Each year, Midwest Real Estate News elects a new class to its Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Here is a look at one of our new inductees, David Wilkins, managing director of the Detroit office of Walker & Dunlop.
It’s not easy to thrive in the world of commercial real estate for more than four decades. But that’s what David Wilkins, managing director of the Detroit office of Walker & Dunlop, has done.
What’s behind this longevity? Wilkins has built a reputation for providing best-in-class financing solutions to the owners of multifamily properties. He also possesses a deep knowledge of the debt markets. Armed with this knowledge and his more than 40 years of experience, Wilkins knows how to lead his clients to their best possible real estate decisions.
Honesty matters, too, and Wilkins’ peers say that this industry veteran never misleads his clients. And when it’s time to push a deal across the finish line? No one is as relentless as Wilkins.
Working in an industry as competitive as commercial real estate for more than 40 years is an impressive accomplishment. What has kept Wilkins in the business for more than four decades? He points to the variety that commercial real estate brings.
“I enjoy that no two days are the same, not because of the work that we do but because the economy frequently changes, making the work we do very interesting,” Wilkins said. “I also enjoy watching my clients reach their goals and attending the ground-breaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies to witness their success.”
For the last 10 years, Wilkins has focused on working in the affordable housing market. In this role, he is responsible for the origination of multifamily loans through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
“I like to take my knowledge of the debt markets and put myself in the positions of the borowers and help them make the best decisions for their businesses,” Wilkins said.
Before moving to Walker & Dunlop, Wilkins was a managing director at Pillar Financial, a division of SunTrust Bank. Here, he routinely notched company-leading sales numbers. He also previously served as the principal of GTC Finance, a loan brokerage firm that Wilkins founded in 1995.
Despite his many years in commercial real estate, Wilkins has found time to relax. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending his free time outdoors. He and his wife spend this time hiking, boating and skiing. The couple also travels to regional, national and international destinations. Wilkins has traveled enough that he’s filled a global map with pins marking his adventures.
