Fort Worth Luncheon
DeLea Becker, a Leading Female Entrepreneur
Focused on Development, Brokerage, and a Civil Construction Company
Fidelity National Title Lunch Series in Ft. Worth
DeLea spoke about her journey as a female entrepreneur in the Commercial Real Estate space and discussed specific Tax Strategies she is currently implementing to drive returns on her investments. Plus how she has been strategically maneuvering to take advantage of the economic downcycle while reducing negative impacts.
Update on DeLea's Talk: Commercial Real Estate and Capitalizing on Opportunities
DeLea recently took the stage to share her journey into the world of Commercial Real Estate, a sector where she has not just survived but thrived. Her talk was a treasure trove of insights, strategies, and real-world examples that left the audience inspired and informed.
The Journey into Commercial Real Estate
DeLea began by recounting her entry into the Commercial Real Estate world, a field notoriously dominated by men. Despite the odds, she carved out a niche for herself, specializing in East Austin, where she has been a powerhouse for over two decades.
What Makes DeLea An Authority?
Over $100 million in deal volume as Broker and Buyer/Seller
As Owner - Developer - General Contractor
- Owned and sold 13 Commercial Properties
- Currently Owns 7 Commercial Properties
- Redeveloped 4 Commercial Properties
On Horizon: In Various Stages of Permitting &/OR Site Plans
—- 24 acre RV park - East of Austin
—- 2-acre Warehouse Development - Salado Texas
—- 48,000 SF Office/Retail Building - East Austin
The Magic of 1031 Exchange
One of the highlights of her talk was her favorite tax strategy: the 1031 Exchange. DeLea has successfully deferred capital gains taxes on $1.8 million through this strategy, reinvesting the money into more lucrative assets. She emphasized that understanding and utilizing tax laws can be a game-changer in asset accumulation.
2013 - 2023 | 7 Completed 1031 Exchanges | 7 Uplegs + 11 Downlegs
The Downleg Machine
When it comes to finding a downleg property, DeLea has a well-oiled machine in place. She revealed that once the earnest money on her upleg property goes hard, she sifts through a staggering 1,000 properties, writes 30 contracts, and usually has three properties under contract before her upleg even closes. It's a methodical, calculated approach that has paid off time and again.
The Love for Cost Segregation
DeLea also touched on her newfound love for Cost Segregation, a tax-saving strategy she employed for the first time in her 2022 tax return. She used this technique on an asset in South Austin, purchased for $2.4 million with plans to bulldoze it in 11 years when the current tenant's lease and all extensions run out. Knowing that the "recapture" of depreciation would be minimal due to the future demolition, DeLea enlisted the expertise of Barbara Hayley for the cost segregation process.
The result was nothing short of a financial home run. The report allowed her to write off a whopping $707,675 from her income on her tax return. To be clear, she has a partner that is 50% owner so the depreciation is shared 50/50. In cowgirl terms - keeping it simple- if her final income on the tax return was $1 million, thanks to cost segregation, she'd only have to pay taxes on $298,000. Without cost segregation, her write-off for the year would have been a mere $40,000.
This strategy showcases DeLea's shrewd financial acumen, turning what could have been a tax burden into a significant advantage. It's another feather in her cap, proving yet again that she's not just surviving in the world of Commercial Real Estate; she's thriving.
The Power of Networking
DeLea stressed the importance of networking, both online and offline. In a down market, she pointed out, effective networking can essentially be free, other than your time. “Your Network is your net-worth”. Build relationships and look for ways to help each other. Create events to bring different specialties together. Skeet Shooting outing with Engineers, Architects, GCs and Developers. “Networking Nails” - 10 of us ladies have a standing nail appt every 3 weeks. We talk business while knocking out a chore.
Networking Idea for the Price of Joe : East Austin Coffee - Bi-Weekly. 9-11 AM at the East Austin Hotel. Anyone is invited, I send out invites to 140 people via Linked In. Generally 20-25 people show Often times we talk about the market, economy, news on the street and business gossip. Once a month we pick a subject matter like Syndication, Social Media, State of Banking and discuss as a group. Boots on the ground info. BONUS - 140 people see my name 2 x week and I stay top of mind. Just last week one of my invitees, who has NOT attended one coffee in 2 years, sent me a commercial real estate referrl. See my webpage for ideas and you can view my past “events” on linked in here.
BONUS - Whenever I recieve emails requesting a coffee or lunch I respond with an invite to the coffee.
