Recent Event Recap
Join me today at Bisnow 2026 Austin Industrial Summit!
Welcome back to Prop Lab, where we bridge the gap between trades professionals, real estate developers, investors and professionals in Austin, Texas.
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Broke is a choice - Alex Felice
What was the moment you knew real estate was the path for you?
I was around 30 years old and had been perpetually broke my entire life. I had nothing to show for myself.
No talent, no money, no good financial habits, I hadn’t read a book in a decade, and my entire social circle hung out at the bar.
I wanted to create financial freedom, but I had very inconvenient criteria: I needed something that required little to no capital. It had to produce cash flow. It needed to be tried and true. And it couldn’t be a product or service business since I wanted freedom.
Rental real estate fit all this criteria. The downside is that it works very slowly, but I was ok with playing the get-rich-slowly game as long as it was a get-rich-for-sure game.
I was living in a small town in 2014 and I found a dumpy foreclosure that I purchased for $55,000 and lived in it and fixed it up.
18 months later I refinanced it and the bank said it was worth $115,000.
Even though that was just equity, I had never seen that amount of money in my life and the fact that I created it on my own astounded me. I have been buying ever since.
Is there anything you'd do differently if you were starting today?
I would stay in my lane tighter. Every time I’ve tried to chase something shiny it costs me resources and hasn’t been profitable.
After I got good at single family I got excited to start buying apartments because “scale is better”. I bought a 24 unit and a 52 unit and raised millions of dollars of investor capital to fund them and ultimately I found they have given me a lot more stress, a lot more risk, and produced much lower returns than my single family houses.
I flipped a few houses to create income and I found the process to be very stressful and I hated project management - and I didn’t make more money.
At one point I converted 3 of my houses to Airbnbs. It cost me a ton of money, energy, and time and was also not profitable.
Every time I have drifted from doing the thing I’m good at and is profitable my life has gotten worse.
Case Study
I have written out all of my deals: 8 single family homes, 3 flips, 2 multifamily in extreme detail on my website since the beginning: brokeisachoice.com
I highly recommend reading Alex’s tell-all blog at BrokeIsAChoice.com. Alex doesn’t hide any of the ups and downs of real estate investing.
For a FULL list of ALL the cool things Alex does for the community, check out the blog. Alex, being a veteran, also helps other vets get FIRE with War Room with David.
What's the one thing you'd tell your younger self starting out?
First, choose something you actually want to do and disregard outcomes.
Then, realize that just about anything you choose to do can be extremely profitable, but everything takes 3-5 years to get any real traction.
Every time I quit something because it wasn’t working in 6-12 months I would unknowingly be starting that 5 year timer over.
Life is not about choosing, or ambition or plans, it’s about doing.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Skin in the game is what separates heroes and losers. Put your real money at risk, everything else is bullshit.
Feeling inspired? Learn more about Alex and his joruney on his tell-all-blog at: brokeisachoice.com
Alex knows how to help people change their mindsets and lives. He’s the perfect case study!
Bisnow 2026 Austin Industrial Summit
Who: Bisnow, for commercial real estate professionals, developers, investors, and industrial market players.
What: Half-day conference covering tenant and leasing dynamics, technology and automation in modern facilities, and capital markets trends in Austin’s industrial market.
When: Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Renaissance Austin Hotel, Rio Ballroom (9721 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX 78759)
Why: Connect with key players in Austin’s booming industrial sector and get insights on where the market is heading.
Link: Get your tickets here and upgrade now to get your $15 promo code!
2026 ELEVATE Multifamily Installation
Who: Austin Apartment Association, the hub for multifamily owners, developers, and property managers.
What: A premier evening event celebrating multifamily leadership and providing high-level networking for the rental housing sector.
When: Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: The W Hotel Austin (200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701)
Why: Essential for property managers and multifamily developers to network with the industry's top decision-makers.
Link: Get your tickets at AAA (EVENT FOR AAA MEMBERS ONLY)
Investing Out of State – What to Know
Who: Local seasoned real estate investing educators and meetup host Megan Flake.
What: An educational session covering the fundamentals of out-of-state real estate investing, including market selection, legal structures, and financing considerations.
When: Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CST
Where: Builder Supply Group, Austin (9129 Metric Boulevard
Austin, TX 78758)
Why: Learn how to evaluate markets beyond Texas and avoid common pitfalls when investing across state lines.
Event Link: Eventbrite
Texas REALTORS® Winter Meeting (Association Week)
Who: Texas REALTORS® members, including licensed brokers, agents, association leaders, and committee members.
What: A multi-day winter meeting featuring legislative updates, industry briefings, governance sessions, and peer networking.
When: Thursday, February 5 – Tuesday, February 10, 2026 (multiple sessions throughout each day).
