Ben Roper grew up in Richmond, Virginia, in a family where business and leadership ran deep. His grandfather was both the mayor of Petersburg and the owner of a successful lumber company, while his father became a well-known apartment developer. Following that example, Ben found his path in real estate early.
He attended St. Christopher’s School and Christchurch School before earning a degree in politics. In college, he gained experience in government and communications, interning for Senator Marsha Blackburn’s campaign and at The Heritage Foundation, where he was published in The Daily Signal.
After graduation, Ben began his real estate career leasing apartments at RangeWater Real Estate in Richmond. When the pandemic hit, he stepped up to keep occupancy strong and the market stable. That effort led to his promotion to the innovation team in Atlanta, where he introduced new strategies and technologies to improve operations.
Later, at Bonaventure, Ben focused on business development and specialized in 721 exchange UPREIT transactions, helping property owners and developers solve complex real estate challenges. Today, he continues to work with developers and investors, leveraging his expertise to structure innovative deals and grow real estate portfolios.
Beyond his career, Ben is an Eagle Scout and an avid watersports enthusiast who enjoys boating and waterskiing. His journey shows how persistence, adaptability, and a strong foundation in family values can build lasting success in business and life.
Q: How do you define success?
Ben Roper: For me, success is about building something lasting. Deals come and go, markets rise and fall, but if you can build relationships, reputation, and trust that survive those swings, that’s success. In real estate, you’re not just working with numbers—you’re working with people whose lives and legacies are tied to their assets. If they trust you with that, you’ve succeeded.
Q: What does a typical day look like, and how do you make it productive?
Ben Roper: I start with my priorities written out—three things that have to get done. Most of my day is phone calls, meetings, and follow-ups with developers and property owners. Productivity isn’t about the number of calls; it’s about whether you moved a relationship forward or provided clarity where there was uncertainty. That’s how I measure a productive day.
Q: How do you bring ideas to life?
Ben Roper: I believe in testing small before scaling. When I worked on innovation projects at RangeWater, I piloted tech tools at one property before rolling them out. You learn what works in the field, not just in theory. I carry that same approach into structuring UPREIT transactions—start with one willing partner, refine the process, and then scale.
Q: What’s one trend in your industry that excites you?
Ben Roper: UPREIT transactions. They allow developers to contribute their property in exchange for operating partnership units, creating liquidity without giving up control. It’s flexible and provides more options than traditional buy-or-sell models. I see this becoming a much bigger part of the market.
Q: What habit has helped you succeed?
Ben Roper: Follow-up. After every meeting or call, I send a note. It seems small, but it sets you apart. Conversations can get lost in a busy week, but putting something in writing makes it stick.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self?
Ben Roper: Be patient. When I was younger, I wanted to skip straight to being a developer like my dad. But every step—leasing apartments, managing properties during COVID, running an innovation team—taught me lessons I use today. Success doesn’t happen all at once.
Q: What do you believe that most people don’t?
Ben Roper: Property management is the best training ground for future developers. Many see it as a stepping stone, but understanding tenants and operations gives you insight into the small details that can make or break a property.
Q: What do you do when you feel overwhelmed or unfocused?
Ben Roper:I go to the water. Waterskiing or boating clears my head. When you’re cutting across a lake, you can’t think about emails—you’re forced to be in the moment. That reset helps me come back focused.
Q: What’s one failure you’ve learned from?
Ben Roper: Early in my career, I took on a big project without fully assessing whether the team and structure were ready for it. I pushed forward too quickly and ran into avoidable challenges. It taught me a vital lesson: even the best strategies can fail without the right people in the right roles. Now, I focus on building strong teams and clear processes before scaling any initiative.
Q: What’s one strategy that’s helped you advance in your career?
Ben Roper: Build trust before asking for business. You can’t just walk into a room talking about transactions. You have to listen, understand what people value, and build a relationship first. That’s how you get long-term partners, not just one-off deals.
Q: Outside of work, what does success look like?
Ben Roper: Balance. I’m proud of what I do in real estate, but I’m just as proud of being an Eagle Scout or being able to get out on the water with friends and family. Career growth is meaningless if you lose that balance.
Key Learnings:
- Success is measured in relationships and trust that last beyond individual deals.
- Patience and persistence build stronger foundations than rushing ahead.
- Property management experience gives future developers critical insights into operations.
- Follow-up and clarity are small habits that create big impact.
- Balance between professional growth and personal well-being defines long-term success.