For a long time, I thought success meant doing more—working harder, taking on more responsibility, pushing further.

What I’ve learned over the years is that success is really about building a life with room for family, purpose, and growth.

I was born in Peru to an American father and a Peruvian mother. My father was a U.S. diplomat working in counter-narcotics, and shortly after I was born, our family was expected to relocate to Colombia. Given the risks tied to his work, my parents made a pivotal decision to start fresh elsewhere.

In 1991, we moved to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, where my grandfather had retired. What began as a small pawn business grew into a respected lending operation serving people without access to traditional banks. Over time, it expanded into private commercial and real estate lending, financing factories, major projects, and homeownership for hundreds of families. What left the strongest impression on me wasn’t the growth—it was how my father treated people fairly, even when times were hard.

After my parents divorced, I moved with my mother to Santo Domingo. That’s where I first experienced real estate up close. My mom built her own business from scratch—touring construction sites, knocking on doors, chasing opportunity with determination and grit. She showed me that success isn’t about titles; it’s about showing up and doing the work.

In 2001, my mother, sister, and I moved to Miami for better schools and broader opportunities. I attended a Jesuit all-boys school, later studied business at Florida International University, and began my career in banking at Citigroup. It was a solid path—but I could feel I wasn’t meant to stay still.

I eventually transitioned into the construction and materials world, where I spent years growing through demanding roles and leadership positions, ultimately becoming Director of Sales and Business Development. The experience was invaluable—but once again, I felt I had reached a ceiling.

In 2017, I married my wife, Nicole, and soon after, we welcomed our daughter, Emma. Fatherhood reshaped everything. It changed how I viewed time, priorities, and the future I wanted to build.

In 2019, while still working full-time, I earned my real estate license. As a bilingual professional with deep cultural roots and a family background in real estate, it felt like a natural extension of everything I’d learned. At first, it was a handful of transactions each year—but the work felt meaningful.

When COVID hit, Florida changed fast. So did my perspective. After years of preparation, I made the decision to step away from corporate life and fully commit to real estate.

We moved to Lakewood Ranch, a community that immediately felt like home. Today, my wife and I are proud ambassadors here. Our family—Nicole, Emma, and our red Doberman, Anastasia—spends most of our time outdoors, exploring places like Myakka, Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, downtown Sarasota, Venice, and St. Pete. Nicole is deeply involved in the business, supporting operations and keeping everything running behind the scenes. Emma keeps us moving—between ballet, bike rides, and family adventures.

Building a real estate business full-time wasn’t easy. The learning curve was steep. I made smart investments and a few costly mistakes. What carried me through was discipline, service, and a commitment to doing things the right way. I studied proven business models, stopped chasing shortcuts, and treated real estate like the business it is.

In early 2025, I launched Legacy Real Estate Group with Preferred Shore—a boutique brokerage aligned with my values and long-term vision. Around the same time, I helped found a Spanish-speaking BNI chapter in Lakewood Ranch and was elected president. BNI reinforced something I’ve always believed: Givers gain. Growth follows service.

Today, my business is built on relationships—friends, neighbors, referrals, and repeat clients. My team works with homeowners, investors, probate and divorce situations, and off-market opportunities that require creativity and care. We focus on education, honest guidance, and helping people make confident decisions.

Every chapter of my life—living abroad, corporate leadership, fatherhood—has shaped how I show up today. I’m driven by integrity, consistency, and a genuine desire to help others move forward.

If you’ve been part of my journey, thank you. And if you ever need guidance, perspective, or support navigating real estate, I’m always here.

With gratitude,

  

 

 

Robert Hildreth

REALTOR®

(941) 326-0278

robert@myhomesearch.me

myhomesearch.me