What is a cap rate?
A capitalization rate is a property's net operating income divided by its price.
Read the answer
Commercial real estate · Dallas
Murphy D. Cheatham II. Real estate built to last a generation.
Two decades in real estate development, city housing and business development, brokerage, and private client work. Today Murphy is Private Clients Director at CBRE, host of The Murphy Cheatham Podcast, and the real estate voice of Tierra Firme.
20+ yearsin real estate
$300M+mixed-use projects planned
MRED '07Arizona State, inaugural class
On the podcastJaylon SmithTyson ChandlerRISE Family OfficePaul WigginsJade Parrish Marks
About
Who is Murphy Cheatham?
Murphy D. Cheatham II is a commercial real estate executive in Dallas, Texas. He works with private families and high net worth individuals on debt and equity, portfolio strategy, and property management, with a long view on value that lasts for families.
He came into real estate through the numbers, as an accountant for a home builder. From there he moved through sales, planning, community development, consulting, and brokerage. That range is the point: he has seen a property from the ledger, the drafting table, city hall, and the client's side of the table.
"Real estate is a product of the needs of society's use of space." Murphy Cheatham, ASU W. P. Carey interview, 2023
20+ yearsDevelopment, public sector, brokerage and private client advisory
$300M+Mixed-use real estate strategically planned with HDR, Inc.
ChiefHousing and Business Development, City of Shreveport
DirectorPrivate Clients, CBRE, Dallas
MRED '07Inaugural Master of Real Estate Development class, Arizona State
BoardGrambling State University Foundation
HostThe Murphy Cheatham Podcast, with guests from the NFL, NBA and family offices
Tierra FirmeFounding member, commercial real estate seat
Career
What has Murphy built?
A career that runs from sustainable development to public housing to private capital, each step adding a layer of how real estate actually gets financed, approved, and owned.
- Development
Galleries at Turney, The Modus Development Group
Managed a multi-million-dollar project with a focus on energy-efficient design and development.
- Planning
Mixed-use strategy with HDR, Inc.
Instrumental in strategic planning for more than $300 million in mixed-use real estate projects across several states.
- Public sector
Chief of Housing and Business Development, City of Shreveport
Managed multi-million-dollar budgets to revitalize underserved communities and grow local business.
- Brokerage and coaching
CBRE, Dallas
Commercial real estate brokerage, then Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager, coaching commercial real estate producers to establish a foothold and grow toward market leadership.
- Today
Private Clients Director, CBRE
Leads a team serving private families and high net worth individuals: sourcing and servicing debt and equity, optimizing portfolios, and managing properties.
- Giving back
Grambling State University and Arizona State University
Serves on the Grambling State University Foundation board. Connected ASU's Master of Real Estate Development program with Grambling State and helped bring the partnership forward, so GSU students can graduate with a focus in real estate and enter the industry early.
Tierra Firme
What is Murphy's role in Tierra Firme?
Tierra Firme is a consortium of three practitioners producing educational content and seminars for people weighing capital in Colombia and Latin America. Murphy holds the real estate seat: what a property abroad is worth, what your income reaches there, and how to own it without getting burned.
The Ground
Murphy D. Cheatham II
Commercial real estate. The asset, the deal structure, and how ownership actually works.
Market access
Shawn Christopher Leamon
Business and operations on the ground in Colombia.
Research
Todd Allyn
Macro, currency, and country intelligence from Sovereo Intelligence Research.
Tierra Firme is educational. It does not list property or broker transactions. Learn more about Tierra Firme.
The Murphy Cheatham Podcast
Watch all 36 episodes and clips
Where can I watch Murphy?
On The Murphy Cheatham Podcast, Murphy talks with leaders, founders, athletes and professionals about business, leadership, wealth and the decisions behind long careers. One rule runs through every episode: measure twice, cut once.
Latest episode · 28:46
Jaylon Smith: NFL Veteran, Father, Brother, Founder
Plays right here on Murphy's site.
Answers
What can Murphy answer for you?
Straight answers on commercial real estate, financing, generational wealth, investing abroad and building a long career. 33 questions and counting.
Should I use debt or equity to finance a property?
Debt carries a fixed cost and a repayment obligation, but you keep full ownership and leverage can amplify returns.
Read the answerWhat is a family office?
A family office is a private firm that manages a wealthy family's investments, taxes, estate planning, philanthropy and often real estate.
Read the answerWhy is real estate used to build generational wealth?
Real estate combines several wealth builders in one asset: income from rent, appreciation over time, leverage that lets a family control more property than its cash alone could buy, and tax treatment such as depreciation.
Read the answerCan Americans buy property in Colombia?
Yes.
Read the answerWhat does 'measure twice, cut once' mean for decisions?
It is the philosophy behind The Murphy Cheatham Podcast.
Read the answer
FAQ
Questions people ask about Murphy
Last updated
Who is Murphy Cheatham?
Murphy D. Cheatham II is a commercial real estate executive based in Dallas, Texas, with more than two decades across development, public sector housing and business development, brokerage, and private client advisory. He is Private Clients Director at CBRE and a founding member of Tierra Firme.
What does Murphy do at CBRE?
As Private Clients Director at CBRE, Murphy leads a team that works with private families and high net worth individuals. The work includes sourcing and servicing debt and equity, optimizing real estate portfolios, and managing properties.
What is Tierra Firme?
Tierra Firme is a consortium of three practitioners in commercial real estate, business and family capital, and intelligence research. It produces educational content and seminars for people weighing capital in Colombia and Latin America. Murphy covers the real estate side.
Does Murphy give investment advice on this site?
No. Videos, articles and seminar material on this site are educational. They are not investment, tax or legal advice. Decisions stay with you and your own advisers.
Where did Murphy study?
Murphy is an alumnus of Grambling State University and Arizona State University, where he was in the inaugural Master of Real Estate Development class (MRED 2007). He helped create a real estate education partnership between the two schools.
Does Murphy have a podcast?
Yes. Murphy hosts The Murphy Cheatham Podcast on YouTube, with conversations on leadership, business, wealth and long careers. Guests include NFL veteran Jaylon Smith and NBA champion Tyson Chandler. Every episode plays on this site.
How do I contact Murphy?
Use the contact form on this page. Speaking, media and Tierra Firme seminar inquiries are answered first.
Contact
How do I reach Murphy?
Send a note about speaking, media, panels, or Tierra Firme seminars.