NYCREW member, Sharon Kun, discusses her career

Name: Sharon Kun Title: Investment Associate Company/firm: KBS Realty Advisors Years with company/firm: 5 Years in field: 10 Years in real estate industry: 10 Address: 590 Madison Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10022 Telephone: 212-644-6662 x231 Email: [email protected] URL: www.kbsrealty.com Responsibilities include: Underwrite commercial acquisitions in the Northeast and Florida. Real estate organizations / affiliations: NYCREW Professionally, where were you ten years ago and where are you now? Ten years ago I was just entering this industry, working for AEW Capital Management and doing Retail Asset Management. Now I am working primarily on office and industrial acquisitions all over the northeast and Florida. What single event professional or personal has most significantly impacted your career? When I simultaneously moved to New York and switched from asset management to acquisitions eight years ago, my career moved to a whole new level. Acquisitions really teaches you about real estate because you learn every little detail of the property in a short period of time. You learn which questions are important to ask and you understand the interplay of market fundamentals and individual building characteristics. What was the best decision that you made in the last year? Joining the New York chapter of CREW was the best decision I made, by far. They are a very supportive and savvy group of women. How do you stay ahead of the curve? I read a lot of industry news. Being in the market also keeps me ahead of the curve because we are on the ground seeing where pricing comes out just by working on property underwritings and making bids. Who has been the strongest influence on your career and why? I have always looked to the principals in my company for inspiration and learning. I believe that at some point, actual underwriting ability "tops out" and that one's future value comes from experience and doing more deals. What impact has social networking had on your success? I don't go to networking events to collect business cards. I believe in the theory that social networking is really about making friends because friends like to do deals with each other. It is a long process but for me it is much more rewarding and enjoyable. If I meet two or three people at a networking event and we keep in touch, the event is worth it. Social networking becomes a pleasure and has many benefits besides increasing my business network. I also keep my LinkedIn account current, and only connect with people I actually know. What advice would you give to a woman just starting a career in your field? Join a network such as CREW, focus on making friends to build your social network, and listen to others who have more experience in the business.