As the nomination window remains open for the 2025 Finance Leaders Award, HousingWire continues to spotlight industry trailblazers who exemplify excellence in financial strategies. Kevin Thompson, the Head of Finance at PURE Property Management, is counted among those inspiring leaders. He was a recipient of the 2023 HousingWire Finance Leader recognition.
Thompson’s financial leadership has been instrumental in ensuring PURE’s profitable operation while maintaining its focus on high-tech, high-growth, and high-profit strategies. With a keen eye on current economic trends, budgeting strategies, and the increasing role of data and technology, Thompson has recently shared his insights into the evolving financial market within the real estate industry.
Addressing Market Trends and Supply Challenges
Looking at the potential market scenario in 2025, Thompson anticipates that two major factors will significantly impact the mortgage and real estate sectors: the cost of capital and supply constraints.
“There’s increasing consensus within the entire housing ecosystem, including government and media, that supply solves many of the problems that investors and consumers face while delivering a robust and healthy housing economy. Supply, supply, supply,” Thompson stated.
While natural disasters have disrupted markets, he sees an opportunity for accelerated efforts to address supply shortages. “If there’s a silver lining to the recent natural disasters, it’s that we may collectively align faster and act even more aggressively to focus on housing supply solutions,” he added.
Balancing Budgeting With Growth
Assessing a market where cost pressures, compliance demands, and technology investments continue to rise requires a strategic approach. According to Thompson, the key lies in balancing financial growth with investment in people and programs that drive revenue while also enhancing the customer experience.
“Like any finance executive, it’s finding a balance between growing profit and margins while investing in the company’s people and programs that grow topline revenue, enhance customer experience and brand awareness, and create a unique or lasting competitive advantage,” he explained.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration within organizations, stating, “It’s never easy, sometimes emotional, and always involves many meetings to create collaboration among the team, not conflict.”
Role of Data and Technology in Financial Planning
In an industry increasingly influenced by technology, Thompson highlights the indispensable role of data and AI in financial planning and forecasting.
“It’s all data and AI-supported analytical technology, especially regarding establishing core assumptions and forecasts. Nothing is ever done by feeling or opinion,” he said.
PURE Property Management prioritizes a data-driven culture, ensuring that every financial assumption undergoes rigorous validation. “We have a culture of two-factor authentication of any assumption or forecast with data. AI is undoubtedly making this faster and easier, and we’re investing heavily into collecting even more experience data to support decisions around customer experience investments,” Thompson noted.
Anticipating Market Growth in 2025
Despite market uncertainties, Thompson remains optimistic about the financial outlook for real estate in 2025. He foresees the return of growth capital in the market, creating new opportunities for investment and expansion.
“I feel a lot of excitement about the stars aligning sooner than later in 2025, and we will see the return of growth capital, and much less onerously so,” he shared.
Recognizing Financial Leaders
The HousingWire Finance Leaders Award continues to highlight exceptional individuals shaping the future of real estate finance. With nominations open until January 31, 2025, the industry looks forward to recognizing the next wave of visionaries who will drive financial excellence.
As Thompson’s insights demonstrate, the role of finance leaders in real estate is evolving rapidly, with data-driven strategies, technological advancements, and market foresight playing critical roles in driving the industry’s growth this year. As the landscape continues to shift, leaders like Thompson will be instrumental in navigating challenges and seizing new opportunities.
