Born and raised in Seattle and a proud University of Washington alum, Adrian Chu, the Founder & CEO of Specialty Real Estate Group (and three other real estate related companies), is one of those who found his passion in real estate early on, at the age of 7, to be exact. 

From then, his fascination with real estate and finance only grew and became unstoppable. Clients at any stages of their real estate journey would benefit from Adrian’s experience and expertise, which spans from residential and commercial purchases and sales, land acquisition and development, construction and financing. 

Adrian's fascination with real estate and finance began early in life. "I was always intrigued by entrepreneurship and finance," Adrian recalls, reflecting on his formative years. "Even in elementary school, I would wake up early to watch CNBC, follow the stock market, and even called in to speak with the analysts on live national television multiple times." 

This early interest laid the groundwork for Adrian's future in real estate, driving him to pursue a path that would blend his passion with practical experience.

"I knew early on that I wanted to invest in real estate," Adrian explains. "So, I strategically planned my education and career to align with that goal." 

During high school in Washington state, Adrian participated in the Running Start program, which allowed him to take college courses concurrently. As a result, he graduated from the University of Washington in just two years with a degree in electrical engineering—a foundation he believed would provide financial stability while he pursued his real estate ambitions.

In 2010, at the age of 19, Adrian obtained his real estate license, marking the beginning of his professional journey. Initially, while working full-time in engineering, Adrian started small, handling rental transactions and gradually acquiring his own properties. 

"My first client transaction was for a modest $600-a-month condo rental," Adrian recalls with a smile. "It was a smooth introduction to the business."

As the market recovered from the 2008 financial crisis, Adrian seized opportunities in Seattle's condominium market, purchasing properties at reduced prices and leveraging his insights to navigate complex investment decisions. His early success fueled his ambition, prompting him to broaden his expertise by obtaining a mortgage license in 2012—a move that positioned him to offer comprehensive services to his growing clientele.

Concurrently working full-time in the tech industry enabled Adrian to quickly grow his real estate investment portfolio starting with rehabs and rental properties.

Adrian's entrepreneurial spirit led him further into real estate development and new construction. 

"In 2015, I ventured into new development representing a buyer for a new construction home. The following year, I acquired my first development project," Adrian shares. "This marked a pivotal moment, allowing me to expand into underwriting new construction projects, master the land use code, and collaborating closely with the local builder community." 

In 2017, Adrian transitioned away from the tech industry. In the same year, Adrian was one of the early adopters to Seattle’s accessory dwelling unit condominium projects, purchasing a single-family zoned lot and creating an additional dwelling on it that could be sold separately. As one of the first developers to build and curate such a project, Adrian set the stage for many of these projects being built all over the city now.

His venture into real estate development eventually culminated in the establishment of Specialty Design+Build, currently overseeing the construction of 17 homes with more projects in the pipeline—a testament to Adrian's strategic vision and leadership in Seattle's competitive market.

In 2021, Adrian launched Specialty Real Estate Group, accompanied by Specialty Home Loans and Laurelhurst Property Management, bringing his vision into reality. “I have always wanted to create a comprehensive service model for my clients, becoming their real estate one-stop shop for life. From real estate transactions to financing and property management, we provide seamless solutions tailored to meet our clients' diverse needs."

One of Adrian’s niches in real estate brokerage continues to be representing Seattle and Eastside’s leading developers, builders, and investors on acquiring projects and selling finished new homes. 

Adrian and his team also handle commercial transactions, in both sales and tenant representation.

Today, Adrian leads a team of 38 agents at Specialty Real Estate Group, fostering a collaborative environment that emphasizes both virtual interaction and in-person engagement. 

"Launching our brokerage during the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges, but we adapted quickly," Adrian notes. "We continue to host regular agent events that blend education with fun, strengthening our team's cohesion and professional growth. Real estate can be very competitive. We strive to provide a supportive environment for our agents and promote cross-marketing opportunities."

Adrian also gives back by actively volunteering with the University of Washington, contributing as a business plan competition judge and guest speaker in the university's real estate program.

Reflecting on his journey, Adrian offers valuable advice for aspiring real estate professionals who are currently working in another industry or have another full-time job. 

"Treat real estate as a second full-time job," Adrian advises. "Success requires dedication, a strong mindset, and a commitment to continuous learning." 

He emphasizes the importance of building trust within Seattle's close-knit real estate community, where reputation and relationships are paramount.

As Adrian continues to expand his influence in Seattle and beyond—with his firm licensed in Oregon and California—he remains focused on innovation and excellence. "Our goal is to make a meaningful impact in the real estate industry," Adrian concludes. "By providing exceptional service and fostering lasting relationships, we aim to redefine real estate experiences in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. You will be seeing more of us around."