Betting on myself was the hardest yet best decision I ever made, changing my life and fueling my passion for helping others do the same.

 

Walking away from a stable, well-paying corporate job to go all-in on real estate felt like stepping off a cliff. For years, work in the insurance industry had provided a steady salary, benefits, and the kind of career that looked good on paper. As a Product Manager in corporate insurance, I oversaw multi-million-dollar programs. But it wasn’t my passion.

 

Real estate had always been in the background. When my wife and I were newlyweds, we went to the lender’s office, ready to see what we were preapproved for. To our shock, $80,000 was clearly insufficient to afford any desired property—we couldn’t believe it. We started working as much as we could, taking on side jobs and shifts over the weekend. In the middle of this grind, I saw a late-night infomercial on how to buy property with no money down. I bought the program and from there was hooked. We were able to buy our first home and even started buying rental properties and helping family and friends do the same. I saw the potential in homeownership to break generational curses and set people up for a more secure life.

 

In 2012, after two years in California, we returned to Georgia for good. I had an opportunity to further my career, but it would have required me to move again. We determined that uprooting our lives every few years for a job I didn’t love simply wasn’t worth it. That wasn’t the life we wanted. So, instead of taking another high-paying role in an industry where I was in demand, I decided to go all-in on real estate. I didn’t just want another paycheck—I wanted control over my future.

 

Those first years were tough. Some months the income soared beyond what was ever possible in insurance; other years, it barely covered expenses. But the trade-off was worth it. No more corporate relocations. No more missing time with the kids. Being present—coaching their teams, checking their grades, showing up every day—was something no salary could replace.

 

The numbers side of real estate comes naturally, thanks to years in insurance. Being able to break down appreciation trends, return on investment, and cost of ownership helps investors and families too. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions people make and guiding them through that process is what I love about real estate. The people—their stories, goals, and the one-on-one connections—were what I was missing in my corporate career, and they are what make this work truly rewarding.

 

In 2022, I started my own brokerage, Buy Box Realty. The name came from a concept used in investing—understanding a "buy box," or the specific criteria that make a deal worth pursuing. The same philosophy applies to regular homebuyers. No matter who you are, purchasing real estate is about making a smart, strategic investment decision that will benefit you in the future.

 

None of this would have been possible without my wife. While I was building my career, she had a steady career in tech, providing the stability that allowed me to take risks. Even in the early years, she never doubted my decision. She knew why we were doing it—to build something lasting, to be there for our kids, EJ and Sydney, and to create a future where we aren’t just working for someone else. We prioritize family time and on special occasions, I put my vocal performance degree to use on karaoke nights!

 

With my background in corporate insurance, analyzing data and managing risk comes naturally, which is why investors and homebuyers alike trust me to guide them through smart, informed decisions. I built a custom spreadsheet for investors that breaks down everything—cash flow projections, appreciation trends, return on investment, and cost of ownership—so they can see the full financial picture before making a move. But beyond the numbers, I take a consultative approach with every client, whether it’s helping first-time buyers understand financing, advising homeowners on the best renovations for resale value, or even assisting with writing business plans for those looking to invest in real estate as a long-term strategy. Whatever my clients need, I do everything I can to make sure they have the right information and guidance to make the best possible decisions!

 

My business is built on relationships, on being the person people trust enough to say, “Call Eric, he’ll take care of you.” I’ve been fortunate to grow a network where I’m not just a real estate agent—I’m a connector, a resource, and someone people rely on. That’s the foundation my business is built on, and it’s a philosophy I’m proud to continue growing.

 

Sincerely,

 

Eric Baham

Broker-Owner | LIC#280083

Mobile (678) 770-0289

Office (470) 969-9180

ericbahamrealestate@gmail.com

www.BuyBox-Realty.com