Losing my marriage forced me to recenter my life, realign with God, and become a better man.

 

I’d just started investing in real estate—flipping houses and reselling them. Things were going well. I had lenders who trusted me and talented subcontractors who got the job done. But the REALTORS®? I couldn’t trust them. They didn’t seem to care about my timelines or what I needed. It was all about the double commissions for them, and that frustration pushed me to a realization: I needed to get my real estate license, so I could sell my own properties.

 

Until then, I’d had a successful military career. For my first 18 years in the Navy, I worked as a radioman/information systems technician, handling satellite communications and supervising other technicians. As I moved up in rank, I took on more responsibility—sending sailors on assignments to Guam, South America, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Middle East. I was promoted to Chief, then Senior Chief, then Master Chief, and eventually Command Master Chief during the last 12 years of my service. At that point, I was advising leadership on how to best employ and assign sailors within a command. I also provided recommendations to leadership regarding their discipline, and resolving quality of life, morale, and family issues, while always ensuring the accomplishment of the mission, and the safety and well-being of our sailors.

 

On paper, everything looked great, but behind the scenes, I was struggling. I hit a point where I was depressed. I was self-medicating. My then-wife supported my career, but I became the kind of husband I never imagined I’d be. I put the pressure of my happiness on her—that was unfair. I’d strayed from my values and my faith, and eventually, that relationship broke beyond repair. That was on me. And I had to live with the consequences.

 

I started flipping homes—partly because retirement was on the horizon, and partly to pay for the divorce. I tried doing handyman work at first, but it didn’t work. Then came the lightbulb moment: flipping houses. It made sense. I enjoyed the process, the planning, and the transformation. But the weak link was always the REALTOR®. So, in 2014, I got my license.

 

I was blessed to be mentored by Gary Crawford, a real estate veteran with over 45 years of experience. He is the premium name in Virginia for all things real estate, and he took me under his wing. He taught me not only sales but also property management—and eventually passed his portfolio on to me. He’s still my mentor to this day.

 

And from there, everything shifted. I found in real estate the new beginning I’d been searching for. It was hard to accept that my divorce was what led me here—but that’s the truth. That broken marriage forced me to grow up. I stopped expecting other people to make me happy. I started taking ownership of my own well-being. I became more aware of how my words and actions affected others. I reconnected with my faith, and I made a decision: I want to be a source of good in people’s lives—not a source of pain. I became a clear and transparent communicator—honest about what I can and can’t do.

 

These days, when I’m not working, I love being out in nature—camping, hunting, paddleboarding, fishing. I hit the gym regularly and take cold plunges. Oh, and I enjoy performing stand-up comedy as well. I’ve performed at the Funny Bone and in the Clash of the Comics. It’s something that brings me joy.

 

My daughter, Abigail, is 22 and serves in the Coast Guard. My youngest, Alex, is in college. All l I want is to be present in their lives—and in the lives of everyone I encounter—as someone who adds value to their lives and lives with integrity.

 

I specialize in residential real estate, buying and selling homes and investment properties, as well as property management. With hands-on experience flipping houses, I bring an investor’s perspective to every transaction, offering clients sharp market insights and honest advice regarding the specific properties they are interested in and their exit strategies. I analyze property values in relation to the current market and communicate clearly if a home is overpriced or a worthwhile investment—always aligned with my clients’ unique goals.

 

I think long term: Can this home be easily sold in a few years? Could it be rented out later? My role is to guide clients toward smart, strategic decisions that protect their interests and prevent surprises down the road. Respect and integrity are at the core of how I operate—I aim to overdeliver and serve you and your families honorably.

 

As a veteran, I have a special connection with military families and understand the unique challenges of relocation. Because I’ve lived that life, I offer trusted, experience-based guidance to help service members make strong housing decisions for today and tomorrow. Whether you're buying, selling, renting, or investing, I’m here to help you navigate the process with confidence and clarity.

 

Sincerely,

 

Eric J. Hovik

REALTOR®

Direct (757) 277-8487

Office (757) 456-2345

eric@erichovik.com 

The Crawford Team 
erichovik.com