James Nelson

James Nelson is Principal and Head of Avison Young’s Tri-State Investment Sales group where he leads a group of three dozen professionals in the sale of multi-family, office, development and retail properties. Throughout his 20-year career, James has been involved in the sale of over 400 properties and loans with an aggregate value of over $4 billion. He has worked with all types of investors in the most competitive market in the world. Having taught at New York University, James understands how to break down a real estate traction to its most basis components while also being able to explain the most complex structures that exist today.

Prior to joining Avison Young, James served as Vice Chairman of Cushman and Wakefield, where he was ranked as the number one investment sales broker nationwide in 2016. Previously, James was a partner and top producer for Massey Knakal for six years and was named the company’s youngest partner in 2004.

James is the Chairman of the Real Estate Board of New York’s Commercial Board of Directors, a member of the Counselors of Real Estate and Young Men’s and Women’s Real Estate Association of New York (YMWREA), and Founder of the Real Estate Services Alliance and the Colgate Real Estate Council. He has received numerous distinctions including being named The Commercial Observer’s 100 Most Powerful, A Top Deal Maker by LoopNet, Real Estate Forum’s 40 Under 40, Top 35 and Under NYC Real Estate Players by The Real Deal.