Marine Corps Veteran → 13 Years St. Louis Real Estate

Marine Corps 2007–2011

I served as a LAV Crewman in the United States Marine Corps from 2007 to 2011. The Marines taught me discipline, attention to detail, and the importance of doing things right the first time. Those principles still guide how I approach real estate today.

When I got out in 2011, I had no job and no clear direction. I just knew I needed work.

How I Got Into Real Estate

My cousin is a general contractor. When I got out of the Marines, he offered me $9 an hour to come work as a laborer. I took it.

I helped demo, clean, and renovate about 9 different homes. Some were down to the studs. That is where I learned what homes actually look like behind the drywall. I learned how to spot true craftsmanship in renovations versus rushed work. I learned what shortcuts look like and what problems they cause down the road.

That first job made me the agent I am today. When I walk a property with a buyer, I am not just looking at finishes. I am looking at foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and roof structure the way a contractor does. Most agents cannot do that.

The Path to The Closing Pros

Along the way: Earned a degree in business, ran 2 Airbnbs (one in St. Louis City, one in St. Louis County), and held 2 long-term rental properties which I later sold. Real estate is not just my job — it is how I have built my own financial foundation.

Why I Built STL Home Journey

Most buyers do not know what they are walking into. They click "Contact Agent" on Zillow and get connected to whoever paid the most for that zip code. They trust agents who have never walked a renovation or opened an electrical panel. They make offers without understanding what they are signing or what happens after the offer is accepted.

I built STL Home Journey to change that. Every guide on this site comes from real transactions I have closed in St. Louis. The VA buyer guides come from my experience as a Marine veteran who has walked other veterans through the VA appraisal process. The Zillow guides come from working at a top Zillow brokerage and seeing how the system actually works. The repair cost guides come from years of renovating homes and knowing what things actually cost in St. Louis.

This is not lead-gen content. This is consumer protection. If you read these guides and decide to work with a different agent, that is fine. You will still be better informed than 95% of buyers in St. Louis. That is the point.

I grew up in South St. Louis, lived in Dogtown for 6 years, and now live in South County with my family. You will find us at Wellspring on Lindbergh on Sundays. I'm not selling you a house — I'm showing you how to think about buying or selling a house.