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From Rentals to Flips: How Haleema Rahim Built Her Dallas Real Estate Portfolio

By October 8, 2025Texas Real Estate Pros

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Show Summary

In this episode, Haleema Rahim shares her journey from investor to real estate agent in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She talks about her early fears in investing, her accidental start in remodeling, and her strategies for building a strong portfolio. Haleema discusses the importance of partnerships, her transition into new construction, and the lessons she’s learned working with both investors and regular clients. Together with Dylan, she also reflects on the challenges of remote work in developing countries, such as connectivity issues, and how these experiences shaped her approach to accessibility and client relationships. Trust, guidance, and building strong connections are central themes, as Haleema explains how she has helped many clients start their investment journeys and why the right people are essential for success in real estate.

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    Investor Fuel Show Transcript:

    Haleema Rahim (00:00)
    love before and after. It feels like an art piece, like just getting a house which has nothing and you turn into something so beautiful. So that’s another passion I have and I love it. Again, accidental got into it.

    Dylan Silver (01:52)
    Hey folks, welcome back to the show. Today’s guest is an investor agent in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro, also active in remodeling as well. Please welcome Haleema Rahim. Haleema, welcome to the show.

    Haleema Rahim (02:08)
    Thank you so much, Dylan. I appreciate you having me on the show.

    Dylan Silver (02:12)
    It’s great to connect with you here as someone who’s lived in DFW and Denton very recently and also still has a lot of connections to that area. I always like coming across fellow DFW agents and agent investors like yourself. ⁓ It’s often which came first, the chicken or the egg, but did the agent side come first for you or the investor side?

    Haleema Rahim (02:37)
    the investor side came first for me and then the remodeling side and then the agent side because after working as an investor for so long and then I started helping family and friends as well because they saw me doing really well and I would always refer them to the agent, a really good friend of mine and it took me a while to realize I’m like why am I not getting my license and that would help me not relying on other people and help my friends as well. I ended up getting a license and it’s

    been amazing it’s it made things a lot of easier for me as well

    Dylan Silver (03:12)
    Walk me through Aleema getting into investing. You mentioned that you were working with other investors as well, but what was your entry point into real estate investing like?

    Haleema Rahim (03:26)
    ⁓ I just initially wanted to, I always wanted to invest, right? I was kind of scared, like everybody else is. The first step is always the hardest one. Just started with one property, had a really good experience with that one and slowly started getting into another one and then another one.

    pulling out the equity and all that cycle that investors do, right? Just wait for the equity to build or just buy it and sell it and whatever the profit is coming in, just reinvest that. So there are like multiple different ways that you do it. So it’s just, I started initially with one and started liking it and started building a portfolio from there. ⁓ The remodeling business was accidental. ⁓

    I rented out my first property and ⁓ one of the tenants were not paying the rent. Unfortunately, I had to evict them. I gave them few months and they were not happy and they like messing up the house a little bit before they left. ⁓ I tried reaching out to the different contractors and it was so expensive. like, I know it can be that expensive. I started talking to the other friends who are investors in the remodeling business. They gave me a little bit guidance, a little bit links and I

    just started doing the contractor work myself. I just put in lot of homework, trying to see what trends are in, what colors are in, what styles are in. I mean, there was a lot of homework that was done, but I just, know, I think it was something natural always had. It just had to come out, unfortunately, in a weird way. But I did my first flip. I know, right? It’s like it’s God’s plan. And then I did my first flip and I did a pretty good job. I was pretty impressed by myself.

    Dylan Silver (04:58)
    in a tough way.

    Haleema Rahim (05:09)
    I’m like, you know what, maybe that was a God’s way of showing me another way, another talent I have. And I started,

    love before and after. It feels like an art piece, like just

    getting a house which has nothing and you turn into something so beautiful. So that’s another passion I have and I love it. Again, accidental got into it.

    Dylan Silver (06:19)
    Do you remember that first flip vividly?

    Haleema Rahim (06:24)
    I do remember it very clearly. I was super nervous. I was kind of clueless because I was just getting tips from here and there from friends and family. I was working with a team and that is my team. I still work with the same team ⁓ and I was, I didn’t know how to guide. I didn’t know clearly how the paperwork works and how everything works. I had to self-talk myself lot of things but I clearly remember, clearly remember shopping around for the things, going different places, putting things together.