SOCIAL MEDIA -
If you are new and starting out, give Twitter - X - a shot. Simple, no need for fancy graphics and “Instagramable Images”. Search Hashtag #ReTwit. A fan favorite in CRE is StripMallGuy @realEstateTrent . He guards is anonymity, but if you play along on Twitter enough with us- you will be let in on the secret. Or even better be invited to the private 100 Person Dinner he holds in NYC.
Follow Chris Powers @fortworthchris - a Good Ol’ Texas Boy and a Ft. Worth Favorite.
Clearly - the Most OG on Twitter. He jumped on in January 2023. 10 months later he has 25,000 followers and post several times a day. The #1 Broker in the history of NYC @BobKnakal
If you check me out @Beckreit be sure to leave a comment on one of my post so I know you are there - and then we can banter like teenage girls’ text messaging- but all of our commentary gets caught in SEO so it is a WIN.
Want more ideas of people that are active and ready to connect with you and network online. The ulitmate list is CREi - Commercial Real Estate Influencers. Givers-Get is our motto. We want everyone in the boat to have fun. Learning. That turns into business. I’ve gotten several out-of-state referrals from these friends of mine - and learned so much. LIST MAKERS
If your on other social media platforms lets connect there too- Instagram @TexasCommercialRealEstate Tik Tok @QueenOfEastAustin
Utilize Your Resources
Everyone at the lunch is a friend of Fidelity Title. There are amazing tools they can utilize to give you micro data and macro data quickly. Need help with Marketing - your Fidelity Business Development contact will work with you to create strategies and plan to execute. Reach out to your favorite person at Fidelity and brainstorm how you can utilize their data, subscriptions, and expertise. BONUS - I haven’t utilized it, but speaking with Fidelity - if you are looking up an owner of a specific property and struggling to get past the LLC to true ownership - Call Them - and thank me later.
Have a friend who is an Appraiser- create a market report together that gets sent to both of your clients - Cross-Pollinate.
CoStar Subscriber - send them an email with the exact data you want pulled and ask for graphs to go along with the data. They pulled data about Office Space in the Major Texas Metros for me this summer. I could have done it myself, would have taken hours. Instead, I sent 1 email. See Graphs Here
CPA - setup a lunch and learn, have your CPA come speak to a group of your clients, friends, your network. the informal setting allows for the CPA to speak openly and your guest can ask questions they might be timid to ask in a larger setting or dont want to bother thier CPA with a call/email. Everyone learns from the answers.
Building a Reputation
Starting as a young (36 years old), blonde, woman in a male-dominated industry can be seen as a disadvantage. “Is it harder for me than for a man, yes, but I get to stand out. That is the opportunity. “
Turn it into an asset. Through platforms like LinkedIn, she showcases her extensive experience as an Owner, Investor, and Contractor. And builds on that brand through other social media so potential clients and fellow brokers can find her anywhere.
Her reputation became her calling card, and it made all the difference when she was able to secure a lucrative asset from Endeavor Real Estate in Austin. When they saw that the buyer was Beck-Reit, they knew the deal would close without a hitch.
ADD IN BRANDING
Branding can take years to to solidy and become reputation. So start now. DeLea entered the Commercial Real Estate Brokerage world in 2012. Being an advocate, building owner,developer and constantly looking for deals in East Austin - some friends loving coined her the Queen of East Austin. DeLea decided to run with the Nick Name -using it at every opportunity. Branding works - 11 years later she was awarded the Economic and Community Improvement award by CREW. Plant a tree today… See story
Old Dog New Tricks
Marketing - take this time to revamp, redo, evolve your marketing. Website - update or completely redo it. SEO and keywords. When was the last time you “Audited” your keywords and SEO? Well, you’re supposed to check your keywords and update bi-monthly. Take the time to learn this. I hired Lovasco Creative - a marketing company that specializes in the Commercial Real Estate Industry - Brokerages, Development Companies, and Property Owners- to completely revamp my Website, move website to Google Analytics 4, set up for google ad words, create a system to catch “Searches” for my competitors and redirect them to my website (sounds cool right?), and create a fresh newsletter format in a new software saving me $1200 a year. Yes, I hired this out, I am not an expert. I spent 4 months studying and organizing my PROJECT before sending out RFP to several companies. I will continue to study so I understand and will see any other opportunities I can seize to get ahead of my competition. New website Launches November 1st.
