You’ve probably seen the name popping up lately, maybe in a business journal or perhaps on a viral social media clip that had nothing to do with floor plans. Mike Jenkins real estate developer is a name that carries weight in two very different worlds: the high-stakes arena of Pacific Northwest commercial builds and the gritty, custom residential market of the Midwest.
Honestly, the real estate industry is full of people who talk a big game. But Jenkins is different. He’s the guy who actually built a billion-dollar portfolio while most people were still trying to figure out how a 1031 exchange works. It's not just about the money, though. It’s about a weirdly specific, almost obsessive focus on "doing the right thing" in an industry that isn't exactly known for its moral compass.
Who Exactly Is Mike Jenkins?
Depending on where you live, you might be thinking of a few different guys. But the Mike Jenkins making the most noise right now is Michael A. Jenkins, the powerhouse behind MAJ Development Corporation. He’s a Vancouver, Washington native. Born and raised. He didn't just stumble into property development; he ground his way up through the brokerage world for 20 years before he started breaking ground on his own projects.
Then there’s DaMichael "Mikey" Jenkins. He’s the one based in Columbus, Ohio. This Mike Jenkins real estate developer operates 3D Visionz and has a backstory that sounds like a movie script. He went from serving time in federal prison to becoming one of the most sought-after custom home designers in the Midwest.
Two men. Same name. Both are crushing it in real estate, but their paths couldn't be more different.
The Billion-Dollar Blueprint in Vancouver
Michael A. Jenkins—the Washington one—is basically the preferred developer for brands you see every day. Think 7-Eleven and 24 Hour Fitness. Since he launched MAJ Development in 2012, he and his partners have developed and sold over $1 billion in real estate. That’s a staggering number.
He’s known for a "contrarian" approach. Basically, when the economy looks like a dumpster fire, Jenkins starts digging. He believes the best opportunities hide in the toughest markets. Most people run for the hills during a recession; he buys the hills and puts a retail center on them.
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The Resurrection Story in Ohio
Now, Mikey Jenkins in Ohio? His story is about redemption. He’s a third-generation builder who learned the trade from his grandfather. But he took a detour that landed him in prison. A lot of people would have given up. Not him.
Since 2013, he’s executed over 100 deals. Wholesaling, creative financing, luxury renovations—he does it all. He recently went viral for a pretty ugly incident where a neighbor racially profiled him at his own home. He handled it with a level of calm that most of us don't possess. He even went on Shannon Sharpe’s Nightcap podcast to talk about it, using the moment to push a message of faith and resilience rather than bitterness.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Industry
People think real estate is just about having a big bank account. It isn't. Not really. It’s about relationships and, kinda surprisingly, imagination.
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Mike Jenkins (the Ohio developer) specializes in what he calls "visionary" design. He isn't just slapping up drywall. He’s creating record-breaking comparables in neighborhoods where people said it couldn't be done.
On the other side of the country, Michael A. Jenkins in Washington is proof that the "slow and steady" brokerage route actually works. He spent two decades as a top producer at Coldwell Banker before he ever became a "developer." He learned the market from the inside out. He saw which buildings failed and why. That’s the kind of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) that Google—and investors—crave.
How Jenkins Actually Built His Empire
Success in this field usually boils down to three things:
- Niche Focus: Michael A. Jenkins mastered the "triple net" (NNN) investment sale. This is where the tenant pays the taxes, insurance, and maintenance. It’s the holy grail for hands-off investors.
- Heritage: DaMichael Jenkins grew up on construction sites. You can't fake that kind of "dirt-under-the-nails" knowledge. He understands the literal nuts and bolts of a house.
- The Pivot: Both men know how to change direction. Whether it's pivoting from brokerage to development or from a prison cell to a boardroom, the ability to adapt is their real superpower.
Why This Matters to You
If you're looking at a Mike Jenkins real estate developer project, you're usually looking at something that has been vetted to death. These aren't fly-by-night operations. In Washington, MAJ Development is famous for "garden-style" multifamily projects that actually look like places people want to live, not just concrete boxes.
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In Ohio, the 3D Visionz brand is synonymous with "above asking price." Why? Because the designs are fresh. They don't look like the cookie-cutter suburbs that have dominated the Midwest for forty years.
Actionable Takeaways from the Jenkins Playbook
If you’re trying to get into the real estate game or just looking to invest, here is what you can learn from the Jenkins approach:
- Don't Fear the Dip: Both developers have made their biggest moves when others were scared. If the market is down, look for the value.
- Master One Thing First: Don't try to be a developer, broker, and landlord on day one. Michael A. Jenkins spent 20 years as a broker before he started his own development firm.
- Redemption is Real: Your past doesn't dictate your ability to build a portfolio. DaMichael Jenkins proved that your "vision" is your most valuable asset.
- Focus on the "Right Thing": It sounds cliché, but both men cite their families and personal ethics as their primary drivers. In a cutthroat industry, being the "good guy" is actually a competitive advantage.
The real estate world is messy. It’s complicated, expensive, and risky. But whether you're following the billion-dollar retail path in the Northwest or the luxury custom builds in the Midwest, the name Mike Jenkins stands for a specific kind of grit. It’s the kind of grit that builds empires out of nothing but a vision and a whole lot of hard work.
If you are researching his specific projects, look toward the Palms Plaza in Vancouver or the record-setting residential sales in Franklin County, Ohio. These aren't just buildings; they are case studies in how to dominate a market by staying one step ahead of the curve.
To start applying these principles, your first step should be to analyze your local market for "contrarian" opportunities—look for the asset classes (like retail or mid-term rentals) that others are currently ignoring. Next, focus on building one high-value relationship with a seasoned broker who has at least a decade of experience in your specific zip code.