From Tech to Tenacity | Jennifer Dyess’ Rise with Santa Fe Properties

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REAL ESTATE

From Tech to Tenacity: How Jennifer Dyess Transformed Her Career and Became a Powerhouse in Commercial Real Estate

Jennifer Dyess is a dynamic real estate professional and investor with a unique background that spans both technology and commercial real estate. After earning her degree in Texas, she embarked on a career in the tech industry, working with startups in San Francisco. However, her journey took a significant turn when she transitioned into real estate, inspired by her husband, an artist and real estate investor. Jennifer’s expertise lies in commercial real estate, where her analytical skills, honed during her time as an engineer, have proven invaluable. She began her real estate career in the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth market and later moved to Santa Fe, where she has been active for the past four years.

As both a realtor and an investor, Jennifer has successfully navigated the complexities of the real estate industry, specializing in helping clients find investment opportunities and manage properties. Among her notable achievements is a $10 million retail lease, marking the biggest deal of her career. This year, she is on track to close $5 million in sales. Alongside her husband, Jennifer manages a portfolio of commercial properties in Santa Fe, where they continue to expand their investments. With a strong focus on commercial real estate, she is committed to growing her business and guiding others in the industry, leveraging her extensive experience and passion for real estate.

I’d love to begin by giving our readers a bit more of a perspective outlook on you. This is personal. Can you share anything about your background, education, and family life?

Sure! I’ve had an interesting journey, starting out in technology fields many years ago after college in Texas. That led me to working with startup companies in San Francisco for a few years. It was a field I really enjoyed, but just a few years ago, I abandoned that career to get into real estate, which is really the polar opposite of what I had been doing previously. It’s been an interesting journey, and very empowering to be in the real estate business, where I answer only to myself and my clients.

That’s fascinating! Have you always had an entrepreneurial spirit, or did it develop over time?

I didn’t start with that mindset. I’ve always worked for corporations and someone else. No one in my family took the business route, but the person who inspired me the most was my husband. We’ve been together for over 10 years. He’s an artist and a real estate investor, coming from a family of entrepreneurs. Before meeting him, I wasn’t really exposed to that world and didn’t realize what opportunities were out there for me. He inspired me to get into real estate, and now we invest together, manage our own commercial properties in Santa Fe, and I’m also a realtor. It’s a great balance because I can help clients who want to invest, backed by my personal experience.

That’s amazing! You mentioned that you’ve been a realtor and investor simultaneously. How has the market evolved, especially post-COVID?

I began my real estate career in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, exclusively in commercial real estate, which continues to be a great market to invest in. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I moved to Santa Fe. The two markets couldn’t be more different—Dallas-Fort Worth is a huge metropolitan area, while Santa Fe is a small town with about 100,000 people. Nationwide, the office market has taken a hit since the pandemic and hasn’t fully recovered. In Santa Fe, however, the demand still exceeds the supply, whether for residential or commercial properties. It’s a beautiful place with a strong lifestyle appeal, attracting both residents and businesses.

What’s on the horizon for you? What would you like to see in the next decade?

It’s been about seven years since I became a full-time realtor. With each new market, it feels like starting from zero, rebuilding client bases and connections. Over the next decade, I want to continue helping clients invest and find spaces for their businesses, while also continuing to invest in Santa Fe myself. My husband and I just purchased a building this year, which we’ve been renovating and now have fully leased. We plan to keep investing in this market.

Commercial real estate seems like a niche field, especially for women. What attracted you to this side of the industry?

You don’t see a lot of women in the commercial real estate industry, but that’s changing slowly. My background in engineering and analytics makes the commercial side more interesting to me. I enjoy analyzing deals, creating pro formas, and working on the more analytical aspects, which are less prevalent in residential real estate.

With your experience, do you see yourself mentoring others in real estate or investment?

I’d love to mentor others, especially because transitioning from an engineering background to sales was challenging for me. I’m not a natural salesperson, but my passion for real estate drives me. Over time, I’ve improved, and I think that’s something I could help others with. It’s all about finding what you’re passionate about and letting that guide your career.

As an investor, what advice would you give to someone starting out or to your younger self?

Start small and don’t be afraid to take risks, but also be smart about it. Finding the right property and managing renovations can be challenging and costly. My husband and I once invested in a large parcel of land with the idea of a development project. Although it didn’t pan out as expected, we sold the land at a profit and reinvested those funds into another property. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but you can still make it work.

Are you currently focused on investing in Santa Fe, or are you looking elsewhere as well?

We’re focused on Santa Fe. We love living here and think it’s a great place to invest. We manage our own properties, so it’s important for us to be close by. It’s easier to handle property management issues when you’re nearby, rather than having something remote that requires hiring a property manager.

Finally, what are some of your financial goals for the future?

This year, I’m on track to do about $5 million in sales. My biggest deal to date was a $10 million retail lease. I’m excited to see what the future holds and to continue growing my business and investments.