I’m very excited to bring to you Deba Douglas of Principles of Real Estate and Deba Douglas Realty Group! Deba is a seasoned real estate investor, having done many fix and flip deals in North Texas. She is also a licensed realtor. Deba now helps others who want to get into real estate investing. We were blessed to get an opportunity to interview her. If you want someone to help you get started in the world of real estate investing and be successful, then look no further than Deba Douglas!
SDM– Deba, let’s get to know a little about you. Are you from the Dallas area?
Deba-I was born in Nigeria and raised in Dallas, I’ve always carried the spirit of perseverance and faith with me. I graduated from Garland High School and earned a full track scholarship to Tarleton State University, where I pursued my passion for education and earned my bachelor’s degree to become a teacher.
It was in college that I met the love of my life, Samson Douglas. We built a beautiful life together, and today, we’re blessed with three amazing children who inspire us daily.
My journey from the classroom to the closing table has been a testament to what’s possible when you walk in purpose. I went from shaping young minds to helping families build generational wealth through real estate—and I haven’t looked back since.
SDM– You also came from the world of education. You were a teacher and served as a principal, if I’m not mistaken.
Deba– For 16 years, I dedicated myself to education. I began teaching and coaching in DeSoto ISD, then moved on to Garland High School, where I taught and served as the head volleyball coach. I even drove the school bus to games and competitions—a role that reminded me daily of how many hats educator’s wear.
Eventually, I stepped into leadership as an assistant principal in Plano ISD, a position I held for over six years. I loved every moment of supporting teachers and walking alongside students. But while I found purpose in serving others, I began to feel a tug in my heart. As a wife and mother, I yearned to be more present for my own children. I wanted time and freedom, and I had a bigger vision for my family’s future.
Then came one summer afternoon that changed everything.
I picked up Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, and it rocked my entire mindset. That book taught me the difference between working for money and making money work for you. It unlocked something in me—a boldness, a vision, a hunger for more.
Through my years of serving in church, I always believed in the goodness of God. But in that season, I finally understood that God doesn’t want us to just get by—He wants us to thrive. He desires for us to walk in abundance.
So, I took a leap of faith. I didn’t have all the answers, but I had faith. I trusted God, and I trusted the vision. And from that moment on, God has blessed our family relentlessly.
What started as a step into real estate has turned into a mission: to build wealth, walk in purpose, and teach others how to do the same.
SDM– What drew you into the world of real estate investing?
Deba– What really drew me into real estate investing wasn’t just the money—it was freedom.
After 16 years in education, I realized I was pouring everything into helping others, but I was barely present for my own family. I loved supporting students and teachers, but deep down, I knew I wanted more time, more impact, more flexibility.
I’ll never forget the summer I picked up Rich Dad, Poor Dad. That book changed my life. It opened my eyes to a completely different way of thinking—about money, ownership, and the
power of investing. I started to understand that building wealth wasn’t about working harder… it was about working smarter and letting your money work for you.
What really pulled me in was the idea that real estate could change everything—not just for me, but for generations after me. It was a tangible way to build legacy, to create options, and to walk in purpose.
My faith played a huge part in this journey. I’ve always believed that God doesn’t just want us to survive—He wants us to thrive. So, I stepped out on faith, and He’s been blessing our family ever since.
Real estate isn’t just what I do. It’s part of my calling.
SDM– Did it take you a while to become a full-time real estate investor?
Deba– It took me nearly three years to transition into full-time real estate investing. While I was still working as a principal, I’d wake up early and stay up late studying, researching, and trying to figure out what it really meant to become a successful investor. I was constantly asking myself: What areas should I invest in? What strategy will help us build long-term wealth for our family?
During that season, my husband, Samson Douglas, and I purchased two to three properties. We partnered with a property management company to help us stay on track, and we’d spend our weekends and late nights driving out to check on the rehab progress. It was exhausting, but it was worth it.
To make it work, I had to make some serious lifestyle changes. I cut back on unnecessary spending. I stopped listening to the radio and started diving into podcasts. I joined real estate investing Facebook groups. I completely immersed myself in learning and growing.
