CASE STUDIES
BUYER: Rafique Hassan, Abid Hassan SELLER: Beltline Office Park, LLC (Mike Wells) BUYER'S AGENT: Real Estate Uprising, Sheryl Pickens GOAL: Secure a 10,000 SF office building for Abacus Insurance & Financial Services headquarters. Challenge: Rafique and Abid engaged Sheryl to find a 10,000sf free standing building in the Las Colinas submarket to purchase for their company. However, after surveying the area, Sheryl was only able to identify three office buildings for sale that met her client’s criteria, all of which significantly exceeded their budget. Strategy: To expand the search beyond listed properties, Sheryl: Conducted an extensive on-the-ground survey of the Las Colinas submarket, identifying off-market properties around 10,000 SF. Proactively contacted property owners to inquire about potential sale opportunities. Sent an e-blast detailing her client's criteria to approximately 1,200 CRE brokers across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Lead: Mike Wells, a broker and co-owner of a three-building office complex in Las Colinas, responded to the outreach. He expressed willingness to convert one of the three buildings into a condominium, allowing for the sale of the second floor of a two-story office building totaling 11,000 SF. Solution: Through strategic negotiations, Sheryl secured a below-market deal that included a substantial tenant improvement package. The transaction closed within three months, with an additional four months allocated for construction and customization. Outcome: By leveraging creativity, persistence, and market expertise, Sheryl successfully facilitated an off- market acquisition that met her client’s financial and operational needs—an opportunity that would have otherwise gone undiscovered. "Sheryl’s innovative and determined approach secured our company a unique off- market office acquisition that perfectly fit our budget—an opportunity we would have never discovered without her expertise and extensive broker connections." - Rafique Hassan, Principal
CLIENT: North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship Church (David Lawson, Executive Pastor, Business Operations) CLIENT AGENT: Real Estate Uprising (Sheryl Pickens, Broker) BACKGROUND North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship Church (NDCBF) had outgrown its existing church facility. Although another congregation had extended an offer to purchase their building, a critical challenge arose—the sale required them to close before securing a new location. This unexpected situation left NDCBF without a place of worship and in urgent need of a temporary church home while they determined whether to purchase an existing property or build a new facility from the ground up. CHALLENGE: The church needed a short-term lease for a 25,000-square-foot space suitable for worship services and ministry operations. The requirements were complex, including: A large open area for services Multiple private offices A spacious kitchen and break area A designated daycare space An enclosed outdoor play area for children Sufficient parking for Sunday services Compliance with zoning regulations Finding a suitable property within these constraints, particularly on short notice, proved to be a formidable challenge. Despite an exhaustive market search and multiple lease negotiations, viable options remained elusive. SOLUTION: Through persistence and faith, a breakthrough emerged when an owner’s agent informed our team about an off-market church property at 501 Accent Dr, Plano. The property, spanning 27,000 square feet, was in excellent condition and ideally situated for NDCBF’s needs. Additionally, the retiring pastor offered the church’s furniture, fixtures, and equipment at a significantly discounted price, providing further value. OUTCOME On December 2nd, the transaction was successfully closed, allowing NDCBF to celebrate their Christmas services in their new church home. What began as a seemingly desperate search transformed into a blessing, reaffirming that faith and perseverance always lead the way. This case underscores the importance of agility, resourcefulness, and divine timing in real estate transactions, ensuring that NDCBF not only found a new place of worship but also a permanent home for their growing congregation. "Thank you for your tireless effort to help facilitate this “new beginning” for us. I appreciate the late evening and early morning phone calls further demonstrating your commitment to helping us get this deal done in record time. You never stopped!" - David Lawson, Executive Pastor, Business Operations "Sheryl, you were sent to us to find the new home we were looking for! Thank you for all the energy and focus you gave to us!! May you be blessed and do that you are loved and appreciated."- Major Jordan, Senior Lay Leader