Where: Austin, TX (official Texas REALTORS® venue provided upon registration).
Why: This is where statewide decisions, policy direction, and leadership conversations happen. If you work with or alongside agents, this is where influence concentrates for the year ahead.
Membership: Members only.
Event Link: RSVP via Texas REALTORS®
RECA February Lunch
Who: Real estate professionals, investors, lenders, and commercial brokers seeking mid-week networking and market insights
What: A networking and lunch event hosted by the Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) featuring industry updates and professional connections
When: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: AT&T Hotel & Conference Center (1900 University Ave, Austin, 78705)
Why: Mid-week opportunity to strengthen professional relationships, stay current on market trends, and expand your network with local CRE decision-makers
Event Link: RECA events page
CCIM Central Texas: CI 101 Financial Analysis
Who: CCIM Central Texas provides the gold standard in commercial real estate investment education and professional networking.
What: A rigorous course covering the financial analysis of commercial investment real estate, including discounted cash flow and investment value.
When: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
Where: Champions School of Real Estate (13801 Ranch Road 620 N Suite 100, Austin, TX 78717).
Why: To master the math behind commercial deals and join a high-level network of brokers and investors who speak the language of IRR and NPV.
Event details: RSVP at Champions School of Real Estate
Austin ACRES Nash Phillips Award Luncheon
Who: Austin Commercial Real Estate Society (ACRES), for CRE professionals and industry leaders.
What: Award ceremony honoring a Central Texas business leader who embodies the characteristics that made Nash Phillips a respected figure in commercial real estate.
When: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 11:30 AM
Where: Headliners Club (221 W 6th St, 21st Floor, Austin, TX)
Why: Network with Austin CRE leaders and celebrate excellence in the local commercial real estate community.
Event Link: RSVP
CCIM Networking Happy Hour
Who: CCIM Central Texas hosts this gathering for the city's most active commercial brokers and developers.
What: A casual networking event for commercial real estate professionals and industry partners.
When: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
Where: Mama Betty’s Tex-Mex (7001 Burnet Rd #1101, Austin, TX 78757).
Why: To build local professional spheres and discuss off-market opportunities in a relaxed environment.
RSVP here: CCIM Happy Hour
Alice’s Personal Story - From $17k in debt to owning 14 doors
I grew up in Vancouver, Canada, where housing affordability is so bad, living in Central London was cheap.
According to the RBC Housing Affordability Report (released in late 2025), the aggregate cost to own a home in Vancouver has fluctuated between 90% and 100% of the median pre-tax income.
To carry a mortgage, property taxes, and utilities for a detached home in Vancouver, a household would need roughly 126% of the median pre-tax income.
Although I am not that great at math, but even I know that’s over 100%….
Even condos and apartments are more "attainable" but still consume roughly 48% to 60% of median pre-tax income. Required income to rent a one-bedroom is at least $91,000 - $96,000. And another 25% goes to income tax and 15% to sales tax when you buy anything…
For an individual in Vancouver, the median total income (pre-tax) varies significantly by age and employment status, but generally falls between $45,000 and $60,000 for those in the primary working age brackets.
So I left in 2009. I got tired of working 3 jobs, and still couldn’t make ends meet.
A few lifehacks changed my life.
Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) to Australia where I saved up significant cash (for those between ages 18 - 30)
Househack to eliminate the housing costs
and of course finding Muay Thai in 2018 has eliminated most of my material desires
Case study to my last househack
I rented a very outdated 3 bedroom apartment for well-under market value. The property was poorly maintained, but it was in the prime location in Montreal (Plateau) for around $1,500 in 2020.
(So you do not need to own the place to househack as long as you have your landlord’s permission and blessing).
Since I was looking actively for a place to live, I knew the market rate was about $750-850+/room.
I furnished the common areas and rented out the 2 extra bedrooms that was enough to cover all of my rent, and part electric bill, in the winters.
(Beware. Winter electrical bills got to $440/month as it could be well below -40C/F and the place was built in the 1800s so insolation was non-existing. I foresee similar in Texas, but for the hot summers. So make sure you have buffers saved up).
Things to watch out for:
permission from landlord
you must know the market value well, for both individual rooms and whole homes. So you can easily tell what’s a good deal and what isn’t.
I personally go for location, location, location, as if I was buying. Much easier to fill the home room by room in sought-after locations.
be mentally prepared there may be vacancies, which means you’d be covering that part of rent (if you get number 2 + 3 right, there wouldn’t be much vacancies).
pick your roommates carefully. Since you’ll be living with them! I’ve never had unresolvable issues with my roommates. Unlike long term tenants as a landlord, they have to live with you too. So they also don’t want an uncomfortable home if things don’t work out.
ideally, start the sublease on 1st or the 15th of the month, but that could be just a norm in Canada, UK and Australia as here in TX, I find they start really whenever.
be prepared to make sacrifices. I’ve had men tell me they don’t date women with roommates. I didn’t bother telling them the reason why I’m doing it…is so I can have a portfolio of rentals for our retirement, which they won’t be a part of. You might even loose some friends who question/guilt trip you (while they build up debt).
