The Secret to Buying Commercial Real Estate Before It Hits the Market
In this episode of Building Dallas, we explore the high-stakes world of commercial real estate with Charlie Purdue, founder of Purdue Realty Corporation. Charlie specializes in finding off-market properties and guiding business owners through pivotal real estate decisions. Host Chris shares his personal experience buying a building with Charlie’s help—highlighting the risks, missed deals, and ultimate reward of landing the perfect off-market property. From Charlie’s early days grinding through Dallas office markets to building his own firm, this episode is packed with insight on real estate strategy, market timing, and entrepreneurial grit in North Texas.
Episode Summary
(00:00) - - This Is Not Play Money: Real Talk on Buying CRE
(01:07) - - Welcome to Building Dallas with Host Chris Arrington
(01:24) - - Meet Charlie Purdue: Off-Market Deal Pro & Founder of Purdue Realty
(02:02) - - Chris’s $100K Deal That Got Away
(04:34) - - How Charlie Found a Building That Wasn’t Even For Sale
(05:54) - - Buying Off-Market: Why It Works
(06:13) - - Host Chris’s Real Estate Journey with Charlie
(07:10) - - Charlie’s Career Shift: From Marketing to Million-Dollar Deals
(08:52) - - The Secret to Mastering Your Real Estate Submarket
(10:47) - - Charlie Walked Every Building in Downtown Dallas
(11:57) - - Why Charlie Left a Big Firm to Go Solo
(13:31) - - The Call That Changed Everything: Discovering Oak Cliff
(14:45) - - Before the Boom: Charlie’s First Impressions of Bishop Arts
(16:22) - - Building Trust in a “Mom-and-Pop” Real Estate Market
(17:58) - - A Grilled Cheese and a Career Breakthrough
(20:00) - - Empathy Wins: Charlie’s Key to Earning Owner Trust
(21:45) - - What Makes Bishop Arts So Walkable and Special
(23:00) - - Why Oak Cliff Attracts Entrepreneurs and Risk-Takers
(24:01) - - Hyperlocal Focus: Charlie’s Long Game in Real Estate
(25:22) - - How Relationships Fuel Dallas Real Estate
(27:14) - - Investors, Entrepreneurs, and Developers: Charlie’s Clients
(29:00) - - How Local Support Sustains the Bishop Arts District
(31:20) - - Charlie on Risk: This Isn’t Monopoly Money
(32:20) - - 3 Types of CRE Buyers Charlie Works With
(34:00) - - 95% of Charlie’s Deals Are Off-Market—Here’s Why
(35:14) - - How to Spot Shady Real Estate Practices
(37:30) - - Reputation Matters: Why Sellers Trust Charlie
(39:00) - - Living Where You Work: Chris and Charlie’s Local Advantage
(40:11) - - Foreclosure Saved: A Real Estate Rescue Story
(43:44) - - What’s Really Happening in Commercial Real Estate Now
(45:15) - - Interest Rates, Risk, and the New CRE Reality
(48:00) - - Where to Buy Now: Charlie’s Take on Hot Dallas Markets
(50:05) - - East Oak Cliff = The Next Bishop Arts?
(52:54) - - Developers Arrive Last—Why That’s a Good Thing
(54:24) - - Bishop Arts Has No Chains—And That’s the Point
(56:45) - - Why Small Buildings = Big Opportunities
(58:58) - - The Origin of Emporium Pies: A Local Business Legend
(01:01:05) - - Charlie’s Advice: Don’t Pick the Wrong Broker
(01:04:00) - - How Charlie’s Family Bought Emporium Pies
(01:10:03) - - A Woman-Led Business, Then and Now
(01:14:34) - - Charlie’s Final Word: Build Faith Before You Build Wealth
(01:15:04) - - Subscribe to Building Dallas – More Stories Coming Soon!
