THE BIG WELCOME
Welcome to Prop Lab Media (PLM)'s first ever newsletter.
Great to have you here.
For those of you who haven’t met me in person yet, you might not know how grateful I am to be here in Austin with you.
After living in 8 countries, 9 cities across 4 continents, I chose to be here.
(And I actually do not like to travel...I am a creature of habits....most of those moves happened due to visa expiration and I didn't to leave them, at all....)
Why is Austin special to me?
Austin is full of dreams and people building these dreams. It may be hard to believe, but many places I’ve lived (Vancouver, Melbourne, London, Mexico City, Berlin, etc) are very difficult to build dreams.
People will give you a thousand reasons why you’d fail. (If you listen to Modern Wisdom by Chris Williamson, you would know. Or even Steven Bartlett from Diary of a CEO. Both Chris and Steven are Brits. And we all moved to the US for the same reason…the possibilities of this wonderful city and country is endless.)
I love Austin. The doers in this city built Austin. It was built by people who know how to make things happen.
The purpose of the Prop Lab Media community is to connect those who build this city to those who are investing in the wonderful place we call home.
Prop Lab Media is for connecting:
• Trades business owners
• Real estate developers and seasoned investors
• Property managers
• Builders, contractors, and operators
• First time home buyers and new investors
The focus is on education, connecting and building community.
If you work in trades or real estate and are interested in:
• Being featured
• Collaborating
• Hosting or sponsoring events
• Building community locally or nationally
Get in touch…forward this email to someone who is also building. Let’s grow together.
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THE STRUCTURE MOVING FORWARD
Each newsletter includes:
my little blurb
a feature of the awesome people who are building Austin
the events that’s happening around town.
what else would you like to see we talk about? LMK!
Any suggestions and feedback? Just reply back. And yes, I get every reply to my inbox directly.
THE REAL ESTATE GROWTH BLUEPRINT
I was going to start off our newsletter with an interview of one of the OGs in town, but we might not make it in time for our weekly Thursday edition, so thought…hey what the heck, I’ll go first.
1. What was the moment you knew real estate was the path for you?
I actually didn’t even when I started my real estate development career in 2007 that I’d stick to it for this long.
I kind of fell into it back after I graduated from BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) with a marketing and sales diploma. The economy was already soft. Bills needed be paid and I needed a job.
I had an interview with a recruiter/headhunter that was hiring for Concord Pacific, the largest real estate developer in Canada with projects in Vancouver, Toronto, Seattle and London, UK. I had no chance getting that job. But her and I bonded after I gave up on a job for me, and asked her what other positions she needed help filling. I put her in touch with a few friends for the other jobs she was having a hard time filling. Specifically, she was looking for someone who can build playgrounds and I knew just the perfect guy.
Turns out, going out of my way to help her landed me the job in operations with Concord. The job paid CAD$37,200. (So in USD, it was about $20/year).
With just $37,200 a year, it was already a “decent” career at that time. Wow….Rent for an one bedroom in Vancouver back in 2007 was $1,850/month.
Even with a “decent” start of my career in real estate development, I couldn’t make ends meet. I started working a night job at Banana Republic. Still couldn’t…then I started working in a nightclub.
I was so tired, I passed out at the Foo Fighter concert. Drooling. For 15 minutes. When the whole stadium was on their feet. Yep. That happened.
Eventually got fed up of working 3 jobs and moved to Shenzhen, China. Long story short, lost my visa. Then went back to Vancouver for the winter Olympics (another great story for another day) and then to Taiwan in summer 2010.
Since I couldn’t find a job in Taiwan as my Chinese wasn’t good enough (unlike when I lived in China, where I easily got job offers), I started attending Chinese school. Since I was unemployable, I built and sold a property management company.
Really hated my time in Taiwan. I was constantly told that I need to “go back to my own country”.
So I moved to Melbourne in 2011 when a friend suggested that we move to Melbourne.
Melbourne was voted the most livable city in the world multiple times in a row, like Vancouver. She never moved. But it’s okay. I loved living in Melbourne and started working for Knight Frank, SP Setia and other top consultancies and developers.
After 5 years in Melbourne, I went to London, UK. Worked for more developers, consultancies and prop tech in 2016 and 2017.
What I’d do for developers is to assess the best use for the land, create marketing and sales strategies and often even work with the top clients/buyers on securing new construction/off plan sales. Some of these buyers I’ve never even met in person. Some just wanted to secure something for their children’s future.
I met a CPA with 8 kids who owned 9 rental properties in central Melbourne. Because he was in the highest tax bracket and utilized aggressive depreciation schedules, the government effectively subsidized nearly half of his losses. By the time he claimed his tax credits and collected rent, his out-of-pocket costs to hold the portfolio were negligible.
With over 100,000 people moving to Melbourne every year, and only about 30,000 homes being built, people like my CPA made a huge difference in providing affordable housing for those who can’t save up 20% down payment. (There are multiple benefits for buying “off-plan” aka new construction in Australia. That’s another story…)
Some of the projects I worked on in Melbourne and Vancouver.
