(Crystal Proenza is associate editor of Real Estate Florida.)

MIAMI-This week, locally based Related Group expanded its real estate services by forming Related Asset Advisors, a company that will focus on providing financial advice and resources for troubled real estate assets. Many of Related's employees are already involved in the financing, marketing and positioning of products, executive vice president Joyce Bronson tells GlobeSt.com, and this multi-service group will branch out to help residential and commercial lenders and owners that may be experiencing financial hardship.

The company will offer services such as asset management, loan workouts, construction management, property management, sales and leasing expertise. The group consists of three main executives--Bronson and senior vice presidents Oscar Rodriguez and Barbara Salk--and access to numerous experts throughout the company and its affiliates, says Bronson.

"This tumultuous market and uncertain economy has caused a significant number of real estate projects in varying states of completion to fall back to lenders," said Matt Allen, chief operating officer of the Related Group, in a release. "Related Asset Advisors will offer not only our expertise, but in certain cases may make available additional financial resources to help lenders complete unfinished projects in a cost-efficient manner and increase their sales potential."