What is the Distressed Property Specialists practice?
A multi-asset distressed commercial and residential real estate practice based in Phoenix, Arizona, operating under the employing broker Landmark ACM, LLC. Eight practice areas across the distressed property lifecycle: note acquisitions, REO disposition, special servicer engagements, bankruptcy real estate, distressed multifamily, zombie office repositioning, distressed single-family, and CMBS workouts.
Where do you practice?
Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and the broader Southwest. The Arizona Salesperson license is the operative license for all Arizona engagements. Out-of-state engagements are coordinated with licensed cooperating brokers in the relevant state.
Are you a Series 82-licensed securities professional?
No. The Series 82 securities license is targeted for approximately 2027 for affiliation with a FINRA-registered broker-dealer. The practice does not currently solicit or facilitate the offer or sale of securities. All references to capital markets, capital partners, and distressed acquisitions describe real estate brokerage activity only.
How does the engagement fee model work?
Commission-based real estate brokerage representation per Arizona Department of Real Estate rules. Each engagement is documented in a separate listing or buyer-representation agreement specifying scope, commission rate, and term. Hourly consulting engagements are not typical but may be considered for specific advisory matters under separate fee arrangements with appropriate disclosures.
What about conflicts of interest?
Every engagement begins with a written conflict check. Pre-existing relationships with landlords, lenders, special servicers, or counterparties are disclosed before engagement. If a conflict makes representation inappropriate, the engagement is declined or referred to another professional, with notice given before any compensation is earned.
Do you work with other brokerages?
Yes. Many distressed property engagements involve co-brokerage with other Arizona-licensed brokerages. Commission sharing arrangements are documented in advance and disclosed to all parties. For matters requiring deep specialist expertise outside the practice scope, vetted external network specialists are brought in under commission sharing arrangements with full disclosure.
What does "Specialist" mean in your practice name?
The Specialist designation reflects substantive professional experience in the practice areas described, consistent with NAR Code of Ethics Standard of Practice 11-1. It is not a state-issued specialty certification. Practice-area depth and credential basis are available on request. The basis includes the Wharton Real Estate Investment & Analysis program (The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania), 15+ years of Arizona Salesperson licensure across residential brokerage (earlier with Venture Realty) and commercial brokerage (currently with Landmark ACM, LLC); AZ Broker prelicensing complete (state exam pending), Harvard Agentic AI Intensive (summer program), the UC Berkeley Civil Engineering / Construction Management foundation, Arizona KB-1 Commercial and Residential Contractor licensure (25 years; currently held under GWGC LLC), and substantive engagements across the eight practice areas.
How is AI used in the practice?
AI-augmented tools support research, distressed-asset screening, document review, and client deliverable drafting. Final professional judgment, legal compliance, valuation conclusions, and client communications are the responsibility of George Howell Ward and the supervising broker at Landmark ACM, LLC. AI-augmented does not mean AI-determined.
What information do you share with third parties?
The practice does not sell contact information to third-party marketers. Information necessary to complete an engagement is shared with possibly-matched specialists within Landmark ACM, with outside-firm brokerage partners under commission sharing arrangements, with introduced legal counsel, and with referred capital partners. Most engagements are intended to be handled in-house at Landmark ACM, with legal, tax, and financial advisors consulted directly by the client.
How do I verify your license?
Arizona Department of Real Estate license SA528635000 in the name of George Howell Ward. Verify at services.azre.gov/publicdatabase. Employing broker: Landmark ACM, LLC, 5112 N. 40th Street, Suite 202, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
What if my matter falls outside the eight practice areas?
If the matter is real-estate-adjacent the practice may still be able to help via a referral or co-brokerage arrangement with the appropriate specialist. The Distressed Property Specialists sister practice RenegotiateMyLease.com covers tenant-side lease renegotiation. For matters outside real estate (legal, tax, financial advisory, securities), the practice maintains a vetted external referral network and routinely makes introductions.