Matthew Magrone, real estate financier, brings over two decades of experience in the financial industry to his role at Ocean View Funding Group. Working as a Senior Account Executive and Founding Partner of the company in Tallahassee, Florida, has allowed Matthew to bring his passion for the industry to the forefront of his day-to-day life.
Since graduating college and making the move from New York to Florida, Matthew has worked in real estate financing. After this, he began purchasing numerous rental properties which led him to start his own company in the industry. Magrone founded his first real estate financing business in 2003 called Empire Holdings, LLC. He ran all of the financing for the business and soon realized how fascinated he was by the financial aspects of running a business. This is where he truly began developing his interest in real estate financing and gaining experience for his future career.
Matthew Magrone finds that the greatest part of working at his current job, and in the industry as a whole, is helping individuals identify and create solutions for problems they may encounter throughout their financing journey. He began working in the residential sector of real estate with individual borrowers; now he is in charge of executing large and small projects alike. These projects vary from residential to commercial and focus on a variety of areas including: mortgage procurement, multi-family home development, office complex development, hotel development, and other income-producing properties.
It is Matthew Magrone’s goal to bring a personal touch and accessibility to his job. He truly believes that this helps him distinguish himself from the rest of the competition. By promoting himself as a resource to his clients, Matthew has created a great connection with all who work with him. He likes to be a lifeline for his clients whenever they need him (even on the weekends) and provide a personable experience for them. This also helps to set himself apart from retail lenders that would likely not provide the same level of service. Magrone’s main focus is to be the connection between his clients and the bank.
In the future, Matthew wants to take advantage of the success and skills he’s gained along the way to expand his business’s footprint into new markets. Outside of Florida, he wants to open new locations in Boston and Alabama and help potential clients understand the benefits of an investment in real estate.
You can connect with Matthew on Twitter: @mattmagrone. Make sure to also check out Ocean View Funding Group’s Facebook page for the latest updates on the company.
Our Interview With Matthew Magrone
What’s the most important thing we should know about you?
Matthew Magrone: I would like people to know that financial markets are complex and the relationships you build in this industry are important. Not everyone has spent 25 years building relationships in the banking industry. While, most individuals focus on interest rates and term length of loans, I know the people who will make your loan.
Name the most impactful lesson you learned from failure.
Matthew Magrone: I started Empire Holding, LLC in 2002 and purchased 37 properties. At that time, in my youth and exuberance, I leveraged too highly with the expectation that the market would always move in a positive direction. The 2008 crash proved me wrong. This taught me that it’s important to remember the constant ebb and flow of the market.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Matthew Magrone: My proudest moment was graduating from Phillips Academy at Andover in 1997. When I first started at the school I was fairly nervous for the new endeavor. Looking back it was a great choice.
What did you waste the most time on when you were first starting your career?
Matthew Magrone: When I started my first marketing company, I wasted time trying to market to unqualified customers. It’s important to target your customers, and not waste time on those who do not qualify.
Name a tool you use for work that you can’t live without.
Matthew Magrone: My cell phone. It keeps me connected to everything that is happening in my life professionally and personally.
What is your favorite hobby and why?
Matthew Magrone: I love watching football! Watching players participating in what they love on a national / worldwide scale is amazing!
What excited you the most about your industry right now?
Matthew Magrone: Liquidity, is probably the most exciting this happening right now. Banks and private equity want to lend on real estate.
What concerns you most about your industry right now?
Matthew Magrone: Political issues concern me, especially trade issues with China.
What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?
Matthew Magrone: Going to the Phillips Academy at Andover at 12 years old. I was very afraid, but it was the best choice I ever made.
What tips do you have for getting a seat at the table?
Matthew Magrone: Ask for the seat. Nothing happens if you do not ask.
What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
Matthew Magrone: Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence people. I read it every 5 years.
What would you consider to be the perfect day?
Matthew Magrone: A day where a deal is closed.