Never did I ever think I would be a developer myself as I didn’t know how. The only lesson I learned working for real estate developers was that I needed to have deep pockets or know those who do. I didn’t.
Did not start developing properties myself until I came across BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) by David Green, the BiggerPockets podcasts and forum in 2019.
My business partner Naz and I started building homes from the ground up after meeting on BiggerPockets forum in February 2020.
Here are some of our babies in SATX that Naz and I have been building since 2020.
2. What’s the one thing you’d tell your younger self starting out?
Anything is possible if you believed in yourself.
Real estate mogul Brandon Turner frequently snaps his listeners out of "analysis paralysis." He argues that knowledge isn't power. It’s only potential power.
Knowledge only becomes real power when you actually pull the trigger on a deal or a lifestyle change.
Stop searching for the next "missing piece" of information. You likely already have enough to take the first step.
Start earlier. Be more courageous. Take chances.
Ran into Brandon at Cosmic Saltillo when I launched Canada-Texas Chamber of Commerce back in September, 2025.
3. Is there anything you’d do differently if you were starting today?
Make sure I surround myself with people who want the best for me. I am not a tree. I can move, which I did, to Austin…But I spent 4 years too long in Montreal.
Also, believe in myself more. I used to think the “experts” would know more than I do. Then I learned, after listening to thousands of podcasts of very inspirational entrepreneurs, these experts often are the ones holding back growth.
4. Case Study - Fulton Lane, Melbourne - 811 apartments
FUN FACT
In Canada and the U.S., a "condo" is something you own while an "apartment" is something you rent; however, in the UK and Australia, the word "apartment" (or "flat") covers both, with ownership officially defined as Leasehold or Strata Title. While Americans use "condo" to signal status and ownership, an Australian buyer at Fulton Lane would simply say they "bought an apartment," even though the legal structure is exactly what a U.S. reader knows as a condominium.
One of my most memorable moments, and there are many many many of them is when Knight Frank took over Fulton Lane, which is a rare 800+ unit development in Melbourne, the developer already sold about 70% of the apartments in 3 days.
S P Setia is Malaysia’s leading property developer and a globally recognized real estate giant since 1974. The company has grown from a small construction firm into a multi-billion-dollar publicly listed entity with an massive international footprint spanning Malaysia, Australia, the UK, Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan.
It did so well that the Malaysian government launched a mandatory general offer to take full control of the company in 2011.
Although the first 3 days was glorious for SP Setia, but the next 2 years was a major struggle for sales. There are two towers, 28 and 45 stories, and a good chunk of these apartments faced into the other tower so they were considered less desirable (see image below of the floorplate).
We had a very hard time selling the last 30% of stock when most of these apartments left over were 1+ study apartment at around 46 sqm (under 500 sqft) for about AUD$450k (USD $460k as AUD was much stronger back then).
Our many competitors were selling similar layouts as junior 2 bedrooms.
After talking to Knight Frank for weeks, urging them to work with SP Setia on the redesign, they refused. I don’t even remember why.
I eventually worked with SP Setia directly to redesign the 1+ studies into junior 2 bedrooms. Although it took a few weeks to apply for changes with the city, but we sold out within weeks once the redesign happened.
We did really well after the design and relaunch. I was even award a Top Performer award by Knight Frank after that. How ironic. They refused to follow my advice and I had to bypass them and go to the client directly.
But hey, I was proud the award, especially having only been with the company for 6 months and being in Australia for less than a year at that point.
The 2 towers are 28 and 45 stories right next to Queen Victoria Market, the largest open air outdoor market in the Southern Hemisphere. I was the QVM almost every day. I was addicted to pineapples and had 2 pineapples a day. My teeth were so white from the acid….
After spending an hour looking for the actual floorplan, I gave up. This is a similar layout but the junior 2 bedroom bedrooms are much smaller and fit only single beds. They sold like hotcakes.
Goals for 2026
building this wonderful community in Austin
maximizing the profitability of our (my 2H Homes business partner Naz and I) properties in SATX. Naz will be a first-time dad in March.
obtaining my US residency
getting married (unrelated or related to 3 above, TBD..and I am sorry there will not be a huge wedding. Never been the huge wedding type. I may, or may not, be on honeymoon for months or years though. So set me and my dear Emily up with blind dates!)
THE LIST (Aka. Upcoming Events)
Austin Investor Social Hour
Who: Jordan Moorhead. Jordan is a top Austin real estate agent and serial investor who has completed dozens of deals and hosts one of the city's most consistent "pitch-free" meetups.
What: A casual get-together for house hackers, flippers, and commercial investors to share questions and network without being sold a guru program.
When: Thursday, Jan 8th, 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Why: To connect with active local operators in a low-pressure environment where the focus is on genuine community over business card collecting.
Investing in the Stock Market: 2026 Edition
Who: Sara Glakas. Sara is the founder of Black Barn Financial and established the Austin Women’s Investing Group in 2011 to empower women through financial literacy and high-level investment education.
