FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017
PROFILE AND LEADERSHIP
By: Australia Gordon
AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL
BB13
Real Estate Execu�ve Excels in Business, Impacts Lives
Kevin Morris, - Senior Vice President,
Colliers Interna�onal
Kevin Morris fell in love with the
business a�er consumma�ng his first real
estate deal. He sold two apartment
complexes sca�ered throughout the Fort
Lauderdale’s Flagler district in 1996.
“The apartments sold for $10,000 per
apartment unit. Today, those apartments
would go for $100, 000,” shares Morris,
senior vice president of Colliers
Interna�onal. “I had no real estate
experience. It was the first deal my
employer closed in the area. I remember it
well because I thought future deals would
always be that easy. That hasn’t been the
case.”
Morris, who specializes in affordable
housing, isn’t complaining, “I enjoy that I
can do well in the real estate industry and
have an impact on the people who benefit
from the type of work I do.”
Those people include businesses and
nonprofits that work with his firm to make
affordable housing a�rac�ve investments
by securing either federal subsidies, tax
incen�ves, funding or financing op�ons.
Residents benefit from reduced rent.
Morris says real estate inves�ng is a
good business with unlimited
opportuni�es. However, he sees few
minori�es in his arena. The Rhode
Island-na�ve is doing his part of cul�va�ng
more people of color. “There are very few
minori�es in investment brokerages on the
investment side,” Morris observes. “I look
learn from them. That’s the best way to get
into and grow in the business.”
Networking is Essen�al: “Take
advantage of networking opportuni�es
either through the ci�es you work in or
your social networks. It helps you get your
name out there and get indirect business.”
Always Study: “Consistently look for
opportuni�es to learn. There is something
new all the �me in the real estate industry.
For example, we have a new president, so I
had to learn wh at challenges and impact
the president and his administra�on may
have in the affordable housing space and
federal funding. I must be able to ar�culate
that to my clients so I can advise them on
whether to acquire more, re-posi�on by
refinancing, or depose by selling. Always
look to grow, educate yourself, and gain
knowledge. I have been in the affordable
housing space for ten years, and I am
always learning something new. This
knowledge helps me create new business
for my clients.”
Check out the company’s portfolio at
www.Colliers.com.
to mentor new people and encourage them
to come into the business. We are going to
be growing our team soon. I will be looking
for interested minori�es candidates for
internships.”
“There are a lot of barriers to entry.
Once you clear those barriers, there are
fewer people you compete with because of
the rarity and specialty of this space.” The
Rhode Island-bred cycling enthusiast and
father of two offers this advice for real
estate career success.
Find a Niche’: “If you want to succeed in
the real estate industry you have to find a
niche’ and stay within it. People try to
dabble in different things like shopping
centers or office buildings. No. S�ck to one
thing and be consistent.”
Recruit a Mentor: “As you get started,
a�ach yourself to an experienced agent
who can teach you the market. They can
teach you about business development and
how to work through a deal. And, all the
different things that can occur as a real
estate broker. Align yourself with someone
who has experience in the business and
Client Focused and Solution
Driven
Audit & Attestation – Business Advisory Services – Entrepreneurial Services –
Tax Planning & Compliance
Salutes
Legacy Magazine’s
“South Florida's Most Powerful and Influential
Black Professionals in Business and Industry“ for 2017
Congratulations!
to
Anthony Brunson
and all of the Nominees
At Florida Power & Light Company we are
working together with the communities we serve
to make Florida an even better place to raise
a family and do business.
We congratulate FPL employee, Juliet Roulhac, for being recognized
as the 2017 Corporate Executive of the Year.
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