About Us
Chris Mercer, Managing Director
- I graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in History/Political Science in 1998. After College I worked for Apartment Locating company for six months in Tampa before realizing that working for someone else wasn’t for me.
- I started Apartment Express Corporate Housing with Dave Lowrey and we built it up over a seven year period (1999-2006) before we sold the company to a regional apartment firm.
- During our seven year run we were featured by Inc Magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing companies in America (2004 & 2005) in addition to a number of other articles, awards, and accolades from local and national media.
- After I sold Apartment Express I went back to the University of Florida to work on a Master of Real Estate, “for fun.” I graduated with a MSRE in May 2007. Then Dave and I started Stress Free Property Management.
- As of 2015 I currently own multiple rental units consisting of houses, condos, commercial buildings, and apartments throughout Florida with a primary focus on the Tampa MSA. I have been a licensed real estate broker since 1999 and also hold an active Florida certified general contractor’s license in addition to mechanical and plumbing licenses.
- I can put this unique combination of skills to work for you as we identify, negotiate, purchase, renovate, lease, and manage investment properties to exceed your financial goals.
- In the last seven years (as of 2015) I have purchased 1058 properties for myself and clients handling all aspects of the transaction. Renovations have varied from simple cosmetic updates to additions & new construction.
David Lowrey, Managing Director
- Responsible for loan performance of the mortgage portfolio. In addition to running Alternative Capital, Mr. Lowrey started and grew with his business partner a corporate housing company, property management and construction company. Two of these enterprises earned a place on Inc magazine’s Inc 500 List of fastest growing privately held companies in America with growth rates of 600-878% over a 3 year period. The property management and construction continue to be growth enterprises.
- Mr. Lowrey is a hands on executive who is intimately involved in acquisitions, under writing, and operations. His strengths lie in system development, management of staff, and underwriting.
- David also leads up acquisition efforts outside the Tampa Bay area.
- Mr. Lowrey was a history major at Emory & Henry college leaving in his 4th year of college to become an entrepreneur. He is an avid martial artist for over 15 years and can still be found hitting the heavy bag every Monday and Wednesday at a local dojo.