When I look back throughout my life, I find my love and respect for the outdoors at the root of many of my most cherished memories. These experiences have driven me to share this passion with others as much as I can, culminating in my career as a Land Professional with National Land Realty. With my career in real estate, I’m able to spend time in nature with landowners walking their properties; sharing my love for land and the outdoors with others, and helping them to create lasting memories of their own. 

My intrigue with land and the outdoors began in my younger days as I loved fishing, dirt biking, and riding horses down the fire lanes of the Black Water River State Forest in the Florida panhandle. In the forks of the Coldwater Creek and Black Water River, I spent my childhood summers camping out under the stars, swimming, boating, and freshwater fishing. 

The Blackwater River WMA spans over 200,000 sprawling acres and is one of the largest forests in Florida. Beautiful stands of Longleaf Pines and sandy creeks including the Blackwater River, Coldwater Creek, Juniper Creek, and others run from neighboring Alabama down to Blackwater Bay. As a boy, my grandfather and I whiled away the hours fishing these creeks and rivers in the Florida panhandle, creating many of my most cherished memories. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to have a place like this for myself and my family to instill a similar love and reverence for nature in others. 

These family activities and childhood experiences nurtured my love for the outdoors and interest in owning recreational land. As the years passed, my adventures led to Canton, GA. My wife, Martha, and our children, Grace and Grant, built our homestead. Our children grew up exploring the trails around our family farm, riding ATVs, gardening, and horseback riding. Boating and fishing have always been a favorite pastime on the beautiful North Georgia lakes. 

We have explored countless miles of forest roads in the Cohutta Wilderness, Nantahala National Forest, and the Great Smoky Mountains. My son and I enjoyed many weekend backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail which originate above our farm in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, creating memories that have lasted for years. 

Just like my grandfather shared his love of the outdoors with me, I’ve been able to instill this same passion in my children. Now, history is repeating itself, and I take comfort in the fact that my grandchildren, Audrey and Ashton, are growing up with the same connection to nature as my grandfather, my children, and I did. 

As a land professional, I’ve been fortunate to find a career that combines my love for the outdoors with my passion for helping people. My journey in real estate began in 1984 while I was attending the University of West Florida where I completed a double major in real estate marketing and accounting. 

I obtained my real estate license and started with an outstanding residential broker in Pensacola. I probably learned more about sales, marketing, negotiation, and studying people from my broker than attending class. After graduating, I moved to Atlanta and worked at CPA firms in Buckhead and Marietta representing families and investors with real estate interests. Most of our clients were professionals and mid-sized family businesses with real estate holdings. My wife and I have always been entrepreneurial and have several businesses; however, land ownership and enjoyment are integral to our financial plan. 

As a Land Professional with National Land Realty, my practice focuses on family recreational land and transitional land. Transitional land is a property changing from one form of use to another. In North Georgia, a country farm or recreational property may be in the path of urban growth and changes to a commercial or development site. This transitional land is tricky to hit from a timing perspective and can be risky for an owner to navigate due to zoning and demographic trends. 

I am proud to represent the National Land Realty Atlanta Office in North Georgia and actively participate in NLR’s Commercial division. I continue learning as a member of the REALTORS® Land Institute and support the outdoors with membership in Turkeys for Tomorrow plus Trout & Ducks Unlimited. I’m grateful for the support provided by National Land Realty and the opportunity to share my love for the outdoors with other landowners to maximize their land investments and make the most of their properties. 

If you’re interested in buying or selling land or learning more about what a career with National Land Realty could do for you, please get in touch with me at Mhead@NationalLand.com or reach out to your local Land Professional today!