Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, Dallas, Texas
How did you become involved in real estate?
It’s kind of a funny story, but really in some ways I was born into it. I am a third-generation REALTOR® on both sides of my family. My mother, Eloise, is a REALTOR® and my father, Jim, has his broker’s license and was licensed in four states. He was a home builder in Dallas while I was growing up. I can remember going to commercial sites where my dad was building and riding my skateboard around, and my mom going to open houses and listing appointments. My first broker was actually my mother’s father, who was president of the Home & Apartment Builders Association in Dallas in 1975–76. My grandfather on my father’s side was one of the first brokers licensed in the state of Oklahoma. I might have tried to push away from it in my youth, but it’s provided my family with so much through the years. I built single family homes for 10 years, then I got my license about 14 years ago, and I’ve been on the sales side ever since.
Were there any special strategies that you have used in your market because of last year’s pandemic?
Our team and I were able to improve how we work with clients relocating to Texas from other states when they can’t travel or see a home in person. We’ve been utilizing technology, like 3D cameras and FaceTime, so we can be the buyer’s eyes on the ground. Those were skills that maybe were a little underdeveloped for us at the time. In the beginning of the pandemic, I began putting together presentations and packets for these clients to be able to make their buying decisions, knowing that as soon as the travel ban was lifted, their new company was expecting them to start. In 2020 I had three families that were relocating, and the first time they saw the home they had bought was the day we closed. Luckily, all of them love their homes.
What sorts of marketing do you use in your business?
My mother and I are blessed to have a book of business with referrals from past clients, and we also rely on networking through organizations like RRC. I like being involved as a volunteer and as a leader. We’re networking with other agents so they can get to know us. And just like everyone, we use social media. We try to make sure that our profiles are up to date on RRC, NAR® or REALTOR.com—any place that we can be found. You need to have clear contact information, directing them back to your website, and you have to stay active and create new content. It can be a struggle, but there are a number of resources out there, such as the blogs that the Council puts out and content from NAR®, so there’s a news feed that we’re not having to develop all on our own.
Are you involved with any RRC activities or activities in your community?
Absolutely. At the state level, I am the Texas membership chair this year for RRC, and last year I was the education chair. In 2017, I was president of the Dallas area’s MetroTex association for its centennial year. So, being involved on the national level on committees and on the state level serving on Budget and Finance Committee for the state— that’s my way of volunteering and giving back to the association and the industry that’s provided me so much.
Plus, I enjoy running, so anytime there’s an opportunity or a race that I can be a part of—like Easter Seals, the Leukemia Foundation or Susan G. Komen—I love participating in those as well.
James E. Martin, CRS, achieved the CRS Designation in 2017. He can be reached at jamesmartin@daveperrymiller.com or 214-770-0781.
