It’s Never Too Late to Pivot Into Multifamily Real Estate with Reine Becker

In this episode of the Pivotal REI Podcast, Ginny Bolling sits down with Reine Becker to talk about what it really takes to step away from a stable corporate path and build something with more ownership, freedom, and upside. Reine brings a sharp operational mind and a fresh perspective to multifamily real estate, with a clear focus on disciplined investing, smart market selection, and meaningful impact close to home. This conversation goes beyond a simple career pivot. It speaks to what happens when experience, timing, and conviction start pointing in the same direction. If you are curious about multifamily investing, value-add strategy, underwriting, or building long-term wealth through real estate, this episode offers a grounded look at what that shift can really look like.

Reine Becker is the founder of Becker Premier Properties, a Texas-based multifamily investor and operator focused on affordable housing, strong execution, and long-term value. With a background in corporate operations, she brings a practical, systems-driven approach to real estate investing, asset management, and community-centered growth.

Connect with Reine Becker:
Website: https://www.reinebecker.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reine-becker-ms-mba-0b378a40/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reine.becker/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reine.black/ 

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Connect with Ginny Bolling on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnybolling

Pivot to Prosperity is a podcast that is sponsored by Pivotal Real Estate Investments, which focuses on helping investors build wealth and income through commercial real estate that improves communities. To learn more, visit www.PivotalRealEstateInvestments.com/contact-us

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To watch other episodes, go to https://www.youtube.com/@PivotalREI

Transcript

Ginny Bolling

(0:00) Hello, hello, this is Ginny Bolling with Pivotal Real Estate Investments and the Pivotal Real Estate podcast brought to you by Pivotal Real Estate Investments. (0:11) And today we have Rain Becker with us. (0:14) Thank you for coming on, Rain.

Reine Becker

(0:15) Yes, I'm so happy to be here. (0:17) Thank you.

Ginny Bolling

(0:18) As you know, I love your name. (0:20) I keep trying to play some games with it. (0:24) So excuse me in advance if I do that during the show.

Reine Becker

(0:29) It's easy to do, you know, as long as you don't start singing Rain Rain Go Away, which is what the kids used to do on the playground when I was younger to tease me, then we're good. (0:40) Any other is fair game.

Ginny Bolling

(0:41) Oh yeah, that could be crushing though, right?

Reine Becker

(0:44) When you're, you know, when you're six, it cuts deep.

Ginny Bolling

(0:48) Yeah, well, I'm glad you're over that.

Reine Becker

(0:51) Yeah, I'm not sure I am, but I'm working on it.

Ginny Bolling

(0:55) Okay. (0:55) Yeah, when you're young, it really cuts deep. (0:58) Anyway, so tell us how, tell us about your background and how you are now in real estate.

Reine Becker

(1:05) All right. (1:06) So I started my career in corporate America, specifically in pharmaceutical manufacturing. (1:12) So I went to undergrad in grad school in Nebraska.(1:16) And then after grad school, I had special, or my master's was in bioscience. (1:23) And so it went very well to pharmaceutical manufacturing. (1:27) So I actually started my career in the middle of nowhere, Kansas, McPherson, Kansas, where they had a big pharmaceutical plant.(1:35) And so I started my career there and really found that I loved operations. (1:41) That was where I just really like found my passion. (1:46) So I started focusing really heavily on operations throughout in my career.(1:50) That's what started it. (1:51) And I moved from pharmaceutical operations to working for Hill's Science Diet. (1:58) It's owned by Colgate.(1:59) And also in Kansas at their manufacturing facilities at a couple of them, again, pursuing and refining my operational excellence skills. (2:08) So I ran a global program for them called, or that was a, all focused on Lean Six Sigma principles and lean manufacturing. (2:20) And then after a very successful career with Colgate, I was in the middle of Kansas and my family's back here in Texas.(2:30) And so I was about myself asking, why am I in Kansas? (2:35) I love Kansas. (2:36) Don't get me wrong, especially the Flint Hills.(2:38) I was all over it, gravel biking, living the life, but I wanted to be closer to home. (2:43) So I didn't move to Fort Worth where I got an opportunity with Cargill who produces food. (2:50) So food manufacturing all the way from primary processing through to a steak that you would eat at a restaurant or turkey that you'd buy at Costco.(3:00) So I worked with them and again, stayed focused in the area of sorting chaos. (3:06) So in our manufacturing plants and in any process, even corporate processes, do we truly know what is going on in an area? (3:18) What we're trying to actually achieve in the area?(3:21) Do the people understand what they're trying to achieve? (3:24) You know, running, so I was known for, there's chaos going on over there. (3:28) We don't know what's happening, call rang.(3:30) And so I would literally get calls on a Thursday and need to be in the middle of Indiana on Monday at a plant kind of helping sort things. (3:40) So that's what I was known for, really establishing processes, applying KPIs and making sure that those processes were sustainable so they could keep going until I left or after I left. (3:52) So that is my background.(3:54) Now, that is not what I do today. (3:59) So I left my corporate career and I am now in real estate. (4:04) So I don't know if you want me to jump into that now or if we're going to segue into that.

