Michael Cohen is the Managing Member and founder of Brighton Capital Advisors (BCA) formed to assist borrowers in need of loan modifications from their CMBS servicers. BCA is based out of Charlotte and specializes in all aspects of CMBS transactions on behalf of the borrower. Cohen has resume is extensive, as his past experiences include: Head of Southeast and MidAtlantic Originate for CMBS and CREF at Citi, UBS and Deutsche Bank, Chief Investment Officer at Allegiance Realty, and his latest endeavor, BCA, that separate him from other commercial real estate advisory groups.
Founded in 2020, BCA reflects Mr. Cohen’s entrepreneurial mindset as the enterprise juxtaposes conventional wisdom to create value. The business model is a wager against the broader economy, and its success-based fee structure aligns with the interests of the investor and borrower. In essence, BCA is an advisory firm providing access to real estate owners, investors, and principals in need of restructuring, workout, and recapitalization solutions.
BCA is uniquely positioned to reap the benefits of the high-interest rate climate and the lack of low cost financing options, as the federal reserve has made it clear that the days of quantitative easing are over. This trickle-down effect puts pressure on risk and credit professionals to scrutinize marginal commercial real estate loans and relationships that have been underperforming, often leading to those loans being removed from their balance sheets and restricting new loan originations. BCA’s clients range from Pension Fund Advisors, Public and Private REITs and Funds to single asset owners. BCA compliments the borrower and their counsel while negotiating loan modifications, Extensions or Assumptions as they understand how the servicer thinks, what bondholders require, and what their decision-making process entails.
Last year Mr. Cohen took a trip from Charlotte to speak at Elon’s real estate club. During the evening, he turned his full attention to the students and delivered a presentation that covered everything from internship tips to the intricacies of his vast CMBS knowledge. Mr. Cohen didn’t leave the room until every question was answered, and his passion for passing real estate knowledge to the next generation was evident from the moment he stepped into the room.
This all transpired in the spring of 2021 when attitudes about real estate economics were optimistic, and real estate professionals indulged in cheap money and low-interest rates with little afterthought. After the meeting, I distinctly remember Mr. Cohen predicting economic issues that are transpiring today; everything he said has happened to a tee. If you’re going through a commercial real estate issue, you should align yourself with the BCA team not only for their experience but it’s in your best interest to have someone with Mr. Cohen’s character in your corner.
