Andre P. Smith is the founder and managing partner of Velocity Real Estate, which was formed to provide customized real estate development, brokerage, asset management and investment services for institutional and commercial clients in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan regions.

Andre developed a strong interest in real estate while employed as a legal case manager. This position afforded Andre the ability to develop a strong knowledge of real estate law, business law, litigation, mergers, and real estate planning.  Andre obtained his real estate sales license in 2001 and followed with his real estate broker’s license in 2006.  Prior to the launch of Velocity Real Estate, Andre served as a principal and managing partner of Horizon Real Estate Group (Horizon) and effectively managed a sales team of over 75 real estate professionals who were licensed in multiple states. As an accomplished real estate broker and developer his teams has closed over 2 Billion square feet of leased, sold and developed real estate and under his leadership the company’s annual sales revenue topped 50 Million. As a result, the firm was recognized as one of the largest independently owned full-service minority real estate firm in the region and ranked in the top 5% in the United States.  Andre’s crowning accomplishment came when Horizon was selected as the development consultant for the Suitland Federal Center. This is a 475 Million dollar walkable, sustainable, transit oriented, mixed- use, Town Center with 700 housing units and 76,000 square feet of retail in the shadow of the nation’s capitol.

Andre has successfully negotiated hundreds of real estate transactions which have included multi-family, retail, office and other various income producing properties. He has a special interest in land investment, site selection, mixed-use development and multi-family properties. Andre has received several sales awards and industry designations and has conducted professional training for regional and national real estate brokerages and associations. He is often called on to speak nationally as a subject matter expert for conferences and workshops on an array of topics including affordable housing, opportunity zones and real estate investment.

Andre has a passion for training and served as the lead facilitator for the inaugural class of the CEO Growth Academy for the District of Columbia’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). He delivered the nationally recognized “Streetwise MBA” program which focuses on assisting emerging CEO’s of real estate related businesses achieve and sustain scalability. This program has produced over 42% growth in the participating companies and resulted in over 14.5 Million in new contract awards collectively for firms enrolled in the program with in a 6-month period.

Andre is a leader in his local church and serves on several non-profits organizations boards that are impacting social and economic change in areas of democracy in housing, eradicating homelessness and social justice.

When he is not working Andre is a voracious reader of titles on business, leadership, personal development, management, investing and politics.  Andre is an avid cyclist and is currently training for the Salisbury University Sea Gull Century (Fall 2022), a 100-mile open road bike race on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Andre enjoys spending time with family, traveling, healthy living and healthy eating!

Professional License and Certifications:

• Real Estate Broker License (Maryland and District of Columbia)
• Certified Commercial Investment Member, CCIM (Commercial Institute) *Pending
• Leadership and Coaching Certification (John C. Maxwell)
• Certified Real Estate Training/Mentoring (Brain Buffini & Company)

Professional Memberships:

• National Association of Realtors (NAR) 
• National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB)
• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
• Maryland Association of Realtors (MAR)
• Maryland Chamber of Commerce 
• Home Builders Association of Maryland
• Prince Georges County Association of Realtors (PGCAR)
• Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors (GCAAR)
• Bright Multi Listing Service (BrightMLS)