Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Ray.
Hi Joseph , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started as a middle school science teacher. I’ve always had other streams of income and a desire to “Buy back my time” After my second year of teaching, I decided to go to graduate school and pursue a Masters degree in educational administration in hopes of becoming a principal. That goal became a reality just 14 months later. I left the school district and open my own school. Although It was a bold move, I was determined to see it through. Three years into owning my own school I was forced to close the doors due to a major theft by a trusted family member. Out of options and with a wife and two children to support, I went back to the school district as a teacher again. This time was different; I’d tasted what freedom was like and we determined to experience it again. I gave myself 3 years to research, save and invest. I was in pursuit of assets over liabilities. After praying and asking Christ for direction, He led me to real estate. Prior to losing my school, I started a tax business. The plan was to use the money I made during tax season to front my initial cost on the first property. I had a colleague named Denique Peavy who decided to partner with me. His credit and DTI was a lot better than mine at the time so we agreed he would put the property in his name and I would front the down payment cost. In August of 2019, I resigned from the school district and we bought our first duplex. We continued to buy properties and ended up with a total of 5 units together. My wife and I bought 9 additional units all within the first year. We renovated all 14 units and put them on the market for rent. Shortly after, we started fixing and flipping projects. Then Covid arrived….The market changed at a very fast rate and fix and flipping was no longer the best option. A fraternity brother of mine introduced me to New Construction. This was very different from fix and flipping. It was so different that I lost $200k on my first new construction project. I like to say that every one was paid but the builder (Me). Surprisingly the loss inspired me. I changed my perspective from $200k loss to $200k lesson. From that point moving forward. I was hooked! I became obsessed with the process of perfecting the process. Almost 7 years later, I’ve built some of the most recognizable homes in Dfw.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was not a smooth road but it has been worth it. One struggle was learning the lending process. For over a year lenders were capitalizing from my lack of knowledge. I befriended one of the lenders named Ryan and he began to walk me through the lending process from a lender perspective. This helped me save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
As you know, we’re big fans of Building with J & H Acquisitions LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We have 3 branches to our business. Building with J&H is our mentoring branch where we teach mentees how to build new construction projects.
Our D&R Solutions branch is where we actually build homes
Our D&R Utilities branch is where we provide utilities for both commercial and residential homes
We specialize in all three branches. We are the only company that does all three in the metroplex. All builders build houses but we build homes.
I’m proud of all 3 branches because our attention to detail has really made us a house hold name.
I want readers to know that we are the only company that can help them with all 3 categories
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My faith in Christ.
Contact Info:
- Website: Buildingwithjandh.com
- Instagram: @theredbottombuilder
- Facebook: Buildingwithjandh
- Twitter: @buildingwithjandh
- Youtube: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/KcZfde1IM8jFetQUzVhC?notrack=true&fbclid=PAVERFWAR8n2hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadyPKyC5WIxSJSWfG3AbacLp1EKmjzIx8J_N6N04Y0Yxc3XO4u7nHetI0BQ7Q_aem_bQ1SMMA4g1cbyvn-GPTBwQ
- Other: Dandr_utilities
