Karbank Blog

Tell us about Karbank.
Karbank Real Estate Company is an industrial and office real estate brokerage and development company.  We focus on our particular area of expertise.  We don't try to cover all parts of the real estate business. We stay focused on our niche, but we're very good at that niche.  The brokers and staff at our company are top-notch. Olen Monsees, President of our brokerage company, has been with the company for 41 years.  Jim Wassberg, our CFO, for 30 years.  Our approach is long-term.  We understand what clients want and what clients need. 

2010 is a notable year for Karbank!
Yes, it's our 60th anniversary year. Our company was founded in 1950 by my father Barney Karbank. Our approach to the real estate business over those 60 years has been remarkably consistent: high-quality representation for our clients and high-quality buildings in our developments. 

Do you have any celebrations planned?
Yes, but they'll be low keyed. We had large celebrations for our 25th and for our 50th anniversaries with clients. We’ll celebrate our 60th with our brokers, our staff and our families.

What have the past 60 years taught you about real estate in Kansas City?
I've been with the company for 30 of the 60 years.  Between my father, Olen, and other folks at our company, I've had the opportunity to learn from the best.  Know the market, understand the client's needs and motivations, focus on the details and prevent mistakes rather than have to rectify them.  Over time one develops a sixth sense about the real estate market and about transactions, what makes sense and what doesn’t.  Part of that is the experience of doing a lot of transactions, but part is an enjoyment of the work and a fascination with the real estate business.  The right strategy, the right solutions aren’t necessarily obvious to the client.  The key is to help them understand the right solutions and then get the deals done in a professional and timely manner. 

Real estate in Kansas City? I have mixed feelings, particularly about Kansas City, MO. 
 

I was recently looking through our company scrap books, containing articles, photos and deal information going back 60 years.  One article that caught my attention was an interview that the Kansas City Star did with my father 35 years ago.  He talked about ill-conceived tax incentive policies of municipalities and counties in the Kansas City area, particularly In Kansas City, MO. Here we are 35 years later and the issue is still relevant, but in a much more insidious way than it has been in the past.  The problem is that Kansas City, Missouri is gutting its tax-base by incentivizing non-tax-paying development.

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