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My Story
From Los Angeles to Asheville, we embraced the move as a fresh start, an adventure to embark on. This transformed my life in ways I could never have imagined, finding a community and purpose-driven career I love. The decision to move to Asheville came at a pivotal moment in our lives. My wife and I had just gotten married, and we were ready to start a new chapter together, away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. We both had spent our early years chasing our dreams and steadily building careers—she as an actress and I as a musician in a band—but we longed for a change. We wanted a place where we could settle down, buy a house and start a family.
As we searched for the perfect destination and saved money, Asheville kept coming up in our research and conversations, almost as if it were calling to us. It ticked all the boxes on our list: a sense of community, beautiful nature and a slower, more relaxed lifestyle. Strangers even mentioned Asheville to us unprompted, reinforcing our decision.
My wife had found the perfect property for us online. As we drove across the country with our two dogs to see the home for the first time, it went under contract. She was heartbroken, but we continued on our journey, believing Asheville was the right place for us. Incredibly, the house came back on the market the day we arrived in Asheville. Everything fell into place, and we were able to buy the home—it was a huge achievement and sparked my initial interest in real estate.
Uprooting our lives and starting over in Asheville, I planned to work as a behavioral therapist. My background was in sales and music; however, I also worked as a nanny for a child with autism. His family saw the bond we had developed and asked me to accompany him to school as his behavioral therapist. I loved the work and planned to continue that career in Asheville.
Initially, I worked as a teacher's assistant for kindergarten and second-grade students. After about a year and a half, I realized that this path wasn't sustainable and wouldn’t allow me to achieve my financial goals. My wife, recognizing my dissatisfaction, suggested I try real estate, given my sales background. As I reflected on my past successes in sales, I recognized one of my greatest strengths was connecting with people and finding solutions to their problems. This experience, combined with my desire to provide for my family and the encouragement from my wife, led me to enroll in real estate classes. Once I got my license, I joined a small, independent firm and quickly realized my potential in this new field. I built my online presence, leaned on early clients for reviews and started to gain traction. In 2016, my career truly began to flourish. I was recognized as one of the top real estate agents in the area and have maintained that status ever since.
In 2020, I took a leap of faith and started my own real estate company, The Hinton Realty Group. My wife, meanwhile, launched her own interior design firm, Hearth and Home Interiors, which has become one of the leading firms in town. We occasionally collaborate on projects, offering a seamless blend of real estate and design services to our clients. 
In 2020, we had our son, Jones. We are more grateful than ever to have the flexibility to balance work and family life, ensuring we can be there for the everyday moments and milestones. Moving to Asheville was a leap into the unknown, but it was worth it. I've built a fulfilling and purposeful life with my family here, and for that, I am incredibly thankful.
In 2020, we had our son, Jones. We are more grateful than ever to have the flexibility to balance work and family life, ensuring we can be there for the everyday moments and milestones. Moving to Asheville was a leap into the unknown, but it was worth it. I've built a fulfilling and purposeful life with my family here, and for that, I am incredibly thankful.
I became actively involved in the local REALTOR® Association, joining the Board of Directors, Chairing the Legislative Committee, and serving as President for 2024. This involvement not only helped me grow professionally but also allowed me to contribute to the community in meaningful ways.
Real estate has become more than a career for me. I am passionate about advocating for homeownership and making it more accessible to people. I've had the opportunity to speak with local elected officials, participate in legislative discussions and even travel to Washington, D.C., to represent our association.
With over 10 years of experience, I’ve worked on a wide variety of real estate transactions, from high-value commercial deals and investment properties to guiding first-time homebuyers through the process; I've experienced it all. This breadth of experience has equipped me with a unique understanding of various facets of the real estate market. I pride myself on being authentic and relatable, rather than conforming to the stereotypical suit-and-tie image. My clients often seek a deeper connection, valuing intrinsic qualities that go beyond mere numbers. It is my goal to serve as your REALTOR® and friend for life, here to support you with all of your real estate needs.
My Resume
Nick Hinton, Broker, Owner | 828.222.3849 | Nick@TheHintonRealtyGroup.com
www.thehintonrealtygroup.com | www.nickhinton.me
As the Broker-Owner of The Hinton Realty Group with 10+ years of experience, my brokerage was founded on the principle that property is personal. Expertise, innovation, and collaboration are key to a successful real estate experience. By focusing on long-term relationships rather than single transactions, I ensure my clients have a trusted advisor throughout their real estate journey, guiding them with transparency and integrity. With an exceptional track record selling over 250 homes sold and achieving a 99.3% List-to-Close Price Ratio, I am confident I can help you achieve your goals. My firm proudly serves Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Jackson, Transylvania, Polk, Rutherford, McDowell, Yancey, Madison, and Mitchell counties in North Carolina.
BUYER SERVICES:
- Personalized guidance to determine your priorities
- Drawing upon market knowledge and research to find the right home
- Negotiating requests and offers
- Coordinating contracts and documentation
- Delivering support after the sale
SELLER SERVICES:
- Researching the local real estate market
- Preparing and staging home to sell
- Deciding accurate asking price for maximum profit in shortest time frame
- Identifying the key selling points
- Comprehensive, strategic marketing of your home to potential buyers
- Negotiating with buyers on your behalf
MARKETING STRATEGIES:
- Sourcing leads from expansive network
- High-resolution video tours and photography
- Open houses
- Comprehensive social media marketing campaign
- Individual property website
- Direct mailers and door hangers/flyers
- Utilizing the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
- Syndicated listing on 350 high-visibility websites
EDUCATION:
- Licensed REALTOR®
- Resort and Second Home Specialist
- Bachelor’s in Communication, Ithaca College
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
- Affordable Housing Committee
- Housing Mobility Workshops
- Regular Commission Donations to local charities, including: OnTrack Financial, Kids in Need Foundation, Conserving Carolina, Thrive Asheville, Animal Haven of Asheville, Homeward Bound, Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County, and Mountain Housing Opportunities
MEMBERSHIPS:
- State Director, NC REALTOR Association
- North Carolina State Political Coordinator
- Chair, Legislative Committee President, Association of REALTORS®, 2024
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS®
- 2024 REALTOR® of the Year
- 2024 Past President
- 2× Voted “Best Agent” – Mountain Xpress
- Top 100 Producing Agent (2016 – Present)
- Over $90 Million in Property Sold
- Over 250 Homes Sold
- 99.3% List-to-Close Price Ratio