I knew that if I wanted to step into the life God had shown me, I had to start becoming that person before I ever saw the results. I had to believe in the vision—even before it was fully visible.
SDM– You found success in investing in real estate for yourself, so much so, that you now teach others how to be a successful real estate investor! What made you want to teach others and not just do it for yourself?
Deba– After finding success in real estate investing for myself, I knew I couldn’t keep it to myself. I remember being in that place—working full-time, overwhelmed, trying to piece it all together without a clear roadmap. And I knew there were so many others just like me—people with big dreams, but no guidance. That’s what pushed me to start teaching.
I didn’t want to just do real estate—I wanted to transform lives through it. I started sharing my journey on social media—every part of it. The good, the bad, the ugly. I shared when I lost money, when I landed a new property, when the rehab was going great… and when it was a total mess. But beyond the deals, I shared the inner work. The transformation that was happening inside of me.
I had to let go of friends and even some family who weren’t aligned with the vision God had placed on my heart. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I knew if I was going to step into the life God had for me, I had to be obedient—even when it was uncomfortable.
And let me give a shout out to my amazing husband, Samson. He took the lead in managing our monthly finances so I could take the risks that would help shape our future. That support gave me the freedom to move boldly and bet on us.
When I work with my students now, my mission is simple: to empower them. I want them to know that everything they need to be successful is already inside of them. I’m not their savior—I’m just here to light the spark. To remind them of what’s possible when they lead with faith, act and believe in the vision.
Because success isn’t about becoming someone else, it’s about finally seeing who you’ve been all along.
SDM– Some people may think it’s very hard to get into real estate investing and that you may need a lot of money, high credit scores or perhaps be a realtor first. Give us the real deal.
Deba– Let me be real with you—so many people think you need a ton of money, a perfect credit score, or a real estate license to get into real estate investing… and that’s just not true.
I started while I was still working full-time as a principal, juggling family, work, and responsibilities. I didn’t have six figures saved, and I wasn’t a licensed realtor. What I did have was faith, a vision, and the willingness to learn and take action.
Here’s the real deal: You don’t need to be a realtor to start investing. You don’t need perfect credit—but you do need a credit score of at least 600 and around $15,000 in the bank to seriously position yourself for your first rental or flip.
That’s enough to get you in the room.
And the beautiful thing is—we work with lenders who can support you every step of the way. There are lenders who will give you a business line of credit, and others who will fund both the purchase and the rehab like Longhorn Investments based in Dallas, Tx for your first investment property. That means you don’t need all the cash up front—you just need to know how to structure the deal and have the right team behind you.
It’s about education and execution. Once you understand the numbers and the process, you’ll realize you’re more ready than you think.
I always tell my students: you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to be willing to take the first step. The rest? We’ll walk it out together.
Because if I can do it—while working full-time, raising three kids, and figuring it out along the way—you can do it too.
SDM– I know people want to know how much money they can make in real estate investing and how long does it take to get that first deal. Tell about that.
Deba– Listen, I get it—one of the first questions people ask me is, “How much money can I really make in real estate?” and “How long is it gonna take to close my first deal?”
And my answer is simple: it depends on your hustle and how quickly you implement what you learn. But what I can tell you is that it’s absolutely possible to see major wins—fast.
We’ve had mentees make $30K on their very first flip, and we’ve had others walk away with $110K profit on a single deal. And if flipping isn’t your lane, we’ve got mentees bringing in up to $1,000 a month in cash flow from their rental properties.
The best part? 89% of our mentees go on to buy multiple properties in their first year. That’s not by luck—that’s by strategy, support, and execution. Within the first 4 months our students are under contract with their first property.
So yes, real estate can be incredibly profitable, but it’s about doing it the right way. And with the right guidance, you can absolutely create life-changing results.
Your first deal could be one decision away.
SDM– Wow! So, for anyone who has been thinking about getting into real estate investing, you can help get them stated on that road! Are you hands on when it comes to helping your students? I know those late-night infomercials back in the day were just a bunch of video tapes and booklets. What makes your courses different and more effective?
