Caine Commercial and KDS join forces in real estate merger, creating KDS Caine
June 3, 2024
Local CRE companies leverage identical cultures, strong relationships, and entrepreneurial approach to serving clients and real estate professionals in the Upstate
KDS Caine announced today the merger of its legacy companies Coldwell Banker Commercial Caine and KDS Commercial Properties. Building on more than a century of combined service to the Upstate’s commercial real estate market, KDS Caine blends personalized service and agility with the capability of handling clients of all sizes.
Stephen Edgerton, CEO, and Mark Ratchford, President, will lead the new entity. Mark Masaschi will provide senior leadership as Partner, and Brad Halter will serve as Chairman.
“We are thrilled by the opportunity this merger brings to our community,” said Edgerton. “KDS Caine represents two great, locally owned and operated companies that have decided to join forces, leveraging each other’s complementary strengths, to better serve the Upstate’s commercial market. We are totally focused on the future of our vibrant and growing community and those who want to invest in it.”
Among many shared, synergistic strengths bolstering the deal, KDS Caine will combine outstanding leadership in the brokerage business with well-established property management services, allowing KDS Caine to serve the brokerage client beyond the sale or lease of an asset. The company’s newly combined team is backed by highly experienced commercial real estate professionals with decades of industry knowledge.
In early conversations regarding the merger, Ratchford noticed an obvious fit between the two companies’ cultures. “In real estate mergers and acquisitions, culture is the number one factor that can make or break a deal. Our cultures were identical – our teams are collaborative, relationship-oriented, and unrelenting when it comes to maintaining a personalized level of service despite a rapidly growing market. So, coming together was a natural progression.”
Masaschi, who serves as local development partner for the billion-dollar County Square project, is no stranger to Caine Company. In 2002 he joined Coldwell Banker Commercial Caine as a broker, and by 2005 he was the top producing broker for the firm.
“Adding ‘Caine’ to the KDS name feels like coming home for me,” he said. “This new brand has a wonderful personality. We’re full-service with a national reputation, but we’re still ‘boutique’ and local. And we cater to the real estate entrepreneur – the professional who wants to explore different areas of commercial real estate and build a career with a team supporting them.”
Halter, a third-generation Realtor and grandson of Caine Company founder Bubber Caine, looks forward to remaining engaged in the new company’s direction as Chairman. “I’ve led our commercial brokerage team since my brother Caine’s passing in 2007, and I’m grateful to have exceptional new partners leading the team into the next generation. I couldn’t be happier to see the creation of KDS Caine and serve as its Chairman.”
KDS Caine’s leadership team is committed to building on their shared legacies of putting people first, supporting their community, and maintaining a forward-thinking mindset of embracing opportunities in an evolving market.
Caine Company will continue serving families and individuals in the Upstate through its residential brokerage, Coldwell Banker Caine, and in-house insurance agency, Caine Hayes Insurance.
About KDS Caine
KDS Caine delivers commercial real estate services for businesses and developers of all sizes through strong relationships, local market expertise, and diligent forethought. For our clients, finding your place in the Upstate isn’t about simply buying, leasing, and selling, but ensuring you receive the best experience to drive high level results for your business.
With expertise in office space, commercial land, industrial/warehouse building, retail space, and investment properties, we bring a personalized approach to everything we do backed by highly experienced brokers with decades of industry knowledge. In addition to our commercial brokerage operations, we provide in depth services for property management, site selection, development and construction project management, investment consulting, and economic incentive negotiation so you can save time and capital knowing your properties are in capable hands.
Through exceptional service, we’re dedicated to fostering relationships with founders, developers, and businesses to continue investing in our community and delivering steadfast guidance and results to the clients, brokers, and colleagues we work with.
