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David Birkhead
Finding Home—For Myself and My Clients
Most careers don’t start at the moment you meet your future spouse, but for me, it did—and with a real estate twist. I’d just met my wife, Tabitha, and her four kids, aged seven to eighteen, and I already had three kids of my own. (Let’s just say the “Brady Bunch” references come up a lot in our household!) Our lives meshed together in this wonderful, unexpected blend of ages, needs, and constant activity, like a family-sized juggling act where everyone’s tossing around school schedules, volleyball matches, and midnight snack raids.
At the time, I was working as a software product owner for a consulting startup that focused on helping Global 500 companies anticipate and avoid their own downfalls. Think of Blockbuster and what they *might* have avoided if they’d realized what Netflix was about to do. Ironically, while helping big businesses avoid disruption, the startup I worked for wasn’t quite ready for the software arm they’d developed, and my whole department was, as they say, “put on a shelf.” A week later, COVID shut down the world, and I suddenly found myself out of a job at the least convenient time possible.
But the universe has a funny way of nudging us in the right direction. Just before all this, I’d gotten my real estate license to lend a hand to Tabitha. I hadn’t realized at the time how perfectly real estate aligned with my skill set—and my life. My previous roles were about helping companies avoid pitfalls, and here I was, on a path to help families navigate one of the most significant changes in their lives. I suddenly saw real estate in a new light: it wasn’t about brick and mortar; it was about people. People like Tabitha and me, whose family was expanding and reshaping, and people facing all kinds of transitions—moving, buying, selling. I realized that whether real estate meant an exciting opportunity or a challenging shift, it was always about the story behind each home.
That’s why my mission as a Realtor goes beyond the interest rates or granite countertops. My life has been full of transitions; I grew up across three countries, moved through a dozen addresses, and then finally landed in Clayton, NC where I’ve been now for over 20 years. I’m a dad and stepdad to seven (yes, seven) kids. Our family is like a mini-community, with interests that range from falconry and volleyball to mechanics, Scout badges, and theater. This deep, local connection helps me understand the heartbeat of our community in a way that goes beyond the surface.
Early on, though, I faced a few humbling challenges. North Carolina has one of the toughest real estate licensing programs in the country. But getting a license is just the first hill to climb—especially for an introvert like me. You’d think introverts don’t end up in sales or real estate, but in some ways, my introversion has been my superpower. People are always surprised to learn I’m introverted, probably because I genuinely love talking to people (my kids still don’t believe it’s possible to be introverted and friendly). But being a natural listener has helped me tune into the needs of clients, neighbors, and friends, listening carefully to what’s motivating them and what challenges they face. This “quiet” strength is what I rely on to serve my clients, rather than some loud, flashy lifestyle on the internet.
At the end of the day, I want clients to feel calm and taken care of. I want them to feel like they’ve found a guide who’s invested in more than just a transaction but in helping them find their way through a pivotal moment, whatever that may look like. After years of living in Clayton and the enjoyment of the entire Raleigh area, I can confidently say I love this community and am deeply committed to it. This is the place where my kids grew up, where I found my family and career purpose, and where I get to help others put down roots or find new adventures.
The best part of what I do? It’s helping my clients feel that they’re right where they’re meant to be, whether they’re moving into their first home or finding a new chapter in an empty nest. It’s about helping people find *their* place in this big community tapestry—one family at a time.
