In this new series, we ask industry leaders in the CRE market how they entered the business and what they have learned along the way.
Anna Kampling is a first VP with CBRE’s Southern California multifamily investment sales team. She specializes in middle‑market and institutional apartment sales across Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Prior to joining CBRE, Kampling closed more than $500M million in multifamily transactions at Colliers, working in both private capital and institutional investment sales. She will be a speaker at the Crittenden Report Finance Conference in May.
How did you get your start in CRE finance?
I was doing marketing and graphic design for tech startups in San Francisco right out of college, and they kept going under. My fiancé worked for Institutional Property Advisors while he was in college at USC, and he asked why I hadn’t considered commercial real estate. I was outgoing and good at talking, so sales made sense. I thought, ‘Why not?’ I cold‑called all the major brokerage houses and landed a job at Colliers.
What do you enjoy most about working in this business?
I am on the broker side, so I love the business development process. You start the day with nothing and come out with something. Then, watching it grow into a real deal and getting it across the finish line is the best feeling.
What is the best advice you have received in your career?
You can’t do everything yourself. You need help to be successful, and you should seek it and accept it when it shows up.
What types of deals are you focused on right now?
Institutional multifamily deals with 100+ units in Southern California.
What trends are you seeing in the market today?
Foreign capital coming to core markets, Class A+ locations regardless of location still trading at strong low caps, older product staying on the market longer and the California political climate still affecting stateside buyers.
What are you watching most closely in the year ahead?
I’m praying a wealth tax isn’t imposed. I will also be watching November’s mayor and governor elections. California’s fate isn’t sealed yet, but another four years of bad policies could make it harder.
