WOODBRIDGE, NJ—Don Baxter, a vice president at The Kislak Company who led the completion of ten investment sales in Bergen, Essex, and Hudson Counties in northern New Jersey totaling more than $23 million, says the company's long-term focus on building relationships with sellers is responsible for his success.

“The demand for multifamily properties throughout New Jersey remains very strong,” says Robert Holland, Kislak's president. “Don does an extraordinary job getting properties for sale on an exclusive basis and procuring the right buyers. He is an expert in the Hudson County market and the neighboring submarkets.”

“It's no secret that it's a perfect storm between the rates, and where buyers and sellers both profit at the same time, and I also think that it's with an understanding that it's probably soon to change” says Baxter. “There were more sellers open to selling who maybe hadn't thought about it before. I think things are showing in almost every area that they are levelling off and we are going to get to a higher interest rate environment.”

Baxter attributes his successful sales to Kislak's philosophy of “sticking to the basics,” and handling the transactions on an exclusive basis.

“These transactions were also relatively clean and efficient in that they did not fall apart and the clients were happy,” says Baxter. “I attribute this to our exclusive engagements by the sellers. Open or non-listings are often counterproductive for all parties involved. Buyers and sellers need professional advocates now more than ever to guide each transaction to closing.”

Kislak encourages developing longer term relationships with clients, Baxter says.

“We really truly still take the old-school, in person professional approach,” he says. “We probably look for the long term a little bit more than anybody else. You don't want to do one deal, you want to do five deals, or ten deals. You want to be part of their wealth success overall. I've had a lot of sales jobs, but I never learned wealth like I've learned at this company.”

The separate transactions include:

• Two buildings with 39 apartments in Weehawken for $5.5 million. Baxter represented both parties. These buildings are two of the few remaining area buildings not converted to condominiums. At the time of closing, the properties were fully occupied.
• A 41-unit apartment building in Jersey City for $3.89 million. Baxter represented both parties. The purchaser intends to renovate the units and raise rents. At the time of closing, the property was fully occupied.
• Two buildings with 25 apartments in Fairview for $2.91 million. Sales associate Andrew Scheinerman represented the seller and Baxter represented the purchaser. The transaction was part of a Section 1031 like-kind exchange. At the time of closing the properties were fully occupied.
• A 31-unit apartment building in East Orange for $2.18 million. Senior vice president Joni Sweetwood represented the seller and Baxter represented the purchaser. The property is currently 80-percent renovated. The purchaser will continue renovating the units and the property's exterior. At the time of closing, the property was fully occupied.
• A mixed-use building with 13 apartments and two stores in Harrison for $1.975 million. Vice president Scott Davidovic represented the seller and Baxter represented the purchaser. The property is located near the Red Bull Arena. At the time of closing, the property had one residential vacancy.
• A mixed-use building with 13 apartments and four offices in Oradell for $1,947,500. Vice president Robert Squires represented the seller and Baxter represented the purchaser. At the time of closing the property was fully occupied.
• A mixed-use building with nine apartments and three stores in Jersey City for $1.625 million. Baxter represented both parties. The property is centrally located, one block from the Journal Square PATH train stop.  At the time of closing, the property had one vacant retail unit.
• A 12-unit apartment building in Leonia for $1.22 million. Davidovic represented the seller and Scheinerman and Baxter together represented the purchaser. The property is in a prime location with easy access to major highways and the George Washington Bridge. At the time of closing, the property was fully occupied.
• A 17-unit apartment building in Jersey City for $1.16 million. Baxter represented both parties. At the time of closing, the property was fully occupied.
• An 8-unit apartment building in Jersey City for $610,000. Baxter represented both parties. The recently renovated property is located one block from Journal Square.

“Throughout 2014 and into 2015, low interest rates and strong tenant demand continue to enable both buyers and sellers to capitalize financially,” says Baxter. “All of these properties had little or no vacancy. Any vacancies in these areas are a bonus for the owners as they provide them with the opportunity to renovate apartments and raise rents.”

Baxter joined Kislak in 2006 and is consistently among the company's leading producers.  He specializes in the sale of multifamily and other investment properties throughout New Jersey with emphasis on Hudson County where he is among the area's top producers.  Baxter closed 10 – 16 transactions per year over the last 10 years. 

Since joining Kislak, Baxter has won numerous sales awards, including the company's Rookie of the Year Award in 2007 and the Sima Kislak Jelin Salesperson of the Year award in 2008 and 2009.