Matthew J. Smith, Esq. · Private Real Estate Investment · Nationwide
A Private, Dignified Way to Sell YourProperty.
Smith Group Development acquires commercial property, mixed-use buildings, vacant land,
residential real estate, hotels, and estate properties directly from owners at fair market value —
with no brokerage fees, no closing costs, no public listing, no showings, and no hassle.
Private, off-market transactions handled personally by the principal.
Smith Group Development is a private real estate investment company
based in Albany, New York, acquiring commercial property, mixed-use buildings,
vacant land, residential real estate, hotels, and estate properties nationwide —
exclusively through direct, off-market transactions conducted privately between
us and the property owner.
We are an independent private investor — not a franchise, not an iBuyer platform,
and not a representative of private equity or corporate real estate interests.
Our acquisitions are funded with our own capital and, in select transactions,
in joint venture with carefully chosen investment partners. Either way, we are
the decision-maker and the principal you work with directly — from first conversation
to closing. There are no agents involved, no MLS listing, no public price disclosure,
and no commissions or closing costs deducted from your proceeds.
We are active buyers of commercial real estate, mixed-use properties,
vacant and undeveloped land, covered land plays, development sites, and
hospitality assets — as well as residential properties and estate holdings
in any condition, in any situation, anywhere in the United States.
A Process You Can Trust.
Selling your home or business is likely the largest financial transaction of your life — and you would be hearing about it from someone you have never met. We understand that. We don't ask you to trust us simply because we sound honest. Instead, we've built a defined process with clear deliverables at every stage, so that you can watch us earn your trust through our actions, not just our words.
We also understand that you may have already heard from others — the texts, the unsolicited calls, the handwritten postcards. That world is full of people who have never owned a single piece of real estate, but armed with a cell phone, a laptop, an "education" purchased online, and a great deal of free time, they are confident their belief is greater than your doubt. They are looking for a desperate seller and a quick buck — and they will move on the moment they find one. We are not that. Matthew J. Smith, Esq. has practiced law and operated as a licensed broker and title agent in New York for more than three decades. When he sits across the table from you, he has earned the right to be there. Here is exactly how our process works.
01
You Reach Out
A simple phone call or message is all it takes. No obligation, no pressure.
02
We Evaluate Your Property
We conduct an independent analysis and present a straightforward, fair offer.
03
You Choose Your Timeline
Pick your closing date. We are flexible and work around your schedule.
04
Close & Collect
We handle all paperwork and closing costs. You walk away with your proceeds — no deductions, no surprises. Sellers are responsible for any outstanding property taxes and HOA fees or assessments due through the closing date.
Properties We Acquire
Single-family & multi-family residential
Commercial buildings — office, retail, industrial
Mixed-use properties
Hotels & hospitality assets
Vacant land, development sites & covered land plays
Why Property Owners Choose to Sell Off-Market to Smith Group Development
Listing your property on the open market means surrendering your privacy,
your schedule, and a significant portion of your proceeds. There is a better way.
01
Fair Market Value Sales Price
02
No Brokerage Fees to Pay
03
No Signs in Front of Your Property
04
Private Transaction — No MLS Listing or Price Disclosure
05
No Inspections or Price Reductions for Defects
06
No Showings or Open Houses
07
No Property Tours of Your Home
08
No Financing Contingencies
09
Post-Closing Owner Occupancy Available If Needed
Our Story
Matthew J. Smith, Esq.
President & Founder, Smith Group Development LLC
Matthew J. Smith is a New York-licensed attorney and real estate broker, entrepreneur, and real estate professional with more than three decades of experience in transactions, negotiations, and investment across commercial, residential, and mixed-use real estate — from New York's Capital Region to markets across the United States.
He founded Smith Group Development as a private real estate investment company focused on the direct acquisition of commercial and residential property, mixed-use buildings, vacant land, development sites, and estate real estate — off-market, from owners, without brokers or intermediaries. His particular focus includes covered land plays, commercial teardown and redevelopment opportunities, hospitality assets, properties in estate or probate, and other complicated or legally involved ownership situations where a discreet, experienced buyer with legal and title credentials is essential.
Earlier in his career, Matthew served as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel to a national commercial real estate finance advisory firm, giving him deep operational and transactional experience across complex deal structures, capital markets, and institutional-level negotiations. That background, combined with his licensure as a New York real estate broker and title insurance agent, informs every acquisition Smith Group undertakes. He is personally involved in every transaction, every conversation, every offer, every closing.
Matthew is a partner in several active real estate ventures, including The Argus Hotel LLC, a boutique hotel in Albany, and Washington Park Group LLC, a Capital Region brokerage firm and property management company. His portfolio also encompasses industrial, multi-family, and mixed-use properties, with numerous other projects currently under development across the region.
