Meet the Agent: Tom Haskin

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 Tom Haskin, a Nest Realtor in Asheville, North Carolina.

Nest Realty: Tell us a bit about yourself! What brought you to the area?
Tom Haskin: I have lived in Asheville since 2002. My wife and I moved here from Atlanta after a few short years of teaching. Lots of family there but it was just too hectic for us. We attended school at Appalachian State University and ultimately decided we just couldn’t leave the mountains.

NR: How did you get into real estate? How long have you been practicing?
TH: I have been an agent since 2004; first with Keller Williams for two years and then to The Buyer’s Agent of Asheville for the last 16. During this time I also owned and operated an antique furniture import business, Oddfellows Antiques. Raising a family, traveling with the antique business and love of all things “home” provided a natural entry into the flexible world of real estate.

NR: What was your previous career? How has that prepared you for real estate?
TH: In my previous careers I was a high school English teacher, a management consultant for the public housing community, a restaurant owner and an antique shop retail owner.

NR: What led you to Nest Realty, as opposed to another brokerage?
TH: At this stage of my career, where my two teenagers are becoming more independent, I felt the switch from a buyer’s only broker to a full broker made sense. I have more time to devote to the profession and the housing market has shifted of late to a seller’s market. As a buyer agent, there has been the feeling that I have left some of my potential business untapped. I love the size of Nest, the attitude of the company as client centered and the marketing and technology benefits also suits my strengths and will help improve on my weaknesses as a broker.

NR: What’s your favorite part of being an agent?
TH: I truly enjoy matching my clients desires and goals to reality. I enjoy figuring people out. Negotiating is a skill I have honed over many years and find satisfaction in working a deal where all parties come away happy.

NR: Do you have a specific area of expertise to offer clients?
TH: I am well versed in home design, renovation and the local housing stock in Asheville. After 18 years in the business, there is not too much that surprises me!

NR: What are five adjectives to describe you?
TH: Honest, Loyal, Generous, Patient, Efficient

NR: Who would be your dream client?
TH: My dream client is anyone who knows just what they want going into the process and being able to move through it with positivity and awareness of the others position.

NR: If you had one piece of advice for a first-time home buyer, what would it be?
TH: Be realistic in what you can afford, be prepared for each step in the journey and understand that this first house doesn’t necessarily have to be your forever home.

NR: What’s your favorite season?
TH: I love them all which is why I live in Asheville, but if I had to pick I would say Spring. New life, growth, possibility and optimism shine in this season in the mountains.

—Tom has been a real estate broker in Asheville since 2004. Along with wife, Kelly, he also opened and ran an antique furniture import company, Oddfellows Antiques. His experiences as a realtor and an entrepreneur have enabled Tom to deal effectively with the number of challenges that arise in real estate.