S S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N C ardente Real Estate was founded in 2005 by Matthew Cardente as a small-shop firm looking to provide clients with a better alternative to their real estate needs. Today, this full-service real estate and investment brokerage is an industry leader working in the Heart of Portland, representing clients in multi-million-dollar deals that are key to the vibrant transformations going on in Portland and elsewhere in Northern New England. As of mid-year 2017, the firm has nine commercial brokers plus support staff who occupy the top three floors in Portland's Old Port at 322 Fore Street. Cardente was recognized in 2016 as a CoStar Power Broker for Leasing and for Sales—and has won one or both awards every year since 2012. ree brokers at Cardente have been recipients of the Maine Commercial Realtor of the Year Award. Specializing in all aspects of sales and leasing of commercial real estate throughout Maine and New Hampshire, Cardente's philosophy is built on integrity, teamwork, and "Building a foundation of trust, one client at a time." It takes a special type of person to work for Cardente Real Estate: Michael Cardente joined his brother Matthew at the beginning, serving as Financial and General Manager while earning his broker license. Previously, Mike managed hundreds of thousands of square feet of commercial properties in Maine and Florida, working with companies like Federal Express and AAA. "It's not a typical office," he says. "It's much more of a team atmosphere, rather than a bunch of independent contractors. We put a lot of thought into who comes aboard—and how they'll get along with other people in the office." Chemistry has resulted in great longevity internally, which serves clients through shared knowledge. "We communicate about upcoming properties. We're sounding boards with each other to overcome obstacles and put the property in front of everybody's clients. Our clients get the experience of the whole company, not just one broker." Major accomplishments include the sale of the former Paul's Food Center at 585 Congress St. In 2014, he brokered the Old Port Portfolio (five buildings on Wharf and Fore streets) for $5.617 million. Both Cardente brothers sold 511 Congress St., Portland—a 130,000-square-foot office tower and adjacent park- ing lots—for $12.45 million. In 2016, Mike won the company's Broker of the Year award in recognition of the sale and lease transactions he completed. Greg Perr y has also been with the firm from the beginning, becoming partner in 2012. In 2016, Perry was named Broker of the Year by the Maine Commercial Association of Realtors and the 2016 Broker of the Year by Cardente Real Estate, and was recognized by the National Association of Realtors as among the top 25 Commercial Brokers in the country. Perry has a strong background in commercial construction and development. "I grew up with Matthew. I met with him and we thought it would be a good partnership and a great working relationship." Perry counts his accomplishments less in transactions and more in relationships. "e picture starts with a client who might buy one building and then, over time, grow their portfolio, build their wealth and get excited about commercial real estate. Some clients I worked with on small projects are now buying multi-million-dollar investment properties. It's fun to watch that kind of growth." He likes the culture of cooperation. "We cooperate and make our listings public. We don't just sell internally." Karen Rich came to the firm shortly after it began. Her arrival was heralded as strong affirmation of Cardente's mission. Rich has practiced commercial real estate in Portland since 1991 and was voted 2012 Maine Commercial Realtor of the Year. Before joining Cardente, she was broker/owner of Major, O'Connor & Rich Commercial Real Estate, then a broker with Commercial Properties. Rich has been involved with numerous retail and investment projects, including the $15 million sale of the Custom House Parking Garage in Portland—the largest commercial real estate transac- tion in Maine in 2004; and the redevelopment of Western Avenue Crossing in South Portland—a deal she's particularly proud of. "at whole section of Western Avenue was undeveloped. I represented the client who bought that land and handled all of the initial transactions." With her long experience, Rich had much to offer Cardente. "I think my background has been helpful. e longer you're in your field, especially commercial real estate, you have a lot of knowledge that comes with experience," she says. "You know your market—and that leads to better service for your clients." Cardente Real Estate P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F C A R D E N T E R E A L E S T A T E A culture of teamwork and integrity Cardente Real Estate 322 Fore St., Portland, ME Commercial Real Estate/ Investment Brokerage Matthew Cardente, President/Designated Broker Founded 2005 9 employees www.cardente.com Cardente Real Estate, at 322 Fore St. in the Heart of Portland, has flourished since its founding in 2005.

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