By Johnny Birdsong
Spring has sprung. I am so excited! You can feel it in the air. Warmer weather and longer days are on the way. It is also that time again for our annual Home & Garden issue. This month, we get to visit with a gentleman who knows a thing or two about both Home and Garden. YOUR Southern Gentleman is…Mr. Dan McEwen. Dan is a third-generation realtor and owner of the McEwen Group, with a sincere love for land.
Mark Twain once said – "Buy land, they're not making it anymore." I feel certain Dan would agree. This month we get to learn more about Dan, and I am excited to share with you.
What does being a Southern Gentleman mean to you, and how do you live that out every day?
Having good manners and treating people well. When I hear Southern gentlemen, it's someone who opens the door for others and says, "Thank you" and "No, thank you." I also enjoy opening the car door for my wife, Lucy, and doing some of those more traditional things.
I am a big believer in having good manners. We teach our kids to say "yes, sir" and "yes, ma'am." They also have to ask to be excused from dinner, and we try to sit down and actually have dinner as a family as much as possible. One thing I never go a day without is telling my family I love them.
What Southern traditions do you hold dear and try to incorporate into your everyday life and events?
I love getting together with my friends and hunting or fishing. It usually comes with a cookout and a lot of laughing. Dove hunts are my favorite. I love teaching kids to hunt and fish. It's mostly about respecting wildlife and responsible gun ownership.
Were there any specific influences or role models who shaped your view of what it means to be a Southern Gentleman?
My father, Jim McEwen, was the definition of a Southern Gentleman. From a very young age, he taught my brother John and me what being a Southern Gentleman means.
What advice would you give a young you or today's younger generation to help them reach their potential and be the best they can be…in life and business?
Work hard and be nice. I can't stand entitlement. Every person in my company (including me) can take the garbage out or talk to our best client.
Tell us about your philanthropic endeavors and why you feel it is essential to give back.
Currently, I am very passionate about conservation and clean water. Middle Tennessee is being developed rapidly. More houses are being built every day, and fewer farms exist. Also, our rivers and streams are so wonderful. Duck River, Buffalo River, Lick Creek, Swan Creek, Jones Creek, Turnbull, and lots more. We need to be sure we keep them healthy so future generations can enjoy them as we have. Wildlife Federation, Harpeth Conservancy, and Land Trust for Tennessee are doing a fantastic job.
With your extensive experience in middle Tennessee, how have you seen our real estate market evolve, and where do you see it heading in the next few years?
It's such a great place to live. We specialize in farms, and farms are not getting any cheaper, in my opinion. Their supply is decreasing, and the demand keeps increasing. Pretty simple economics.
What advice would you offer to individuals looking to invest in rural properties in Tennessee?
Buy land with water. Water drives value in the rural marketplace. Or, if you can afford it, buy land in Williamson County. I also love Maury County. Both are located well and will be greatly appreciated in the future, in my opinion.
Your family has an impressive history in both farming and real estate. How have these intertwined backgrounds influenced your approach to real estate?
Lucy and I have four kids, and they will be the sixth generation on a farm in Williamsport. My grandparents have a cabin on the Buffalo River we grew up going to. We are very rooted here and have a deep understanding of the area. We also have a deep love for the land and people here. We try to represent Tennessee in the best way possible.
What role should real estate professionals play in contributing to the communities they work in beyond just business transactions?
Good brokers are connectors. They connect people to communities. The most important thing we can do is make other people successful. When we do that, we are doing our job well.
What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of working with clients over the long term, and how have these relationships shaped your career?
I've been doing this for twenty-one years now, so I have had several clients for over fifteen years. Most of those relationships go beyond business. I know their kids, and they know mine. We trust each other and want the best for each other. It's a great way to do business.
