Master Mind Realty's Kevin Burgos on Building a Strategic Real Estate Presence in Medellín, Colombia

Real estate runs in Kevin Burgos’s blood. As the son of Colombian immigrants in the United States, he witnessed firsthand how the industry could create opportunities when his father became a realtor in 2005. “Growing up with no money, you think money’s going to solve all your problems,” Burgos reflects. “In my mind, real estate was definitely the place to go.”

But Burgos’s path back to real estate would take an entrepreneurial detour first. After building and successfully exiting an e-commerce business, he made a decision that would reshape his future: exploring his Colombian roots. Despite his Colombian heritage, he had never visited his parents’ homeland. Starting in Cartagena, where his parents were from, Burgos’s journey eventually led him to Medellín seven years ago. “Everybody would say, ‘Medellín is the place to be,'” he recalls. “So I booked a one-way ticket to come check it out, and seven years later, I haven’t bought the ticket out.”

Burgos approaches business with a chess player’s precision. “Life to me is like chess,” he explains, “waiting to make that next move, being patient when you attack, when you retreat, play defense.” This strategic thinking drives his market analysis. Having lived in both the U.S. and Colombia, he identified a clear pattern: North American market trends consistently migrate south. “I saw Airbnb taking over the states when nobody was even talking about it here,” he notes. “If that’s happening over there, it’s definitely going to happen over here.” Now, he sees parallel opportunities emerging with AI adoption and Medellín’s development as a hub for North American businesses, particularly in sectors like e-commerce that leverage compatible time zones and competitive costs.

Property management offered Burgos his initial foothold in Medellín’s real estate market. “Property management was always the easiest way to get into real estate,” Burgos explains, though he’s quick to add it’s also “the most challenging, the most frustrating, and probably the least paid.” But it provided something invaluable: relationships and market knowledge.

His first break came from an overheard conversation in a coworking space, where he identified an opportunity to improve upon an existing property management arrangement. That single interaction grew into a business managing multiple properties, allowing him to build crucial relationships with property owners and developers while learning the intricacies of the local market. Drawing from his e-commerce background, Burgos implemented standardized operating procedures, regular KPI reporting, and structured team meetings – practices that distinguished his company in the traditionally informal market.

The company’s growth from property management to full-service brokerage showcases Burgos’s strategic approach. Recently, Master Mind Realty acquired one of the largest local brokerages, expanding their team to 20-25 people. This positions them to better serve both local and international clients, with properties ranging from 600-900 million pesos ($150,000-$225,000 USD) for their core market to luxury properties up to $3 million USD.

Operating in Colombia’s real estate market presents distinct challenges. Unlike the U.S., Colombia doesn’t require real estate licenses, and there’s no comprehensive MLS system. “If you’re a broker, you have 100 properties. I’m a broker, I have 100 properties as well. To be part of the MLS, you have to pay, and about 50% of companies are inside of there. That other 50% is literally just relationships, and it’s usually WhatsApp groups, which is very messy,” explains Burgos.

Master Mind Realty sets itself apart through structured marketing approaches and enhanced customer service. “We’re providing what we call a marketing plan where we are marketing your property exclusively,” Burgos says. “We’re creating a landing page and driving just to your page. Nobody else is doing that.”

The results speak for themselves. The company achieved 128% growth in 2024 and is targeting over 200% growth for 2025. Looking ahead, Burgos anticipates Medellín’s emergence as a hub for North American businesses, particularly in sectors like e-commerce, citing advantages in time zones and competitive pricing for office space.

Beyond business metrics, Burgos maintains a strong commitment to social impact through speaking engagements and mentoring programs. The company regularly works with local high schools and runs monthly meetings focused on mindset development. Many of their team members come through these educational initiatives, creating a pipeline of well-trained professionals who share the company’s vision.

As Master Mind Realty prepares to launch their first major development project in June 2025 and expand into Panama, they’re establishing themselves as a significant force in Latin America’s property sector. Their growth parallels Medellín’s own evolution, as the city increasingly attracts global attention and investment.