Special Servicer - Good Place to Get reps?

Currently in the middle of processes for a role at a special servicer with strong capital backing and in aggressive expansion mode. They invest in all sorts of asset types/ investment strategies and I would have a lot of exposure, esp bc they run the team very much like a NY shop (long hours and strong comp). Position seems to be split between asset management of CMBS and REO assets and heavy underwriting B-Piece debt. 

My background is in the on the equity AM side; my question is if I take this role, what do exit ops look like? I have strong personal motivations to move cities within the next few years - if my goal is to move to a transactional role would this be a step in the right direction? Thanks

12 Comments
 

Not a great place to get reps. Remember as a special servicer, you are a representative of a trust. You are not putting dollars to work for yourself, so your options are quite limited.

 
Most Helpful

I know some people are trolling you here, but I worked at a special servicer for 5 years and then moved to a large RE platform based in NYC.

Special servicing does get you good reps for specific things:

-distressed asset management
-cmbs underwriting
-negotiation
-legal doc writing
-interactions with brokers
- Exposure to rating agency world
-direct exposure to investors who are at the tip of the spear in CRE. Someone who runs a B piece shop knows real estate, debt, bonds, ratings, etc. they also know how things go to shit.

Acquisition people like to think they are always the smartest guys in the room. I will tell you what I have heard over and over here: nobody gets the top job without knowing what the downside looks like. Nobody wants to invest with people who only know how to make money when times are easy


In terms of exit ops, it’s not something that’s going to be handed to you. People (like those in this thread) clown special servicers all the time. They also think because you’re a service provider then you’re just someone’s bitch.

However, serious decision makers like the broad types of experience you get in special. Let’s say you stay for 3 years: how many CMBS loans would you see in that time? Hundreds. How many loans would you work out (or work on)? Dozens. All good shit for your resume or just good for your own career in CRE.

You also make a ton of connections quick. All the brokers and lawyers are going to know you. The other servicers will recognize you. If you’re a rockstar, maybe a b piece shop will poach you. All depends on how you do and who you connect with.

 

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