Tell us a little bit about yourself, your family, and where you’re from.
I was born in Castro Valley, California, then moved to Indiana between corn and soybean fields for a few years until my Dad’s job relocated us to Houston, Texas when I was in middle school. I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development. I met my beautiful wife, Noelle, at SFA, and we’ve been married for almost 6 years. We just welcomed our sweet little boy, Ollie, into the world 3 months ago, and we’re loving parenthood. We also have an Australian Shepherd mix dog named Marvel. I’m member of Watermark church, and I love spending time my family, working out, building & fixing things, and investing in real estate.
When did you move to The River District, and why did you decide to move here?
We moved to The River District in 2016 when we got a tip on what was happening here. After touring the area and seeing the vision that was set for the neighborhood, we instantly fell in love with it and made the jump from the established Ridglea Hills neighborhood to the “up and coming” River District. We bought a fixer-upper because we saw this neighborhood as an investment.
In 2017, we decided to rent our house out and purchase another “live-in” fixer-upper just a few streets away. This house better fit the needs of our growing family, plus it came with a guesthouse. We love the proximity of this area to downtown Fort Worth, the Trinity River, West 7th and the Cultural District. We also love the community here. It’s pretty tight-knit and everyone knows everyone!
What do you do for a living?
I am a husband and father before anything else. It’s the best job in the world. I’m also afull-time Realtor, Property Manager, and investor. In 2017, I created my own property management company in Fort Worth called League Property Management. I currently manage over 90 units including single-family, multi-family and commercial properties throughout the DFW area. I also remodel/renovate several of my own properties, as well as help clients remodel/renovate their homes to rent or sell. And for fun, my wife and I manage a full-time Airbnb from the guesthouse in our backyard.
Have you always wanted to work for yourself? How did you get into the real estate business?
I always had a desire to own or start a company. I got the bug in college after I started a summer landscaping business so I could take my girlfriend (now wife) out on dates. My family has a history of owning businesses anywhere from restaurants to haunted houses, so I like to think it’s ingrained into my DNA. After I graduated from college, I decided to take an opportunity presented to me in Real Estate. I would be leaving the thought of a consistent salary as a teacher to pursue being a Realtor at a local brokerage. From there, I discovered my interest and love for real estate investing.
What made you decide to start a property management company in Fort Worth?
I felt there was a real need in the DFW area for a different, innovative approach to property management. I wanted to incorporate unique and creative online marketing backed by the already successful LEAGUE Real Estate brand and create a company that never compromised quality over quantity. I like to build relationships with the owners and work to earn their trust rather than them use me because of a simple Google search. I also wanted to provide a cloud-based platform with state-of-the-art management software with an emphasis on protecting my client’s assets.
How did you first get into remodeling and flipping houses? How many houses have you renovated?
I’ve probably renovated between 20-25 homes. I first got started with a condo in Dallas back in 2013. I was managing a property for an owner who decided to sell the property “as-is”. We mutually agreed on a price, so my wife and I bought it and then sold it within two weeks for almost double. Soon after, we bought a fixer-upper in Ridglea Hills with the sole purpose of living in it while making improvements. A short year later we put it on the market and it sold quickly, so we decided to keep the momentum going from there.
What is it like to manage an Airbnb?
It’s so exciting when you get a notification on your phone that another guest has booked your place! I love hearing why people are coming to the Fort Worth area and how they enjoyed their stay. It can be hard sometimes when you have quick turnovers and only a short amount of time to clean, repair, and do a make-ready for the next guest, but it’s been a fun experience since we started it a year ago. It also provides a great source of income each month.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
Well, you can find me in a dress shirt in the office one day, then covered in paint with a truck bed full of tools and materials the next day. Every day looks different, but that’s what I love about what I do. My work day can start as early as 6:30am and can sometimes end late in the evening. It just depends on what needs to get done.
