Ben Roper grew up in Richmond, Virginia, in a family with strong roots in both business and public service. His grandfather served as mayor of Petersburg while running a successful lumber company, and his father became a prominent apartment developer in Richmond. Surrounded by that legacy, Ben developed an early interest in real estate and entrepreneurship.
He earned a degree in politics, gaining valuable experience in government and communications through internships with Senator Marsha Blackburn’s campaign and The Heritage Foundation, where he also became a published author for The Daily Signal.
Ben began his real estate career leasing apartments at RangeWater Real Estate in Richmond. During the pandemic, he took on critical responsibilities to maintain strong occupancy rates, earning a promotion to the innovation team in Atlanta, where he led initiatives to implement new strategies and technologies.
He later joined Bonaventure, building strong relationships with property owners and developers while specializing in 721 exchange UPREIT transactions. Today, as a REIT Specialist, he focuses on expanding portfolios through strategic partnerships and innovative deals that create lasting value.
Outside of work, Ben thrives on adventure, whether it’s waterskiing, boating, or tackling any challenge the water presents. That same energy drives his professional life—approaching every deal with focus, strategy, and a willingness to embrace challenges. For Ben, success isn’t just about transactions; it’s about creating lasting impact and enjoying the journey along the way.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I usually start my day by catching up on market news and reviewing any ongoing transactions. Much of my time is spent talking with property owners and developers, building trust, and explaining complex deals like 721 exchanges in ways that make sense to them. For me, productivity isn’t just about the first call—it’s about the tenth. Following through and moving relationships forward is what really counts.”
How do you bring ideas to life?
I like to test ideas quickly and practically. Back when I was at RangeWater Real Estate, I piloted a digital leasing platform at one property before rolling it out company-wide. I’ve found that if something works in the field, that’s when you know it’s worth scaling.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m fascinated by UPREIT transactions. They let developers create liquidity without giving up control, which is a smarter way to approach real estate ownership. I think this structure will continue to grow in importance.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I write down the three most important tasks I have to accomplish each day. Even if everything else goes sideways, I know I’ve moved the ball forward on what matters most.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell myself to be patient. Early on, I wanted to jump straight into development like my dad, but every step—leasing, managing, innovating—built a foundation I still rely on today.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think property management experience is extremely valuable for anyone who wants to be a developer. Most people want to skip it, but if you don’t understand tenants and operations, you’ll miss the small details that make or break a property long-term.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I always follow up in writing after meetings or calls. A quick note clarifies what was agreed upon and keeps momentum going.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go to the water. Waterskiing or boating clears my head. It’s physical, it’s fun, and it reminds me why I work hard in the first place.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I focus on building relationships before asking for business. I’ve spent months cultivating trust with property owners and family offices before presenting investment opportunities. People can tell when you’re only there for a transaction—I try to build real connections first.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I experienced a period of rapid growth where not everyone on the team was in the right role. I initially tried to push through the challenges on my own, and it became clear that approach wasn’t working. I had to step back, address the gaps, and focus on aligning the right people with the right responsibilities. That experience taught me a critical lesson: culture and organizational structure are just as important as strategy. Even the strongest vision or brand can’t succeed without the right people in the right seats.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’d create a matchmaking platform for mid-sized developers and REITs focused on UPREIT deals. Right now, these deals are all relationship-driven, and a technology platform could really streamline the process.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Salesforce. I use it to manage contacts and track deal stages. Without it, opportunities fall through the cracks
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I often return to The Power Broker by Robert Caro. It shows how vision and influence shape cities—for better or worse—and reminds me that real estate has ripple effects far beyond the buildings themselves.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I watched Succession. It’s exaggerated, but it captures the complexity of family and business colliding. Anyone in real estate or finance will recognize bits of truth in it.
Key learnings
- Success in real estate comes from mastering every stage, from leasing to innovation to deal-making.
- Building trust before asking for business creates stronger, longer-term partnerships.
- Property management experience offers insights future developers often overlook.
- Culture and organizational fit are just as critical as strategy for long-term success.
- Reflection, follow-through, and small daily wins create steady progress over time.