ABOUT

COASTAL REALTY

We are Coastal Realty, the largest volume, full service commercial real estate firm serving Cameron County.

Since our founding back in 1962, we have carved out a reputation for providing comprehensive services based on extensive market knowledge.

And while we’re big enough to serve clients of all types and budgets, we’re still a family-owned business of Brownsville natives. This gives us a unique perspective on commercial real estate while allowing us to out strategize the competition.

Coastal Realty has been at the forefront of the Southern Texas market for decades. Our clients can leverage our knowledge to their own strategic advantage through innovative planning, market insight, and improved execution and management. Best of all, we can align our clients’ commercial real estate endeavors with their long-term business strategies.

Coastal Realty offers benefits to both sellers and buyers of investment properties, handling all aspects of an acquisition or sale. Moreover, our brokerage division maintains a massive inventory of diverse, profitable commercial real estate space. With a team of experts that
is second-to-none, we can provide more efficient marketing techniques and thorough servicing to every client, from listing to closing and beyond.

MARK BARNARD
Managing Broker

Mark heads up the commercial department and specializes in complex commercial land development transactions, build-to-suit projects and development coordination. Mark has developed multiple projects, including a high-end residential subdivision, and has recently completed transactions for Space X, Columbia Valley Regional Medical Center, Alps Automotive, Taco Bell and Lowes.

Mark is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where he received a B.B.A. in Real Estate. He is currently pursuing his CCIM designation from the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute.

Prior to joining Coastal Realty, Mark served a Projects Development Manager for The Drennan Company where he was involved in the development and leasing of major commercial projects across the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas.

One of Mark’s priorities is to continue his Grandfather’s Legacy of providing professional, quality service to our clients and to raise up his children to grow and expand the family business, holding to the same high standards of excellence.

JIMMY BARNARD
Commercial Broker

First getting his license in 1975, Jimmy specializes in sales, development, leasing, and management of commercial and industrial property. Jimmy has completed projects that included these national clients: CVS Pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Target, Applebee’s, Subway, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and McCoys.

Jimmy, who holds a CSM (Certified Shopping Center Manager) from International Council of Shopping Centers, is a graduate of Texas A&M University in Kingsville where he received a B.B.A. in Real Estate Finance. He is also a graduate of Leadership Brownsville and Leadership Rio Grande Valley. Prior to joining Coastal Realty in 1986, Jimmy worked in Retail Management, Banking and Mortgage Banking. He has also served as the General Manager of River Bend Resort & Golf Club since 2020.

Assemblages, Projects & 1031 Exchanges:

  • Ebony Parkway, completed in 2002, included a 220 unit tax credit apartment project (Rancho del Cielo), an elementary school, an 84 lot residential subdivision and a 23 acre church site.
  • Morrison Crossing – Completed in 2005, 38 Acre Retail Development which includes Home Depot, Kohls, Dollar Tree, Cavenders, Jason’s Deli, Chik-fil-a, Wendy’s, etc.
  • Walmart – 36 Acres on Highway 48 @ FM 802
  • CVS Shopping Center – FM 802 @ San Marcelo, and Central Blvd @ Boca Chica 2 Acres.
  • Morrison Crossing #2
  • Cameron County Cotton Gin
  • Palm Village Shopping Center Acquisition and Revitalization, 2022

BARRY BATSELL
Commercial Agent

Barry joined Coastal Realty in 2006. His family first came to the Rio Grande Valley in 1907, when his great-grandfather arrived in Brownsville to work as a customs patrol officer. Barry’s grandfather started Batsell’s Sporting Goods in 1927 and was a main stay in Brownsville for more than 70 years. Barry’s many years as a successful businessman in the Valley and Hunting & Fishing Lodge owner/operator in Mexico have proven very beneficial to him as a commercial realtor. He is fluent in Spanish and has continued to stay in touch with his many friends and business associates in Mexico. Due in part to the personal and business relationships of his family, built up over generations, Barry has been very successful in both commercial property as well as the South Texas ranch market. Barry would enjoy getting to know you and would love to help you in any future real estate transactions.

JEREMY BARNARD
Commercial Agent

After being licensed in 2009 Jeremy has had a wealth of management and leasing experience. He has been a regional manager for the Drennan companies overseeing 18 of its self storage facilities (Storage Depot) as well as leasing for their industrial warehouses. Jeremy spent 5 years as Project Manager/General Manager for River Bend Golf Course managing day to day operations and project planning. Since his return to Coastal in 2019 Jeremy has been very successful in Commercial Leasing and Property Management. Jeremy has a degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University.

STEPHEN MAURO
Commercial Agent

Stephen Mauro came to south Texas in 1980 as the son of a farmer, Realtor, and developer. He followed in his father’s footsteps and joined in the family businesses. He also developed his own small real estate financing and farming company. He has always believed God is the creator of all and he is merely a steward of all that God has placed in his hands. In 2020 Stephen had the opportunity to bring his background in farming and experience in financing to join the Coastal Realty team. He hopes to continue serving his community in any way that he can!

Coastal Legacy

SAMUEL BARNARD
Commercial Agent

Samuel Barnard was born and raised in Brownsville, TX. During his teenage years he worked at Coastal Realty helping with the management of properties. He graduated from Oral Roberts University in 2002 with his Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Sam moved back to Brownsville, TX in 2005 to join his family in the Commercial Real Estate business at Coastal Realty. Sam was instrumental in managing the company financials. He worked in property management, leasing, and sales until he graduated to Heaven in 2015.

CECILIA FORD BARNARD
Commercial Broker

Cecilia joined her father at Coastal Realty in 1968 and became the Owner-Manager in 1973. She earned her GRI designation from the Texas Realtors Institute and received an S.R.A. designation from the Society of Real Estate Appraisers (now the Appraisal Institute). After serving the real estate needs of Brownsville and Cameron County for more than 27 years, she took early retirement to pursue her undergraduate studies in New York and received her bachelor degree from Skidmore College in 1997. Upon returning to Texas in 1998 she resumed a career in commercial real estate. Cecilia retired once more in 2008. Cecilia remains a major asset to the company with her vast experience and multitude following of customers who are thankful for the work Cecilia did for them.

CECIL FORD
Founder

Cecil founded the privately held firm of Coastal Realty in 1962. Mr. Ford’s desire was to service the needs of land buyers in southern Cameron County and South Padre Island. Prior to entering the real estate industry, Mr. Ford, who moved to the Valley in 1922, was a farmer producing cotton, grain, and vegetable crops. Mr. Ford was active in real estate until his retirement and enjoyed watching this “third generation” company lead the market in service and volume in Cameron County until his death in December 1992.

Strategic real estate investing can be easy.

We do it all (so you don’t have to).

12 Tips for Strategic Commercial
Real Estate Transactions

Twelve amazing tips that will help you value your property, lease vacant
space
, and find the perfect location for your business.

  • Establish a pricing strategy
  • Understand investors’ points of interest
  • Know your market
  • Attracting tenants
  • Lease vs. Buy
  • Much more!