Real estate has been a constant in my life, but now, it feels personal in a new way. I get to show up every day applying my experience to help make a real difference in people’s lives. That’s something I take a lot of pride in. 

The idea of going into real estate sales wasn’t something I had planned, or honestly even wanted to do at first. I had already spent decades in the industry, focused on valuation, appraisal, and asset management. I liked the work. I was good at it. But in 2023, when the company I’d worked with for almost a decade scaled down, I was at a crossroads. I didn’t feel like going back to writing appraisal reports full-time, and I wasn’t sure what the next move should be. That’s when my wife, Crystal, said, “Why not work with clients directly?” That conversation is what set everything else in motion.

I got my start in real estate right out of high school. My dad owned an appraisal business, and my mom worked in the mortgage industry. Every night, it was real estate talk at the dinner table. After high school, it was a no-brainer decision to work at my dad’s company, eventually becoming a licensed appraiser. Over the years, I developed a deep skill set in property valuation, working first in the family business, then moving to Rels Valuation, where I spent over a decade appraising full-time.

After the 2008 crash, I lost everything. Like a lot of people, I stepped away from real estate, thinking I was done with it for good. But it didn’t take long to get pulled back in. When you’re good at something and know you bring real value, it’s hard to stay away. And looking back, I’m glad I didn’t. In 2014, I joined a private real estate investment trust, where I evaluated nationwide property pools, billions of dollars in assets. I worked on both as-is and post-repair valuations, helped set price strategy, and advised on whether to sell, hold, or rehab.

I stayed in that role until the company scaled down in 2023. That was the moment that opened the door to something I had

 never seriously considered: residential sales. Crystal reminded me that everything I’d spent my career doing, understanding value, spotting red flags, thinking like an underwriter, could be a huge advantage to buyers and sellers who don’t always get that kind of insight. She saw it before I did, and I’m glad I listened.

I got licensed in early 2024, and from day one, I approached it the same way I approached valuation: tell the truth, explain the numbers, and look out for the people I am working with. I help clients understand what’s a smart offer, where the value really is, and how to navigate the process without getting overwhelmed. I’ve had clients tell me they feel no pressure and more confident because I’m not trying to “sell” them on anything. That’s the part I enjoy most: helping people move forward without all the stress and second-guessing.

At my brokerage, I serve on the advisory board and also help train newer agents on pricing and valuation strategy. I’ve had 

appraisers and agents reach out for second opinions, and I’m always happy to help. After 30+ years in the business, it’s rewarding to take what I’ve learned and help not just my clients, but my colleagues as well.

Crystal supported me through the transition into sales and pushed me to go for it when I wasn’t sure. She has been my rock, and without her encouragement, I wouldn’t be here. We have a blended family, with two adult children and their spouses, a 16-year-old, and a grandchild. I love being out boating, camping, hiking, grilling by the pool, or catching a Bucs, Rays, Lightning or any of the Tampa Bay teams, I love them all.

A lot of pricing out there is just guessing based on quick CMAs, but I look at it the way an appraiser would: comps, condition, location, market behavior, and all the factors that actually drive value. For buyers, that means understanding

what a property is really worth and how to avoid overpaying or getting stuck in an appraisal issue. For sellers, it means pricing the home to move without leaving money on the table and knowing how to back that number up when it counts.

  

And of course, the strategies change based on each client’s needs. Some want quick transactions, whereas others have more time to wait for the right deal. I help clients think through the offer or listing strategy, timing, deal structure, and negotiation angles, because getting under contract is one thing, closing is another. Having worked on hundreds of transactions, I’ve seen where deals fall apart, and I work to circumvent those issues. Ultimately, my goal is to provide clear, data-backed guidance that takes pressure off the process and helps people make smart, confident decisions.

 

Sincerely, 

  

Eric Dixon