In this episode of the Texas Land Guys Podcast, Tom Dosch sits down with Trey McGhin in the Dallas office to unpack the story behind launching DMRE North Texas, from starting solo during the uncertainty of 2019 and COVID-19 to leading a 17-person team and closing over 100 deals.
Trey shares how a kayak rescue mission during Hurricane Harvey unexpectedly introduced him to the DMRE team and how that moment set the stage for a career-defining leap of faith. From market chaos in 2020 to a white-hot deal pipeline in 2021, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a top-tier land brokerage office from scratch.
They also get into leadership, hiring, how they think about compensation, and what it really means to put the team first. If you're in the commercial real estate world, whether you're a broker, developer, or whatever your lane, there’s much to take away from how they’ve built something that lasts.
Key Takeaways
Trey’s path from investment sales to DMRE, starting just months before COVID hit
Standout closings with TCR, JLB, Alliance, and RangeWater—and why they mattered
Lessons from surviving early setbacks (including not getting paid on a deal!)
Why “humble, hungry, smart” is more than a hiring motto—it’s the foundation of their culture
The secret sauce behind their proprietary comp model that fuels team-based success
How 2025 is shaping up to be a breakout year as leadership and market momentum collide
In This Episode:
[00:03:27] Hurricane Harvey and the kayak meeting that started it all.
[00:05:53] Trey’s pivot from Marcus & Millichap to DMRE and the personal loss that shaped his decision.
[00:10:06] COVID’s silver lining: How DMRE Dallas turned a market freeze into a foundation for dominance.
[00:14:28] 2021’s explosion: 100+ deals under contract, team growth, and honeymoon closings.
[00:17:45] The Secrets to Building a High-Impact Team
[00:22:34] Signature deals: Zion Road’s bidding war, TCR’s milestone, and Frisco’s elusive industrial site.
[00:36:13] The “comp model” revolution: Incentivizing teamwork in a competitive industry.
[00:39:17] 2025 outlook: Leadership development, market resurgence, and doubling down on land dominance.
Resources and Links
Podcast
Tom Dosch
Trey McGhin
