American Idol Alum that now partners with investors to develop single family homes, creates fun STR's and leads the best real estate team in Dallas.
Dallas, TX
Joined April 2008
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17 years ago I tried out for @AmericanIdol and became the third runner up of the 7th season. What a time.
The road from the stage of American Idol to construction sites was not a typical one, but it's my journey. And I believe that my experience as a musician enriches my work as a builder. Both paths share the ultimate goal: to connect, inspire, and make an impact.
Creating music gave me the ability to transport listeners to different places and feelings through sound. Designing a home does the same. It creates a tangible space where people create memories and feel comfort. The passion that I put into music translates directly into the detail and attention I put into designing and constructing homes.
Every chord progression, every melody, every lyric of a song contributes to the overall experience of the listener. Similarly, every choice of materials, every architectural decision, every finishing touch in a home affects the experience of the inhabitants.
I used to use music to paint aural pictures, now I use blueprints to paint tangible ones. Every home I help build is like a song, designed to evoke emotions and tell stories.
Through music and home-building, I want to make a difference, to create something lasting and meaningful. It might seem like a jump from music to construction, but it's just two sides of the same coin. Both crafts are about translating vision into reality, creating an experience, and making a mark in the world.
Whether penning a new song or drafting plans for a house, the drive remains the same: to create something that matters, to contribute to people's lives, and to leave the world just a little bit better than I found it.
My parent immigrated to the US a few years before I was born. Growing up I always felt a little out of place and felt a strong comfort in the Colombian culture. in the food and the music that my grandparents would share. My big loud family that would made everything a joke and debate at the same time. 🤣
Colombia is a beautiful country with vibrant people, despite so many hardships. She’s always been the underdog with an unbreakable spirit.
Words can’t express the joy this tournament has brought me… tonight, it’s time to take the cup home to tierra querida 🇨🇴
I’m excited to share the first look at our cabin project!
Located only 1.5hrs from DFW and minutes from the new Palo Pinto State Park in the North Texas hill country.
3 cabins that can be rented separately or as a whole.
Each cabin has 2 beds, 1 bath and can sleep up to 7.
The latest before + after.
This is other most dramatic transformation to date and we’re throwing a party to celebrate!
If you're in DFW you should join us THIS THURSDAY for live music and cocktails, and be the first to see this incredible home in the Prairie Creek subdivision of Richardson.
Space is limited so be sure to RSVP here: tinyurl.com/2212ridgecrest
Hope to see you there!
#REtwit
Somedays, you get on the roof.
Installing Starlink at our cabin development 1.5 hrs west of DFW.
I can’t wait to share more about this project, but for today I just want to say:
Starlink is amazing. Works incredibly well. To test I had Netflix running on 3 TVs and did a zoom call. Nothing lagged or dropped.
You know what wasn’t amazing? Accidentally cutting the cable right as I was nearing the end of the project… you won’t some, you lose some. At least I had a view 😎
This was my 1st rental property.
It was owned by my father in law who wanted to sell it to pay for a wedding.
I asked if I could buy in instead and we keep it.
purchased 50% equity for 25k in 2011.
He managed the property and sent $300 every month.
A little over 14% annual ROI.
In 2016 bought out the other half of home for another 35k.
Total purchase was 60k.
It was cash flowing 5-600/mo.
Had a great relationship with the tenants and in 2016 I helped them get financing to purchase the home. I upgraded the roof, AC, Windows and a few other requests and delivered them a great home.
Sold for $154,000
This was a pretty average rental deal. Back when you could still use the 1% rule to evaluate a deal...
Would you have done this deal?
My Grandmother is my Hero.
- She was born in the rural mountains of Colombia, South America 🇨🇴 and orphaned at a young age.
- Moved to the USA as a young mother. It's hard to comprehend the courage and grit it takes to abandon everything you know to start over in a new place without family, knowing the language or money. it's insane .
- She did bring her beloved parrot with her... smuggled it onto the plane in her purse and fed it benadryl the whole way to keep it quiet. 😂 LEGEND
- Had the courage to leave an abusive relationship. Worked 3 jobs to provide as a single mother.
NOW THE REAL ESTATE!
- She remarried a carpenter, and together they would buy run down house, fix them up on the weekend and rent them out.
- By the time she retired from being a teacher they owned 5 houses, one of them being her primary home, free and clear. This was on a teacher and a day laborer budget. Anyone can get into real estate.
- towards the end of her life, she suffered a stroke and for the last 10 years of her life was completely disabled and unable to talk. This was incredibly difficult, but because of her small real estate investments, she was able to afford home assistance so that she lived out her days in her home with my Grandfather and the help they needed.
This would not have been possible without her small simple real estate moves.
I was able to see first hand how real estate can empower people, and I can't get enough of it. I love helping people get involved in real estate.
So how did I get into real estate? I think there are 4 major moments/people that solidified my path.
1) My dad - an architect by degree, but never licensed. He immigrated to the US after college and launched a custom swimming pool company when I was a kid. He gave me a passion for drawing, design and instilled in me an entrepreneurial spirit.
2) Rich dad poor dad - I don't remember how I got it, but I read it at 18 and it blew my mind. All I could think about from that point forward was buying assets and having other people pay for them. No brainer, right?
3) My father-in-law - A few years into marriage, his other daughter was going to get married and he decided he was going to sell one of his houses to do so. It was just like rich dad poor dad said... but instead of selling the house, I offered to buy into the house. He paid for the wedding, I got my first rental with the best partner I could ask for! You'll hear more about this first house in a later post...
4) My Grandmother - She is my hero and deserves her own post. I can't wait to tell you about her tomorrow!
Come celebrate the holidays with us next Friday in downtown Dallas!
Join the Mayor @Mike_Rawlings for Deck The Plaza, Friday, November 30th from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Enjoy free appearances by @DallasWinds, @jasoncastro and Michael Castro of American Idol, Santa, and more. Learn more at BigDHoliday.com #KBHCCDallas
