By Madelaine Braggs | Rose Law Group Reporter
Henry Downing is living the American Dream as a real estate developer based in Phoenix and Kansas City. His story is one of entrepreneurial inspiration, where taking a leap of faith and proudly serving the country set him on the path to success in the residential construction sector.
Downing was born in Costa Rica and his family lived in Nicaragua. However, with the tumultuous politics under a dictator, his family was forced to seek asylum as an immigrant in the United States. He moved to Miami when he was five years old and soon after to Northwest Indiana. In his teens, he picked up wrestling and boxing and the love for the sports eventually brought him to the Marine Corp.
“My wrestling coach was a former Marine, and he said I looked like one. So, that was my way to get college paid for. I enlisted because I didn’t have the guidance for going into college, I didn’t have any counsel and my mom dropped out of middle school so, she didn’t have that either.
Before joining the Marines, Downing says he was a different person. “I definitely had a lack of confidence. We were poor, moving a lot and I didn’t speak English. It was hard to blend into the community. It’s a whole different culture shock. But I think that experience is probably what has made me so adaptable.”
After enlisting downing became the top of his class and was able to choose his duty station, Okinawa, Japan. “If it wasn’t for the Marines I don’t think I’d be where I’m at,” he said. “It shows commitment and the ability to have comradery with people.”
Downing said serving in the military gave him an opportunity to reinvent himself. It made him “thick skinned” and a jack of all trades. “When you go to boot camp, it’s about mentally and physically breaking you down.” I built a reputation for being kind, determined, committed. They’d say, ‘Henry, he doesn’t quit.’ I just don’t quit.”
It’s a mentality that he says has paid off in real estate industry, proving to have the resilience required for the ups and downs of the housing market. He now partners with his cousin Mike Downing who brings 25 years of Valley remodeling, residential and commercial construction experience as well. The duo formed Downing Creative Concepts and have acquired and flipped hundreds of properties between the two cities. Lately, they’ve been expanding into luxury customs and tailored designs in the Phoenix metro.
Shou Sugi Ban – Scorched Homes
Their latest property, on 2113 E. Harvard Street is an 1850 sq. ft., 3 bed 2 bath featuring an ancient Japanese exterior siding technique that preserves wood by charring it with fire. Using the Shou Sugi Ban method was Mike’s idea, after seeing it in a family furniture shop and watching tutorials on Youtube. Usually it’s done with large machinery, but the cousins took the DIY route, burning the lumber by hand with a detached torch and propane tank.
Watch the process:
“We set it on the ground and created an assembly line. We scraped the wood, torch it, scrape again with a metal brush to remove any and then we seal it with oil,” said Henry. The method makes the home resistant to insects, rot and decay for decades, regardless of how heavy it’s scorched. Styles can range from slightly crisped to looking like black alligator skin.
The Downings paired the lightly torched lumber with a cherry stain, black metal siding and a pearl metallic apoxy for the flooring. Mike says originally the house was going to be a stucco home, but suggested the design because it would be a cleaner, sleeker, modern look, “…and cheaper too.”
The Harvard Home qualifies for a first-time buyer grant to cover down payment and closing costs, is energy efficient and listed for $865,000 though Platinum Living Realty.
Looking towards the future, the cousins plan on creating more one-of-a kind residential designs, especially for short-term-rentals. Mike, who closely watches the latest trends, says he’s seeing more modern contemporary with a dash of rustic. “Customers of all age ranges are interested in that, but I think black is in for highlights. Brass is out, brushed brass looks cool. It’s going towards a darker and clean look. A lot of people are getting rid of archways and going to right angles.” They’re now applying similar designs to 1700—1600 sq. ft. A-frame cabins in Prescott.
Mike says when it comes to renovating, you can’t be afraid to try new things or use something borrowed. “Doesn’t matter the material, we always try to do repurpose a lot. We’re not wasteful. I like to experiment with glass and metal and rocks and wood… I like to try to throw these different elements into something you don’t commonly see just to see the result. Worst case scenario you can go back and change it but I love seeing new designs and methods.”
Advice for beginners?
Henry said it hasn’t always been easy flips and profits. “I had up to 18 flips going at one time, but I didn’t have the capital to run all of them. I was getting screwed by contractors and had to sell at a loss or had to redo work on some of them. It was a stressful time…. But a learning experience.” He suggests checking on the contractor work weekly or daily if you can, making sure you have enough capital lined up for the purchase and construction hiccups. Also, thoroughly vet the contractors, “Don’t pay half upfront just for them to leave the job unfinished. I stopped doing upfront payments.”
Many are cautious about working with family… whether it be relatives or brothers/sisters in arms. The Downings say they make it work by keeping the mission in mind and by laughing. Mike admits, “A lot of people can’t work with their parents, but we have a lot of fun and make it a good time.” Henry agrees, “As an entrepreneur of any kind, you have to be able to pivot if something isn’t working out. And as a leader, if your team isn’t better than you at some point… then you failed them.”
