Who We Are

Derek Caffe, Principal

Derek Caffe is the Principal and Founder at Code Black Properties, LLC, a vertically integrated real estate investment and development firm. Through Code Black Properties and its subsidiaries, Derek provides real estate brokerage, construction + renovation, and property management services. Code Black Properties also invests in and develops income producing properties in both Georgia and Ohio.

Derek is a GA licensed real estate broker specializing in residential and small commercial investment properties. Derek is originally from Youngstown, OH, having relocated to metro Atlanta in late 2010. Derek resides in the Unity Square neighborhood of Downtown Austell, GA with his lovely wife.

Derek has actively been involved in the City of Austell's future growth and development having served on the steering committees for Austell's 2017 and 2022 Comprehensive Plan, 2021 Austell LCI Study, 2023 Austell Powder Springs Road Trail, and 2024 City Agriculture Plan.  In addition, Derek is a real estate developer actively building housing units in Downtown Austell's Unity Square neighborhood. There is no other real estate professional who knows the ins and outs of the City of Austell better than Derek. 

Prior to founding Code Black Properties, Derek served with the US Army. Derek is a medically-retired veteran. After leaving service he obtained his bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University with a concentration in finance. Derek briefly attended Clark Atlanta University for his MBA but decided to postpone its completion to focus on the growth of Code Black Properties.

In his free time, Derek enjoys working out and cycling. Derek is a member of Black Nonbelievers and is a secular humanist.​

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PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS & AFFILIATIONS:​​

• Georgia Real Estate Broker's License - #375714
• Georgia Residential Basic Contractor's License (QA) - Exam Pending
• Founder & Chairman - Create Austell Inc. 
• Subgroup Co-Leader Cobb/ West GA - Georgia Real Estate Investors Assoc. (GAREIA)
• Founding Board Member - Austell Police Foundation Inc.
• 2024 President - Austell Business Association

Atty. A. Zakiya Watson-Caffe, Outside Legal Counsel

A. Zakiya Watson-Caffe, Esq., is Managing Attorney at Watson Law, LLC with offices in Marietta, GA. Mrs. Watson-Caffe provides outside legal counsel for Code Black Properties being barred in both GA and NY and handles business legal compliance and commercial litigation matters. She has been actively practicing law for over a decade and brings a wealth of knowledge and connections to Code Black Properties.

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About US

Code Black Properties (CBP) is a vertically integrated real estate investment and development firm established in 2015. Based in Austell, GA (an ATL suburb), Code Black Properties is engaged in neighborhood-centric real estate investment services. Code Black Properties has two subsidiaries - CAFFE Realty LLC our investor + commercial focused real estate brokerage/ property management company, and Code Black Construction, LLC our construction and renovations division. We are constantly on the look out for our next value add project so if you have unwanted residential and commercial property, or even land in the Atlanta metro that you'd like to sell, please reach out to request an offer.  
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DESIGNATIONS:

• Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB)
• Veteran Owned Business (VOB)
  
• Minority-Owned Business (MOB)