Season 8, Episode 3:
How did Fernando De Leon go from translating legal disputes as a teenager on the US-Mexico border to building Leon Capital Group?

Today, we sit down with Fernando De Leon, Founder and CEO of Leon Capital Group, to break down one of the most remarkable founder stories in real estate. Fernando shares how his early life in Matamoros and South Texas shaped his view of risk, opportunity, and systems. We also get into his first real estate equity stake, his time at Harvard and Goldman Sachs, and how he built conviction before the GFC.

Whether you’re interested in distressed debt, Texas real estate, AI, data centers, or the mindset behind durable compounding, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we dive into the skepticism, stamina, and timing that helped Fernando build across real estate, private equity, and operating businesses.

Shoutout to our sponsor, Lennar Investor Marketplace. New construction rental investments with comps, returns, and underwriting built in.

TOPICS

00:00 – Introduction to Fernando De Leon
07:00 – Early Real Estate Lessons on the Border
14:00 – Harvard, Mentors, and Long-Term Seeds
21:40 – Leaving Goldman and Optioning Texas Land
28:29 – Buying Distressed Loans After the GFC
37:07 – Why 2008 Won’t Repeat the Same Way
46:43 – AI, Data Centers, and Hidden Risk
52:48 – Building Operating Businesses
57:07 – Mental Health, Talent, and New Opportunities
01:04:00 – Mistakes, Stamina, and AI Disruption

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About No Cap Podcast

Commercial real estate is a $20 trillion industry and a force that shapes America’s economic fabric and culture. No Cap by CRE Daily is the commercial real estate podcast that gives you an unfiltered ”No Cap” look into the industry’s biggest trends and the money game behind them. Each week co-hosts Jack Stone and Alex Gornik break down the latest headlines with some of the most influential and entertaining figures in commercial real estate.

About CRE Daily

CRE Daily is a digital media company covering the business of commercial real estate. Our mission is to empower professionals with the knowledge they need to make smarter decisions and do more business. We do this through our flagship newsletter (CRE Daily) which is read by 65,000+ investors, developers, brokers, and business leaders across the country. Our smart brevity format combined with need-to-know trends has made us one of the fastest growing media brands in commercial real estate.