Brett Blizzard

Brett Blizzard could have stayed in Italy after playing professional basketball there for 16 years.

But upon retirement, the father of five decided to return to Wilmington, where he attended UNCW from 1999-2003, earning a bachelor's degree in communication studies and a spot in the school's athletic hall of fame for his standout Seahawks and CAA basketball performance.

"I could easily have stayed (in Italy) and transitioned into a coach, but I think the opportunity for my family here in America was a little different. If we stayed in Italy, it's a great life. They just don't have as many opportunities as we do here, which we certainly take for granted," Blizzard said. After moving back, "I decided to take on the challenge of entering the real estate world, and I'm super happy that I did."

Blizzard, who first joined Wilmington-based Destination Reatly in 2019, has been named president of Destination Residential, the company's general brokerage division. 

According to a news release, "​Blizzard began his career at Destination as part of the sales team for (Hampstead waterfront community) Salters Haven and led the project to remarkable success, becoming the leading sales executive for three consecutive years. During this time, he closed 302 transactions and generated $113 million in volume."

From 2022 to last year, Blizzard led the team to 191 closings, with a sales volume exceeding $71 million, the release stated. 

Founded by president Craig Wheeler in 2015, Destination is a sales and marketing company specializing in developer and builder sales across the eastern United States, according to the release. Wheeler's career includes 30 master-planned communities and more than $7 billion in total closings since 1993, the release stated.

Wheeler said in the release, "Brett has brought the same drive and discipline from his basketball career into his real estate career, and we are confident that he will lead Destination Residential to even greater success." 

A two-time CAA Player of the Year and a three-time CAA Tournament MVP, Blizzard led UNCW to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including its win against the University of Southern California in 2002, the release stated.

Blizzard said he does think of the Realtors he leads as a team. "I try to make sure that everybody on the team is benefiting, feeling they're moving toward success," he said. "If they're not, then, hey, let's figure it out. Let's see what we can do."

He's optimistic about the Wilmington area's residential real estate market. Blizzard said, "Right now, folks are a little bit on the fence, but I think a hint of rates dropping is just the start. I think at the beginning of next year, we're going to see a really good market come this way."