CLIENT: Pilar Bescos, MD, Stella Mattina, LLC (Formerly Family Health & Wellness Center of North Texas, LLC) CLIENT'S AGENT: Real Estate Uprising, Sheryl Pickens and Brenda Ridnour GOAL: Dr. Pilar Bescos sought to address the limitations of her current medical office space, which was outdated, in disrepair, and inefficient for her growing practice. The objective was to determine the best course of action—whether to renew the lease in the existing space despite its challenges, seek a new office lease, or purchase/build a new space. CHALLENGE: Dr. Bescos engaged Sheryl Pickens and Brenda Ridnour of Real Estate Uprising to conduct a comprehensive market study. This study aimed to compare the economics of leasing existing medical office space versus owning a property, either through purchasing or building. Key considerations included the availability of suitable space, budget constraints, and the time-sensitive nature of the move. STRATEGY: A detailed office space survey was conducted to identify landlords open to medical use and to compare the financial and logistical implications of leasing versus ownership. Given the time-sensitive nature of the project, Dr. Bescos ultimately decided that leasing a new space was the best option. SOLUTION: Following an in-depth market analysis of competing buildings, negotiations were initiated with three office building owners through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Once the preferred building was selected, collaborative space planning sessions were conducted with architects to design an optimal layout. The new 7,000-square-foot medical office was carefully planned to include multiple exam rooms with plumbing and enhanced efficiency, ensuring a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment that would serve Dr. Bescos’s practice for the next ten years. OUTCOME: Dr. Bescos is delighted with the efficiency and modern design of her new medical office. Her staff appreciates the improved working conditions, and patients now experience a more comfortable and welcoming environment. CONT'D SERVICE: More recently, Pickens and Ridnour assisted Dr. Bescos with an Assignment of Lease when she sold her practice with three years remaining on the lease term. Sheryl was instrumental in facilitating this transition smoothly, ensuring a seamless handover for both Dr. Bescos and the new practice owner. "One of the key reasons we chose REUP was their commitment to personalized service at all times—even during evenings and weekends, when we’re not busy with patients. Many times, late at night, Brenda guided us through the challenging build-out phase with a reassuring, hands-on approach that eased our concerns. Pickens & Ridnour have continued to provide exceptional support, including recently assisting with the Assignment of Lease related to the sale of our practice and helping the new doctors with their current and future growth plans. To say that Pickens & Ridnour under-promise and over-deliver would be an understatement.” - Pilar Bescos, M.D., Stella Mattina, LLC
CLIENT: Walt Wilson, Founder and Chairman, Global Media Outreach AGENT: Real Estate Uprising – Sheryl Pickens and Brenda Ridnour GOAL: To find the ideal office space in the Dallas/Plano area for Global Media Outreach (GMO) to consolidate and relocate its corporate headquarters, accommodating rapid growth. CHALLENGE: Relocating GMO’s headquarters from Silicon Valley to the Dallas/Plano area required securing Class A office space in a business-friendly, fiscally affordable community with minimal regulations and access to a strong technology workforce. STRATEGY: After an extensive market survey, GMO expanded its initial space requirement from 3,500 square feet to 9,200 square feet for a ten-year lease, ensuring room for future growth. SOLUTION: The analysis identified the Legacy submarket in Plano as the ideal location. Negotiations were conducted with four office building owners, ultimately leading to the selection of Legacy Town Center I. Space planning meetings with architects ensured an optimal layout, incorporating state-of-the-art audio/visual capabilities and collaborative workspaces to foster creativity and innovation. OUTCOME: GMO is thriving in its dynamic new office, which enhances collaboration and productivity. Employees appreciate the energetic work environment and the convenience of nearby restaurants, hotels, and shops in the Legacy area. “Working with Brenda and Sheryl on our corporate office relocation from California to Texas was truly a blessing. Their integrity, diligence, and expertise guided us every step of the way, ensuring we found the perfect space in a demographic that met our recruitment and amenity needs.” - Walt Wilson, Founder and Chairman, Global Media Outreach