Ginny Bolling

(4:08) No, I want you to say what your takeaway is because it's perfect timing. (4:12) What's your takeaway that you want the listener to remember?

Reine Becker

(4:16) So yeah, it is perfect timing for that. (4:18) So my big takeaway is it is never too late to pivot from what you're doing. (4:26) Um, if your career has gone stagnant or you're just it's not your passion anymore, to truly find something that ignites that passion in you again and to chase it and pursue it.(4:38) And that's exactly what I've done this past couple of years is gone from my corporate career, which I was successful at and enjoyed, but didn't necessarily have the spark about anymore to something that truly I am so excited to do it every single day. (4:52) And for me, that's real estate. (4:53) But for you, maybe it could be anything.(4:57) Explore it until you find it because making that transition is so worth it.

Ginny Bolling

(5:02) All right. (5:03) I did it again. (5:04) Reign in your passion.(5:06) There you go. (5:07) Perfect.

Reine Becker

(5:08) Perfect. (5:09) It should be like a headline banner on my screen here.

Ginny Bolling

(5:14) I think that's great though. (5:15) Yeah. (5:15) And it's so true.(5:16) And that's part of why I even called my company Pivotal because I have pivoted a lot. (5:22) But thank you. (5:23) That's really worth sharing.(5:24) And so as you go into this, well, tell us how you ended up going to real estate.

Reine Becker

(5:33) So I really, as I started having kids and figuring out family life, I wanted to have more ownership over my career. (5:46) So in corporate America, I had experienced many rounds of layoffs, especially a pretty significant one that though I wasn't impacted, people that I worked very closely with that were fantastic were laid off. (5:59) And that was pretty impactful to me of how I view corporate America.(6:04) Now, I'm not dogging corporate America. (6:05) That's not what I'm doing here. (6:07) It is wonderful.(6:08) It afforded me a lot of opportunities in my life. (6:11) But what I am saying is it changed my perspective on was I truly the owner of my own destiny? (6:17) You know, and so I was analyzing that after kids.(6:24) And I've been talking to my husband a lot about it. (6:28) And we also had some savings that I was working on figuring out how to invest. (6:34) Well, figuring out how to invest naturally, one of the first things people will tell you is to look at real estate and investigate real estate as a good investment.(6:44) So I did. (6:44) I went deep into the real estate hole and wound up in multifamily and investigating how do I invest in multifamily? (6:52) And then realizing, wait, I really like this.(6:56) And then all the way to I can actually make a career out of this where I can achieve goals that I've set out for myself and my family as far as the ownership perspective and apply a lot of the skills I've already learned and developed and refined in my corporate career and have something as very translatable skills to real estate operations and honestly, every facet of building a business. (7:25) And so that is why I transitioned. (7:28) It's just like, again, that passion.(7:30) I found out I was really passionate about it and it complimented very well with a good transition of skills. (7:37) So that's how I wound up here.

Ginny Bolling

(7:38) And I can see that so much because in production management, manufacturing and all of that that you're used to and making order out of chaos, that is such a match with the multifamily where you've got so many lives and people and everything's urgent to that family. (7:56) And so chaos can come quick. (8:00) And especially when you're doing, we talked beforehand that you do the value add, meaning you're improving properties that need attention.(8:09) So there's a lot to juggle there. (8:10) You're a natural. (8:11) I see that.

Reine Becker

(8:12) Yeah. (8:12) Yeah.

Ginny Bolling

(8:13) Well, thank you. (8:14) Yeah. (8:15) So yeah, I'm excited about it.(8:16) Are you buying in Texas or where are you looking?

Reine Becker

(8:19) Yes. (8:20) So my market is in Houston, specifically the West side, though, of course, you know, like everybody else, open to conversation about others. (8:28) But really, I'm focusing and want to build my portfolio here in Houston because it's I live out in Katie.(8:36) So I'm on the West side and this is my backyard. (8:39) I grew up here. (8:41) I live, you know, I drive around every day.(8:44) My parents are in brother all up in Conroe and Tomball. (8:47) And so I'm just very familiar with the area. (8:50) And like you mentioned, I want to have a direct impact.(8:54) So I don't want to have a property that's across the country that I only get to, you know, a few times a year. (8:59) I really want something that's in my backyard that I can make sure that the impact that I'm intending to have on the communities and the people who live there are truly playing out that way. (9:10) And I'm it's positive and it's not going a different direction.(9:13) And I just am not seeing it. (9:14) So so that was a long answer. (9:17) But yes, here in Houston is where I'm focusing.