An Albany native, Matthew brings the same intensity to his personal pursuits. A former Division I college hockey captain and accomplished rugby player, he remains an active athlete — you will still find him on the ice and on the ski slopes most winter weekends. He is also an enthusiastic cook who counts feeding family and friends among his greatest pleasures, and he travels whenever the calendar allows. He is the proud father of Quinn and Claire Smith.
Attorney, New York State Bar
Licensed Real Estate Broker, New York
Licensed Title Insurance Agent, New York
B.A. History, College of the Holy Cross
J.D., Western New England University School of Law
We purchase residential and commercial properties of virtually any type and condition — single-family homes, multi-family buildings, vacant land, commercial buildings, and mixed-use properties. We are not limited by geography within New York and consider select opportunities nationally.
An off-market transaction is a private sale conducted directly between you and Smith Group, without listing your property on the MLS or any public real estate database. There are no public records of the asking price during the process, no yard signs, no open houses, and no strangers walking through your property. The transaction is private from start to finish.
We conduct our own independent analysis based on comparable sales in your area, the property's current condition, its location, and its potential. Our goal is to offer a fair market value price — one that reflects what the property is genuinely worth. We will explain our reasoning and you are never under any obligation to accept.
No. When you sell directly to Smith Group, there is no brokerage commission, listing fee, or any other transaction cost charged to you. We also cover normal closing costs. The price we offer is what you walk away with.
No. We purchase properties as-is, in their current condition. You do not need to paint, repair, stage, or remove anything you don't want to take with you. There are no inspection contingencies and no price reductions after the fact based on condition.
We can typically close in as few as 30 days — or on whatever timeline works for you. If you need more time, we accommodate that as well. There are no financing contingencies that could delay or derail the closing.
We have experience working through complex situations — including properties with tax liens, pending foreclosures, estate matters, and title complications. Contact us and we will walk you through your options honestly and without pressure. Everything we discuss is strictly confidential.
In many cases, yes. Post-closing occupancy arrangements can be built directly into the purchase agreement. Closing first allows you to monetize your equity immediately — converting years of ownership into liquid proceeds you can deploy toward your next home, a business venture, or any other family priority — while still having ample time to make your move on your own schedule, without pressure or disruption.
Absolutely. All conversations with Smith Group are completely private. We never disclose your name, property address, situation, or any other details to third parties. Reaching out to us does not create any obligation to proceed, and there is no public record of your inquiry.
None. We cover all customary closing costs. The offer we present is the amount you receive at closing — no deductions, no surprise line items, no renegotiation at the last minute. Transparency is fundamental to how we operate.
Our plans depend on the property. We may renovate and hold, lease, redevelop, or pursue other productive uses — and in some cases we do so in joint venture with carefully selected investment partners. Either way, we are the buyer you deal with directly, and our goal is to put the property to productive use.
This is an important transaction. Talk is inexpensive. What separates a serious buyer from someone making promises is a defined process with identifiable deliverables — and we operate with exactly that structure.
Here is what you can expect at each stage:
Initial Conversation (Day 1–3). We listen. You describe your property, your situation, and what matters most to you. No forms, no pressure, no obligation. Everything you share is confidential.
Written Offer (Day 5–10). We conduct our own analysis and present you with a written, no-obligation offer. The offer specifies the purchase price, proposed closing date, and all material terms in plain language — not boilerplate.
Contract Execution (Day 10–15). If you choose to proceed, we execute a purchase and sale agreement prepared by counsel. The agreement is clear, fair, and does not contain contingencies that give us a back door out.
Title & Closing Preparation (Day 15–25). Matthew Smith, as a licensed New York title agent, personally oversees the title search and clears any issues. You will know exactly what to expect at closing before you arrive.
Closing (Day 25–30, or on your timeline). We close. You receive the agreed amount in full — no last-minute adjustments, no surprise deductions. Closing costs are covered by Smith Group.
Post-Closing Occupancy (if applicable). If you need time after closing to make your next move, a post-closing occupancy arrangement can be included directly in the purchase agreement — giving you the certainty of a completed sale and the flexibility to move on your own schedule. The terms are agreed in advance, in writing, with no ambiguity.
Smith Group Development has no affiliation with Opendoor, Offerpad, or any other national, regional, or local homebuying program or iBuyer platform. Matthew J. Smith is an independent private investor and principal, based in Albany, New York, with more than thirty years of experience in law and Capital Region real estate. When you contact Smith Group, you speak directly with the decision-maker — not a call center, not an algorithm, and not a franchise operator following a script. Every offer is made with private capital, and every decision is made by a person who knows this market and is accountable for the outcome.
