Amanda Kinkade has been a commercial real estate agent with Addison Commercial Real Estate for four months. Though being a young woman — she’s only 26 — in commercial real estate can be daunting, Kinkade is determined to make it.
“I just want to get out there and see what I can do. I’m not going to give up. Everyday I wake up and I say, ‘That’s it. I’m going to close a deal today.’ You just have to stay positive.”
SPECIALTIES?
Kinkade is focusing on buyer/tenant representation for office, retail and industrial products.
WHAT MADE HER GO INTO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE?
“I was attending the University of North Florida and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I had a friend who renovated houses. His family would buy them, fix them up and sell them. I said I really want to get into real estate.” She decided to major in finance with an emphasis in real estate. “During that time I worked for a local developer, the Devlin Group, as a weekend receptionist. When I graduated, I got my real estate license and started selling waterfront luxury condominiums for the Devlin Group from Jacksonville all the way to Daytona Beach.”
HOW DID SHE GET THE JOB WITH ADDISON COMMERCIAL?
“I was doing some research and I heard a lot about Duke (Addison). It was a smaller company and I thought it would be great to learn from him. I called him up and asked if he was hiring.” They met and talked about the team concept at the company. “After the interview, he told me I had the job.”
MENTORS?
Under the watchful eye of Addison and sales manager Mike Lucas, Kinkade is getting a first-hand education in commercial real estate.
“He (Addison) sugarcoats things to make them easy for me to understand. Mike (Lucas) is very straightforward and says, ‘Here, Amanda, this is how it is.’ So, they have two very different styles and I love that. I just ask them whatever questions I have and they are very knowledgable. If I need to conference call someone, they will sit in with me. Basically, they will do whatever it takes to get me to understand.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE?
“I love working with business owners who are relocating to Jacksonville, or those who are already here and need a larger space. I also see a lot of women starting businesses, so it is nice to be able to work with a woman and help her succeed.”
WOMAN IN A MAN’S WORLD?
“It can be difficult, especially being young. I’ve also learned that commercial is a lot smaller than residential as far as brokers knowing each other. So, when I come in, they are like ‘Who are you?’ But, when they find out I work for Duke, it’s OK. I’m starting to join clubs and go to more functions and meet as many brokers as I can. I definitely see there are not as many women brokers as men brokers in commercial real estate, but I feel good because Duke always says that he thinks women would be wonderful in this business.
DEGREES?
She has a bachelor’s in finance with an emphasis in real estate.
HOW HAS HER PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELPED HER?
“Working on the high end of residential, there were a lot of business owners who purchased condominiums, so it helped me to work with that type of client. When I got into commercial, I let them know, so it gave me an instant circle of influence.”
BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE RECEIVED?
“Mike Lucas told me that if I don’t know the answer to something, don’t be misleading. Don’t try to create the answer. Always tell them that you don’t know it, but you will get back to them.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“I’ve learned to ask as many questions as possible and how to better deal with the customers.” Kinkade said that follow-up is also very important.
“I try to follow up with everyone I meet. I really want to get my name out there.”
ADVICE FOR A NEW COMMERCIAL REALTOR?
“Hang in there. It’s going to take awhile to get everything going. Commercial deals take a lot longer to close, so you have to be patient.”
— by Michele Newbern Gillis