Editor’s note: In celebration of Gay Pride Month, we are featuring eXp agents who are allies and supporters of the LGBTQ community and promote their services, values, and commitments.
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In the 1980s and 1990s, Eric Miller worked in sales and marketing for children’s apparel brands, a career that moved him from New York to Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle; and back to New York.
Despite the 50-hour workweeks, he always found time to buy, renovate and resell houses.
“I’m a little bit of a workaholic,” Miller said. “I was always involved in real estate. Finally, in my early 40s, I said, ‘What am I doing? I would have much more fun working in real estate.’”
After working on a pajama licensing deal in 2000 with DreamWorks Animation’s movie, “Shrek,” he left New York and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and earned a real estate license.
For the next 20 years, Miller worked as a broker-associate, selling waterfront homes and luxury condominiums in South Florida through Keller Williams. In 2016, he started learning more about eXp Realty and decided to buy some eXp stock. He read more about eXp World, which offers immediate live customer service for Realtors. Then, after COVID-19 shutdowns began, he seriously considered moving to eXp Realty.
“In Florida, Realtors were declared essential workers and yet our office shut down,” Miller said. “We were fully masked there, working and answering questions as agents continued to show up. However, eXp’s virtual-first approach was a win before COVID-19 ever happened.”
He moved to eXp Realty in December 2020. He sees the company as “expert Realtors finding a better way to do business.”
“I love the way compliance works at eXp,” Miller said. “With the SkySlope system, there is a red light, green right, check mark and it’s done. I have also found two hours a day, because if I need to go to a meeting or class or check something in eXp World, it’s usually accessible quickly. I don’t have to drive in traffic for hours everyday.”
He also appreciates eXp’s culture of diversity and mutual respect.
“The easiest way to describe this is more than inclusion,” Miller said. “I have never felt at eXp any level of exclusion. It’s sort of like a non-issue. I am an awesome Realtor who happens to be gay — not a gay Realtor who happens to be awesome. I think the eXp Pride organization is phenomenal.”
Learn more about Eric Miller:
Years in real estate: Since 2000
Gross sales and transactions in 2020: $9.1 million sales volume on 26 transactions
Brokerage history:
- eXp Realty (Jan. 2021-present)
- Keller Williams (Feb. 2007-Dec. 2020)
- Prudential (Jan. 2003-Feb. 2007)
- Arvida/Coldwell (2000-2003)
Main territory: Broward County, Florida — including Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Oakland Park and Pompano Beach. Licensed in North Carolina, as well.
Main focus: Beach-area condominiums and single-family homes.
Number of people on team: No longer a team — a one-man show.
When and why did you join eXp?
“There was a long list of reasons that it was time for a change. The two most important for me were the ‘get it done now attitude’ — that people were always willing to aim you in the right direction to get things addressed — and the ease of networking with agents all over the U.S. and worldwide. Fort Lauderdale is a great referral market, and the second home market is an important part of my business.”
What makes eXp special to you?
“I always feel that when I have a question, the person I am talking to in eXp World is going to see my question as important and worth addressing immediately.”
Is there a significant experience you can share since you joined eXp?
“I joined at Christmastime, thinking business would be a bit slow and I would spend the time from Christmas to New Year’s working through the transition. I was so wrong! From January to April, I closed 11 transactions.
“I started to get a bit panicked about keeping up with everything in SkySlope and everything else I had on my agenda. It was time for me to have a conversation with an eXp broker. I went to eXp World and the broker assured me that I was doing fine. Everything was fixable, workable and there were no issues getting back to what I do best — listing and selling homes.”
What is one thing about eXp that surprised you?
“The ease of getting an answer and finding your way through the company. No more spending the day asking, ‘Who should I call?’ or hearing, ’You will have to wait for so and so.’
“As a 21-year agent, I don’t need a tremendous amount of hand-holding, but when I do, it’s usually a challenging question where I need a second set of eyes, or a situation that I can blame on being an eXp newbie. In either case, eXp has the systems in place for me to quickly get back to work, knowing that I have received the right answer.”
Have you had any experience or success with eXp’s global revenue share or commercial business yet?
“My only experience so far has been watching the eXp Commercial Workplace group. Each year, I tend to do just a few commercial transactions. I like knowing the eXp Commercial team is there both to refer to and ask questions.”
What kind of collaboration have you experienced at eXp?
“Time has prevented me from taking part at the level I hope to someday, but I appreciate that the ability for tremendous collaboration is there.”
Best tip to share with other agents:
“I have found over the years that agents tend to panic, thinking we can fix a situation and very often there is no better fix than to wait 24 hours and watch calmer minds solve the entire situation. Work hard to set buyers’ and sellers’ expectations upfront so you can limit the surprises.”
10 Fun Things About Eric Miller
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I’m 63 years old, so a version of retirement could come soon. I hope that with eXp’s technology, I am able to spend time teaching newer agents the things I learned over the last 20 years. I also like spending time at my mountain home in North Carolina with my partner and the dogs, while still being part of this real estate community.
Who is the person you most admire?
My dad, for sure. May he rest in peace. He worked two jobs, was very conservative in life and unfortunately passed away very young, but was sincerely loved by everyone who knew him.
One thing you can’t live without?
Every time we think it’s ‘take a break time’ in our home when a dog passes away, we pass another rescue and open our hearts. Clearly, we can’t live without the joy animals bring to our home.
One trait that has led to your success?
When someone says ‘No,’ I hear maybe. Sometimes, this has served me well. Other times, it has not.
What celebrity would play you in a movie or TV show?
Ben Stiller or Whoopi Goldberg.
Pet peeve?
Oh boy — agents who call for an appointment and cancel via text, five minutes after they’re due.
Little known fact about yourself?
I swam for a high school and won a 400-meter individual medley from the outside lane.
Song you never tire of?
“People” by Barbra Streisand.
Favorite meal?
I’m a sushi snob.
Your epitaph will say:
Worked too hard!
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