Lunch With Paul: Why CoStar + Retargeting Is a Game Changer in Commercial Real Estate
On this episode of Lunch With Paul, I sat down with Sasha Goldstein from CoStar to talk about something that is reshaping commercial real estate right in front of us:
Data. Visibility. And how the two drive deal flow.
We covered a lot — CoStar, LoopNet, retail trends, land activity, underwriting, and what’s changing in CRE technology — but it all comes back to one thing:
If you understand the data, you control the positioning.
CoStar as Market Intelligence — Not Just a Database
Most brokers log into CoStar to pull comps or check availability.
But the real power of CoStar is market intelligence.
We talked about how brokers and investors use it to:
- Analyze vacancy trends
- Track lease comps
- Understand ownership patterns
- Identify off-market opportunities
- Evaluate submarket velocity
When you’re underwriting a deal — especially in retail, land, or investment sales — this level of visibility isn’t optional anymore.
It’s foundational.
Investors aren’t guessing. They’re validating.
And CoStar gives you that validation layer.
LoopNet: Exposure Still Matters
We also talked about LoopNet, and this is where a lot of people underestimate the impact.
LoopNet isn’t just a listing platform.
It’s exposure.
And exposure drives inbound activity.
When a property is positioned correctly on LoopNet:
- You capture active buyers and tenants
- You measure engagement
- You identify serious prospects
- You increase market visibility
But visibility without strategy is just noise.
That’s where things get interesting.
Data + Retargeting = Real Strategy
One of the biggest shifts happening in CRE right now is how data connects to marketing.
If someone views your listing multiple times on LoopNet, that’s intent.
If they compare your property against others in the submarket, that’s signal.
The future of brokerage isn’t just putting listings online — it’s understanding behavioral data and using retargeting strategy to stay in front of the right audience.
That means:
- Following engagement trends
- Refining positioning
- Supporting listings with digital strategy
- Leveraging analytics to influence deal flow
That’s not theory. That’s where the market is heading.
Trends We’re Seeing in Retail, Land & Investment Sales
Sasha and I also talked about what we’re seeing across different asset classes.
Retail continues to evolve — especially necessity-based and neighborhood centers.
Land deals require sharper underwriting because buyers are scrutinizing growth assumptions more than ever.
Investment sales are data-driven in a way they weren’t 10 years ago. Buyers want clarity. They want proof. They want metrics.
Technology is forcing transparency — and that transparency is shaping pricing, negotiation, and timing.
What’s Changing in CRE Technology
Here’s the bigger takeaway.
Commercial real estate technology isn’t replacing brokers.
It’s separating brokers who operate on information from those who operate on insight.
The future of CRE belongs to professionals who:
- Understand analytics
- Leverage listing exposure strategically
- Monitor engagement behavior
- Use data to guide underwriting decisions
That’s where CoStar and LoopNet sit — at the center of visibility and intelligence.
And if you’re active in commercial real estate today, this isn’t optional knowledge.
It’s required.
Final Thought
The market is competitive.
Attention is scarce.
Deals move faster when they’re positioned correctly.
The brokers and investors who win in this environment aren’t just working harder — they’re working smarter, backed by real data.
That’s what this conversation with Sasha was about.
And if you’re in CRE — retail, land, investment sales, development, brokerage — it’s a must-watch discussion.
Until next time,
Paul
