Craig Fernsler’s Biography
Craig Fernsler has spent more than 35 years working in commercial real estate, investment strategy, and long-term wealth preservation. As a Realtor and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), he has focused on helping clients make informed decisions about commercial and investment properties, with an emphasis on profitability, tax efficiency, asset growth, and financial stability.
Craig's reputation has been built through years of direct experience in the real estate industry as both an advisor and investor. He understands the realities of negotiating transactions, managing properties, evaluating risk, and structuring deals because he has personally worked through those challenges.
Craig's experience covers a wide range of commercial and investment properties, including single-family investment homes, apartment buildings, retail strip centers, development land, and vacation properties. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to helping clients improve cash flow and build long-term wealth.
A Specialist in Complex Real Estate Strategies
One of the key elements of his career has been his understanding of advanced real estate and tax strategies. While many investors know how to acquire property, fewer understand how to structure transactions that help preserve wealth and reduce unnecessary tax burdens. This is an area where he has provided significant value to clients.
Over the years, Craig has assisted investors with 1031 Exchanges, Cost Segregation Strategies, Installment Sales, Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), Deferred Sales Trusts, and NNN net-leased retail property transactions.
Most investors do not commonly encounter these strategies. In many cases, clients seek his guidance because they need complex concepts explained clearly and understandably.
Building Wealth Through Personal Investment Experience
Craig's knowledge of investment real estate began with the purchase of his first investment property in 1989.
Since then, he has personally bought and sold approximately $19.3 million in commercial and investment real estate. He has also owned and operated multiple limited liability companies connected to his investment activities.
This experience provides a perspective that many professionals lack. He understands the challenges investors face because he has experienced them firsthand. He has dealt with ownership concerns, financing issues, market fluctuations, ongoing responsibilities, and financial obligations.
Since 2000, Craig has purchased and developed several hundred acres of land across multiple counties and two states for both brokerage activities and personal investments. His long-term success as an investor has helped build trust among clients who view him as more than a broker, but as someone who understands real estate’s role in creating generational wealth.
Leadership Within the Commercial Real Estate Industry
Craig's professional achievements have earned recognition throughout the commercial real estate industry, particularly through his involvement with the CCIM organization.
The Certified Commercial Investment Member designation is one of the most respected credentials in commercial real estate. It is awarded to only a small percentage of commercial real estate professionals nationwide and reflects expertise in investment, market, and transaction analysis.
Craig's involvement with CCIM has extended well beyond earning the designation. In 2015, he served as Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Region for CCIM International and was a member of its International Board of Directors. Earlier, he served as President of the PA/NJ/DE CCIM Chapter in 2012.
Today, Craig continues to support the industry through service on the CCIM National Government Affairs Committee and the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors Board of Directors, while also working as a Real Estate Instructor. He also holds Series 22 and 63 securities licenses, further broadening his understanding of investment-related financial structures and strategies.
Grounded by Community, Family, and Service
Craig has achieved a great deal throughout his career while maintaining the same level of commitment in his personal life. He remains active in charitable and community organizations, including One House At A Time (Beds for Kids), the Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia, and the Animal Coalition of Delaware County.
Craig is also a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge and serves as a trustee within his church. Friends and colleagues often describe him as someone who values relationships, loyalty, and service as highly as professional achievement.
Outside of work, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife of many years, their two adult sons, and the family’s Golden Doodle. He is also an avid golfer and holds a scuba diving certification.
At every stage of his career, Craig Fernsler has focused on helping people make informed real estate decisions that create long-term financial value. His experience as an investor, technical knowledge, and practical approach have made him a trusted advisor for investors seeking guidance supported by decades of real-world experience.