We offer a full suite of services with a client-focused perspective and hands-on approach. Lavista’s consistent performance attracts private and institutional owners, investors, developers, family offices, financial institutions and a diverse range of tenants seeking an accountable partner.
For more than 50 years, we have partnered with our clients to customize solutions, facilitate challenging situations and optimize results. We unite with local, regional and national tenants to execute strategic growth plans and apply market knowledge to achieve lasting success.
Our people are our most valuable resource and important investment. Lavista’s steadfast and experienced team applies decades of experience to each transaction to ensure client goals are achieved.
We grow with intention and operate with integrity. It’s how we’ve done business for the past 50 years and we are committed to the same guiding principles for the next 50 and beyond.
By The Numbers
Past Projects
We’ve been honored to work on many notable properties throughout our 50-year tenure.
Take a look at select past properties.
Our History
Lavista Corporation Formed
Donald G. Perry, Jr. (50%) partner with Tom Forkner (25%) and Joe Rogers, Sr. (25%) Office: 2133 Lavista Executive Park, Tucker, GA
Initial Services were Land Development, Land Acquisition and Land Syndication
Added Commercial Brokerage Service: Land
First Recession
Market bust after years of boom times – First market transition to foreclosed property.
Added Commercial Brokerage Service: Industrial
Firm Growth
Firm grows as a result of the Georgia Tech connection, adding Bobby Mayson (1975), Tom Cape (1976), Art Murray (1978), Rob Binion (1983), and many others over time.
New Corporate Identity
Transitioned from Lavista Corporation to Lavista Associates, Inc. Bought out Tom Forkner and Joe Rogers, Sr. completely.
Workout Phase
C&S Bank first big Foreclosed Property client with about 30 listings in Peachtree Corners (Developer Paul Duke land)
Added Commercial Property Management
Added Corporate Brokerage Services
Added Office Leasing, Investment Sales & Retail Brokerage.
Second Recession
Inflation and high interest rates, but no major crisis like the first recession in 1975.
Added Commercial Brokerage Service: Fee Development
Third Major Recession
Inflation caused a boom that collapsed in 1988 along with the Savings and Loan industry. Second market transition to foreclosed property. Managed, leased, redeveloped and sold REO assets for 40 plus lenders.
Markets Boom After Recession
Recession ended and switched back to private market.
Shareholders Expanded
Key agents were brought into company ownership. Firm always to be agent owned.
Lavista.com
Internet is widely adopted and lavista.com is established.
Fourth Recession
2001 World Trade Center destruction created severe but brief slowdown after the Dot Com bust of 2000. Markets froze for about 5 months.
Fifth Recession
Extremely severe recession began in November 2008. Fortunate to have had good cash reserves and no debt.
Third Foreclosed Property Shift
Banks and other financial institutions become clients again. We manage and sell over 600 commercial assets for more than 50 different institutions. Business strong late 2009-2010. Managed more than 125 properties at one time at peak. Hired temp (turned out to be 4+ years) accounting and management personnel. By 2015, real estate back in private hands. Our business was as good in the recession as in the preceding boom.
Property Type Expansion
Promised the banks we would represent any commercial property with a building. We eventually managed and sold motels, car washes, convenience stores, self-storage, day care, RV parks, and boat storage as well as office, industrial, and retail properties.
Moved To Buckhead
Expanded and diversified into all Metro Atlanta submarkets. Also expanded our geographic footprint throughout the state of Georgia.
Brief Sixth Recession
Beginning of Covid-19 pandemic disrupts the world and our business, but the downturn is brief. Business returns in late 2020.
Business Booms
Fastest return of business ever as vaccines are introduced and world investment booms. Hot markets in real estate, stocks, commodities and homes sales as interest rates hover near zero. All time record business year.
Geographic Expansion
Clients and opportunities led us to expand throughout the Southeast for Investment Sale transactions and client tenant-rep leasing in the Midwest and Northeast. We became licensed in 9 states.
50th Anniversary
Lavista celebrates its 50th year in business.
Firm Expansion
5 new agents added to the Firm.