Interview for "20 People to Know in Real Estate"
It was a sincere honor to be spotlighted as someone to know in real estate by Louisville Business First! I wanted to share with you some of the content of our recent discussion.
Why did you get into the real estate business? I got into the real estate business because I was always inspired by the possibilities of urban development and ultimately the economics of a community. As a child, I was always energized in seeing the city grow, and as I matured, I wanted to become a part of that growth and use my talents to open up opportunities for others. Building deep relationships, which is the centerpiece of this business, has been the most rewarding part of this growth and culmination of inspiration.
What are some up-and-coming areas to look out for in Louisville real estate?In Louisville, we’re blessed to have many different up-and-coming areas to keep an eye on. I am most intrigued by the enormous amount of growth possibilities that continue to exist in our urban corridors of NuLu, Butchertown and Clifton.
What makes Louisville an attractive area for people/companies looking to relocate here? Louisville is attractive for many, many reasons. We are a community with an inherent logistics and distribution advantage in terms of our geography. Additionally, our culture is extremely unique in its history and I believe is one that incubates honesty, individuality and creativity. I also believe that the economic ecosystem in Louisville is much more collaborative than other cities, and most participants can attest that they have a great support of others to succeed.
What barriers must be addressed to make Louisville a more attractive place to live and do business? Priority No. 1 must be to support the growth that is in such high demand for our city. For too many years, the hugely vocal small group of individuals have intimidated and blocked many projects that could have provided an opportunity for the city to prosper beyond our past results. We must become vigorously engaged and support legislation to make it easier for developers to create jobs, amenities, housing opportunities and ultimately the tax base. This is hugely imperative so our city can be competitive and reach its full potential as a true city in the 21st century and beyond. I firmly believe that we either grow or face a decline — there is no in-between.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to build a real estate portfolio? I would advise those who desire to build a real estate portfolio to first set goals for why you are intending to embark upon this venture. This may sound elementary, but it has to be the very first step because the road is extremely challenging and if you have a strong enough reason for why you are building this portfolio, you will not give up in the process.
Describe an experience with a client that was very gratifying to you? Anytime I have an opportunity to work with a client, I am grateful for the opportunity. I had a deal recently where I represented an organization that disposed of an apartment community that had served their purposes extremely well for several decades. At the point in which we sold the property, we were able to locate a local investor who took the baton and is tremendously excited for the opportunity to reposition the property even further. I love how real estate transactions can help solve problems for one set of individuals and create opportunities simultaneously.
What do you wish more people understood about the way your business operates? I wish people understood the amount of behind-the-scenes work it takes to get anything done in this business. Whether it is years of building a relationship, months of market and financial analysis, months or years in negotiating a deal and so many more processes, I think those with extreme fortitude are the ones who ultimately triumph. I respect so many people in this business that have exemplified this perseverance for decades. They deserve all of the rewards of that effort.