Hi Jenna! Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, and how did you find yourself in the real estate industry?

I moved to Oklahoma in January of 2013! Wow, almost 8 years ago. So yes, I consider myself an Okie. I was always told this city has a way of grabbing you... and not letting go. Turns out, it's a little true!

When I first got into real estate, I was 20 years old. I was working as a barista at the infamous Starbucks. Loving every second of the fast-paced atmosphere, not to mention the FREE coffee! Within a couple weeks of starting at the company, I got thrown into the morning shift - "peak," as some would call it. New partners don't typically work "peak" shift. Why, you ask? Well, because it's straight chaos. In the best way of course! Taking orders and meeting SO many new people, and their orders. Remember, it's also about the coffee! Little did I know, the impact I left on a particular customer had them asking me to come in for an interview to work with their teamand sell real estate! Opportunity was knocking, and the next thing you know, I'm a licensed realtor in the state of Oklahoma! This little duckling all the way from Eugene, Oregon. I am so grateful for them. They became family, and I owe them the world in return. I can't imagine doing anything else in this life!

That’s awesome! Ok, speaking of moving to faraway places… Let’s pretend you’re going to be stranded on a desert island, and you can bring three things. What do you pick?

I’d have to say my dog, Wally Gator, dog food and water. No, but seriously, Wally Gator, Braum's frozen yogurt twists, and my mother would kill me if I didn't bring a life straw!

The life straw is very sensible! And we’re definitely on board with the Braum’s twists. On the topic of Wally Gator, one thing we definitely know about you is how much you love him! Can you tell us a little bit about your furry friend and share one of your favorite pictures?

Where do I begin?! Wally Gator is a Standard Poodle, and he’s named after my grandfather! He is the most energetic, fun loving, intelligent, ornery, cuddly little guy... Okay, he's 60 lbs of lean muscle, but he thinks he's little! You simply can't resist his animated eyes... that's an actual fact. He's truly the best friend anyone could ask for. See below for one of my favorite photos of him!

That photo is too cute! Ok, let’s finish up with a fun fact about you. What’s something most people don’t know about Jenna Lewis?

I've been skydiving three times! Once back in Oregon, and two times here in Oklahoma. If anyone is interested in going, I'm right behind you!

Hi Hannah! Please tell us a little bit about yourself, where you're from and what you like to do in your spare time?

I grew up in Piedmont, OK the majority of my life and moved to Texas for a short 3 years before coming back to make Edmond my home. My 3 amazing kiddos (ages 2-10) are of course what drives me to work hard and never stop even through trial and errors (I've had plenty lol)! They are all active in some type of recreation throughout the year so when I'm not managing real estate deals you can find me shuttling little people all over OKC. When I find spare time, I like to take advantage of the outdoors in any form or fashion and TRY to finish a good book!

Have you had to get more creative due to COVID? What are some things you are doing to ensure the safety of your clients?

My form of networking is typically making genuine connections with people in person, however, I respect following certain safety precautions such as wearing a mask at a showing or holding a zoom presentation and virtual tours. Fortunately, social distancing has not hindered me from developing relationships with clients and providing an excellent experience for them.

You currently have an overlay on your Facebook profile promoting unity. Given the nation's news cycle lately, can you tell us a little bit about how the last couple months has meant to you personally?

It signifies UNITY. I do support Black Lives Matter. I follow #BLM social media and I keep up with current events pertaining to the movement. I peacefully protested and walked basically 10 miles to the State Capitol for my children. My two boys are both biracial (black and white) and my daughter is white. As it terrifies me that some day if change is not made in the world, I could be that mother on television begging & pleading for justice for my child. I do have hope that it CAN & WILL change so long as we do so from a position of knowledge and UNITY. I teach my babies intentionally and inadvertently to love every single person no matter their color, social status, religious beliefs. It starts at home. So, the last couple months have meant for me, showing them that their momma has their back and will take part in being that change I want to see for their future. Peacefully.

What do you envision the future of real estate to look like?

Real Estate is like an entire force of its own! I don't try to predict the market so much as I focus on just building great relationships and staying educated on current trends. I have several investors expanding their portfolios to all aspects of real estate, which keeps things fun and interesting as well! But personal future goal, if things stay the course they are today I will need an assistant 😊

What would you say to prospective clients asking you about today's housing market?