    You know, it was a lot of fun, a of fun. And ⁓ I was happy with the results, I would say.

    Dylan Silver (07:01)
    What was the scope of work in that first deal? Was it extensive? Was it light? Was it already rental grade? What was the scope of work in that first deal?

    Haleema Rahim (07:17)
    The first deal, it was something which was already rented out. ⁓ And it was Plano, Texas, ⁓ the central Plano, Texas. It was an excellent location. you know, mostly it’s all about the location. If you have a good location, you know it’s going to be easy to sell. So I, you know, that helped me tremendously. And I lived in Plano for over 20 years. So I know the area really well. So that kind of helped me a lot, knowing that how much I’m putting in and how much I will be able to make out of it.

    of the things that lot of investors, new investors don’t know is they end up putting it so much money in, make it look excellent, it’s looking beautiful, but it’s gone beyond the market value now. And they might end up losing money at this point because nobody wants to pay that much money. but the first deal was like amazing, it was good, excellent experience, learned a lot from it, of course made a little bit mistakes here and there, but I was able to sell it really

    Dylan Silver (07:59)
    Right.

    Haleema Rahim (08:16)
    because of the location and because of like all the updates they were like up to the standard and up to you know whatever was you know at that point needed.

    Dylan Silver (08:26)
    Once you did that deal, you have this proof of concept, you’re able to see, this works and is a repeatable process. Did you dive head first in after that and start looking at more deals? And what were those next deals like? Were they other single family flips?

    Haleema Rahim (08:50)
    I did, and I…

    did something very similar because at that point that was my comfort zone, right? Because I was still testing water, still, you know, really excited, got really good results from the first one, but I didn’t want it to go crazy on the second one. So I bought a property which was in Plano as well, very similar to the first one in the same zip code. Since I’ve already done my CMA, I’ve already done, you know, all the work, I know how much ROI is going to be. So I already kind of had the numbers with me. So I,

    I did pretty much the same thing again. It was a really good experience, got sold really fast as well. The property after that one, I kind of hold it for a bit because I knew the value is going to go higher if I hold it. So I do different thing with every property every time. Sometimes I would have multiple. I would hold on to one, let the equity build on it or the market value to go high on it before I put any kind of work on it. I just do the basic work,

    it out, let the equity build and I would still have another one on the side where it is ready, I know I can make the money out of it right away. Some properties I just rent it out, I love them, they’re great location, I know another five years they’re long-term goals, I’m gonna make so much more money out of it. So I just rent it out, keep it there and it’s just I want to still build my portfolio on the site

    where I’m having a rental properties you know but at the same time I want to do my flips, I want to do my hold. So it’s just

    different you know with every property I buy.

    Dylan Silver (10:59)
    Yeah, there’s different exit strategies and the ability to be able to adapt for each deal and also in each market, right? The market now in September 2025 is not going to be nearly the same as the one in September 2020.

    At any point in your first couple of deals, did you start taking on partners or people who were assisting you either in a limited capacity or in a general capacity?

    Haleema Rahim (11:18)
    Definitely.

    I have not done the partnership yet.

    I have been reached out by so many people. I have not. I think I’m more comfortable just doing it by myself and growing it. ⁓ I’ve helped a lot of investors though without the partnership and I would do all, I’d pull out, the numbers for them. I’ll tell them, hey, this is what you’re going to buy. This is how much you’re going to put. Not more than that. ⁓ I sometimes, I have worked with close friends as a contractor. I’m like, okay, fine. You know, I will do all the work for you. And this is the money that I take once the property

    Just to make it more easier for them, but being a partner partner yet I have not but I’m thinking I might I’m trying to get into the new construction I’m buying some land and trying to build on it. So that’s gonna be something very very new for me So I might end up doing I’m thinking a partnership I met a couple of people and just you know trying I think it would be a learning process for me during that process because those are people who have been doing it for a very long time, so that’s

    Dylan Silver (12:17)
    Huge.

    Right?

    Haleema Rahim (12:36)
    I might, but with other in the past I have not. But I’ve helped. I’ve helped. I’ve been part of the deal. I’ve helped them from… Yeah.

    Dylan Silver (12:41)
    You know, I think it’s probably a good thing.