Marketing - Find a story in your industry that is hitting headlines and gettign ltos of gossip. Go reasearch it. Take your phone and go do video and pictures of the project, area, business etc.
StoryBuilt Saga - Everyone loves to watch a train wreck.
60 days on my website - 1428 views. I created a video that I posted on youtube, linked in, instagram, tik tok, facebook and my website. On my website I continue to update the story with less no facts, and took the time tp go find pics of every Project Uncompleted or Not Started. I spent 2 weeks researching. Which means people can come to my website to get the public info and the private info in a quick read. It was menat to be “Click Bate” and it worked better than I expected.
Next Project - I’m going around to different properties constructed in the last 15 years across East Austin. Will celebrate the good construction and detail what is Well Done. Photograph and drone the bad constrcuction - detail errors/issues I see and explain what they should have done to avoid the issues”
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
DeLea's parting message was one of resilience and resourcefulness. She urged the audience to use challenging times as an opportunity for growth. Whether it's by leveraging social media or by simply using your brain to come up with innovative solutions, DeLea is a living testament to the fact that challenges can indeed be turned into opportunities.
In a world where talk is cheap, DeLea's insights were worth their weight in gold. She's not just a player in the Commercial Real Estate game; she's a force to be reckoned with. And if her talk is anything to go by, she's just getting started.
PODCAST RECOMMENDATIONS - I am compiling a list which will Go Live on the website within the coming days.
Here is a List of podcast wtih DeLea as Host or Guest
Texas Triangle is a Bi-Monthy Podcast covering all Texas Things that impact Real Estate. All Texans should listen to Episode 1 with Texas State Demographer Dr. Lloyd Potter -Click for Episode
Launching November 1st - Updated Newsletter with Targeted Topics.
Sign Up Here- select the topics that will benefit you, your clients, and family wealth generation.
Unveiling Untapped Opportunities:
Insights from DeLea Becker on Tax Strategies, Networking, and Deal Structuring for Savvy Business Women
DeLea spoke on Stage at Globe St Juy 2023 in Lake Tahoe to discusing “insight into untapped Opportunities in Leanding And Finance”. She will delvd into the world of Commercial Real Estate Lending and Finance with insights into how she has structured deals and working through current opportunities. As a successful entrepreneur and expert in commercial real estate, DeLea has achieved remarkable feats by leveraging strategic tax planning, networking, and versatile deal structuring. She candidly answersed three important questions that equipped the audience with valuable knowledge and empowered them on their journey to financial success and investing
Reducing Taxes with Commercial Real Estate:
The adage that the wealthy don't pay taxes may be an exaggeration, but there are indeed opportunities in the Tax Code to minimize income tax and capital gains tax through astute commercial real estate transactions. DeLea, having personally capitalized on these opportunities, shares her experiences and insights. While Jennifer will discuss 1031 in detail, DeLea will shed light on other lesser-known tax strategies that have proven beneficial in her own endeavors. Understanding these tactics can make a significant difference for our audience, offering a competitive edge in the financial landscape.
The Power of Networking for Untapped Opportunities:
Networking is a cornerstone of success for women in any industry, and DeLea staunchly advocates for its profound benefits. In this segment, she elucidates the importance of networking and how it plays a pivotal role in uncovering untapped opportunities. DeLea's personal journey is a testament to the impact of building connections, nurturing relationships, and leveraging them for both personal and professional growth. Discover how to harness the power of networking to open doors to new possibilities and amplify your potential in the world of finance.
The Art of Versatile Deal Structuring:
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to deal-making, but a myriad of ways to structure deals, debts, and partnerships creatively. Drawing from her vast experience, DeLea shares her best advice for our audience, guiding them on how to determine different deal structures to maximize returns and mitigate risks. As someone who values continuous learning, DeLea emphasizes the significance of asking thoughtful questions and embracing diverse perspectives during negotiations. This process of "coloring in the picture" can lead to innovative solutions and lucrative opportunities.
In the dynamic world of finance and commercial real estate, seizing untapped opportunities is key to achieving remarkable success. With DeLea Becker's profound insights on tax strategies, the power of networking, and versatile deal structuring, our audience is well-equipped to embark on their own journeys of growth and prosperity. Remember, there's always something new to learn, and with the right knowledge and mindset, the possibilities are limitless. Embrace the art of networking, the finesse of tax planning, and the creativity of deal structuring to unlock your full potential as a savvy businesswoman.