Business Details
28 Years
experience
Your Trusted Commercial Real Estate Partner
Founded in 1998, Kelley Commercial Real Estate (KCRE) has established itself as a trusted leader in commercial real estate representation. Our team brings decades of combined experience in office building sales, leasing, and strategic negotiations across the Greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. We specialize in guiding clients through the entire real estate lifecycle, from initial property acquisition to lease renewals and exit strategies like subleasing. Our approach combines deep market knowledge with personalized service, ensuring clients receive tailored solutions that align with their budget, location needs, and operational goals. With a proven track record of securing favorable terms and saving clients hundreds of hours in research and negotiations, we prioritize long-term relationships built on transparency, expertise, and results-driven service.Our principals, Paula Brown Kelley and Karen K. O'Gorman, have collectively served commercial clients since the 1980s, earning recognition for their negotiation prowess and community involvement. We pride ourselves on maintaining continuity throughout transactions, avoiding the 'broker rotation' model used by larger firms, and instead offering consistent, dedicated representation from start to finish. Our clients benefit from our extensive network of industry contacts, proprietary research tools, and a commitment to understanding the unique needs of nonprofits, law firms, corporations, and government contractors. Whether you're expanding headquarters, renewing a lease, or navigating complex market conditions, KCRE provides the strategic counsel and local market insight needed to achieve optimal outcomes.
Services
Commercial Real Estate Representation
Property Acquisition
Lease Renewal Negotiations
Exit Strategy Planning
Market Analysis
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of specialized experience in Greater Washington, DC commercial real estate.
- Our team provides continuous representation throughout every transaction phase.
- We leverage deep market knowledge to secure optimal lease terms and cost savings.
- Our principals maintain active roles in industry organizations like CREW and NAR.
- We guarantee personalized service with proven negotiation strategies for tenant clients.
What people say
Exceptional negotiation skills
Personalized service
Deep market knowledge
Proven track record
Dedicated representation
Services
Commercial Real Estate Representation
KCRE provides dedicated tenant representation for commercial real estate transactions. Our team conducts comprehensive market research to identify properties matching specific client requirements, including location, budget, and space needs. We negotiate favorable lease terms while managing the entire process from initial search to final agreement execution. Clients benefit from our extensive industry experience and established relationships with property owners and developers across Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.
Lease Renewal Negotiations
We specialize in lease renewal negotiations for commercial tenants. Our approach combines ongoing market analysis with strategic timing to secure optimal terms. Our brokers analyze current market conditions, comparable rental rates, and tenant improvement allowances to maximize client benefits. We handle all aspects of the renewal process, from initial proposal review to final document execution, ensuring clients receive competitive rates and favorable lease clauses.
Property Acquisition
KCRE assists businesses in acquiring commercial properties that align with their operational needs. Our acquisition services include market analysis, property evaluation, and purchase agreement negotiations. We provide comprehensive support throughout the buying process, from identifying suitable buildings to coordinating due diligence and closing procedures. Our expertise in both leasing and sales enables us to offer strategic advice on ownership versus leasing decisions.
Exit Strategy Planning
We develop customized exit strategies for commercial tenants facing lease expiration or space requirements changes. Our services include subleasing assistance, lease buyout negotiations, and relocation planning. Our team understands the complexities of lease termination clauses and works to minimize financial exposure while maximizing transition opportunities. We provide market insights to help clients make informed decisions about their real estate commitments.
Market Analysis
KCRE offers in-depth market analysis to support commercial real estate decisions. Our research includes current rental rate trends, vacancy statistics, and comparable property assessments. We provide tailored reports that help clients understand their position in the marketplace and identify opportunities. This data-driven approach supports strategic decision-making for both tenants and property owners seeking to optimize their real estate investments.
People
Paula Brown Kelley
Principal Broker and President
With over 35 years of commercial real estate experience, Paula Brown Kelley founded KCRE in 1998 after working with prominent regional developers. She specializes in office building sales and leasing in the Greater Washington, DC area, representing tenants, purchasers, and building owners. Active in industry organizations including NAR and CREW, she has developed longstanding relationships with nonprofits, law firms, and corporations through her leasing and sales expertise.
Karen K. O'Gorman
Associate Broker
Karen O'Gorman brings 30+ years of commercial leasing experience to KCRE, specializing in Northern Virginia tenant representation. Prior to joining KCRE in 2016, she served as Vice-President of Commercial Leasing at Gates Hudson. A CREW Hall of Fame inductee, she represents companies in acquisition of commercial space while leveraging her landlord representation background to secure favorable lease terms for tenants.
Questions
What commercial real estate services do you specialize in?
We specialize in tenant representation, lease negotiations, property acquisitions, and exit strategies for office spaces in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.
How does KCRE differ from larger real estate firms?
Unlike larger firms that rotate brokers, we provide consistent representation throughout your entire transaction with dedicated, experienced professionals who understand your specific needs.
What areas do you cover?
We primarily serve Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and surrounding metropolitan areas with commercial real estate expertise.
How do you help clients save money on leases?
Our market knowledge and negotiation expertise help clients secure favorable terms, increased tenant allowances, and reduced rental rates through strategic timing and analysis.
Can you assist with both lease renewals and new space acquisitions?
Yes, we handle the full real estate lifecycle including lease renewals, new acquisitions, and exit strategies like subleasing your current space.
What industries do you typically work with?
We serve diverse clients including nonprofits, law firms, government contractors, healthcare providers, and corporations requiring commercial office space solutions.
