CBRE has appointed Robert Koontz as Head of Multifamily Debt Capital Markets. Koontz previously held a comparable position at Freddie Mac, the company announced on Monday. Koontz, who spent 17 years at Freddie Mac and most recently served as Head of Multifamily Capital Markets at the government-sponsored enterprise, joined CBRE on 6 July. This appointment is part of the brokerage firm's efforts to expand its mortgage lending business for multifamily properties.
Koontz will report to James Millon, Co-Head of Capital Markets, and will work closely with Kelli Carhart. Carhart is Head of Multifamily Capital Markets and previously worked alongside Koontz at Freddie Mac before joining CBRE in 2022.
Strategic Expansion and Market Growth
Kelli Carhart told Commercial Observer that Robert Koontz, as a free agent, is not only extremely talented but also one of those individuals you absolutely want to acquire as soon as they become available. She emphasised that CBRE is bringing in a personality who acts as a platform developer, a cultural fit, a leader and a visionary.
At Freddie Mac, Koontz developed the GSE's K-Deal CMBS programme, which launched in 2009. At CBRE, he will focus on expanding balance sheet and risk transfer strategies, which will also increasingly include bridge debt offerings such as bridge-to-agency loans. Koontz, who will divide his time between Washington, D.C. and New York, strengthens CBRE during a growth phase for multifamily finance. According to Carhart, lending volume for 2025 exceeded USD 30 billion, with volume increasing by 60 per cent this year.
Competitive Advantage through Integrated Platform
Robert Koontz stated that the combination of origination capabilities, market intelligence and an integrated platform across commercial property sales and investment banking creates a clear competitive advantage for clients. He looks forward to working with the team to drive execution and expand offerings for borrowers and investors in the multifamily sector nationwide.
- —Robert Koontz worked at Freddie Mac for 17 years.
- —There, he led Multifamily Capital Markets.
- —At CBRE, his focus is on expanding balance sheet and risk transfer strategies.
- —Multifamily lending volume has increased by 60% this year.
