S2 EP 9: Million-Dollar Negotiation Tips from an $8B CRE Broker

From $8B in Sales to a Legacy of Integrity: How Michael Bull Built a Commercial Real Estate Empire

In this episode of Stash Cast, we sit down with the legendary Michael Bull — founder of Bull Realty, host of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, and a powerhouse in brokerage, training, and thought leadership in CRE.

Michael shares his story of building a firm rooted in integrity, breaking away from national firms to create a brokerage with a collaborative, client-first culture. We dig into his transition from multifamily to office assets, the challenges of maintaining brand standards when hiring, and the evolving landscape of the office market, including distressed asset opportunities and slow-but-sure rebounds.

🎙️ Key Takeaways:

💼 Integrity First: Michael built Bull Realty to set a new standard of trust and professionalism in commercial brokerage.

🧠 Training Culture Wins: Bull Realty’s internal training and Michael’s Commercial Agent Success platform emphasize ethics, scripts, and negotiation tactics for real-world deals.

🏢 Office Market Rebound: Michael shares why now might be the smartest time to invest in office properties—especially with low basis buys and a halt in new construction.

📈 Brokerage Lessons: From fax-on-demand listings to high-tech tools and AI, Michael has seen it all—and shares how tech can (and should) amplify smart marketing.

🎧 Podcasting Since Before It Was Cool: What started as a local radio show in 2010 became a national platform and educational hub for agents and investors.

📞 The Lost Art of the Phone Call: “Did you pick up the phone?” remains one of Michael’s best-performing negotiation tactics.

💡 Whether you're new to CRE or decades in, this conversation is full of wisdom, humor, and practical strategies you can use to elevate your game.

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