Joe Thackery

Owner | Broker

I’m a second-generation real estate professional with over 25 years of combined experience in real estate and construction. As a co-founder of Portico Realty, I’ve helped guide over 1,000 families through one of the most important financial and personal decisions of their lives—with strategy, care, and a level of insight most agents simply can’t offer.

Professional Background

After attending Texas A&M and earning my bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas, I began my career in financial services as a licensed investment advisor. I loved working directly with people—but I grew frustrated with how often clients were expected to make major decisions based on research they didn’t control, and outcomes no one could guarantee. I wanted to guide people in ways that were grounded, tangible, and genuinely impactful.

In 2001, I teamed up with my mother, Barb Lea—an established and respected Realtor—and began my real estate career. I earned my broker’s license in 2007, and in 2011 co-founded Portico Realty with my sister, Kelly Cannon. Together, we built a brokerage designed to put experience, construction knowledge, and personal service back at the center of real estate.

NEW CONSTRUCTION EXPERTISE:

In addition to my brokerage work, I’ve spent years involved in custom home building and remodeling. That experience gives me a trained eye for build quality, long-term maintenance considerations, and areas where shortcuts are often taken in production homes.

While I’m not the builder on your home, I do act as an advocate during the process—answering questions, reviewing issues, and joining you at your final walkthrough to ensure things are done right. When needed, I’ll help you push back on careless workmanship and challenge explanations that fall short of professional standards.

Not every buyer is building a luxury home, but every buyer deserves a home that’s delivered with integrity. That’s the standard I hold to—and the reason so many of my clients trust me during the building process.

WHAT SETS ME APART:

• 25+ years of combined real estate and construction experience

• Hundreds of families helped across resale, new construction, and investment

• Expert guidance grounded in finance, construction, and negotiation

• Final walkthrough support on new builds

• Co-founder of a second-generation, family-run brokerage

• Trusted by multi-generational clients

• No sales scripts. No pressure. Just clear, professional advice

ON A PERSONAL NOTE:

I married my high school sweetheart, and together we’ve raised two amazing kids who we’ve been blessed to homeschool through a Christian lens. We love to travel, snow ski, entertain family and friends, and recently I’ve picked up golf—which has been fun and (admittedly) frustrating.

Real estate gives me the chance to do something I believe in every day. I get to help good people make wise decisions—and go to bed knowing I gave them real, honest guidance when it mattered most.