An Ocean Away, and Never Out of the Loop

When an ownership group based in China acquired a commercial building in Coquitlam, the logistics were simple in principle and demanding in practice. They needed someone on the ground. Someone who could manage the building, handle o leasing, coordinate with local agents, prepare financial statements, and make dayto-day decisions — without needing to check in for every one of them.

The introduction came from a senior commercial agent at RE/MAX Commercial Advantage — someone with deep roots in the BC commercial market who understood what this ownership group needed and knew Custom Realty could deliver it.

From the beginning, the relationship was entirely remote. No in-person meetings. No site visits from the ownership side. Communication happened by email, decisions were made at a distance, and the building ran because the systems running it didn’t require the owner to be present.

We managed everything: leasing, tenant relationships, financial reporting, local contractor coordination, and regular market oversight to ensure the asset stayed positioned correctly. Financial statements went overseas by email on schedule. When decisions needed to be made, we made them — and reported clearly on what was done and why.

The ownership group gave us full authority to act. In return, we gave them full accountability for every action taken. That exchange — trust for transparency — is the foundation of every successful remote management relationship we’ve built.

The building was eventually sold, as planned. For nearly a decade, it was managed professionally, reported on clearly, and maintained without the owners ever having to set foot in Coquitlam.