Grit and Billion Dollar Real Estate

Your success and failure depends on you

Every deal starts with a financial model. Brendon Bergen is the Director of Asset Management for Affirmed Housing Group in San Diego. He embraces the team aspect of the real estate game and is always on the lookout for the most efficient way to operate an asset and add value for the residents.

Brendon’s company looks after the environment and has implemented solar powered electrical systems at their properties in order to strive for Net Zero electric. Solar offers a triple win solution; the owner benefits, the city benefits and the tenants pay a fraction of “on grid” electrical prices. They install high efficiency water systems as well.

Brendan loves working on repositioning older, rundown assets. He tackles the challenge of each project head on and enjoys witnessing the tangible transformation of the renovations. Improving the asset and the tenant experience results in win, win.

Brendon moved from Cleveland to California to pursue his real estate career right at the beginning of ‘The Great Recession’ – the worst time to be knocking on doors to interview for a job in real estate. He relied on the grit that he developed on the wresting mat to manage the “no’s” that he received job prospecting. His perseverance paid off and Brendon landed a job as an analyst for a portfolio holding retail centers, office and industrial real estate.

Brendon’s number one tip for success in the real estate game is to be resilient. He highly recommends joining the Urban Land Institute as a networking platform and a way to learn who the players are in your market.

5 Key Points:

• Always look for ways to be more efficient and add value.
• Surround yourself with the right experts.
• Add solar technology to multifamily and commercial real estate projects.
• Understand the fundamentals of real estate development on small projects before you tackle larger projects.
• Be resilient. Your success and failure depends on you.

Favorite athlete: Lebron James – NBA player

Favorite book: An Unfair Advantage by Chad M Robinchaux

Favorite quote: “The strongest iron comes from the hottest flame”

Brendon trains for success by waking up early, working out and getting to work early.

Connect with Brendon on LinkedIn or send him an email, [email protected]

Affirmed Housing Group – www.affirmedhousing.com

Thank you Brendon for taking time out of your busy day to share your success tips with us today.

Tune into Brendon's interview on iTunes Stitcher or Google Play

Invest well, 

John Carney