Meet Kevin O’Reilly!

Kevin O’Reilly has 14 years of commercial real estate brokerage experience and is currently the Director of Multifamily Investment at NAI Wisinski of West Michigan. 

Did anyone influence you to go into real estate?

“I always had an interest in real estate and was encouraged by my family to get involved in it. I decided to study Property Economics in University with a goal to get involved in Real Estate afterwards, so it was always what I wanted to do in some form or another.”

What do you like most about working with NAI?

“I know it is cliché to say, but it’s probably the people. I like the team and I like the values that the company represents.”

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

“I love to play golf. I used to play a sport called hurling in Ireland, it’s Irelands national sport, which we are very proud of. I played at an elite level once upon a time and it was a huge part of my life. When I retired, the natural transition was to golf. I love competing and constantly tinkering and trying to improve. It’s one of my passions now. I love to play. Outside of golfing, I try to enjoy Michigan lake life as much as possible and working on our house and yard with my wife, Jaclyn.”

How do you successfully manage a work-life balance?

“It’s critically important to have a good work life balance. Managing time efficiently, setting clear boundaries, and scheduling and making plans outside of work helps me to find that balance. Working within a good team helps, knowing you can delegate and trust others around you to deliver. Sometimes, learning to say no helps, too!”

How do you keep yourself from getting burnt out?

“Choosing a career that you have a genuine interest in is important. A lot of people do something for the end result as opposed to enjoying the process. If you enjoy the process of what you are doing, it’s a lot easier to work hard and avoid any perceived burnout.”

How have you been able to successfully network yourself?

“Moving from Dublin, Ireland to the United States in June of 2021 presented me with the most significant career challenge I’ve probably faced so far. Knowing the business but not the market or the players was a real challenge. Drawing upon my 12 years of CRE experience of doing deals and developing business in a European capital city has certainly proven to be valuable. Adapting my processes and methodology to the Michigan markets has worked well. Without the contacts here on the ground in the US it was a slow and sometimes frustrating start. I consider myself fortunate to have joined NAI, getting to connect with top performers with already established credibility and networks has elevated my ability to get things moving and do business.

There are few short cuts to establishing a strong network, it takes time and effort, so managing my own expectation has been important, too. Maintaining consistency and being proactive, putting myself out there, constantly working the phones, attending events, from NMHC in Las Vegas to getting lunch and dinner with stakeholders across the state, essentially trying to get in front of the right people. Being well-researched and reliable, always striving to add value to prospective clients is what develops relationships and builds trust. The old saying is true, it’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you! I try to keep that in mind.”

If you had one piece of advice for someone starting out in commercial real estate, what would that be?

“I have two. My first piece of advice is to find at least one if not two or three mentors. A good mentor is invaluable and can provide guidance and support. They can also help with accountability and realistic goal setting. If you are showing promise, they may also be open to providing other introductions to expand your network and ultimately help you grow and develop in your career. My second piece of advice for someone starting out in commercial real estate would be to prioritize building relationships and networking. While knowledge and expertise are essential, the industry heavily relies on connections and referrals. So, I’ll say it again, it’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you!”