Deba– Yes—1000%! If you’ve been thinking about getting into real estate investing, I can absolutely help you get started on that journey. And let me just say this—I’m very hands-on with my students. This isn’t one of those “watch a few videos and figure it out” kind of programs. I’m walking with you step by step.
What makes my course and mentorship different is that we don’t just teach theory, we walk through real-life deals together. We analyze properties, run numbers, talk to lenders, and even walk rehab projects as a group. You get access to professional contractors, lenders, agents, and even my own team—who are doing this work every single day.
And listen, I’m not just showing you how I did it… I’m helping you create a strategy that works for your life, your finances, and your goals. You get real-time support, weekly calls, private mentorship groups, and opportunities to partner with other mentees and my team.
This isn’t just a course, it’s a community. And we’re building wealth together.
So, no shade to the old-school infomercials and dusty booklets—but we’re doing something completely different over here. We’re making moves in real life, and I’m right there with you every step of the way.
SDM– You’ve certainly got me interested! What should someone who wants to get started right away in real estate investing with you do next?
Deba – If you’re ready to get started in real estate investing with me, the next step is simple: book a call with me. On that call, we’ll talk about your goals, where you’re starting from, and I’ll help you figure out the best path based on your finances, your timeline, and your vision.
From there, I’ll walk you through how my mentorship works, what resources you’ll have access to, and how we can start getting you into your first deal.
This isn’t a cookie-cutter program—we build out your personal roadmap so you can take strategic steps toward real results. Whether you want to flip, buy rentals, or build passive income, I’ve got the tools, the team, and the support to help you make it happen.
So, if you’re ready, let’s stop talking about it and start walking it out. Your future in real estate is waiting—and I’d be honored to help you build it. Contact me on IG- debaflipstexas, FB- Deba Douglas, email info@douglasdwellings.com, to book a call.
SDM– You are a woman of faith and that has helped you in life and in business. How important has that been in what you do?
Deba– My faith is everything. It’s not just a part of what I do, it’s the foundation of everything I do, in life and in business.
There were so many moments where I didn’t have all the answers, where the numbers didn’t make sense on paper, or when fear tried to creep in—but I leaned on God every single step of the way. It was faith that helped me walk away from a secure career in education. It was faith that gave me the boldness to take risks, invest in property, and build something bigger than myself.
This business—everything you see today—started with a vision God gave me. And I had to believe in it before it ever came to life.
Even now, every decision I make is rooted in prayer. I know I’m not just building wealth for my family—I’m walking in purpose. And that means serving others, being a light, and making sure God gets the glory in every win, every lesson, and every breakthrough.
So yes, faith isn’t just important. It’s essential to who I am and everything I’ve built.
SDM– Can we go to your website or social media to see some of the fix and flips you have done?
Deba– Yes, absolutely! You can head over to my website or check out my social media—I’m always sharing behind-the-scenes looks at our flips, before-and-after transformations, and real results from our students.
And not only that, I also share free tips, resources, and even a free eBook that breaks down the basics of flipping houses. I want you to learn, get inspired, and see that it’s really possible for you too.
So, whether you’re just getting curious or you’re ready to dive in, you’ll find a ton of value just by following along! Contact me on IG- debaflipstexas, FB- Deba Douglas, email info@douglasdwellings.com, to book a call.
SDM– One last thing, do you have any information sessions coming up and how can people reach you once again?
Deba– Yes! My next mentorship cohort kicks off on May 17th, and I’m so excited about it!
We only offer this mentorship three times a year, and we intentionally keep the group small so I can provide focused, hands-on support to help you reach your real estate goals. This isn’t just a course, it’s a transformational experience where you’ll learn the strategy, get access to my team, and walk through deals with real-time guidance.
If you’re serious about getting started, now’s the time! You can reach me through my Instagram DMs, visit my website, or shoot me a message and I’ll make sure you get the details to apply.
Spots are limited—and they go fast—so don’t wait. Let’s build wealth and legacy on purpose together!