Ginny Bolling

(9:20) Property management and asset management intense, right? (9:23) For sure. (9:24) That sounds like it fits so well.(9:26) Well, so as far as where we met, we're we're both in one of the same masterminds where we're around tons of people that have all levels of experience, which has been fantastic. (9:37) So I I think that that's that's all been very fruitful. (9:41) And and I think you're you're on to something right now.(9:44) You can't, of course, talk about the property per se, but you're probably priming that pump so that there's people ready to to jump on board if if everything goes right pretty soon here, right?

Reine Becker

(9:58) Yes, so we've got a great property. (10:01) It's a great value add. (10:02) And it's I mean, the community it's in is absolutely fantastic.(10:06) It's it's one of those communities where the houses right down the street from the property are being completely renovated and or empty lots are, you know, significant housing is being built up there, single family homes. (10:20) That's another thing in this community. (10:22) There is no there's no assets for multifamily coming online this year.(10:27) And so it's just it's a great spot to be in. (10:31) Yeah, it took it took a lot of I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found this property. (10:37) It's fantastic.

Ginny Bolling

(10:38) Right. (10:39) Yeah. (10:39) You were saying you've for what a year and a half, two years, you've been putting out a lot of offers and analyzing the property.

Reine Becker

(10:47) Yeah, it's like I've I've I've underwritten over 100 properties around Houston and some other areas that I was flirting with. (10:55) But but yeah, I have I've been through I've looked through a lot. (11:00) And in the market last year was interesting.(11:02) I made several solid offers, but there was always somebody who was coming in last minute and, you know, with a little deeper pockets. (11:11) But this this one, I think, is going to play out beautifully. (11:13) It was all meant to be because I think this is the one.

Ginny Bolling

(11:17) Well, and and you've even already inspected it, right? (11:20) And you were happy with what you saw. (11:22) We are.

Reine Becker

(11:22) We are. (11:23) We're very happy.

Ginny Bolling

(11:24) Step closer.

Reine Becker

(11:25) Yep. (11:26) Yep. (11:26) All right.

Ginny Bolling

(11:27) We'll keep our fingers crossed for you on that.

Reine Becker

(11:29) And thank you. (11:30) I hope the stars are going to align for us on this one.

Ginny Bolling

(11:34) Right. (11:35) Well, I hope so for your sake. (11:36) Right.(11:37) And so and you're getting ready to start your own podcast, probably, too, right? (11:42) That's right.

Reine Becker

(11:43) Yeah.

Ginny Bolling

(11:44) I want to be able to follow you. (11:46) That's right. (11:47) That's good.(11:48) Good.

Reine Becker

(11:48) Yes. (11:49) So I'll also have my YouTube channel will be tied to my podcast and also be doing weekly webinars. (11:55) So I've built out my studio.(11:58) And so it's a matter I've got the systems in place to do those things. (12:01) A couple of fine tuning. (12:03) But, yeah, we're getting there.

Ginny Bolling

(12:05) So are you teaching your old co-workers about what you're doing? (12:10) Some of them. (12:11) Yeah.(12:12) So some of them knew before. (12:13) It's hard for them to grasp, I know, because.

Reine Becker

(12:16) Yeah, that is so true. (12:19) It's been such an interesting transition because when you're inside corporate, like you think one way and then when you get outside and you see a different picture, you're like, wait a minute, it is. (12:32) But it's hard when you're in it.(12:34) So so I have been there's a couple of people that knew I was building up this business the last year and a half I was in corporate America. (12:41) And so they've asked me a lot of questions about it. (12:45) And but so, yes.(12:47) And yes. (12:48) And no, some are interested. (12:50) Some don't give up.

Ginny Bolling

(12:52) Don't give up. (12:53) I'll tell you, because like I said, I've been in real estate over 40 years. (12:57) So my peers are appraisers and attorneys, people that work in real estate, but they haven't been buying for themselves.(13:04) They're so busy at work. (13:05) They've got blinders on. (13:06) Right.(13:07) I'm shaking them. (13:09) Yeah, your skills for your family. (13:11) Right.

Reine Becker

(13:12) Yes. (13:12) Yes.

Ginny Bolling

(13:13) So you might have to shake a few.

