Michael Cheney, CCIM
Career Summary
Michael’s ultimate objective is building and maintaining long term Client relationships by helping them maximize the value of their land or working with them to find the best land site based on their acquisition criteria.
He grew up in Augusta, GA, and graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2003. Michael is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), as well as a member of the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors, Urban Land Institute, the ACBR Million-Dollar Club and has received the prestigious Phoenix award for reaching ACBR Million-Dollar Club status for 10 years.
Michael has a broad commercial real estate background spanning 20 years and has been involved in nearly all facets of the commercial real estate industry. Prior to starting his Brokerage company PureLand in 2023, Michael proudly worked with Richard Bowers & Company for nearly 20 years with one goal in mind; to build one of Atlanta’s top land Brokerage teams.
Michael’s primary focus is the sale of land to residential and commercial developers. He has experience with all types of land and development projects, accompanied with the knowledge/involvement in the zoning process and working with Municipalities and Neighborhoods. He represents Private, Institutional & National clients.
If needed, he will assist his clientele through the introduction of Joint Venture and/or Equity Partnerships.
Michael exhibits a level of passion for his work that cannot be denied. He is successful at bringing people together for the purpose of achieving one goal. He enjoys stretching the limits of his abilities, learning something new every day and is constantly searching for new and creative ways to help make his Client’s and Team’s quality of life better. He has a proven track record of creating unique opportunities from scratch and works on some of the most prestigious land deals around Atlanta.
Melissa Owens
Melissa's real estate background started in 2007 with
experience in investment financial analysis, REO
dispositions, foreclosures and short sales. Her short sale
experience is particularly extensive, with over 7 years of
experience, having successfully negotiated and closed
over $100,000,000 in firstmortgage loans and subordinate liens (private and government liens) with Mortgage servicers/ mortgage lenders and Financial Institutions and Enterprises such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, and HUD.
She has closed short sales all over New England, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama.As an agent since 2016, Melissa has experience in residential sales and commercial sales, particularly with small office and multifamily properties.
Ray Rothman, CCIM
Ray Alyssa Rothman is proud to join Michael Cheney and
PureLand Real Estate. She is a commercial real estate broker who has
handled land, office and retail transactions but will now be focusing
exclusively on land.
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She also helps high-net-worth individuals identify debt and equity investment opportunities. She obtained her BBA double concentrating in Finance and Marketing from Emory University, and earned a Masters of Science in Real Estate from Georgia State University. She also holds a CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation.
Michael Owens
Michael is a dedicated real estate professional with a deep-rooted
commitment to the growth and development of his hometown, Atlanta.
A proud United States Marine Corps Veteran and Georgia State University
alumnus, Michael brings the discipline of military service and the strategic insight
of a specialized academic background to every land transaction.
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Michael’s professional versatility sets him apart. With a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, he applies rigorous process improvement and efficiency to the due diligence phase of land sales. His diverse career history—spanning the financial banking sector and law enforcement—provides him with a unique perspective on risk assessment, contract negotiations, and the institutional requirements of large-scale development projects.
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At Pureland, Michael operates as part of a dynamic husband-and-wife team, offering clients a collaborative and family-oriented approach to brokerage. When he isn't analyzing zoning maps or negotiating deals, Michael is an active leader in his community. He serves as a basketball coach and personal trainer, leveraging his passion for fitness and mentorship to help others reach their full potential.
Yovani Leon
Yovani Leon is a Land Specialist with PureLand Real Estate, focused on off-market land acquisition and development opportunities across Georgia. He works with developers, builders, and investors to identify sites and support deals through feasibility, zoning, and deal structuring.
​ He focuses on understanding site potential and helping match land opportunities with the right end users and development plans. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, focusing on Real Estate and Finance and has completed the Georgia State University's Commercial Real Estate program.