Wexler’s Real Estate Research

Hardly a week goes by without octogenarian Alan Wexler being quoted as an expert resource in the columns of the Atlanta Business Chronicle or the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Wexler is the CEO, president and founder of Databank Inc., a commercial real estate research firm that reports on property values, sales, and rental and occupancy rates. Wexler, robust at 82, started the firm in 1970. Clients have included the IRS, HUD, City of Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, U.S. Justice Department, CB Richard-Ellis, Cushman-Wakefield, Trammell Crow, Gables Residential, Post Properties, and Pulte Homes.

Assessing today’s market, Wexler said, “Atlanta right now is one of the ‘kings’ of U.S. real estate. Money is literally flowing in here. Our prices are low compared to what values are in L.A., Texas, or the Northeast. Outside investors have seen their money doubled or tripled here in 2-5 years. Actually, this is the hottest market I have ever seen, especially multi-family.”

One of Wexler’s biggest assignments was advising the Atlanta Housing Authority what they should charge in various markets. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, then earned an MA in political science. While at UGA, he was the editor of the Red and Black newspaper (a “big deal”) and president of the fraternity Tau Epsilon Phi. His professional career began with reporting for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Gainesville Daily News, Columbus Ledger, Carrollton Times-Free Press and Carroll County Georgian. He was also a staff member of Economic Opportunity Atlanta and an administrative assistant to former senator Johnny Johnson, who directed the nation’s first Model Cities program. Following those experiences, he took a position with the Carroll County Division of Family & Children Services.

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When asked to describe more precisely what he does, Wexler muses, “Basically I put a lot of thought into the process and keeping the database updated for professionals who value my opinion to do studies that work. I’ve been doing this for 52 years. You don’t have to go to MIT or Georgia Tech to manage an excellent computer system. In addition to keeping the info on sales, they do weekly reports and custom research. All this helps with selling and timing that brokers, owners, appraisers, and lenders need. We do their homework for them, revealing how to get in touch with the movers and shakers behind the scenes. Often that requires getting down deep.”

At 82, Alan Wexler continues to help “machers” make important Atlanta real estate decisions.

Top-tier businesses like Sprouts, Whole Foods, Kroger and QT have come to Databank for insight and instantaneous answers.

Jaffe: What about office space vitality coming out of COVID versus Zoom?
Wexler: “It’s still alive.”

Jaffe: Why are you always in the newspapers?
Wexler: The reporters have a hotline to me. Some are straight real estate reporters; others have general economic questions on land use. Commenting on a mall as a tear-down for example, what values are at their core.

Jaffe: Brokers need me …
Wexler: Brokers are prime users and want to convince buyers that what they are selling is worth it, what comparables have sold at, so he/she has the best shot at getting the asking price.

Wexler is still an advocate for social action, chairing that Ahavath Achim Synagogue committee. He most recently served as a chairman for Atlanta Hunger Walk and as a board of trustees member of AA. He was also instrumental in improving programs like Habitat for Humanity and the Hunger Walk, one of his first major efforts (started by Helen Cavalier, of blessed memory).

Wexler is most proud of his son, Adam, who was just named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “40 Under 40” list for his fantasy sports marketing company, and daughter, Kara, a marketing whiz for L’Oreal Cosmetics in New York City.