We’re proud of the team of agents we’ve assembled here at Nest Realty. We think they’re pretty awesome, and we think you will, too. During our “Meet the Agent” series, we sit down with our agents and brokers to learn more about them, what makes them tick, and why they’re passionate about the real estate industry.
In this installment, we chat with Austin DeVincent, a Nest Realtor in New River Valley, VA.
Nest Realty: Tell us a bit about yourself! What brought you to the area? How long have you lived here?
Austin DeVincent: My wife and I came from Purdue University to help plant a local church in the New River Valley, and we were crazy enough to find ourselves moving at the start of the pandemic in 2020. We are in Radford, and we love our little neighborhood!
NR: How did you get into real estate? How long have you been practicing?
AD: I was a DirecTV technician and left a job that I loved to complete my college degree when my wife and found out #1 was on the way. A good friend told me to apply with a property management company he was at. Working my way through college, I was bit by the real estate bug. I mean I was making these guys a great living by helping kids find apartments. I knew I wanted to be an investor and to sell homes. I started my coursework as I planned my move to VA. After helping the company acquire a local property management company here in Blacksburg, I knew I could sell. After 5 years in that sector of real estate, I took the leap, and it’s been great!
NR: What was your previous career? How has that prepared you for real estate?
AD: Being a technician is simply a task-oriented job. You cannot move on to the next step unless you complete the one at hand. Problem-solving has been a challenge I always enjoyed. Call it pride, but I had to find a way to resolve an issue. Real estate is a PILE of tasks and possible issues. Knowing how to stay calm and persistent while diagnosing a system failure or educating customers is a huge foundation for residential real estate!
NR: What led you to Nest Realty, as opposed to another brokerage?
AD: So…I was getting ready to move from Indiana and had to do my research. I forget what I typed, but Nest was one of the results. When I clicked on the site, I was done. I don’t remember how long I was on the site, but by the end, I had a pretty great idea of what this company was all about. Don’t get me started on the psychology of the colors and the word and image association with “Nest” and the bird. There were major similarities with my previous company that led me to believe that I would understand the value of effective branding. Also, let’s talk about education. When I found Real Estate, I actually wanted to study and learn. Nest has the mentality of using education in practical ways for their clients. I like being practical!
NR: What’s your favorite part of being an agent?
AD: Overall, I have become more confident. As a consumer, educator, husband and father, friend, and local resource. I think the best agents have failed the most, and to be able to call yourself an agent is to be a persevering person who learns to be confident.
NR: Do you have a specific area of expertise to offer clients?
AD: Getting started I didn’t say “no” to anything. Because of this, I have learned nearly everything about manufactured homes, land, and townhomes. However, it’s been nice to dust off my investment analysis skills!
NR: What are five adjectives to describe you?
Engaging, Loyal, Relatable, Persistent, Authentic
NR: Who would be your dream client? (This can be funny—a famous person, or celebrity, or a general type of person.)
AD: Tom Cruise or Harrison Ford. Hopefully we’d find a property with a runway!
NR: If you had one piece of advice for a first-time home buyer, what would it be?
AD: You don’t know what you don’t know. So find someone who will break everything down simply and willing to repeat themselves as they educate you. Also, find someone how thinks outside of the box!
NR: What’s your favorite season? Why?
AD: Oh man! It’s summertime baby! The lake, grilling, my jorts and work boots, and FOURTH ‘O JULY!
—Austin DeVincent is a hands-on real estate professional who will make your experience fun without forgetting the main assignment of achieving your goals!