Don't sit on a house you love too long. Blink and it's gone!

Anything else you want to share?

Yes, contact me at 405-695-9040 for all your real estate needs. 😊

When did you start your career?

Although I’ve had an interest since I was a child, I started my official journey into Real Estate as a career in 2015. I’ve enjoyed it ever since, and wouldn’t change a thing.

What made you get into real estate?

After an extended time of living in China, I moved back to Oklahoma and was quickly amazed by how much Oklahoma City had changed. I began to learn more and more about all of the new developments and quickly became fascinated. I knew I wanted to be a part of the growth and began taking the necessary steps!

What do you love about the industry?

I love being a part of the growth of Oklahoma and its people. I love helping people to achieve their goals and dreams. I love having an active voice in the development of the communities that I live life in. I love being a part of helping families to build and pass down legacies. From historic neighborhoods to the suburbs, there are so many things to get excited about when I get tasked with helping a family find their next home.

What freedoms does working in real estate give you and your family?

I love the freedom to get to provide for my family while also investing in the community, economy, and people around me. I love the flexibility in managing my schedule. It allows me to do the things that I want to do with my family.

What plans do you have for your business in the years to come?

I plan to grow in experience, knowledge and skill and create pathways for others to do the same.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

OKLAHOMA CITY – (January 2, 2020) Oklahoma City’s most iconic office building, 50 Penn Place, is now under new leasing management through local rising star Solas Real Estate.

50 Penn Place, the anchor office building along the NW Expressway corridor, recently went through a $4,000,000 renovation and was searching for a fresh tenant-first leasing strategy.

“In hiring Chad Khoury and his amazing crew from Solas Real Estate, we’re looking forward to replicating the success we’ve had in our other markets when an asset is reimagined with fresh eyes,” says Dennis Udwin, owner of 50 Penn Place.” The experience and energy of Solas complements the multi-million-dollar investment we’ve made in new elevators, mechanical and in placing Epic Charter School into their new 39,000 square-foot home. Given Solas’s proven track record, we are confident they will have great success in attracting new tenants and retaining existing ones.”

Khoury, co-founder and principal of Solas Real Estate, knows the importance of creating a synergy between the office tower and 50 Penn Place’s highly-visible Premiere Plaza.

“We have reinvented and reworked the leasing strategy to take advantage of 50 Penn Place Premier Plaza’s incredible location, amazing accessibility, and the synergy that can be achieved between the office tower and the Premier Plaza,” said Khoury. “Unlike previous strategies we are not focused on trying to convert existing retail to office only but rather searching for Premier Tenants who will work well with the building synergy.”

50 Penn Place’s location along NW Expressway offers a truly unique position for Oklahoma businesses in need of premier retail or office space at reasonable rental rates.

“50 Penn is a premier property with a nostalgia that runs deep into the hearts of all Oklahomans. We are excited about leveraging its unparalleled location and accessibility with businesses that will work in tandem with the existing Tenants to bring a new golden era of the Penn Expressway corridor for decades to come,” said Kaiser.

At almost 80% occupancy and anchored by long-term tenants such as Full Circle Books, iHeartMEDIA, and Lexus Nexus, the ownership is embracing a tenant-first strategy to make aggressive deals for the right tenants that align with the new retail strategy.

Solas Real Estate is Oklahoma City’s newest commercial and residential real estate brand led by industry experts Chad Khoury and Kaci Kaiser. Khoury and Kaiser will be the primary leasing agents along with Solas associates Josh Tullis and Tania Lavi.

For questions on leasing or comments regarding the new tenant-first strategy, please reach out to Solas co-owners Chad Khoury (Chad@Solasre.com) or Kaci Kaiser (Kaci@Solasre.com).

50 Penn Place - Luxury made Simple

Solas Real Estate is an Oklahoma City-based commercial and residential real estate company founded in 2019. Solas looks to Light the Way for their clients’ various real estate needs, helping to navigate the ever-changing process of buying, selling and financing properties for the best possible outcomes.www.solasre.com

Tell us about your background in real estate. What got you into the biz?  

