Kevin has completed in excess of 700 transactions during the 30+ years he has been selling and leasing commercial real estate, including holding the Wellington sales record for the highest rate per square metre achieved from a commercial real estate sale.
Kevin started his career in commercial real estate in 1985 with Fletcher Challenge following a period studying accountancy and operating his own commercial cleaning company. Initially, his work involved managing shopping centres and office buildings. Later he had responsibility for the sale of the company's South Island real estate assets.
With a desire to be more actively involved in the cut and thrust of the commercial property market, Kevin left Fletchers in 1987, a month before the sharemarket crash, joining international real estate company Knight Frank, initially in the CBD office leasing market.
Commercial property values dropped in the following months as the amount of vacant office space reached an all-time high. By way of an example, a tenant seeking office space in the 300 to 450 square metre range would have had in excess of 100 options available to them and, in some cases, more than six in the same building.
These were tough times for everybody involved in the Wellington CBD office market but, at the same time, it was a huge learning exercise. Kevin gained a greater understanding of commercial real estate and honed his negotiating skills.
After 5 years, Kevin moved to Bayleys specialising in sales and became one of that company’s leading commercial real estate agents.
Wanting to do his own thing, he formed Kevin Dee Realty Limited in 1997 specialising in selling and leasing industrial real estate and in later years expanding into retail leasing. These were very enjoyable and successful years for Kevin, however, as the business grew, he found increasingly he was spending his time on administration and managing staff. In 2018, he decided to close the business and join Wellington's fastest-growing commercial real estate company Gollins Commercial. This move has enabled him to return to what he enjoys most – selling and leasing real estate on behalf of existing and new clients.
Additional Information
Kevin is a firm believer in giving back to his community. He supports the Lower Hutt Community Foodbank and has been a guide dog sponsor for over two decades. In 2019, together with his wife Angie, he donated the roof for the new Te Omanga Hospice in Lower Hutt.
