Solving Social Issues Through Real Estate Investing with Leka Devatha and Rachel Street

Investing in real estate should not only focus on profit, but purpose as well. On today’s episode, we talk with Rachel Street and Leka Devatha, investors, businesswomen, and contributing authors of, The Only Woman in the Room, where we talk how to solve social issues through real estate. Leka and Rachel have each successfully grown their real estate businesses and learned along the way that with great opportunity also comes great responsibility. We discuss both small and large way investors can incorporate social good into their practices, how to align yourself with others who run ethical businesses, and the value in giving. We also talk about working with wholesalers and how to become the trusted person wholesalers call first with a good deal. Leka Devatha moved to the US from India 13 years ago leaving a successful career in fashion merchandising. After working for Nordstrom Corporate for a few years, she realized that what she was really after was creating a legacy. She quit her corporate job in 2014 and started Rehabit Homes, a company investing in Real Estate. After a string of successful flips, she obtained her broker's license in 2017 and became one of the top producing real estate agents in her office.  She has now flipped over 40 homes, and has expanded her focus to include land development, acquiring long term rentals and building and running adult family homes. Rachel Street is the Team Leader of the real estate team The Street Group at Space & Company and President of Hestia Construction, LLC, a woman-owned construction company offering full construction services and design-driven custom homes in her native Philadelphia. She is also the Host of Philly Revival, an HGTV and DIY Network TV show that follows her as she finds architecturally interesting properties that are run-down or abandoned, and transforms them into exciting modern spaces that also honor the history and unique original features of the home.   Rachel and her company have been widely recognized for their social entrepreneurship and community service, which includes a program to provide free renovations and home repair for those in need, teaching English as a Second Language, and other social initiatives. Rachel has won numerous awards, including Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Philly 2019- Best Contractor", The Philadelphia Inquirer's "Influencers of Real Estate 2019- Rising Star Award", as well as awards for her community service and real estate sales volume.   On today’s episode, we discuss a ton with Leka and Rachel, including: Way to incorporate social good in real estate projects Lessons learned from losing money on large deals The value of being a problem solver in real estate Tips for vetting and working with wholesalers to grow your business. Books/Resources The Only Woman in the Room Compiled by Ashley Wilson  Contact Information Rachel Street Facebook – Rachel Street Instagram – Hestia Philly Hestia Construction, LLC:  www.hestiaphilly.com The Street Group:  www.streetgroupphilly.com   Leka Devatha LinkedIn – Leka Devatha Instagram - Leka Devatha   In The Only Woman in the Room, 20 incredible women share how they were able to achieve financial freedom in a world historically dominated by men. From residential to commercial, this book is packed full of knowledge and inspiration on all facets regardless of where one is in their real estate investing journey. Our passion behind this book is to help women secure a financially strong future especially during these unprecedented and uncertain times.    The early reviews for The Only Woman in the Room - Knowledge and Inspiration from 20 Successful Real Estate Women Investors have been amazing!    “Throughout my career there were multiple occasions where I have stood as the only woman in the room.  This powerful book is a must read and I only wish it had been available early on in my career!”  -Barbara Corcoran  Founder of The Corcoran Group  You will learn TONS of tips, strategies and “hacks” to implement immediately in the following areas:  Creatively finding and financing deals Getting started  Scaling a multifamily portfolio Raising private capital Marketing Construction Management  And Much More!!   BUY THE BOOK NOW! https://therealestateinvesther.mykajabi.com/book   InvestHER Community Our mission is to support and inspire women real estate investors around the globe to live a financially free and balanced life. We are dedicated to creating empowering online and in person communities where women have a non-intimidating environment to ask questions and receive the support they need. Our vision is to see all woman investors achieve her financial freedom goals on her own terms. How To Join the InvestHER Movement   1)  The Real Estate InvestHER Podcast - The weekly show details the journey of some of the most amazing women real estate investors around the world, who open up their lives and share practical and strategic tools for growing a rental portfolio, flipping houses and the mindset that allows them to run a successful investing business while taking care of their families and most importantly taking care of themselves.    Subscribe via Itunes  Subscribe via Android  Subscribe via Stitcher 2)  InvestHER Community on Facebook  We have 2k+ members in our Facebook InvestHER Community (and growing!) This is a safe place for women to ask real estate investing questions and gain the support they need to achieve their goals!   3) InvestHER Meetups Around the Globe We have over 4k+ meetup members attending close to 25 InvestHER Meetups across the country and Canada.  Meetups are being held monthly by experienced InvestHER Leaders! Learn more about our InvestHER leaders, meetup locations, and how to become an InvestHER Leader HERE!