Rare is the real estate agent who knew by the time they were a junior in college that the industry was calling. But in the case of Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate agent Austin Kent, the calling was strong.
The 2016 SMU graduate, who majored in Advertising with a focus in Digital Media Strategy and minored in Graphic Design, says it was a no-brainer for him. Not only did real estate seem like a career he would enjoy and give him the flexibility to create his own schedule, but he would be following in the footsteps of prior generations. Kent’s father was the director of construction at Lennar Homes, and his grandfather an ironworker, so a strong work ethic and ability to lead is at his very core.
By the time Kent got out of school, he had already served as assistant superintendent for a builder in Austin, flipped four homes and sold a spec home he built for $900,000. He also started his own gym called Self Made Training Facility – during a pandemic no less. He wore all the hats there, serving as broker, builder, owner and manager, while continuing to sell real estate. The entrepreneurial life definitely suited him.
Fast forward to today, and his nascent company, Kent Development, has almost 70 homes and townhomes scheduled to break ground in the next 12 months. The majority are near the Medical District as that is where he saw a great need. He also has a single family home near Inwood and Lovers and three duplexes due for completion in early 2022.
“I originally planned to build eight homes a year, but the goal changed very quickly as the local new construction market picked up,” Kent says. “I have found some pockets around town that are primed for what I’m doing. I like to say ‘Location is the best amenity you can have’ and then develop accordingly.”
Kent says he was heavily influenced down this road by his frequent conversations with Brian Buffini. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he is founder and chairman of Buffini & Company, the largest training and coaching company in North America. (The website boasts 60,000 real estate agents attend his seminars every year.) Buffini’s son AJ played football with Kent at SMU and the two were roommates. Kent had the opportunity to pick the elder Buffini’s brain, and eventually Buffini pointed him – very directly – to DPMRE and the Phyllis Glover Group.
“When Brian Buffini makes a recommendation,” Kent says, “you jump on it! I did and joined her team as soon as I passed my exam in 2015. My learnings from that time with her were invaluable. I feel like once I got the fundamentals of real estate transactions down, I was ready to explore some additional paths.”
As he ramps up for what’s sure to be a busy 2022, Kent’s quick to give credit to the incredible mentors he’s had along the way. In addition to his dad and grandfather, Buffini and the late Glover, Kent says his manager at the Park Cities office, Lee Thomas, has been a source of encouragement and advice as well.
“DPMRE has an incredible pool of talented realtors who know the Dallas market better than anyone else,” Kent says. “Such an amazing support group over at DPMRE, and I wouldn’t leave for anything.”
Be on the lookout for great things to come – actually continue coming – from this ambitious self starter. For more information on working with Austin, call him at 503.505.4032 or email [email protected].
