Bringing buyers and sellers together for 25 years
The Dickey Group, Inc., owned and operated by Jeff and Karen Dickey, is situated roughly a dozen miles south of Hillsboro, tucked into the country landscape between Fairfax and Belfast along Ohio Route 785 in Jackson Township.
This year, Jeff Dickey is marking his 25th anniversary in the real estate profession.
He is a two-time past president of the Highland County Board of Realtors and is or has been a member of many civic organizations, including the Highland County Chamber of Commerce and the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC).
Dickey grew up just a few miles west of his family business, on a 210-acre dairy farm on Fair Ridge Road. From an early age, he learned and understood the value of a hard day’s work.
“Growing up on a dairy farm put a good work ethic in me,” Dickey told The Highland County Press this week.
Dickey said his drive and passion began from those early years on the family farm.[[In-content Ad]]
After graduating from Whiteoak High School and Wilmington College, Dickey began his real estate career with longtime local Realtor Marvin Wilson.
Today, he holds five professional real estate designations, which places him in the top five percent, nationally, of all such professionals.
“I started with Wilson Real Estate. To this day, I owe a debt of gratitude to Marvin, Mark and Mitzi,” Dickey said. “That played a huge part in getting me started in real estate.”
After that, Dickey moved on as a co-partner in another real estate company, before starting The Dickey Group with his wife, Karen, in 2001.
One unusual aspect of the new business was that it was operated from the Dickey’s home.
“This started as an experiment, literally, to see if people really cared if we operated the business office from the farm, or if we needed an uptown storefront,” Dickey said.
Operating the family business from the family farm quickly proved successful.
“The type of real estate we often sell is similar to how we live,” Dickey said. “We live the lifestyle that our clientele is looking for. We get it. We specialize in those family farms and country homes that so many are looking for.”
Dickey said he had dreamed of opening his own real estate company and he realized that the changing technology was beginning to impact the business, much as it has affected other industries.
“I saw the changing technology coming, and our company was quick to adapt. We have a company website, http://www.thedickeygroup.com, with more than 6,000 visitors per month. We have multiple websites, including http://www.rockyforklake.com.
“We have state-of-the-art virtual tours of homes and properties. We have very talented team members who love people and love helping families. We couldn’t do what we do without them.”
Among the team members referenced included: Jack Pitzer, a licensed Realtor with over 24 years of professional real estate experience; Maya Swartz, a Client Service Manager; Mary Sonner, a Business Growth and Projects Manager; Marion Woods, an Administrative Support/Courier; and Peggy Helfinstine, an Office Support Specialist.
“Our highest desire is to provide our clients and friends a real estate transaction with the fewest hassles and inconveniences in the shortest period of time,” Dickey said.
“We are dedicated to our vision of providing the finest real estate service available. The only thing we have to offer is customer service. Our customer service is our top priority.”
In addition to its commitment to customer service, The Dickey Group also has been committed to community support through its many charitable contributions.
As a Whiteoak High School alumnus, Jeff Dickey supports the school district with an annual $1,000 college scholarship for a WHS senior and has sponsored the popular “half-court halftime shot” for years at Wildcats’ home games.
He’s also served on the Bright Local School District Strategic Planning Committee and has sponsored the new high school gymnasium scoreboard project.
Jeff and Karen are longtime supporters of the Highland County Fair and Junior Fair livestock sales.
Staff members of The Dickey Group have supported several community activities, including: KAMP Dovetail, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease, and the annual Brush Creek Sweep.
Jeff and Karen also are active with the Fairfax United Methodist Church.
“It’s all about giving back to the community,” Karen Dickey said. “We like to help support our young people in the county. The county has allowed us to give and do what we do.”
“We are so grateful for the support of the community,” Jeff Dickey said. “It’s been incredible. The people of Highland County have allowed us to live our dream.
“The Good Lord has truly blessed us.”