Nick Wood | Broker & Founder of Eagle Rock Realty
BROKER SPOTLIGHT
STORY BY KEVIN GREEN | PHOTOS BY PEAK RES
MOTIVATED BY INVESTMENT
Nick Wood's journey into the world of real estate was far from conventional.
Although many professionals in the industry are drawn by the prospect of buying and selling properties, Wood's initial motivation stemmed from a desire to understand real estate as an investment vehicle.
His fascination with real estate as an investment tool began to take shape early on in his career. He recognized the potential of real estate not only as a means to secure his financial future but also as a way to help others achieve their investment goals.
“At my core, I'm a real estate investor,” said Wood, who is the founding member of Eagle Rock Realty. “I love to help people figure out how to access long-term and short-term wealth in real estate.”
A FOUNDATION OF EXPERTISE
Wood's real estate calling began with a hands-on immersion in property management, where he gained invaluable experience that would shape his career trajectory.
Upon obtaining his real estate license, Wood found himself thrust into the world of property management, tasked with overseeing a diverse portfolio of investment properties.
From rent collection to maintenance and tenant relations, he assumed responsibility for every aspect of property management, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved.
"I started managing a small handful of properties," Wood said. "That meant everything from collecting rent to occasionally having to evict people, replacing garbage disposals, replacing windows, installing floors and doing minor electrical updates and plumbing fixes."
SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES AMID FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY
Returning to the United States after a two-year stint in India, Wood found himself at a financial crossroads.
With limited resources and a growing family to support, he faced the daunting challenge of rebuilding his life and securing his financial future.
However, rather than succumbing to despair, he saw an opportunity to leverage his savings and invest in real estate — an unconventional decision that would ultimately kickstart his career in the industry and pave the way for long-term success.
Their journey began with the purchase of their first home near the University of Central Arkansas — a modest yet pivotal investment that set the stage for future success. By renting out unused rooms to international students, they were able to offset their mortgage payments and generate additional income, laying the foundation for further investment and expansion.
With each subsequent investment, Wood and his wife adopted a strategic approach, focusing on properties with untapped potential and opportunities for value enhancement.
“On our personal side and the homes we've lived in, and also in the investment properties we buy, we like to buy things that aren't yet at their full potential,” Wood said. “Then we can help it get there.”
FOUNDING EAGLE ROCK REALTY
Wood's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Eagle Rock Realty in 2021, expanding the boutique brokerage from Arkansas to Tulsa.
Leaving behind comfort and success, Wood embraced the challenge, viewing it as an opportunity for growth. With a small team of agents, he built momentum and fostered a healthy team dynamic based on collaboration and support.
Wood prioritized financial stability, emphasizing the importance of making unbiased decisions in the best interest of clients. Despite the challenges of a competitive market, Wood's leadership and vision propelled Eagle Rock Realty to success.
“2023 was a really tough year for real estate agents because rates were high, prices were still high and nobody wanted to engage and transact in business,” Wood said. “But together, we figured out some new opportunities. We dove in a lot to what seller financing looks like and what are some creative ways that we can make a face-value bad deal turn into a good deal. We really dug into that, and instead of complaining and worrying about the future, we realized that with every difficult barrier that comes up, there's a new channel for opportunity to flow through.”
CREATING A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE
The team embraced creative solutions and cultivated a culture of excellence, where agents celebrated each other's achievements and readily helped one another.
This unique approach set Eagle Rock Realty apart from other agencies, earning them a stellar reputation for professionalism, integrity and unwavering dedication to clients' needs.
“I think a big reason why we've been able to grow is because we have a really healthy team dynamic,” Wood said. “People are excited about each other's successes. It's not like the catty ‘Selling Sunset’ drama that you see on TV. We're here to help each other as agents without expecting anything in return. Our GroupMe is always just blowing up with positivity and people being excited for each other and willing to help. I've worked for other brokerages before we started our own, and that is not the norm at all.
“I think we've got some good pace setters and some people who are hungry to learn, and that's exciting to me. I feel like we can do anything.”
