Derek Anthony | Senior Vice President of Brokerage | Partners
Derek Anthony is the Senior Vice President of Brokerage at Partners, based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, where he has lived for over 27 years. With a diverse career background, Derek initially worked in the consumer electronics industry, managing and marketing products to major retailers such as Best Buy, The Home Depot, and Wal-Mart. After 20 years in that field, he decided to pivot to real estate, a sector he had always been passionate about. He started as a residential agent at a boutique firm, but after two years, he transitioned to commercial real estate, where he quickly excelled, becoming the top producer at his firm for three consecutive years before joining Partners a year ago. At EliteX, we are proud to have Derek Anthony as part of 10 Elite Leaders in Real Estate, 2024.
Derek’s decision to enter real estate was driven by a need for financial stability and the desire to have control over his career. He saw real estate as a path to wealth and personal satisfaction, offering the flexibility to earn based on effort and ambition. In the current real estate market, Derek identifies several significant trends. Retail properties have become highly desirable, with the importance of an omni-channel approach for both landlords and tenants. Social media has also grown crucial for retail success. Medical office space is another key area, driven by the aging population and advancements in healthcare. Derek also notes that while entertainment options like Pickleball are popular now, they may be replaced by new trends in the near future.
“Effective risk management starts with asking the tough questions early. If a tenant isn’t ready, it’s better to find out sooner rather than wasting time and resources.”
— Derek Anthony
To stay informed about industry developments, Derek dedicates time each week to reading news releases about commercial real estate in the DFW area and beyond. He also engages with his network of 6,500 LinkedIn contacts, attends local networking events monthly, and participates in larger quarterly events both regionally and nationally. Among the many challenging projects he has tackled, Derek highlights the Bocado deal in Fort Worth as particularly noteworthy. The project required a high level of creativity and negotiation skills to address various obstacles and ensure a successful outcome.
To identify and capitalize on new opportunities, Derek focuses on growth operators in the retail sector, aiming to invest early in promising ventures and hoping that a few will scale significantly. His approach involves extensive reading, attending trade shows, and connecting with franchisees to stay ahead of market trends. Derek Anthony approaches risk management in his real estate projects by focusing on thorough upfront evaluations. Although he is a broker rather than an owner, he emphasizes the importance of asking tough questions to potential tenants early on. This helps avoid wasting time on unprepared clients. Derek advises informing tenants about what landlords typically require and ensuring all necessary components, including lending considerations, are addressed before moving forward with a deal.
Technology has significantly impacted Derek’s operations. Historically, real estate has lagged behind other industries in adopting new technologies, but this is changing. Derek notes that the effectiveness of technology in real estate often depends on the vision and support of the brokerage’s leadership. When used effectively, technology can enhance client interactions and streamline various processes. Derek relies on multiple software packages daily for tasks such as search, outreach, analysis, and mapping.
“The key to success in real estate is staying adaptable and never being satisfied with the status quo. Each day brings a new challenge and a new chance to excel.”
— Derek Anthony
As a leader, Derek believes in setting an example and providing positive, constructive feedback. He recognizes that different team members have unique skills and personalities, but he insists on the importance of hard work and commitment. He encourages his team to do the necessary work to succeed, regardless of their personal style. When making investment decisions, Derek considers a range of factors including location, lease terms, comparable properties, tenant credit, interest rates, parking, property condition, signage, building age, surrounding tenants, and competition. These elements help him assess the potential success of a project. In terms of sustainability, Derek acknowledges that environmental responsibility is often a minimal consideration unless mandated by city regulations or part of new construction projects. Generally, he sees it as a low priority in most real estate projects.
For aspiring real estate professionals, Derek advises dedicating 50-70 hours a week and finding a strong mentor. He emphasizes the importance of learning from each deal and absorbing details across various sectors, though he notes that retail leasing is particularly challenging. Derek takes pride in the ongoing process of his work rather than individual success stories. He values the daily effort, continuous improvement, and willingness to tackle the tedious aspects of deal-making. To balance short-term gains with long-term goals, Derek focuses on the present and future rather than past achievements. He believes in continually striving for improvement and adapting strategies to achieve success.
Looking ahead, Derek aims to complete 60-70 deals annually and plans to start building his own real estate portfolio. His goal is to create a source of passive income through personal investments in real estate.
“Real estate is not just about closing deals; it’s about creating opportunities and continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
— Derek Anthony
Host a podcast show called “Rated R Real Estate Uncensored” available everywhere podcasts are streamed. Or at www.thepodcaststudio.net
Personal CRE Website: – www.thesiteone.net
Partners Website – www.partnersrealestate.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@derekanthonyproperties/featured
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danthonyrealty/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-anthony-68a28013b/
