BIG Investors founder Albert Behin dies

Multifamily investor had a heart attack

Albert Behin
Albert Behin

Albert Behin, founder of BIG Investors, died Feb. 20 while vacationing with his family in Mexico. He was 43.

The cause of death was a heart attack.

“I’ve been working with him now for close to 10 years, and our life is definitely going to be different and harder,” said his brother David Behin, a broker at Newmark Knight Frank. “I love him, and I miss him.”

Behin founded BIG Investors in 2011, and amassed a portfolio of multifamily buildings. These include 42-44 Meserole Street in Williamsburg, 361 Graham Avenue in Williamsburg and 657 Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick. Before starting BIG, had formed Mortgage Securities LLC, a fund that invested in nonperforming residential mortgages during the subprime crisis.

Born in New York City on Feb. 13, 1976, Behin had celebrated his 43rd birthday just a week before his death. He grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey and attended George Washington University and New York University, where he received his master’s degree in real estate.

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Matthew Steinberg, a broker at Compass, said he was always impressed by his kindness and trustworthiness, two qualities that can be rare in a cutthroat industry like real estate.

“I was using him as an example of how I wanted to model my own career in both his success and the way he interacted with people,” Steinberg said.

Behin is survived by his wife Dalia and their two-year-old twin sons Zachary and Ethan, along with his parents Fereidoon and Parvin and his brothers David and Daniel.

The family is requesting donations to the Books For Kids Foundation.