Check out our interview with James Vitas who is the Founder & Executive Chairman of VMD Companies, a real estate development, investment & acquisitions company.
Follow James @jameslvitas
We would love to know more about your career journey. How did you get your
start into Real Estate?
I got my start in this industry from a mentor of mine who got his start in this industry at a young age. He was heavily involved in the single tenant net lease (STNL) space and was developing AAA credit rated locations for several fortune 500 companies under a merchant build program. After analyzing how he executed these transactions and had tremendous success, I decided to follow in his footsteps.
What are your success habits?
I am extremely disciplined. I am constantly living in a state of paranoia and obsessing over the small details. Beating a theory or concept to death is what allows someone to truly decide if their next move is the right move.
What mistakes have you made along the way?
I have made a lot of mistakes over the course of my career. In particular, the ones that cost me money, I made a point to never repeat.
What was the hardest career decision you ever had to make?
Unfortunately, it has never been limited to one. Every day we are faced with making difficult decisions that will either affect us or our investors. There are no ‘simple’ or ‘easy’ decisions that you can make within this business.
If you could start all over again, what would you do differently?
I would understand that there is a process to this business. Thinking I was able to take on every fight and every instance of adversity on my own was not conducive to mine or my team’s success. This business has a process, learning that process and the professionals you choose to engage is what makes or breaks your ability to execute.
What is the best advice you can give to a first time property investor?
It’s not location, location, location. Its basis, basis, basis!
