Today we’d like to introduce you to Luka Milicevic.
Hi Luka, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I came over to America from South Africa when I was 18 and landed in Murray, Kentucky. I was there on a tennis scholarship and ended up studying accounting at Murray State, where I graduated in 2011, and then again in 2012 with my Master’s. I actually met my wife there; she’s from Nashville, so we moved here right after graduation.
I started out at HCA as an entry-level accountant, but I was doing real estate on the side for years. I was renovating homes, working as an agent, and eventually even started building houses as a side gig. I did that for a long time until my number finally got pulled from the corporate spreadsheet and I got laid off.
Instead of looking for a new job, I decided to do this full-time. Since then, I’ve been a home builder in the Nashville area, focusing on Middle Tennessee as a whole, but mostly Davidson County. I’m building for myself and for clients these days, and my main goal is to change the industry by focusing on quality over speed. I do much lower volume than the big builders and take almost twice as long because I use higher-quality materials and have much lower margins. I’m not about “putting them up fast”-I’m all about quality construction practices.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
immigration process to the US was actually much harder than it is now. Luckily for me, I was able to get married and stay in the country, but honestly, that was my biggest challenge, just figuring out how I was going to stay here. If it wasn’t for my wife, I wouldn’t have been able to make it happen.
Business isn’t an easy process, either. I still have a full mental breakdown basically once a week, but that’s just standard when you’re running a small business. I’ve dealt with every issue along the way: subcontractors walking off jobs, people not doing what they’re supposed to do, or just not showing up at all. I’ve had people take deposits and vanish, and I’ve had “flakes” I had to fix at the worst possible times. I’ve even had properties burn down. Pretty much every day is a new challenge, but that’s just part of the game.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Middle Tennessee Home Alliance?
Overall, we’re sort of an all-in-one real estate shop, we renovate houses, build new ones, and buy both houses and land. For people looking to sell a house that isn’t in great condition or who just want a quick sale, we buy from them directly. Then, depending on the condition, we’ll either renovate the home or, if it’s really in disrepair, build something brand new on the lot, whatever makes the most sense economically.
One thing we’re really proud of is that we always have the previous homeowner walk through the house with us once it’s completely finished. That’s honestly one of the best parts of the job-seeing their eyes light up when they see what we’ve transformed their old home into.
Another thing that sets us apart is genuinely focusing on quality workmanship over high margins and quick turnarounds. We make sure absolutely everything is done properly; our inspection reports are usually a lot shorter than the industry standard because our quality control is so high. We make sure things are done right before moving on to the next step, and if something is broken or off, we 100% make sure it gets corrected.
What matters most to you?
When someone purchases a home, they’re making a 30-year commitment to it,and when I say 30-year commitment, I’m talking about the mortgage. This is something I constantly remind myself of when people buy from us: they are committing a massive chunk of their livelihood to a product I personally put out there.
Because of that, it’s exceptionally important to me that I do it correctly. I want to make sure I’m building something that will literally last a lifetime. If that’s what the buyer is committing to, then that’s exactly what I should be committed to as well.
I also consider my community very important to me, and have always looked for ways to give back. I have volunteered several times with Habitat for Humanity throughout the years to assist with their construction projects for those in need.
I am also an active volunteer fire fighter with Williamson County Fire Rescue
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sellmynashvilletnhousefast.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukagetsrealestate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luka.milicevic.39/
