Ron Koenigsberg’s passion for real estate grew out of his childhood experience of watching his father survey buildings and construction sites. At the time, Ron had no idea where his passion for real estate would lead him.
Today, his passion has led him to a robust real estate career and the founder of a Long Island brokerage firm, American Investment Properties, which just celebrated it’s 20th anniversary in July 2021.
In light of the occasion, here are Ron’s personal and professional reflections twenty years later.
1. Why did you decide to start American Investment Properties?
I have loved commercial real estate investment sales since the start of my career. I was a Senior Vice President at another investment sales firm and I aspired to be a partner or have ownership there. Unfortunately, there never came an opportunity to become a junior partner at the firm. As a result, I was determined to have my own brokerage firm. So that’s exactly what I did.
I successfully opened and incorporated American Investment Properties on July 4, 2001.
2. How did you come up with the name “American Investment Properties”?
I completed my undergraduate at American University. At American University I had a great time where I learned, grew, and matured so much. I wanted to create a similar experience with my own firm where everyone can have fun, learn a lot, teach a lot, and be successful in the real estate brokerage world.
Naming my firm ‘American’ serves as a reminder for those intentions.
3. What is one thing you wish you knew when starting the company?
The one thing I wish I knew when I started the company was the importance of structure and systems. Using organization, structure, and systems has allowed us to create more productivity with less resources. We are continuing to add more systems in place to increase our efficiency and serve our clients better.
4. What are your plans for the next twenty years?
My 20-year goal is to continue to grow American Investment Properties. In June 2021, we moved into a newer and larger office space in Garden City, New York. Our aim is to bring in more talented associates for real estate investment sales, marketing, research and analytics, and other respects to serve more clients, more efficiently.
5. How do you think you have changed over the two decades?
You mean aside from getting older and better looking these days? Joking aside, the best change I could ask for was becoming a father to my two awesome and handsome sons, Drew and Chase. There is no greater responsibility. I love my two boys so much and they inspire me to always work harder every day.
6. Your biggest achievement over the last twenty years?
My biggest professional achievement over the past 20 years is the longevity of the firm, the reputation we have established on Long Island, and our level of professionalism towards our clients and colleagues.
7. Your biggest challenge over the last twenty years?
My biggest challenge over the past 20 years has been the ability to reproduce myself as a real estate broker. Essentially, I would like to be better at teaching new salespeople, and arming them with the knowledge to be successful in investment sales. I love making deals happen and helping clients reach their goals. My challenge has been helping each associate attain that same level of success.
