Leatherman earns ‘Broker of the Year’ award

For Kevin Leatherman, broker-owner of Leatherman Homes in Rockville Centre, educating consumers about the ins and outs of buying and selling properties is a top priority. As a real estate broker for the past 27 years, he not only helps potential customers and clients make informed decisions throughout the process, but he also makes a point of sharing information with his peers. Leatherman was recently recognized for his dedication to the industry as the winner of the 2020 Broker of the Year Award from the Long Island Board of Realtors.

“I’m honored for the recognition,” Leatherman said. “I love what I do.”

Leatherman, an Accredited Buyer Representative, has served as a director of LIBOR and has hosted workshops for the LIBOR and other real estate companies to impart his knowledge and expertise to other agents’ understanding of buyer brokerage. He also served as president of Multiple Listings Service of Long Island in 2013 and as director of the New York State Association of Realtors. He has owned his independent firm for the past five years, with an office at 25 S. Village Ave. in Rockville Centre.

“I’m very different from other brokers because my client base is very eclectic,” Leatherman said. “I work with everybody, all financial ranges, and try to give everyone exceptional service. The goal is to experience exceptional service throughout the process.”

Serving Nassau County, western Suffolk County and eastern Queens, Leatherman works with people purchasing starter homes as well as those buying luxury estates. He not only aims to treat customers equally at all price points, but provides as much information as possible so people know what they are getting into. As a result, he said, he has had a lot of repeat customers over the years.

“I make it simple and easy in terms of my communication with customers and clients,” Leatherman said. “I relish the challenge of connecting buyers and sellers to the ideal home in the best location within the desired budget, and seeing the satisfaction it brings my clients.”

When it comes to home prices, he gives an in-depth analysis of the home, tries to give the most information so they can make an informed decision. “My responsibility is to provide the information and help the consumer interpret it.”

Leatherman holds a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University, where he majored in finance and banking. He worked as a trader on Wall Street before deciding to focus on real estate. “I wanted to leave on my terms and wanted to make a change.”

The negotiation skills he learned as a trader, he said, are invaluable in his current career. He also said he’s “passionate” about buyer representation, as it often seems like agents are more concerned about the seller. When it comes down to it, he said, at the closing, “everybody at the table is getting a piece of the check,” which is coming from out of the buyer’s pocket. And that’s why, he said, he makes a point to go that extra step to ensure the buyer is getting the best deal, with no hidden surprises that might pop later, such as undisclosed flood damage or tax liens.

Throughout the pandemic, Leatherman Homes has been fortunate to remain in business. “We didn’t miss a beat,” Leatherman said, noting that the circumstances did make it more challenging. “It’s a lot more work, but we’re navigating through it.”

The only thing that really changed for his office, he said, was adding virtual 3D tours, as all the paperwork was done digitally prior to the lockdown orders and social distancing protocols. His office continues to provide video consultations, virtual showings and electronic paperwork, so there is no contact necessary.

Visit leathermanhomes.com for more information.