Reine Becker

(13:15) You know, I went I went to a conference this past weekend and it was fantastic. (13:20) And one of the big messages it was it was around building wealth, specifically how to do tax advantages and tax free accounts. (13:28) That's what really the the meat was of the conference.(13:31) But one of the big takeaway messages is when there are investment opportunities in front of you and you have money just sitting in a savings account, that money, that situation that you're not capitalizing on with the investment is literally costing you what could be millions of dollars every year. (13:54) So it's worth taking the time to check out investments, whether it's real estate or something else, but definitely worth checking into and. (14:02) Look at what's out there.

Ginny Bolling

(14:04) Minimize taxes and there's so many ways to do that. (14:10) Yeah, right. (14:11) Well, and something that might be particularly, I don't know, in in your industries, your prior industries, was it more male or female dominated?

Reine Becker

(14:21) In the manufacturing plants, it was definitely male. (14:24) But once the more corporate level roles was a good mix of everybody.

Ginny Bolling

(14:28) Oh, OK, because something I learned, I lead a women in real estate group here locally and I've gotten tuned in more and more on some of it. (14:38) When I was at the best ever conference a few weeks ago, I interviewed Liz Bearcloth, who leads that invest for community. (14:46) OK, I have heard of that.(14:48) Yeah, she was telling me that by the year 2045, women are going to be controlling probably 70 percent of America's wealth. (14:58) And there are so many women that have very little financial literacy. (15:03) We women have to get women to step up.

Reine Becker

(15:07) Yes, let's all educate each other, increase our financial IQ. (15:11) I think that's that is what's holding people back is just the not knowing. (15:14) Yeah, absolutely.

Ginny Bolling

(15:16) Yeah. (15:16) So I'm giving you a little extra mission there.

Reine Becker

(15:19) I like it.

Ginny Bolling

(15:20) All right. (15:21) Well, let me have you say your takeaway one more time before we wrap things up.

Reine Becker

(15:26) OK, so my takeaway here is it is never too late to chase down something that you're passionate about. (15:32) And maybe it's not something where you're going to pivot and do it full time. (15:37) But if you are currently in a job or a situation that just doesn't fire you up every morning like it used to, it's not too late to explore other things.(15:48) Even if it's not what your degree was in or what you've been focused on the past 20 years, there's still really cool things going on and really wonderful opportunities and really wonderful people who will help you learn and teach you. (16:03) And, you know, again, some of these opportunities could just be more part time. (16:08) And that's one thing that real estate affords is the opportunity to be involved passively.(16:14) So maybe you can keep the stability in your security blanket of your current job or whatever that means to you. (16:19) But also spend a little time in your evening lunch breaks. (16:26) Check out some real estate as a way to help supplement what you already have going on.(16:30) Those opportunities exist and they're fantastic. (16:35) Absolutely look at capitalizing on them.

Ginny Bolling

(16:37) And, you know, one of the things that I end up talking to people about a lot that really is important is, you know, everybody just is thrown into the 401k, right? (16:49) And stocks and bonds and that's all they see. (16:51) And they can disappear overnight.(16:53) They let companies dissolve. (16:55) But real estate is a hard asset. (16:58) And one of the coolest things about what we do with these real estate syndications is we not only can bring in a bunch of people that don't have to do any work and they get the money and the tax deductions, but it's a real hard asset.(17:10) They get to meet the sponsors. (17:12) They get to know the business plan. (17:14) They get to go to the property.(17:15) It's very different investment wise than a stock certificate.

Reine Becker

(17:20) Absolutely.

Ginny Bolling

(17:21) Absolutely. (17:22) Yeah. (17:23) Well, I look forward to you and I talking more and I want to hear about how your project goes.(17:28) But so tell people how they can reach you.

Reine Becker

(17:31) All right. (17:31) So you can find me on Instagram or Facebook or my website all under the same name. (17:37) So it's rain, R-E-I-N-E, Becker, B-E-C-K-E-R.(17:44) And any DM messaging or LinkedIn messaging, I answer all of that. (17:51) And if you specifically want to book a call to talk about something specific, you can do that too on my website. (17:57) You'll find the link there.(17:58) But again, it's all if you just look Rain Becker across all platforms.

Ginny Bolling

(18:02) Very good.

Reine Becker

(18:03) Oh, and soon to come YouTube channel. (18:06) I'll be there too soon.

Ginny Bolling

(18:08) Well, by the time this comes out, if you did start it right away, or whenever you can add it, just keep in mind because people will view these later too. (18:17) So yeah, we'll put your contact information in the show notes too. (18:21) So very good.(18:23) Well, thank you so much for coming on. (18:24) I really appreciate it.

Reine Becker

(18:25) Thank you.

Ginny Bolling

(18:26) This is fun. (18:27) Thanks.