David Melton of Pointe Automotive Leads the Industry in Dealership Real Estate Investment and Sale-Leaseback Strategies
Chattanooga, TN – May 12, 2025 – As dealership owners across the country seek new ways to unlock capital, restructure for growth, and prepare for succession, David Melton, Founder and Managing Director of Pointe Automotive, is leading the charge with expert advisory services in automotive dealership real estate and sale-leaseback transactions.
With over 40 years of executive and operational experience in the automotive industry, Melton has become a nationally recognized authority in automotive M&A support, dealership asset optimization, and investment-grade real estate strategy. Through Pointe Automotive, he assists dealers, brokers, and private equity groups in maximizing value—structuring complex transactions that align real estate, operations, and exit timing.
A National Leader in Automotive Real Estate Advisory
David Melton’s reputation in the automotive sector is built on decades of operational insight and transactional expertise. As a former dealership operator and Chief Operating Officer, he understands firsthand the intricacies of dealership profitability, facility compliance, and market cycles. Today, as a licensed real estate broker in all 50 states, Melton and his team at Pointe Automotive deliver tailored real estate strategies for dealers nationwide.
At the core of Pointe Automotive’s services is Melton’s role as a Sale-Leaseback Expert, helping dealers convert equity tied up in their real estate into usable capital—without selling the operating business.
“Most dealers don’t realize how much working capital is locked in their real estate,” says Melton. “A properly structured sale-leaseback frees that capital without taking on debt or disrupting operations. It’s one of the most powerful financial tools a dealer has.”
Maximizing Value Through M&A Support and Sale-Leasebacks
In today’s M&A landscape, real estate can make or break a transaction. Many dealers sell their business without fully optimizing the underlying property's value. Melton works directly with selling dealers and their brokers to structure bifurcated transactions, where the dealership business and the real estate are marketed separately, often generating a higher total return.
“We work in partnership with M&A brokers, buy-sell advisors, and dealer groups to make sure the real estate isn’t an afterthought,” Melton explains. “The right structure can add millions in value and reduce deal friction.”
Through sale-leasebacks, Pointe Automotive positions dealership real estate as an investment-grade asset, using long-term leases and strong brand/operator performance to attract institutional and private buyers.
These transactions provide dealers with:
Immediate access to capital for expansion, debt reduction, or retirement
Continued control of operations under custom lease terms
Improved business valuation through balance sheet flexibility
Tax advantages through deductible lease payments
Melton’s deep understanding of dealership operations allows him to craft lease terms that support the business while still appealing to investors. This dual focus on operations and investment return sets Pointe Automotive apart.
Trusted by Dealers, Advisors, and Investors Nationwide
Pointe Automotive is the behind-the-scenes partner for dealership transactions across the country. From single-point sales to multi-rooftop portfolios, Melton provides comprehensive support to dealers and their advisors.
The firm’s process includes:
Confidential property and leaseback valuations
Investor marketing to a targeted buyer pool
Lease structuring and negotiations aligned with M&A terms
Transaction management from proposal to close
With licensed real estate capabilities in all 50 states, Pointe Automotive can support brokers, legal advisors, and buy-sell firms involved in complex, multi-state transactions.
A Lifetime of Automotive Experience
David Melton’s extensive career in the automotive industry gives him an unmatched perspective. He has worked as a senior executive, dealership principal, M&A advisor, and real estate strategist—allowing him to speak the language of both operators and investors.
“Our clients trust us because we understand what it means to run a dealership,” says Melton. “We’re not just structuring deals—we’re helping them protect legacies, support their next chapter, and maximize every dollar of value in the business and the property.”
Melton’s experience includes real estate repositioning, strategic exits, partner buyouts, and growth funding. His long-standing relationships with dealer groups, franchise systems, and capital partners position Pointe Automotive as a trusted resource in the most critical moments of a dealership’s lifecycle.
About Pointe Automotive
Pointe Automotive is a leading national advisory firm specializing in automotive dealership real estate investments, sale-leasebacks, and M&A support. With over 40 years of executive experience in the retail automotive industry, the firm provides confidential, strategic services to dealership owners, brokers, and investors across the country.
Core services include:
Sale-Leaseback Advisory
Real Estate Valuation and Disposition
M&A Real Estate Structuring
Bifurcated Buy-Sell Transaction Support
Capital Access and Investment Packaging
Pointe Automotive works directly with dealer principals, family-owned groups, private equity firms, and M&A advisors to unlock the full value of automotive assets—whether during growth, transition, or exit.
For more information or to schedule a confidential consultation, visit:
www.PointeAutomotive.com
📞 423-499-9956
✉️ david@pointeautomotive.com