I was fortunate enough to grow up around real estate. My family invested in rental property from the time I was very young, and they’re still investing in real estate to this day. Not only was I surrounded by the industry, my family actually put me to work from a young age answering phones! From there, I learned how to vet potential tenants and secure showings for our rental properties. And then I was hooked, and I’ve stayed in real estate ever since (now for over 25 years!).

Whoa. You may have set a record as the youngest realtor ever! How did your passion evolve over the years, and what do you enjoy the most about our industry? 

The short answer is, I love it all.  From residential to commercial, I’ve gotten the chance to work with every facet of real estate in my career, and I’m eager to share my experience with my clients. In particular, I love helping investors start their journey in real estate or expand their portfolios. Whether you want to lease at a shopping center or buy your first family home, I’ve got you covered.

We know you’re awesome. But for someone who may not know you, what sets you apart from the rest? Why would a client love working with you?

I’m in it with you every step of the way. Buying a home for your family or purchasing an investment property is such an exciting time, and I love to be a part of it. When I help a client with buying or selling, I love to listen to their needs and follow through with the perfect property for them. I’m committed to building relationships with my clients because I know that this can be an overwhelming time, and I want to ensure they can trust me as they make these very important decisions. At the end of the day, real estate is my true passion, and I absolutely love sharing the knowledge I’ve garnered over the course of my career with my clients so they can reach their goals and achieve their dreams.

Tell us about how you found your passion for real estate!

As long as I can remember I have had a heart for real estate. At the age of 5 I made my first verbal offer to my grandmother to purchase her house for $2. I hoped to buy not only her house, but all of the surrounding houses to remodel and sell for $5, she accepted.

She probably cut you some slack on the commission rate as well. Nice. How did your passion evolve into a career over the years?

In 2006, while I was still in college, I purchased my first house to flip. The house sold in 2 weeks after making a few cosmetic repairs, and there was no looking back. After the recession (and numerous properties later), I decided to get my real estate license to get a better return on my investment and to get a jump on my competition.

Smart move considering there likely weren’t anymore $2 homes on the market. At what point did you decide to use your talents to help others?

After a few years of investing, people started approaching me about helping them buy and sell their homes. Initially, I was drawn to the opportunity simply to advance my career, only to find that it was incredibly rewarding helping people through this overwhelming process. Although I continue to dabble in flipping and investing and I am known for my work in the commercial sector, my true passion is using my market knowledge to help people find their forever home.

Solas Real Estate knows how important it is for continued education for our clients, investors, colleagues and investors. Because of this, we hosted a private lecture featuring two tax investment experts specializing in 1031 Exchanges, Opportunity Zones and other newly regulated federal tax incentives programs. Partnering with Chicago Title Representative Kristopher Baker, Solas welcomed IPX 1031 Senior VP Craig Brown Esq. and VP Patrick Noonan to Oklahoma City University School of Law for the two-hour lecture.

“Keeping our associates, investors and industry friends up-to-date on all investment advantages is vital to Solas staying ahead of national trends, giving the advice and guidance needed to develop and further advance the Oklahoma City real estate community as a whole,” said Solas Co-Founder and Partner Chad Khoury. “Craig and Patrick are known around the country for being real estate tax experts, and their advice is crucial to anyone looking to get the most return for every hard-earned dollar invested in real estate.”

Brown and Noonan laid out the importance of looking at real estate from all angles – not just buying and selling property.

“Two things to think about in Opportunity Zones is the ownership of real estate in Opportunity Zones, but also ownership of Opportunity Zone businesses,” says Brown.

“On your contract where your clients are purchasing replacement property in a 1031 exchange, it’s very important that you’re vigilant about putting in some type of cooperation clause. When a taxpayer sells a property it is extraordinarily rare that the contract will limit the seller’s right to assign their rights.”

One central point often overlooked with tax deferral opportunities is the timing and diligent planning of tax deferrals.

“You can set up the exchange prior to an acquisition, and give yourself the extra time period to develop your bigger projects. A lot of time it’s a challenge to get all the work done in 180 days or spend the amount of money that they need to defer in order to get to their 100% deferral in 180 days. That’s a challenge. But, if you get ahead of it, now you know about it, so you can tell your customer about it,” says Noonan.

