Ryan & Tia + Scott
Buyers: Ryan & Tia - Married Couple
Current Home: Wake Forest, NC
Beach House Hunting In: Oak Island, NC
Beach Home Budget: $500,000
Tia and Ryan are the kind of people who always seem to find their way back to the water. Both grew up in Monmouth County, New Jersey, attended Monmouth University, and ran in the same friend group before eventually getting together. Nearly ten years of marriage and two kids later, they've built a busy life in the suburbs, but they've never shaken their love of coastal living.
These days, weekends often involve boating, paddleboarding, or kayaking on the lake, but ask either of them and they'll tell you the ocean is where they really feel at home. Their ideal beach day is pretty low maintenance: throw some chairs in the sand, let the kids run wild collecting shells and splashing in puddles, and stay until everyone is sunburned, sandy, and hungry.
As their family has grown, so has their dream of having a place by the coast. That search led them to Oak Island, a beach town that feels refreshingly normal in all the right ways. They love that it isn't overbuilt or overrun with tourists. The beaches are wide open, the pace is slower, and people actually seem to know their neighbors. It's the kind of place where you can spend the entire day out and about without constantly sitting in traffic or fighting crowds.
They're hoping to find a home that feels like an escape from their everyday routine. Ideally, it's a single family home, though they're willing to consider a duplex if it gets them closer to the water. They'd love two or three bedrooms, a dedicated office for remote work, outdoor space for the kids and dogs, and something with a little personality. Ryan tends to gravitate toward practical considerations, while Tia is quick to fall for charm, character, and unique details that make a house feel special.
For them, the goal isn't just owning a beach property. It's creating a place where they can spend more time together as a family, slow things down a bit, and give their kids the same connection to the water that has been a constant part of both of their lives.
The Agent - Scott Dickman
Scott's life took an unexpected turn when a pandemic-era investment property introduced him to Oak Island, North Carolina, and he never looked back. Originally from Wheeling, West Virginia, Scott traded a successful career as a Marketing and Digital Technology executive for a new adventure on the coast, where he now helps others find their own slice of paradise. Armed with an MBA, a sharp eye for investment opportunities, and experience spanning finance, marketing, technology, and real estate, Scott brings both business savvy and big personality to every transaction. Whether he's helping clients hunt for their dream beach home or uncover their next great investment, he's always thinking three steps ahead. When he's off the clock, you'll find him wrangling his four rescue dogs, caring for a collection of more than 250 houseplants, or checking another National Park off the bucket list he shares with his husband, Kirby.