NAI Bergman & The Evolution of Online CRE Auctions
Podcast
The Crexi Team
April 9, 2025
This episode charts the growing significance of online auctions as a powerful selling and acquisition tool in CRE with Laurence Bergman and Michael Bergman of NAI Bergman.
The Crexi Podcast explores various aspects of the commercial real estate industry in conversation with some of the top CRE professionals in the space. In each episode, we feature different guests to tap into their wealth of CRE expertise and explore the latest trends and updates from the world of commercial real estate.
In this episode of The Crexi Podcast, host Yannis Papadakis sits down with Larry and Michael Bergman to discuss their extensive experience in the commercial real estate industry. Larry, a founding member of NAI Bergman, and Michael, an experienced broker and attorney, share insights into their career paths, the importance of relationships, the evolving role of technology, and the growing significance of commercial real estate auctions in today’s market.
They also delve into how they built and scaled their family business while maintaining a strong company culture. The Bergmans provide valuable advice for new brokers, highlight their approach to leveraging national networks and technology, and discuss broader industry trends heading into this year and beyond.
- Welcome to The Crexi Podcast
- Meet Larry and Michael Bergman
- Larry's Journey in Real Estate
- Michael's Path to Commercial Real Estate
- Mentors and Early Challenges
- Lessons from Mistakes
- Building and Scaling NAI Bergman
- Technology in Real Estate
- The Role of Auctions in Real Estate
- Evolution of Auction Technology
- Misconceptions About Auctions
- Benefits for Buyers in Auctions
- Efficiency and Transparency in Auctions
- Leveraging National Networks
- Success Stories in Auctions
- Future Trends in Real Estate Auctions
- Commercial Real Estate Market Outlook
- Impact of Rising Insurance Costs
- AI and Technology in Real Estate
- Best Asset Classes and Hidden Potential
- Rapid Fire Questions and Advice
- Parting Words and Contact Information
Watch “NAI Bergman & The Evolution of Online CRE Auctions” on YouTube
About Laurence Bergman:
Laurence Bergman, a founding member of NAI Bergman, is a licensed real estate broker in Ohio, Kentucky, and Georgia. Larry oversees business and client development, NAI Bergman licensee supervision, acquisition / disposition representation, and engages in transactional activity.
Larry is a consistent award winner in Commercial Real Estate. In 2014, he was selected by the Midwest Real Estate News Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. He was also awarded NAI Global’s President’s Award – Eastern US Markets. The President’s Award recognizes leadership, teamwork and business generation. Out of 400 NAI Global affiliates, NAI Bergman was nominated for company of the year and was recipient of The Eagle Award – Major Markets – US. Larry has been consistently recognized with multiple industry awards, including multiple Crexi Platinum Awards, and was also recognized by the Cincinnati Business Courier as a Top 10 Commercial Real Estate broker. Through Larry’s community efforts, NAI Bergman was selected as the 2012 Blue Ash Business Advocate of the Year.
Larry has a broad range of commercial real estate experience and his knowledge is extensive. He repeatedly proves worthy to those he comes in contact with. Beyond brokering transactions, Larry is a principal in a real estate development and investment business. He served as Chairman of the Greater Cincinnati Commercial Real Estate Council and has also served on the Lands Commission in the United States Federal Courts.
About Michael Bergman:
At NAI Bergman, Michael Bergman has wide-ranging experience, including retail, industrial, office, land and development transactions as well as tenant and owner representation. In addition, Michael provides receiver services for NAI Bergman. Published in several areas, he is the co-author of The Brokers Manual, a guide to tenant representation.
An attorney by training, and admitted to practice in Arizona, Michael has been involved in commercial real estate for over a decade in both Georgia and Ohio. Michael represents national shopping center owners, international retailers, large office owners, and office tenants. He has worked closely in numerous complex transactions that have proved successful.
Currently, on the brokerage side, Michael is engaged in work involving student housing developers, national senior housing groups, regional breweries and restaurant groups, and several REIT’s. Additionally, he has been working closely as Receiver with NAI Bergman’s Management Team to stabilize several properties and optimize them for future ownership.
About Crexi’s Commercial Real Estate Podcast:
Crexi’s commercial real estate podcast features conversations across all aspects of commercial real estate with industry leading investors, developers, brokers, and professionals. Among the top 5% of commercial real estate podcasts, The Crexi Podcast sits down with industry experts to investigate trends, educate listeners, and uncover the latest happenings and news in the world of commercial real estate. To listen to all episodes for free, check out The Crexi Podcast's full library here.
Crexi is transforming commercial real estate with advanced, integrative technology and data analytics designed to accelerate every CRE stakeholder’s success. From trading properties to machine-learning-powered industry Intelligence, Crexi’s intuitive CRE solutions accelerate transaction velocity and have empowered over 3 million active monthly users to close more than $660 billion in deals and market over $7 trillion in property value.