    I would say it’s probably a good thing

    that you’ve been able to do these deals without taking on partners. There is risk when people are just starting out because if you run into issues that you can’t solve, it can be tricky. you were able to overcome any obstacles initially that would have arisen. Now moving into new construction, I’ve noticed this trend, Haleema, where there are a lot of flippers, specifically in DFW, ⁓

    I know more than a handful who’ve moved from fix and flip into new construction both because there’s ⁓ really more I would say availability of information there’s there’s more popularity in new construction but also I mean it’s just tougher to do flips right now it just is the margins are more challenging on flips it seems like

    Haleema Rahim (13:14)
    Mm-hmm.

    It is, it is, but market has changed since the interest rate have come down a little bit. That helps a lot with the flips. Otherwise it was hard to sell because of people just sitting and waiting for the interest rate to come down, right? Most of the people are unfortunately not aware that they can refinance. It’s the perfect buyer market. I keep telling people and a lot of people don’t realize. ⁓ yes, but again, back to your thing is that building, ⁓ you can make

    Dylan Silver (13:49)
    This is true.

    Haleema Rahim (14:12)
    way more money from building a house than a flip for sure. And it’s more attractive because people are getting a brand new build, know, it’s people would need more towards that. A huge difference, huge difference.

    Dylan Silver (14:22)
    brand new home.

    I want to ask you Haleema about the agent space and becoming an agent and pairing that with being an investor. I had done wholesale for a little bit under two years before getting my ⁓ real estate license earlier this year. And it’s interesting because I remember ⁓ going to the the champion school in Fort Worth.

    I had this interesting experience where I felt like my gosh These are like two totally different worlds. I kind of knew a little bit about that but When I got there was like well, you can’t I almost felt like I had to choose one ⁓ I’m curious. What’s been your experience? I know you’re very active in both worlds. What’s been your experience as an agent and investor?

    Haleema Rahim (15:11)
    Yeah.

    Well, I went to the champion as well, the one in Plano. In the beginning, it was the same thing. I started the school and because it’s kind of a crash course, right? They just try and squeeze everything into the six weeks.

    I was overwhelmed in the first two days. was so much information thrown at me. by the time when I joined, it was funny. They were doing all the mathematics stuff. I’m like, my God. So it was just, I was like, I just can’t do it. It’s so hard. It’s so hard. And everybody kept telling me people who were already there for a few weeks, they were like, we all felt the same way. I’m like, but it’s insane. I have to my exam in one week. How can I just read this big of a book in one week and just take

    the exam I have to pass it before I go to the next level. But it was, it feels overwhelming, but honestly speaking, after I got done, I was like, you know what, it wasn’t that bad. But yeah, the experience was pretty good getting the license.

    Dylan Silver (16:56)
    I, the exam was not easy.

    The Texas is. ⁓

    Haleema Rahim (17:00)
    It was, I know

    the classes were so tiring and overwhelmed. Oh my gosh, I still remember. But I don’t know why I think I was able to pass it the first time. And I was like, oh, it wasn’t that bad. I think you forget about it. I think that’s what it is. Yeah. So, but yeah.

    Dylan Silver (17:13)
    Yeah, thank goodness. I crammed like crazy.

    to pass my exam and I was so, I remember they handed me the piece of paper that said you passed and I like bolted out of there. I’m like, I’m taking this before they change their mind. I knew of course it was as like automated systems. So course I was like, I’m, I’m I studied so hard for this. I don’t want to do this again. And I think I probably went through a very similar pipeline that you did Haleema because when I went, I was going for like 12 hour days. I would do the classes in the morning and

    Haleema Rahim (17:33)
    I know.

    I know.

    ⁓

    Dylan Silver (17:49)
    the

    evening and I was like this is so much I was exhausted I was driving like an hour from Denton down to Fort Worth and then one of the days funnily enough there was a tornado in Denton that wrecked my car so then I was driving down with the car with a hole in it and I was like I just got to get through this this is a sign that this is a test

    Haleema Rahim (17:49)
    huh. well.

    my gosh.

    my gosh.

    ⁓

    Wow. ⁓ Wow, that’s amazing. Well, yeah, it was pretty interesting, those six weeks of taking the classes and going crazy. it was funny, every time end of the class, there is a test that you have to pass.

    I would think I’m gonna fail that test every single time and I’ll get in 90s and everybody would laugh at me. They were like, how are you thinking you’re gonna fail right before the test and you end up getting in 90s? I’m like, I have no idea how the whole thing is going. I just want these six weeks to be over at this point, know? Get my license and get done with it.

