I believe it is important to always speak your mind, even if no one agrees with you, and you are going against the grain. It does not matter if your opinion is unpopular, your thoughts do matter and should be expressed.
Avraham Glattman is real estate investor and the owner of First American Properties Group, a real estate business based in New York City, New York. He brings almost 30 years of experience working in real estate, beginning originally as a real estate agent in New York City. His extensive experience and expertise allows Avraham to not only understand the industry but thrive in it as well. While real estate investing is his job, it is obvious that it is his passion, as he continues to see the flare that New York City brings.
Avraham Glattman completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management from Newport University, where he also stay to complete his Masters of Business Administration (MBA). Not long after graduation, Avraham jumped right into real estate n the New York area, where he gained invaluable experience in the industry.
In 2008, after getting many years of experience, Avraham Glattman created First American Properties Group, a real estate business based in New York City, New York, with his business partner, Pete Jacov. With services offered to fiver boroughs of New York, First American Properties Group has continued to have a profound impact around the city. His company currently owns and operates properties in Queens, Downtown Brooklyn, Harlem, and Manhattan, where they focus on promoting growth and development across different areas of the city.
Avraham Glattman continues to love and appreciate the big city and strives to help revamp up-and-coming neighborhoods in the New York City area. He was so impressed with the potential and charm of Harlem that he immediately invested within the Harlem area. Avraham continues to find beauty and potential in real estate around different areas of New York City. In addition to his work with the Harlem community, Avraham has also observed a positive trend in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens. His ability to see the flare of neighborhoods throughout the entire city has allowed him to help revamp them, ultimately bringing more residents to the area.
Some of his accomplishments include purchasing and revamping over 1,000 homes, before successfully reselling them, purchasing land that he sees potential in and developing over 100 family homes for sale, and purchasing and managing 13 real estate holdings within the New York City area. Avraham’s ability to recognize potential in real estate in the big apple is a testament to his work as both a real estate investor and business owner. His ability to adapt to new situations continues to put Avraham in the best scenario for success.
Avraham Glattman enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, and two dogs, and loves to explore new areas of New York City in his spare time. He enjoys watching his children play sports, perform and concerts, and participate in school activities. In his own time, Avraham stays fit by working out each morning before his workday, something that he has practiced for years. In doing so, Avraham feels ready to take on the day that lies ahead with a clear, open mind.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
I was a Real Estate Broker for many years, and have learned the ins and outs of the business. My experience as a Broker allowed me to see how interesting and lucrative it is to be a Real Estate Investor, which eventually led me to do so.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
A typical day for me starts with waking up and spending time with my family over breakfast. Family time is super important to me, as I believe that it creates a positive setting for the day. Communication is key to having a happy close knit family. Following time with family, I go to the gym each morning, as it helps me begin my day on the right foot and maintain a positive outlook on life. Upon completing my workout, I begin my work day. Each day is different- from having meetings with investors and clients at my office, to making appointments with prospective clients, to being on the road visiting properties, I enjoy the challenge of expanding my company to be more successful. The day ends by being home at the same time for dinner with my family. It’s all structured and helps me be successful in my business.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Bringing ideas to life is one of the hardest things to do in business. When I have a new idea, I think about it overnight in my spare time. My mind is always working and I like to process the idea by writing it down. I have found that writing my ideas down can help me to remember small, important details that may be forgotten otherwise.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that really excites me right now is the development of dilapidated neighborhoods. It is encouraging to see a neighborhood develop from an area low on resources and in dire need of repair to one that is vibrant and beautiful. When revamping these areas, we help to provide better schools, parks, property values, and an overall clean, safe area. While some refer to this as the Gentrification phenomenon, I do not see it that way in every case, as some property owners are simply trying to sell their properties after finding that they do not have the funds to properly maintain them. As an Investor, I have had the pleasure of helping countless families to fulfill their dreams.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
A habit of mine that makes me more productive as an entrepreneur is to tell myself “what you did today was great, but what will I do tomorrow? What’s the next deal?” In short, I like to stay hungry in the workplace and continuously search for the next business opportunity or deal.
What advice would you give your younger self?
The advice that I would give to my younger self is to work harder. Carpe Diem – make the most of the present time to the fullest.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I believe it is important to always speak your mind, even if no one agrees with you, and you are going against the grain. It does not matter if your opinion is unpopular, your thoughts do matter and should be expressed. This can ultimately lead to people opening their minds up more and gaining a better understanding of different perspectives in life.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
The thing that I do over and over again that I recommend everyone else do is create a system and structure in life that works for you. This keeps you planted to fulfil your goals and be successful in life and business. I follow my structure and system very strictly and never bend the rules.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
A strategy that’s helped me grow in business is being able to adapt and change. Business changes all the time. The things that made you successful in 2014 might not work in the present day. You have to be prepared to accept new roles, ideas, and ways of accomplishing things to remain successful.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve had many failures as an entrepreneur. You have to accept failure in business to learn from them. Failures help you learn for the future. You learn from the experience and learn not to make the same mistake again. My main failure has been from trusting the wrong people, being convinced by them even though my gut told me otherwise. Always trust your gut instincts.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A business idea that I’m willing to give away to your readers is to invest in properties. Most people complain, or find it out of their reach to begin investing. You have to be willing to network. You have to be willing to find investors – friends, family, companies. Trying to invest alone is much harder than if you have ten willing investors to help you and share the profit. It’s the best way to get your foot in the door.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 that I recently spent was donating it to a good cause.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
The piece of web service that helps me be productive is Propertyshark.com. It lists all the pertinent information needed to evaluate a property.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The book I recommend to your community is: Winston S. Churchill: The Second World War Series (6 Books), The Gathering Storm (1948), Their Finest Hour (1949), The Grand Alliance (1950), The Hinge Of Fate (1950), Closing The Ring (1951), and Triumph And Tragedy (1953).
Widely considered one of the 20th century’s most significant figures, Churchill remains popular in the UK and Western world, where he is seen as a victorious wartime leader who played an important role in defending liberal democracy from the spread of fascism.
What is your favorite quote?
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy
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Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.