Kaufman & Company, the private investment and holding firm led by founder and CEO Daniel Kaufman, announced a dedicated Florida market initiative that will see the firm and its affiliated entities, including Florida-based Convivium Living, aggressively pursue land and existing asset acquisitions across the state. The firm is bringing its own team members into its existing Orlando office to execute the strategy, which is funded entirely from its own balance sheet. The move reflects Kaufman & Company's view that Florida is entering a period of meaningful dislocation, with significant declines expected in both land values and existing asset pricing over the next 24 months. The firm intends to be an active buyer throughout that cycle.
"We are seeing tremendous distress in Florida right now, and with it, real opportunity," said Daniel Kaufman, Founder and CEO of Kaufman & Company. "I believe over the next two years we will see land and existing assets reprice in a significant way. We intend to be buyers. We are not raising capital, we are not setting up a fund, and we are not taking on investors. This is our own money, and that means when we like a deal, we can move."
The decision to deploy proprietary capital without outside investors sets Kaufman & Company apart from institutional players that rely on fundraising cycles. By operating without third-party capital, the firm can make decisions directly, underwrite on its own timeline, and offer sellers, lenders, and brokers a straightforward path to closing. This flexibility could be a decisive advantage in a market where speed and certainty of execution are paramount, particularly as lenders and owners face pressure to dispose of distressed assets.
Rather than hiring externally, Kaufman & Company is relocating and deploying members of its existing team to its Orlando office, which already serves as the firm's Florida base. The Orlando team will work alongside the firm's affiliated development, construction, and housing platforms to evaluate, acquire, and reposition assets. This integrated approach allows the firm to assess opportunities not only for their immediate value but also for their long-term potential through development or repositioning.
The Florida initiative will focus on land, including entitled, partially entitled, and stalled development sites; existing assets facing capital, lender, or ownership pressure; workforce and attainable housing opportunities; and off-market and lender-driven transactions. Kaufman & Company typically evaluates opportunities in the range of $5 million to $250 million. Owners, lenders, special servicers, brokers, and bankers with Florida opportunities are invited to contact the firm directly.
The implications of this announcement are significant for the Florida real estate market. Kaufman & Company's willingness to deploy its own capital at scale signals confidence that current distress will deepen, creating buying opportunities. If the firm's thesis proves correct, it could acquire a substantial portfolio of assets at discounted prices, positioning itself for strong returns when the market recovers. For sellers and lenders, the presence of a well-capitalized, decisive buyer could provide much-needed liquidity in a challenging environment. Moreover, the firm's focus on workforce and attainable housing addresses a critical need in Florida, where housing affordability has become a pressing issue. By targeting stalled development sites, Kaufman & Company could also help unlock projects that have been sidelined by market conditions, contributing to the state's long-term growth. As the firm ramps up its Orlando-based team, its actions will be closely watched as a barometer of where smart money sees value in the Florida market.
