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

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 w