From Trespassing to Designated Broker

For Brian Acey, real estate is more than a career—it’s the product of perseverance, curiosity, and a deep love for helping others succeed.

Born in Western Washington, Brian moved to Orcas Island at 12. Life on the island moved slow, leaving plenty of time for teenagers to get into trouble. With little for kids to do, he recalls there was “lots of drinking and partying.”

His first job was in hospitality, starting as a bellhop and working up to night manager. But his real passion emerged elsewhere—real estate. 

“I just enjoyed homes. I just enjoyed seeing what the new trends were,” Brian said.

After four years working part-time at a small brokerage, he wanted to make real estate his full-time career. However, Brian and his partner had disagreements about the stability of a transaction-based career.

When he lost his job and separated from his partner, a full-time real estate career wasn’t just an option—it was the only option. Before long, opportunity called. 

“I was, at that time, at Home Realty in South Everett, and I got a call from a guy I had worked with there who had recently joined Keller Williams and became a partner in the Everett office,” he said.

Brian joined as a buyer’s agent in 2000 before going solo a few months later. During this time, he discovered his love for contracts.

“I found that in my early years, I really enjoyed the contracts,” Brian said. “Not because I enjoyed the contracts themselves, but because the knowledge that I get from the contracts allows me to beat somebody else in a competitive situation.”

Brian believes that understanding the details sets great agents apart, so understanding contracts is a vital part of a successful real estate business.

Now, Brian says his greatest passion comes from helping agents with their transactions rather than his own.

From small-town beginnings to real estate leadership, Brian Acey’s journey reflects hard work, heart, and a purpose rooted in helping others succeed.

Listen to the rest of Brian's story on Real Conversations: Episode 7.