Dickson Realty is excited to welcome Realtor and fellow community enthusiast J.D. Drakulich to our family. A fourth-generation Nevadan, J.D. was born and raised in Reno and is known for his generous spirit and driven work ethic. Throughout his 12-year real estate career, he has helped clients achieve their dreams of homeownership while building honest and long-lasting relationships. J.D.’s number one goal is to provide exceptional service to his clients and community members.
In 2020, J.D. ran for Reno City Council and dedicated his campaign to helping solve youth homelessness in Northern Nevada. He believes in the importance of providing community members with attainable housing options and uses his in-depth real estate knowledge to help make an impact. With his community-driven approach, J.D. is the perfect addition to the Dickson Realty team. If you’d like to get to know J.D. better, keep reading to learn more about his family history, passion for community, and more.
J.D. Drakulich Talks Family History and the Importance of Community
How did your family first come to Nevada four generations ago?
My family background is what connects me to the community. My great-grandfather emigrated to the U.S. from Serbia in the early 1900s and planted roots down in White Pine County, located in eastern Nevada. My grandfather’s name was Duke Drakulich, and he was one of 12 children born in the small mining community of Rieptown, Nevada. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and was a decorated war hero. After being honorably discharged, he moved to Reno with my grandmother to start a family. He was a teacher at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School and is a recognized football coach in Manogue’s Hall of Fame. I am one of 23 grandchildren.
What do you love most about our community?
There’s a powerful sense of community here. Many of the people that live here care about our past and are excited about the future. Reno is a great place to raise a family, and there is so much generosity between people here. It truly is a tight-knit community, and everyone knows each other. We have big-city vibes with small-town feels.
How has playing sports helped shape your attitude and approach to life?
Sports helped to shape me into the team player that I am today. In sports, you have to work well with others to achieve the collective goals. This is especially true in real estate. It’s essential to have your ego in check. I thrive in team environments because of my altruistic nature. I’m happy when other people are happy and gain joy from helping people.
How do you give back to our community?
I serve as the Board President for Eddy House, a non-profit organization that provides resources to our region’s homeless and at-risk youth. When I started volunteering for them in 2016, I saw first-hand how bad our homelessness problem is, and I’ve been fully committed to helping the Eddy House ever since. Our goal was to transition from a temporary drop-in center to an overnight facility, and we accomplished that about two years ago. I am also currently serving as the City of Reno Planning Commissioner.
What is your philosophy as a real estate agent?
Providing service to my clients is my number one priority. I never want them to feel like they’re alone or that their Realtor has abandoned them. That’s why I always try to answer my phone or call back as soon as possible.
What brought you over to Dickson Realty?
The Dickson brand is top-notch, and I know that I will succeed at a higher level with them. Not only does Dickson offer innovative solutions and resources, but their leadership and supporting staff are incredible. The environment has been warm and welcoming since I’ve joined the team. It truly is like one big and happy family.
What’s a local insider tip you’d like to share?
If you’re a foodie (like me) and enjoy a good cocktail, then I recommend visiting Centro Bar & Kitchen for drinks and Arario or Homegrown Gastropub in midtown for food. The bulgogi bowl at Arario is my favorite, and you can order with rice or mixed greens.