Househacking is not all puppies and rainbows. It takes work. But it sure beats paying ½ of my income to housing!
I’ve also seen families househack and have live in support that is win-win for everyone!
So from years of househacking, I was able to save up enough to start doing developments remotely.
Oh and I also barely had alcohol since 2020 and completely sober since 2024. Never did UberEats and takeouts. Uber and Lyft both cancelled my account as I never use those either.
I also highly recommend reading Ramit Sethi’s book: I Will Teach you How to be Rich and spend money where it matters to you and save money where it doesn’t.
I learned to spend money where it matters to me - I love grocery shopping and going to cafes every morning. I spend a lot on books, audiobooks, classes, etc. I don’t ever look at my spending there.
I would even go to nice restaurants by myself. I love it. It’s relaxing to me.
I do not spend (much/any) money on alcohol, takeouts/deliveries, clothes, shoes (anymore).
If you want to join our first cohort of househackers and learn how to reduce/eliminating your housing expenses, LMK. Had a handful of people requesting for a mastermind already.
Become a Prop Lab Media Pro member to preview the events for the next week as well as discounts on events (where applicable).
Texas Mortgage Roundup — Austin
Who: Mortgage originators, loan officers, and sales leaders
What: A focused event for mortgage origination professionals centered on sales strategies and market tools.
When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 7:45AM - 2.30PM
Where: Austin, TX (location to be announced by organizer)
Why: To sharpen operational efficiency and expand pipelines in a changing origination landscape.
Event Link: Registration and get your tickets
NAIOP Austin Legislative Update Luncheon
Who: NAIOP Austin, for commercial real estate developers, investors, and industry professionals.
What: Luncheon featuring legislative updates and policy discussions affecting commercial real estate development in Central Texas.
When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: The Austin Club (110 E 9th St, Austin, TX 78701)
Why: Stay ahead of regulatory changes and policy updates that directly impact commercial real estate development in Austin and Central Texas.
Event Link: RSVP on Eventbrite
BuiltWorlds AI and Machine Learning Summit
Who: BuiltWorlds, for construction executives, developers, and technology innovators in the built environment.
What: Two-day conference exploring how AI and machine learning are transforming construction, real estate development, and the built environment.
When: Tuesday-Wednesday, February 17-18, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: AT&T Conference Center (1900 University Ave, Austin, TX 78705)
Why: Learn how construction tech leaders are leveraging AI to improve project delivery, reduce costs, and gain competitive advantage.
Event Link: RSVP on LinkedIn
NAIOP Austin Legislative Update Luncheon
Who: NAIOP Austin, a Commercial Real Estate Development Association. It is the primary professional organization for developers, owners, and investors in Austin’s office, industrial, and mixed-use real estate sectors.
What: A legislative update luncheon covering policy developments impacting commercial real estate.
When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 11:15 AM CST
Where: The Austin Club (110 E 9th St, Austin, TX 78701)
Why: Stay informed on regulatory and legislative changes affecting development, investment, and commercial operations.
Event Link: Register via NAIOP Austin events page
First Time Home Buyer Workshop: Taco (and Marg) Tuesday Edition
Who: Prospective homeowners looking for market guidance and incentives
What: A themed workshop for first-time buyers combining education with social fun.
When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 6:30 PM
Where: Open House Austin Community Space
Why: Buyer education in a relaxed community setting (with tacos).
Event Link: Open House Austin
Real Estate Networking | REAL Café
Who: ianofAustin is connecting brokers, agents, investors, and industry professionals
What: A casual real estate networking meetup at Cosmic Pickle.
When: Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 10AM - 11:30AM CST
Where: Cosmic Pickle (Austin)
Why: Social networking in an accessible morning format.
Event Link: REAL Café Austin
Any bookkeeper and tax pro who are experts in Shopify? Reach out to Alex Felice. Alex’s wife, Kate, has one booming quilt ecomm business. Follow Quilt with Miss Kate.
I am so grateful to be in Austin. It’s a truly special city.
The Austin real estate market rewards those who show up prepared, stay connected, and see opportunity where others see obstacles.
The future belongs to those who plan for it and to those who take action on those plans. See what's happening in Austin's real estate scene this week
See you at the events.
Lots of love,
Alice
If you want to join our first cohort of househackers and learn how to reduce/eliminating your housing expenses, LMK. Had a handful of people requesting for a mastermind in March.