Want to work for or with a dynamic team of Oklahoma City-based real estate investment advisors? Get in touch with Solas and let’s talk about what opportunities lie ahead of you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

OKLAHOMA CITY – (August 2, 2019) The real estate buying and selling processes are set to become much simpler thanks to Solas Real Estate, a new relationship-first digital real estate brand launching in the Oklahoma City market this summer.

Solas Real Estate (Solas), created by longtime local commercial and residential industry experts Chad Khoury and Kaci Kaiser, aims to utilize digital advancements to find and procure the perfect properties suitable for Oklahoma City residents and investors – of all budgets and opportunities.

“At Solas, we strive to set a new standard for how the real estate experience is managed and help our clients create the lifestyle and future they want through real estate. We believe this can be accomplished by serving with the utmost integrity, gaining a deeper understanding of each client’s core desires, and combining that with our intimate knowledge of the marketplace to create a more joyful and prosperous experience for them,” Principal Kaci Kaiser.

From those interested in taking their first step into home-ownership to those looking to grow an extensive commercial and/or residential real estate investment portfolio, Solas is there to walk you through the process. Solas is focused on creating long-term relationships with their clients and are proponents of sharing their knowledge of home buying and wealth building through real estate.

“We see how technology and applications such as Zillow, Trulia, LoopNet and Redfin are changing the way business is done in the real estate industry.  Our mission is to be highly relational while creatively meeting the technological needs of the industry today by setting up a proprietary in house digital marketing system to market our listings directly to prime buyers, as well as digitally sourcing potential sellers to provide the highest level of opportunity and service to our clients and agents,” said Kaiser.

In the same progressive spirit, Solas set itself up for the changing landscape of Oklahoma City by realizing the need for a brokerage that can in-house their clients residential and commercial real estate needs.

“Oklahoma City is undergoing an exhilarating resurgence. And with the influx of mixed-use properties, and opportunity to grow residential investors into the commercial sector, we knew we wanted to be a part of that growth and create efficient systems for these investors – big and small,” said Managing Broker and Principal Chad Khoury.

Solas is uncompromising in their desire to do what is right and make their people successful. Whether it be their clients or agents, they know they have the full support of the Solas group behind them. This brokerage is set to provide a new league of luxury for the Oklahoma City Metro Market.

Staffed with 25 years of combined experience in the Oklahoma City Metro real estate market, specializing in the core of the city, nobody knows the many booming districts and neighborhoods like Solas.

Solas, meaning “ light,” is here to Light the Way into the future of buying, selling and successful real estate investment strategies for the future of Oklahoma City real estate.

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Solas Real Estate is an Oklahoma City-based residential and commercial real estate company founded in 2019. Solas looks to Light the Way for their clients’ various real estate needs, helping to navigate the ever-changing process of buying, selling and financing properties for the best possible outcomes. www.solasre.com

Tell us a little more about your background and why you wanted to get into real estate!

I can trace my passion for real estate going all the way back to 1991 when I was just 15 years old.

I remember moving to the states with my family – with parents who owned real estate and businesses. We started off renting a home, but two years later we bought a small property in Kingfisher, OK where I went to high school (go Yellowjackets!). As a teenager and young adult, I recall seeing the opportunity of investing in land throughout the ’90s. It seemed everywhere you looked in Oklahoma, especially in Edmond, there was land and real estate potential. I just knew real estate was going to bloom.

In the past 15 years, I took on other opportunities for learning and growth, specifically insurance and banking. That helped me grow and round out my knowledge in real estate. 

Why are you so passionate about it, and what are your plans for the future in real estate?

Ever since that young age when I became enamored with real estate I knew that one day I would become an agent. Going through the training to earn my real estate license I stayed close to colleagues by being involved in brokers’ opens and open houses, and also by guiding and referring my customers in banking and insurance to partners so they could feel the pride of homeownership.

My spouse and close friends saw how much I loved real estate, and with their support and encouragement, I proceeded with attaining my license. Now that I am licensed, I hope and pray I can help our community on many levels, especially in real estate whether it is in building wealth as a first-time homeowner or investor.

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