What: A dynamic session for women to learn stock investing basics and macro-economic strategies for the new year.
When: Saturday, Jan 10th, 12:30PM – 2:30PM
Why: To gain a broader understanding of the financial markets that dictate capital flow and exit strategies for real estate investors.
The Tuesday Mastermind (Every Week)
Who: Ken Harris. Known as the "Godfather" of grassroots commercial networking in ATX, Ken has been active in the industry since 1971.
What: A "non-denominational" room where investors of all levels discuss commercial deals and multifamily syndication over lunch.
When: Tuesday, Jan 13th, 11:45AM – 1:15PM (and every Tuesday)
Why: To move beyond spreadsheets and into the "synergism" of the room where high-level commercial deals are actually born.
Kyle, Buda, San Marcos Real Estate Investor Group
Who: Josiah Wilson. A local broker and investor who specializes in the high-growth corridor south of Austin.
What: A weekly lunch meeting focused on connecting investors, contractors, and lenders active in the Hays County area.
When: Wednesday, Jan 14th, 12:00PM – 1:00PM (and every Wednesday)
Why: To pitch active deals and find local partners in one of the fastest-growing residential markets in the state.
Austin Commercial Real Estate Society (ACRES) Luncheon
Who: Buck Cody. Buck is a Managing Principal at Endeavor Real Estate Group, having sponsored projects totaling over $925 million in market value.
What: A professional luncheon featuring a deep-dive interview with one of Austin’s most influential mixed-use and retail developers.
When: Wednesday, Jan 14th, 11:30AM – 1:00PM
Why: To learn how institutional-level developers are navigating the 2026 landscape and where they see the next big opportunities in Central Texas.
The Morning Social
Who: Ian Williams. Ian is a master of digital-to-physical community building, focusing on high-energy networking that strengthens personal rapport.
What: A casual morning coffee meetup for realtors and trade professionals looking to expand their local referral networks.
When: Thursday, Jan 15th, 10:00AM – 11:30AM
Why: To build real, face-to-face connections in a scenic setting before the workday heat hits.
The National Heavyweights (BiggerPockets)
Who: Dave Meyer, Garrett Brown & Henry Washington. Dave is the VP of Data at BiggerPockets and Henry is a world-class flipper known for his "off-market" acquisition strategies.
What: The "Cash Flow Roadshow" is a tour stop designed to help investors find and fund deals in the 2026 high-interest environment.
When: Thursday, Jan 15th, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Why: To get high-level data insights and network with a massive pool of local and national investors in a single evening.
Austin Commercial Real Estate SuperLadies
Who: Lucy Zhao. Lucy is a seasoned investor in Austin and Montreal and Lucy organizes a monthly meetup for female professionals focused on scaling portfolios through commercial and multifamily assets.
What: A monthly lunch and mastermind session focused on sharing resources and solving specific deal-flow problems.
When: Saturday, Jan 17th, 1:30PM – 3:30PM
Why: To build high-trust relationships with female operators and find passive or active investment partners.
RECA Happy Hour
Who: Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA). The primary advocacy and networking group for commercial real estate in Central Texas.
What: A monthly happy hour for professionals shaping Austin's commercial skyline.
When: Thursday, Jan 22nd, 4:30PM – 6:00PM
Where: Star Bar (600 W 6th St)
Why: To stay connected with the decision-makers and policy influencers in the Austin commercial real estate scene.
Prosperity REIA: AI & Automation
Who: AC Ramos & Prosperity Real Estate Group. AC is an expert in automating the deal acquisition process and scaling real estate businesses through tech.
What: A workshop on leveraging AI "employees" and automated marketing systems to close more deals with less manual labor.
When: Thursday, Jan 22nd, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Why: To learn how to stop the "hustle" cycle and start running a business that works even when you aren't.
The Dealmakers Happy Hour
Who: Backflip & Inspectify. Backflip is a fintech platform for fix-and-flippers, and Inspectify is a leader in modern property inspections and data.
What: A "high-signal" happy hour for people who are actively moving dirt, closing contracts, and funding deals.
When: Thursday, Jan 29th, 6:30PM – 9:00PM
Why: To find your next project partner or lender in a room specifically curated for active dealmakers.
THE COLLABORATION CORNER
We are building the Prop Lab Media community to be a bridge between the trades and the buyers, as well as helping trade business owners on the latest tech trends.
Looking for: if there is something specific the community can help you with, reply back.
Offering: if there is anything you can help the community with, let me know as well.
Features: Simply reply to this email if you want to get featured! Alice (me) will personally interview you and find out more about your story.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Austin is at its best when we build together. And I really need to stop writing…I could go on for hours. Anyway, next week I’ll be featuring our industry OG Ken Harris who has been in Austin RE since 1971.
Stayed tuned.
I'll be at Casa Chapala on Tuesday with Ken. Come say hello and let’s talk shop.
Lots of love,