Associate broker Erik Dowdy still remembers the sense of fulfillment he experienced when, as a first-time homebuyer himself, he finally moved into his first new house. The idea of helping others achieve that same goal is what drew him to pursue real estate as a career. “I was done [renting], helping build equity in someone else’s property rather than my own. Homeownership changed that,” he explains. “It meant I was taking steps toward my own financial independence. That is a core belief of my business and what I strive to help others do.” His decade working in the information technology sector equipped him with the interpersonal, communication and technology skills that any outstanding Realtor must possess, easing his transition to the industry. His talents have earned him lifetime membership in the Atlanta Board of Realtors Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club, having closed more than 200 transactions and surpassing $50 million since 2012.
“I’m most inspired by the fact that each opportunity allows me to help people’s dreams come true and ensure their business goals align with their life, family and financial plans,” says the 10-year industry veteran. Dowdy specializes in new home developer sales and resales, luxury, secondary and corporate assets, and serves both local and international clients.
Regardless of whether a client is buying or selling, Dowdy strives to make certain they fully understands their position in the real estate market. “There’s an emotional connection people feel when they commit to buying or selling real estate. It represents the memories they’ll create and contribute to their legacy,” he says. “My goal is to make the process as smooth as possible while working towards our goals as a team, whether the sun is up or down.” Dowdy recalls the time that a buyer thanked him for encouraging and negotiating the purchase of a property they initially did not want to buy. That client had realized that Dowdy’s guidance had saved them more than $100,000, because the acquisition proved to be a solid investment and met their ownership strategy in ways other properties at the time would not. “That’s my greatest success story, because it exemplifies the rewards that homeownership can offer when [my] client’s goals are received and we trust each other fully. This enables me to freely engage each negotiation with my clients’ end results in mind. Winning is infectious. I want those I represent to win while enjoying a process that is most commonly considered stressful.”
In addition to his affiliation with the Atlanta Board of Realtors, Dowdy is a member of the National Association of Realtors. Dowdy spends his down time hiking, boating, motorcycling, snowboarding and playing billiards. He also volunteers with Safe Haven Transitional, a nonprofit that shelters victims of domestic violence and for which he has served as Board president since 2005. “My volunteerism enhances my life and career. Both allow me to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” he says, adding that he is as humbled as he is passionate about the opportunity to serve residents of what he considers to be the greatest city in the world.
