October 29, 2026
DCG congratulates Associate Peter Larsen, CCIM, on his recent promotion to Fire Captain. Below, Peter shares how his experience in public safety and property ownership shapes his approach to serving clients across the Northern Nevada commercial real estate market.
By Peter Larsen, CCIM | Associate, Dickson Commercial Group
Every call I’ve run in the fire service begins with a problem. Someone needs help, conditions aren’t always clear, and it’s your job to figure out what comes next.
My work in Reno commercial real estate starts much the same way. A tenant needs space that seems impossible to find. An owner is navigating a costly vacancy. A buyer sees an opportunity but needs a financing structure that makes it work.
The tools are different, but the approach is familiar: understand the situation, evaluate the options, and find a practical solution.
Recently, I was promoted to Fire Captain, a milestone that has given me another reason to reflect on how these two careers inform each other. Both depend on preparation, attention to detail, and the ability to stay focused when circumstances change.
I began investing in real estate in 2017, before earning my license or joining Dickson Commercial Group. I still invest today, and that experience shapes how I advise clients.
When an owner talks about a vacancy, an unexpected repair, or an approaching loan maturity, I understand the concern firsthand. Owning property changes how you evaluate a building. You see beyond the exterior to the income, expenses, maintenance obligations, and decisions that determine its performance.
One of my earliest commercial real estate investment lessons came from a property that looked promising on paper. Eager to fill a vacancy, I moved too quickly and didn’t thoroughly vet the tenant. The resulting eviction taught me something I still bring to conversations with owners: a vacancy is expensive, but the wrong tenant can cost considerably more.
That experience reinforced the importance of asking better questions before making a commitment.
As I continued investing, I regularly crossed paths with DCG principals Scott and Dom. Our conversations often turned to underwriting, property performance, and potential acquisitions. Eventually, they encouraged me to pursue brokerage.
I earned my real estate license in 2021 and joined DCG, bringing an investor’s perspective and a firefighter’s approach to problem-solving.
Working in the Northern Nevada commercial real estate market has allowed me to combine those interests. I evaluate opportunities as a broker, then consider them again as an owner who would have to manage the property and live with the financial outcome.
To deepen that foundation, I completed my MBA with a real estate concentration in 2025 and earned the CCIM designation. That education strengthened my approach to commercial real estate investment analysis, helping me examine a property’s income potential, financing, and risk with greater discipline.
The goal is to help clients understand both the opportunity and the obligations behind it.
This year has brought meaningful milestones at work and at home. My wife and I welcomed our third child, I joined the CCIM Northern Nevada Board of Directors, and I was promoted to Fire Captain.
Each role carries different responsibilities, but all require listening, preparation, and follow-through.
In the fire service, leadership means assessing conditions, communicating clearly, and making decisions with the information available. In brokerage, those habits help me guide clients through negotiations, evaluate challenges, and adjust when a transaction takes an unexpected turn.
The stakes and timelines are different, but being dependable matters in both.
My fire service background also influences how I walk a property. Before focusing on finishes, I notice construction, roof conditions, exits, and how the space is being used. Those observations help me identify questions that deserve further investigation during due diligence.
Just as important is staying calm when a client faces a difficult decision. An approaching lease expiration or a financing obstacle can create pressure. My role is to help clarify the problem, explain the options, and keep the process moving.
That is the perspective I bring to Reno commercial real estate: practical experience, careful analysis, and a commitment to finding solutions that support my clients’ goals.
Whether you’re navigating a vacancy, evaluating an acquisition, or planning your next commercial real estate investment, I welcome the opportunity to talk through the challenge.
Connect with Peter Larsen, CCIM, Associate at Dickson Commercial Group, to discuss your property and your next steps.
