Altus Group Sells Canadian Appraisals Business to Newmark Group
Altus Group announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Canadian Appraisals business to an affiliate of Newmark Group. The acquisition is expected to close on or about March 1 subject to customary closing conditions. Altus' Canadian Appraisals business will become part of Newmark's Valuation & Advisory offering. Newmark has also entered into a multi-year license agreement with Altus Group for global access to ARGUS Intelligence, among its other software and data offerings, expanding Newmark's Valuation & Advisory's performance analytics software and data subscriptions. Altus Group's Canadian commercial real estate Appraisal business has been a leading advisor to institutional funds, REITs, lenders, developers, property owners and public-sector entities, having operations in Canada for over 25 years with eight offices, over 140 professionals and more than 3,000 clients. As part of the acquisition, Newmark has named Colin Johnston, former President of Altus' Canadian Appraisals business and one of the industry's preeminent valuation professionals with over 30 years of experience in the CRE sector, as Head of Valuation & Advisory Services, Canada.
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- Acquisition Announcement: Altus Group has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Canadian Appraisals business to Newmark, expected to close around March 1, 2026, which will enhance Newmark's Valuation & Advisory services and expand its market share.
- Software Licensing Agreement: Newmark has signed a multi-year license agreement with Altus for global access to ARGUS Intelligence and other software, enhancing its performance analytics software and data subscriptions, which is anticipated to drive revenue growth.
- Market Impact: Altus' Canadian Appraisals business has served over 3,000 clients for more than 25 years, and this acquisition will significantly strengthen Newmark's operations in Canada, further solidifying its leadership position in the commercial real estate sector.
- Leadership Change: Newmark has appointed Colin Johnston as Head of Valuation & Advisory Services, Canada, bringing over 30 years of experience in the commercial real estate sector, which will enhance Newmark's expertise and competitive edge in the market.
- Acquisition Announcement: Altus Group has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Canadian Appraisal business to Newmark, with the deal expected to close around March 1, 2026, enhancing Newmark's Valuation & Advisory services and expanding its market presence in Canada.
- Software Licensing Agreement: Newmark has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Altus for ARGUS Intelligence, aimed at enhancing performance analytics capabilities within its Valuation & Advisory business, which is expected to drive growth in recurring revenue streams.
- Industry Impact: Altus' Canadian Appraisal business has supported institutional funds, REITs, and public sector clients for over 25 years, and this acquisition will allow Newmark to leverage its strong reputation and client base to further solidify its market position.
- Leadership Change: Newmark has appointed Colin Johnston as Head of Valuation & Advisory Services, Canada, bringing over 30 years of experience in the CRE sector, which will provide Newmark with deeper local market insights and enhanced service capabilities.
- Market Plunge: CBRE's stock plummeted 13.5% in midday trading, marking its largest drop since the Covid pandemic and the global financial crisis, indicating investor concerns over high-fee, labor-intensive business models potentially vulnerable to AI disruption.
- Sector Rotation: Commercial real estate brokers have sold off for a second consecutive day, with Jones Lang LaSalle and Hudson Pacific Properties falling 12.5% and 8%, respectively, reflecting a pessimistic market sentiment as investors shift towards more defensive sectors.
- AI's Far-Reaching Impact: An essay by OtherSide AI's CEO Matt Shumer claimed that AI will drastically reduce entry-level white-collar jobs, with the impact expected to surpass that of Covid, as the article garnered 30 million views within 24 hours, intensifying fears in the commercial real estate sector.
- Strong Fundamentals Persist: Despite the bearish market sentiment, CBRE reported a fourth-quarter core earnings beat of $2.73 per share, exceeding expectations, and forecasts core EPS between $7.30 and $7.60 for the year, demonstrating the company's competitive edge in complex deal-making through deep knowledge and relationships.
- Exclusive Leasing Appointment: Newmark Group has been appointed as the exclusive leasing agent for Comstock's premier office portfolio in the Dulles Corridor, managing over 3.2 million square feet of high-quality office assets, showcasing the company's strong influence in the high-end commercial real estate market.
- Market Positioning Advantage: Comstock's properties are renowned for their iconic design and exceptional accessibility and amenities, while Newmark aims to attract tenants seeking premium workspaces by integrating local execution with deep market demand insights from both Virginia and Washington, DC teams.
- Regional Market Dynamics: According to Newmark Research, the Northern Virginia office market is stabilizing, with sustained interest in Trophy and Class A assets, reflecting strong demand for transit-accessible and amenity-rich submarkets, indicating ongoing growth potential in the region's commercial real estate sector.
- Comprehensive Service Platform: Newmark provides a full suite of commercial real estate services globally, generating over $3.1 billion in revenue as of September 30, 2025, demonstrating its leadership position and strong market adaptability within the industry.
- Exclusive Leasing Appointment: Newmark Group has been appointed as the exclusive leasing agent for Comstock's premier office portfolio in the Dulles Corridor, managing over 3.2 million square feet of prime office assets, marking a significant expansion in the high-end commercial real estate market.
- Market Demand Analysis: According to Newmark Research, the Northern Virginia office market is stabilizing, with sustained interest in Trophy and Class A assets, indicating strong demand for transit-accessible and amenity-rich submarkets, reflecting evolving market dynamics.
- Team Integration Advantage: Newmark will integrate its Virginia and Washington, DC office agency teams, leveraging local execution capabilities and deep understanding of tech-driven tenant demand to provide a differentiated market strategy that enhances client attraction.
- Regional Development Potential: Comstock's properties are situated in amenity-rich, transit-accessible environments, representing one of the largest privately held office portfolios in Northern Virginia, supporting the region's transformation into a desirable live-work-play environment with significant strategic implications.
- Financing Arrangement: Newmark successfully arranged a $415 million loan for DRA Advisors and KPR Centers to refinance a primarily grocery-anchored retail portfolio totaling approximately 2.4 million rentable square feet, showcasing Newmark's strong capabilities in commercial real estate financing.
- Portfolio Characteristics: The portfolio consists of 13 open-air shopping centers located in densely populated markets in the Northeast, with 12 assets anchored by grocery tenants, indicating a robust market position and barriers to entry that are expected to provide stable cash flow for investors.
- Asset Management Scale: Since its inception in 1986, DRA Advisors has managed approximately $11.6 billion in assets and has acquired around $42 billion in real estate, demonstrating its deep expertise and market influence in real estate investment management.
- Market Expansion: KPR Centers has expanded its retail and industrial property investments across 19 states, leveraging its in-house leasing and management capabilities to maximize asset value through proactive leasing and redevelopment, further solidifying its competitive advantage in the market.