Not at all. Having a mortgage on your property is entirely routine and creates no obstacle to a transaction. In any standard real estate closing in New York, the outstanding mortgage balance is paid off and the lien discharged directly from the sale proceeds before any remaining funds are distributed to you. This is handled by the closing attorney as a matter of course. You should have a general sense of your approximate payoff figure so we can structure an offer that works for your situation, but the mechanics are straightforward.
Smith Group Development pays all closing costs that would ordinarily be borne by the seller. In a traditional listed sale, sellers typically absorb New York State and local transfer taxes, deed preparation, their attorney's fees, and other transactional charges — costs that can represent a meaningful deduction from the proceeds you actually receive. We cover those. The price we offer is the amount you walk away with, not a starting point that shrinks at the closing table. Closing costs we pay on your behalf are factored into how we structure the transaction from the outset, so there are no surprises.
Outstanding real estate taxes, homeowners association dues, and similar liens are the seller's obligation and are paid from sale proceeds at closing — this is standard practice in any real estate transaction in New York, not a condition we impose. Before closing, a title search will identify every open lien, and the closing attorney will ensure each one is satisfied. For most transactions, these items are simply deducted from proceeds and the balance is distributed to you. Where arrears are modest relative to the size of the transaction, we are open to a candid conversation about how they are handled — there is no rigid formula. We encourage you to ask.
Yes, and we have experience doing so. Properties held in a decedent's estate or subject to probate proceedings require additional legal steps — establishing executor or administrator authority, obtaining court approval where required by the Surrogate's Court in the applicable county, and ensuring proper deed execution and transfer. None of this makes a transaction impossible; it simply requires competent coordination between counsel and the closing agent. As a licensed New York attorney and title agent, Matthew J. Smith understands these requirements. If you are an executor, administrator, or heir dealing with inherited real property, we encourage you to reach out early. Estate situations are often time-sensitive, and having a serious, discreet buyer already engaged can reduce both stress and delay.
You are always welcome to retain your own independent legal counsel, and for any significant real estate transaction, doing so is a reasonable and prudent choice. We do not require it as a condition of proceeding, and we will work cooperatively with any attorney you engage. What we can tell you is this: the purchase agreement we use is straightforward, written in plain language, and does not contain obscured terms designed to disadvantage you. You will understand what you are signing before you sign it. That said, your attorney's job is to represent your interests — and that is a role we do not fill on your behalf.
No — on either count, and this distinction matters. Matthew J. Smith is a licensed attorney and a licensed real estate broker in the State of New York. However, when acting on behalf of Smith Group Development LLC in connection with the acquisition of real property, Mr. Smith is acting solely as a private investor and principal — not as your attorney and not as your broker. No attorney-client relationship is created by contacting Smith Group, discussing your property, or entering into a purchase agreement. Mr. Smith does not represent your interests in a legal or fiduciary capacity in connection with a Smith Group transaction. You are strongly encouraged to obtain independent legal counsel of your own choosing before entering into any agreement to sell your property.
Professional Referrals
A Trusted Partner for Attorneys, Brokers & Advisors
Estate attorneys, probate counsel, CPAs, financial advisors, and real estate professionals regularly encounter clients who need a discreet, reliable path out of a property — commercial or residential — without the exposure of a public listing or the delay of a traditional sale. Smith Group is that resource.
We are active buyers of estate and inherited properties, distressed commercial real estate, off-market mixed-use buildings, vacant and undeveloped land, and properties in any condition or legal situation. If your client owns real property they need to divest privately — whether through an estate, a foreclosure, a business dissolution, or simply a desire for a quiet sale — we are the right call.
Referral relationships are handled with the same confidentiality and professionalism we extend to every seller. Your client's situation, your relationship with them, and the details of any inquiry remain entirely private. No formal referral arrangement is required to begin a conversation.
Matthew J. Smith, Esq. handles every referred transaction personally — as a licensed attorney, broker, title agent, and principal investor. One call reaches the decision-maker.
Estate & Probate Attorneys
Inherited commercial property, residential estates, and probate real estate requiring quiet, efficient disposition — handled with legal precision and speed.
Off-market opportunities your clients are not ready to list publicly — or listings you'd rather not lose entirely.
Builders, Developers & Capital Partners
Off-market development sites, covered land plays, commercial teardown opportunities, and vacant land — principal-to-principal, no intermediaries.
Start a Confidential Conversation
There is no referral agreement required and no obligation of any kind. Simply contact Matthew directly to discuss a client situation or potential opportunity — in complete confidence.
Whether you are thinking about selling a property, have a question, or simply
want to understand how the process works — we welcome your call or message.
All inquiries are handled personally and in strict confidence.
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We respond within 24 hoursEvery inquiry receives a personal response — often the same day. All conversations are strictly confidential.
