R
eal estate investment fund TownCentre Capital, led by social media celebrity Don Tepman, has made its largest deal to date with a $13 million strip mall purchase in Union City, California. This follows a $9 million acquisition in another Bay Area suburb. The success can be attributed to Tepman's online presence as StripMallGuy, who has amassed 316,000 followers on X and LinkedIn.

    Tepman went public with his identity in January, revealing himself as the man behind the anonymous account that had been sharing real estate advice and observations for two and a half years. This move opened doors to brokers, investors, and developers seeking to do business with him.

    TownCentre Capital's latest fund was launched in 2022 with $50 million in capital and aims to invest $90 million in strip malls. The fund has closed $25 million in deals over its first two years and is on track to invest more than $40 million this year, thanks largely to the unmasking of StripMallGuy.

    Tepman's strategy involves using social media to connect with brokers and investors directly, rather than relying on traditional networking events. He has leveraged his online presence to close deals quickly and efficiently, often before they even hit the market. For example, real estate investment trust Terreno reached out to Tepman about the Union City deal without taking it to market.

    Tepman's followers, who hail from big cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and New York, feel a personal connection with him due to his casual online persona. This has led to a loyal fan base among real estate professionals, including brokers Eric Cline and Adrian Mendoza, who have worked with Tepman on deals.

    Tepman's approach has been successful in attracting business, with TownCentre Capital closing multiple deals since he went public as StripMallGuy. His strategy of using social media to connect with potential partners has proven effective, allowing him to stay top-of-mind for brokers and investors nationwide.