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AREAA DFW Commercial Real Estate Panel

Over 60 people attended the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) Commercial lunch and learn on February 17 at Blue Mesa in Plano. Investors, brokers, lenders, and property managers came together to hear from the following panelists:

  • Ken Yue- Investor in over 400 units of Class B & C multifamily in Irving and Fort Worth
  • Sawako Miyama- Investor in Class A & B office, industrial, and multifamily in DFW
  • George Tanghongs- Principal of Lee and Associates with a focus on Industrial sales and leasing

A couple takeaways from the event:

1) Do whatever it takes to get your first deal done

Whether you are trying to buy an apartment or lease space in an industrial building, the panelists stressed the importance of finding a mentor that has done what you want to do and imitate them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and keep challenging yourself to be outside of your comfort zone.

2) Nobody knows exactly when the music will stop

Many audience members acknowledged the fact that the economy has been on a good run for 6-7 years, but at what point does the growth in the economy slow or stop. The panelists are cautious about office overbuilding in Uptown, but all investors are long-term holders and are not concerned with short term dips in the economy. DFW currently seems to be insulated from the slowdowns in Houston and the rest of the nation. As companies continue to create jobs, this leads to population growth which supports all the new commercial development. There were over 10 construction cranes within a 1 mile radius of where the lunch was held in West Plano.

3) Focus on being best in class

One of the panelists (George Tanghongs) doesn’t try to do industrial all over the state of Texas, he focuses on DFW and within DFW along the telecom corridor. He knows every owner, every tenant, and who is buying and selling in that submarket. You want to become the expert in your craft so that you become the go person when people have that particular need.

Overall, a great event to hear from investors in the DFW market who own various property types, and to meet other investors and vendors in the commercial real estate space.

3) Focus on being best in class

One of the panelists (George Tanghongs) doesn’t try to do industrial all over the state of Texas, he focuses on DFW and within DFW along the telecom corridor. He knows every owner, every tenant, and who is buying and selling in that submarket. You want to become the expert in your craft so that you become the go person when people have that particular need.

If you are interested in learning more about upcoming AREAA commercial events, please contact me at jeng@oldcapitallending.com or 214-300-5035.