Real Estate Broker/Owner |
RAINER 4,006 |
|
Donn Hughes | ||
location_on Port Orchard, WA — Old Towne Realty | ||
insert_link http://www.oldtrealty.com | ||
web Donn Hughes's (dthughes01) Blog |
I first discovered the joys of real estate when I was 19 years old. I bought a recreational lot from a friend's parents for $1,500 and sold it 8 months later for $2,500. Hey, easy money. . . little did I know they're not all as easy. 40 years later I am still at it. I first became a licensed agent in 1980 but let it lapse in 1982 and spent the next 12 years developing, building, leasing, managing and selling retail centers, multi family and residential plats.
In 1994, I begin consulting with regional and national retail tenants evaluating and negotiating their leases. I traveled the west coast for:
~ Jenny Craig
~ National Furniture
~ Western Optical
~ Shoe Pavilion among others.
Losing interest in the travel and mundane complexities of commercial leases, I became a licensed agent around 2004 and a broker in 2006. Since then I have concentrated on residential investment, commercial and multi family properties.
Since the down turn in the economy I have found myself negotiating more retail leases than I have in recent years. People seem to be losing their jobs and going into business for themselves. The back bone of America . . . the small business person.
I love creative transactions and distressed properties. They may take longer to put together and close but, to me, they are very satisfying.
I have actively concentrated on developing Old Towne Realty into a small, personal agency for the buyer, seller or investor that welcomes the individuality and creativity that a smaller agency can provide.
After graduation from West Seatle High School (years ago), I continued my education at Shoreline Community College, Highline Community College and San Francisco City College over the next 10 years. I was in no big rush and enjoying my more formative years. Eventually I got 3 years of college education under my belt. Over the years I continued my education through a series of career specific courses of study. They are as follows:
Basics Commercial Real Estate Investments / R.E. Educational Foundation - 1979
Real Estate Law / Professional Seminars-Seattle University - 1980
Construction Management/ NW Ctr. for Professional Education - 1981
Developing & Leasing Shopping Centers/ NW Ctr. Professional Education - 1985
Low Income Housing Tax Credit / Washington State Finance Commission - 1997
HUD Certified Occupancy Specialist / National Center Housing Management - 1998
Construction Litigation/ Lorman Education Seminars - 2001
Construction Law / Lorman Education Seminars - 2002
2010 Real Estate Broker of the Year - South Kitsap County
Creative and innovative residential investment, commercial and multi family transactions. Bringing a distressed property back to its highest and best use brings a flutter to my heart.