    Dylan Silver (18:45)
    Be over.

    As an agent pivoting a bit here, Lima, there’s ⁓ so many different niches that people can get involved in. Do you primarily work with other investors or do you have a mix of clients?

    Haleema Rahim (19:06)
    for mixer planes.

    And it’s always when I do get the investors, they always appreciate me a lot than working with other agents they have if they have ever previously worked with because I have a lot of experience as an investor. ⁓ Not a lot of agents out there. I’m not saying like everyone. They are awesome, great agents out there who can pull the CMAs and ROIs for you and compare it for you. So since I have a remodeling business too, and usually I have the exact number for them, I can just look at the stuff and I’m like, my God, know, like superficial cosmetic stuff.

    not the foundation and everything else. I can literally give them numbers on top of the head. that kind of helps. Investors, they love working with me because it’s quick. I know what’s going on, how much you’re going to make out of it. But I’m working with everybody. And once even the regular people who are working with me, I always, always encourage them, hey, if you ever have extra money or equity built in this house, invest. They’re like, we never even thought about it. So that’s how they, I help them.

    Dylan Silver (19:45)
    Yeah.

    Haleema Rahim (20:08)
    of the people who never even thought about being an investor, they become investor after meeting me and they always love it and appreciate it because no, even me, I never thought about it. I never thought I will become an investor. I just had some money saved. I’m like, you know what? It’s not giving me anything sitting in the bank. Let me just invest, know, so I just that’s how I get got started on it. I always wanted to. My dad was, you know, an investor, you know, landlord and all that stuff. And I saw him doing that all my life. Never thought I would do it.

    Dylan Silver (20:11)
    Get it?

    Haleema Rahim (20:38)
    and I just ended up starting like randomly, you know. So that’s what I work, mean to answer your question, yes I work with both and the regular people I turn them into investors as well.

    Dylan Silver (20:49)
    I was asking you really about the synergy between being an investor and an agent and your clients and you had mentioned to me that you work not specifically with investors but with lots of people and even that you’ll have clients who they’ll do maybe their first investment with you because of your background and your experience.

    h (21:17)
    That’s true. Yes, yes, I have. And also, like, as I mentioned earlier, you know, lot of people have never thought about being an investor, you know. And I always giving them idea how they can start with investments. And a lot of people have started their investments because of me, because I was able to guide them through, right. And they had a lot of confidence in me as well, because they knew I’ve been doing it for so many years. And I think it makes people very comfortable because once you know, you know, and I explain them everything.

    in a right way, where to invest, where not to invest because even as an agent, know, I just, I just want to give my clients the sincere advice. It’s not about me making money. It’s about me building that relationship with them, guiding them through that. They want to do another investment. They know I guided them right the first time. They’re going to come back to me.

    Dylan Silver (22:07)
    That’s exactly right. And the key parts of being an investor, I would say, are just as much the people that you have in place as it is the deal itself. I mean, I can’t tell you how many…

    deals that I’ve seen fall through and businesses that I’ve seen get run to the ground that would have otherwise been great except for one cog. And sometimes that can be buying the deal at the wrong price. Sometimes it can be unforeseen issues, but it could also be a person, right? It could be issues with a lender, a title company, a business partner. And so folks, you know, having the ability to connect with an investor agent themselves really ⁓

    h (22:42)
    Mm-hmm.

    Dylan Silver (22:54)
    helps them leapfrog a lot of those obstacles.

    h (22:58)
    I agree, yes.

    Dylan Silver (23:03)
    We are coming up on time here, Haleema. Where can folks go if they may be in the DFW Metro themselves and they’d like to reach out to you either because they’re looking at maybe an investment property for themselves or if they are looking at their forever home, right?

    h (23:20)
    Yeah, yeah, so they can always reach out to me. The easiest way to reach out to me is my number. ⁓ Is it okay if I give it over here? Are you gonna put the link on the bottom? is that gonna work? I don’t mind speaking up and saying my number.

    Dylan Silver (23:38)
    Absolutely.

    h (23:39)
    Okay, all right. It’s 214-938-7308. They can reach me there or they can reach me on my Instagram page, which is Haleema Rahim Realtor. It’s very easy. You can reach out there.

    Dylan Silver (23:52)
    Haleema, thank you so much for coming on the show here today.

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