From College Student Homeowner to The White House
How Royce Dickerson Discovered the Power of Real Estate Before Graduation—and Changed His Future Forever
On the recent episode of The College Real Estate Coach Podcast, Vikki had the pleasure of interviewing our good friend and former colleague, Royce Dickerson. His story is not only inspiring but also a powerful example of how early action and the right support can completely change the trajectory of your life.
When most college seniors are stressing over finals or figuring out who they’ll live with next year, Royce Dickerson was making a bold move that would shape his entire future: buying his first home before he even graduated.
Yes, you read that right. While many young adults are just learning how to budget for groceries, Royce was applying for a mortgage—and it changed everything.
The Early Spark
Royce’s relationship with money started early. Like age-six-early. During a childhood trip to the bank, when asked if he kept his money in a piggy bank, young Royce confidently replied:
"No, I keep it in this bank—in my account."
From then on, his mindset was different. While other kids asked for money, Royce asked for a credit score and a co-signer.
Becoming a Homeowner in College
As a college senior, Royce realized that renting wasn’t building anything long-term. So he started researching what it would take to buy instead of rent.
He didn’t know all the jargon—PMI, escrow, title insurance—but he did know this: with the right support, he could do it. And he did.
With help from his family and a knowledgeable real estate agent (Vikki!), Royce bought his first property near campus and even brought on a roommate to help offset the mortgage.
"I learned quickly that it wasn’t just about cutting the grass," he says. "It was about understanding liability, insurance, lending—and value."
Real Estate + Grad School = Growth
Royce wasn’t just buying real estate. He was also juggling MBA classes and decided to take it a step further—he got his real estate license while still in school. He’ll be the first to say it wasn’t easy — but the payoff was well worth it.
His classroom education suddenly aligned with real-world investing: cash flow, financing, business strategy—he was living it, not just learning it.
From the Classroom to the White House
Post-graduation, Royce’s path led him to a role at The White House. But even with a fast-paced career in public service, his passion for real estate didn’t fade.
He bought a second property in Washington D.C. and continues to watch the market closely—often encouraging his peers to explore homeownership earlier than they think they can.
"A lot of people my age are just now realizing what that first step could’ve done," he says.
Why His Story Matters
Royce’s journey isn’t just impressive—it’s a blueprint for what's possible.
You don’t have to wait until you're married, wealthy, or “settled” to start building wealth through real estate. You need a plan, the right guidance, and the willingness to start.
So whether you’re a student, a parent of one, or someone early in your career—Royce’s story proves that with the right support, you can take the leap.
Interested in learning more?
Check out the full episode on The College Real Estate Coach Podcast. Have questions about buying your first home or helping someone else take that step? Call us today —we’d love to guide you through the process.
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