In order to see real change in your life, you have to be willing to take a few risks. In choosing to prioritize my family, I not only found a fulfilling career, but also the balance I always dreamed of.
When we found out my wife was pregnant, it changed everything. We had spent years dealing with infertility, miscarriages, and three rounds of IVF. Those were some of the hardest years of our lives — you start to grieve a version of your future, not knowing if it's ever going to work. When it finally did, I made a decision: I was not going to miss this. That meant leaving restaurant management, because if I stayed, I was never going to be home.
I had spent years running high-volume restaurants. I started in the industry at 15, went to culinary school, and worked my way up. I was successful, but the job took over my life. I worked every holiday and weekend. My wife's cousin once joked that she wasn't even sure I was real — she had never actually seen me. That hit harder than I expected.
Real estate became part of my life before I ever thought about making it a career. When we were looking to move, one of my wife's friends needed a rental, so we kept our home, rented it to her, and bought a new one. I managed properties for years, and eventually we were approved for two more. That experience made me realize just how many opportunities there were in real estate.
In 2015 I earned my real estate license with a pregnant wife and essentially no income. I had to go out and earn work — but I was incredibly motivated. That first year, I was named Top New Agent out of more than 300 at Coldwell Banker, and went on to become a preferred agent with USAA and Navy Federal, working with veterans and active military.
After three years, I started flipping houses. I've done about 30 flips, including five homes over 100 years old. I don't just slap paint on a place — I restore them, studs, structure, the works. That hands-on knowledge has been invaluable. When I'm helping someone buy or prep to sell, I'll get in the crawl space, check the structure, and do a "soft inspection" to make sure we have the full picture before making decisions.
The greatest gift real estate has given me is time with my family. After Eliza, we were able to have our second, Josie, with no additional treatments — to the surprise of everyone, including the doctors. From day one, they've been my reason why. I take them to school, to appointments, and I'm the one home when they're sick. My wife Jennifer is a nurse practitioner in oncology — she sees what people go through when life gets hard every day. That perspective doesn't stay at the hospital. It reminds both of us not to waste the time we have.
These days my idea of a perfect weekend is watching my girls compete in cheer and then getting out on the water. I still ride Harleys and do CrossFit — I've always needed something that pushes me. But nothing has humbled me quite like being a cheer dad.
I got into real estate because I needed to be home for my family. What I didn't expect was how much I'd love the work itself. Every client situation is different, every house has a story, and I get to bring everything I've learned — from the restaurant floor to the crawl space — to help people make one of the biggest decisions of their lives. That feels like a pretty good reason to show up.
During my years in restaurant management, I helped lead major fundraising campaigns for organizations like the Disabled American Veterans, the Children’s Miracle Network, and Richard Petty Victory Junction. For the D.A.V. we raised enough funds for them to buy a new transport van for local veterans. Those are some of my proudest achievements. That spirit of service is exactly what I bring to real estate. I’m here to serve people, add real value, and make a meaningful difference in my clients’ lives and my community.
I’ve done a bit of everything in real estate, from property restoration and management to working on sales for land, developments, first-time buyers, veterans and active military, investors, and out-of-state buyers. I can offer a solution for just about everything, applying my knowledge, resources, and many industry connections.
I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty, really digging in and finding potential concerns and helping you understand the difference between a simple fix and larger-scale work that needs to get done. Real estate can change people’s lives, whether it’s just the start of your homeownership journey, you’re upgrading, or even building out your portfolio. I take my responsibility in guiding you on that journey seriously, ensuring you are educated and empowered every step of the way!
Sincerely,
Eric Burns
