The year was 2000, I have the retirement job to support a family, I had been married a little over a year, our first child was born, a son, and I then am told “We are laying you off”---what happened over the next few years reshaped my entire future.

The idea to become a REALTOR® came in the most unexpected way: while mowing a lawn. Yeah, you heard that right, while mowing a lawn. When I was laid off I picked up jobs here and there and when I finally got to return to my job, that I had been laid off from, in February of 2002, I told my wife, I’ll always work 2 jobs. We’ll never be in that position again.  Started a lawn mowing business in the summer of 2002. In April of 2004 we welcomed our 2nd child, a girl.  During that summer I was getting tired of mowing, but one day I was mowing this one particular yard and the homeowner and I struck up a conversation, and she mentioned that her daughter and son-in-law just purchased a local real estate company. I instantly was intrigued. What does it take to become a Realtor? That’s all I could think about from that moment on. 

I had never considered real estate a career. So I went home and began researching what it would take to become a REALTOR® and what the job involved. I knew mowing yards wasn’t what I wanted that second job to be. So, in the fall of 2004 I started taking college classes and carving a path in that direction.

I studied hard and earned my license in January 2005. I joined that local real estate company that had been bought that previous summer. Learned a lot from Tim and Kathy over the next five years. The real estate industry was totally different from what I was used to and business was extremely slow. In 2010, I seriously considered quitting. I had even told my wife this isn’t for me. “I’m putting my licenses in escrow."

However, I had paid for one more continuing education class and that’s when I met Greg, He owned his own brokerage and we immediately clicked. He offered me the opportunity to switch brokerages and come work with him. Honestly, I had nothing to lose, so I agreed. It turned out to be one of the greatest blessings of my career.

Greg became the mentor I had been missing. He taught me about self-marketing, consistency, and building relationships. That year, I sold 15 homes—a personal record at the time.

By 2016, my business truly took off. I was closing around 60 transactions per year and earning recognition as a top producer. Today, I’m with RE/MAX, where I feel at ease and fully aligned with the work I do.

I’m in a season of life I deeply enjoy. My children, Jordan and Shayla, are grown and starting families of their own, which is thrilling. I love being a grandfather. Outside of real estate, you’ll find me outdoors—hunting, canoeing, or traveling with my “better half”, my wife, Shanna. I also am a member of the Hancock County Gideons, who go around distributing bibles, which is meaningful for me.

 Real estate gave me not only a second stream of income, but a chance to build something of my own. Real estate changed my confidence, my mindset, and my legacy. I’m grateful I didn’t quit in those early years. I’m grateful for the conversation on that lawn and for the mentors who showed up at the right time. There’s no doubt that God played a part in all of this! I’m grateful that I took the risk. Sometimes the smallest moments lead to the biggest transformations.

I genuinely want to help my clients succeed. For me, it’s never been about the commission—it’s about the people. I believe buying or selling a home is one of the biggest purchases of a lifetime, and that deserves real care and attention. I respect my clients deeply, and I make it a priority to offer them my time, focus, and honest guidance so they can get exactly what they want. 

I’m friendly and relatable, but above all, I’m trustworthy. My clients deserve honesty, even when the conversations are uncomfortable. I would rather be transparent and protect their best interests than tell them what’s easy to hear. My goal is never centered on the dollar; it’s centered on helping people achieve what matters most to them.

Because of this approach, my business is largely referral-based—around 88%. That means the majority of my clients come from people who trust me enough to recommend me to friends and family. To me, that’s the greatest measure of success: knowing I’ve made such a positive impact that others feel confident sending the people they care about my way.

Sincerely, 

 

 

 Justin Nugent