John S Finn Jr

John Sylvester Finn Jr. (born August 26, 1957) is an American real estate broker, entrepreneur, and civic leader. He is the Senior Managing Broker of United Real Estate Richmond, the largest Black-owned real estate firm in Virginia.With a career spanning over 48 years, Finn has completed more than 2,500 property transactions and was the first African American President of the Richmond Association of Realtors.
A fifth-generation real estate professional, Finn comes from a family with a long history of business and community leadership in Virginia. His expertise extends beyond real estate sales to property management, land development, mortgage services, and consulting. He has been widely recognized for his contributions to the industry and community, earning accolades such as the "Realtor of the Year" award (2017), the Virginia Realtors "Hall of Fame" induction, and the "Presidential Service Award." In addition to his business endeavors, Finn serves on multiple advisory boards, including the Virginia Housing Advisory Board, Virginia Supportive Housing, and the McShin Foundation for Recovery.
Through his leadership, Finn and his brother, Jeffrey Finn, oversee a network of more than 250 agents and associates operating across a dozen businesses, including title and escrow services, construction, insurance, and a real estate school. His work has been profiled in publications such as Forbes, Real Estate Trends, and Richmond Magazine.
==Early life and education==
John S. Finn Jr. was born on August 26, 1957, in Richmond, Virginia, into a family with a deep-rooted legacy in business, real estate, and community leadership. His lineage traces back to James Finn, a Civil War sailor who settled in Winterpock, Virginia, and became a farmer and carpenter. The Finn family's entrepreneurial spirit continued through generations, with Andrew Finn building the first African American school in Chesterfield County in 1917 and Milton Finn establishing a successful land and milling business.
Finn's father, John S. Finn Sr., was a prominent home builder and developer in Central Virginia for over four decades. Growing up, Finn was exposed to real estate and construction from an early age, working on job sites alongside his father. This early experience provided him with a strong foundation in property development and business management.
He attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he studied Business Marketing. However, recognizing his passion for real estate, he obtained his real estate license in 1976 and pursued a career in the industry. Throughout his career, Finn continued his professional development, earning multiple real estate certifications, including Certified Residential Broker (CRB), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), and Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR).
==Career==
John S. Finn Jr. began his real estate career in 1976 after obtaining his license, following in the footsteps of his father, a well-established home builder and developer in Central Virginia. With a strong foundation in property development and business management, Finn quickly made a name for himself in the Virginia real estate market.
Throughout his career, Finn has completed over 2,500 real estate transactions, earning recognition for his sales expertise, including once selling 27 properties in just 45 days. He has held various leadership positions within the real estate industry, including serving as the broker overseeing the management and divestment of seized properties for the U.S. Marshals Service in Virginia. His role required extensive knowledge of property transactions, asset liquidation, and real estate law.
In 2015, Finn made history by becoming the first African American President of the Richmond Association of Realtors, a milestone that highlighted his influence in the industry. He was later inducted into the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Real Estate School Circle of Excellence, recognizing his contributions to the field.
Currently, Finn serves as the Senior Managing Broker of United Real Estate Richmond, which he co-founded alongside his brother, Jeffrey Finn. Under their leadership, the firm has grown into the largest Black-owned real estate company in Virginia, with over 250 agents and associates. In addition to real estate brokerage, the Finn brothers oversee multiple business ventures, including companies specializing in title and escrow, mortgage services, property management, construction, insurance, land development, consulting, home healthcare, and real estate education.
Finn is widely regarded as a thought leader in real estate and is a sought-after consultant and speaker on real estate investing and development. His expertise has been featured on PBS, and NBC, as well as in Forbes, REO Insider, Real Estate Trends, Metro Real Estate, and Richmond Magazine.
==Awards and recognitions==
John S. Finn Jr. has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, recognizing his contributions to the real estate industry, business leadership, and community service. His achievements reflect his dedication to fostering growth and innovation within the real estate sector, particularly in Virginia.
Some of his notable awards and recognitions include:
* Realtor of the Year (2017) – Awarded for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the real estate profession.
* Civic Leader of the Year (2024) – Recognized for his leadership in community development and civic engagement.
* Virginia Realtors Hall of Fame – Inducted for his long-standing impact on the real estate industry in Virginia.
* Presidential Service Award – Honored for his commitment to public service and leadership.
* Realtors Omega Tau Rho Medal of Service – Recognized for his dedication to the real estate profession and his influence on industry standards.
* United Real Estate Group’s Leadership & Excellence Award – Acknowledged for his exceptional leadership in the real estate brokerage industry.
Finn’s contributions extend beyond real estate, as he has been actively involved in various civic, nonprofit, and educational initiatives. He has served on boards such as the Virginia Housing Advisory Board, the Metropolitan Business League, Virginia Supportive Housing, and the McShin Foundation for Recovery. Additionally, he is a Board of Trustees member for the Virginia Commonwealth University Foundation, further solidifying his influence in education and community development.
His historic appointment as the first African American President of the Richmond Association of Realtors in 2015 remains a significant milestone in his career, marking his impact on diversity and inclusion in the real estate sector.
==Personal life==
John lives in Bon Air, Virginia, with his wife Lorri. John is a proud father of two sons, Antonio, who resides in Washington D.C., and John III, who serves in the US Army. 
Beyond his work in real estate and community service, Finn is passionate about mentorship, education, and social impact initiatives. He has been actively involved in programs aimed at fostering leadership development and supporting affordable housing and financial literacy initiatives. In partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha, Finn’s fraternity, the Finn Brothers have established an endowed college scholarship program to support underserved students.
In addition to his community involvement, Finn enjoys traveling, reading, and engaging in motivational speaking engagements, where he shares insights on success, leadership, and the real estate industry.
==References==
==External links==
* United Real Estate Virginia
* United Real Estate Richmond
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* John Finn Real Estate
Category:1957 births
Category:American real estate brokers
Category:American entrepreneurs
Category:Virginia Commonwealth University alumni