About David Cole | The Realtorian, eXp Realty Upstate SC

The Brand

Why "The Realtorian"?

The name isn't a gimmick, it's a philosophy. "Realtorian" is a combination of Real Estate and Historian. It describes someone who brings both disciplines together, understanding that the land you're buying or selling has a story that goes back centuries, and that knowing that story makes you a better guide through it.

David earned a History degree from UNC Charlotte before spending years in the real estate world, first as a legal assistant at a real estate law firm, then in marketing for real estate investors, then running a contracting company for property rehabs, and finally earning his REALTOR® license in South Carolina.

That path wasn't accidental. Every step built a deeper understanding of how real property works, legally, practically, and historically. When David says he's your tour guide in real estate, he means it in every sense of the word.

"Most agents know the listing. I know the land. I know what happened here, who built here, and why it matters, and that makes me a better guide for the people I serve."

, David Cole, The Realtorian

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Your Tour Guide in Real Estate

A tour guide doesn't just point at things, they give context, share stories, and help you understand why a place matters. That's exactly what David does for every buyer, seller, and investor he works with in Upstate SC.

Credentials

Certifications and Training

Certified Business Development Agent (CBDA)November 10, 2026
ExpressOffers Overview, eXp RealtyNovember 10, 2026
eXp Certified MentorNovember 6, 2026
Certified Expert Listing Agent (CELA)November 3, 2026
Agent AI CertifiedNovember 2, 2026
Pay-at-Close Certified, NotableOctober 28, 2026
eXp New Homes Certification CourseMarch 3, 2026

See what each one means for you

Deep Roots, Upcountry SC

His Ancestors Fought Here

8–10 documented patriot ancestors from the American Revolution

David isn't just passionate about Revolutionary War history, he's descended from the men who made it. His family lines include patriots from the Roebuck, Cole, Harlan, and Pettit families who served in the militias of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and beyond. When David walks a battle site, he isn't just a historian visiting the past. He's a descendant coming home.

Roebuck / Pettit Line

Col. Benjamin Roebuck

Commander, SC Spartan Regiment of Militia. Present at Musgrove's Mill, Cowpens, and Kings Mountain. Wounded and captured at Mud Lick Creek in 1781, then held prisoner at Ninety Six and Charlestown. The town of Roebuck, SC bears his name.

Relative

Cole Line

Joseph Cole Sr.

Virginia militia. Marched to join Washington's army outside Philadelphia in 1777, and later marched south with Gates's army to Camden (August 16, 1780). Documented in his pension application, S8230.

Direct ancestor

Harlan Line

Samuel Harlan & Aaron Harlan Sr.

Patriot ancestors from the Harlan family line. David is an officially approved member of the Sons of the American Revolution through patriot ancestor Samuel Harlan.

SAR Member, Approved

Pettit Line

Joshua Pettit & Henry Pettit

David's patriot ancestor Joshua Pettit and his relative Henry Pettit come from the Pettit family line, currently under active genealogical research. The Pettit line connects directly to Col. Roebuck through Mary Vice. The Pettit family has their own exhibits at Carolina Rising, a museum in Gaffney, SC and the world's first AI-powered interactive museum.

Featured at Carolina Rising

David's relative Col. Benjamin Roebuck is listed among the officers at Kings Mountain, making that ground uniquely personal. He is an officially approved member of the Sons of the American Revolution through patriot ancestor Samuel Harlan, with a second application through Joseph Cole Sr. planned for the future. Research into the full Roebuck family line, including Col. Roebuck's brother and father, is ongoing.

Career Path

How He Got Here

Asheville, NC, Early Years

Grew Up in the Mountains

Originally from Asheville, NC, the western edge of the same Appalachian mountain country that the Overmountain Men crossed to fight at Kings Mountain. The mountains were always home.

UNC Charlotte

History Degree

Earned a Bachelor's degree in History from UNC Charlotte, building the foundation of knowledge that would eventually become The Realtorian brand.

2015

Legal Assistant, Real Estate Law Firm

Started his real estate career from the legal side, learning contracts, title work, closings, and the mechanics of property transactions from the inside out. An education no real estate class can replicate.

Following Years

Marketing for Real Estate Investors

Transitioned into marketing for real estate investors, learning how investors think, what they look for in a property, and how to find deals. This perspective shapes how David serves his investor clients today.

Contracting Era

Founded Property Rehab Company

Founded his own contracting company specializing in property rehabs. Understanding construction costs, timelines, and what it takes to transform a property gives David a perspective most agents simply don't have.

Licensed REALTOR®

SC Real Estate License

Earned his REALTOR® license in South Carolina, bringing every prior experience together under one roof. Joined eXp Realty and launched The Realtorian brand.

January 2027

Assistant Director, Library and Museum of Revolutionary War

Named assistant director of the Library and Museum of Revolutionary War, effective January 1, 2027, as announced in the museum's newsletter, The Dispatch.

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Assistant Director, Library and Museum of Revolutionary War

Beginning January 1, 2027, David serves as assistant director of the Library and Museum of Revolutionary War, with museum locations in Abbeville, Gaffney and Greenwood. Read the announcement.

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Volunteer and Former Tour Guide, Walnut Grove Plantation

David volunteers at Walnut Grove Plantation in Roebuck, SC, where he previously served as a tour guide, sharing the story of the Moore family and life in the Backcountry during the Revolution.

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Board Member, Laurens County Museum

David serves on the board of the Laurens County Museum, helping preserve and share the history of one of the most historically rich counties in Upstate SC, home to the Battle of Musgrove Mill and Hammonds Old Store.

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Board Member, Upstate Preservation Trust

Serves on the board of the Upstate Preservation Trust, working to protect and preserve the historic structures and landscapes that make the Upcountry unique. The same land he sells, he works to preserve.

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Sons of the American Revolution

David is an officially approved member of the Sons of the American Revolution through patriot ancestor Samuel Harlan. A second application through Joseph Cole Sr. is planned for the future.

Credentials & Expertise

What David Brings to the Table

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Legal Background

Real estate law firm experience means David understands contracts, title issues, and closing details that most agents gloss over

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Contractor Experience

Founded a property rehab company, he can walk a home and give you an honest read on what repairs will actually cost

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Investor Mindset

Years of marketing for real estate investors means he understands deals, land value, and long-term investment strategy

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History Degree

UNC Charlotte History graduate, the academic foundation behind The Realtorian brand and all the history content he creates

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Local Knowledge

Covers Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenwood, Pickens, and Abbeville counties, 21 communities he knows deeply

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Land Specialist

Specializes in land sales for investors focused on subdivision, mobile home placement, and development in Upstate SC

Outside of Real Estate

The Man Behind the Brand

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Husband to Carolina

Proud husband to Carolina, originally from Bogotá, Colombia. A reminder that the Upstate SC story is still being written by people arriving from all over the world.

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Dad of Two

Father to two wonderful kids, which gives him a very personal stake in the school districts, neighborhoods, and communities he recommends to families.

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Napoleon & Thomas

Two dogs who David describes as "orchestrators of the biggest and best real estate deal in history." No further explanation provided. No further explanation needed.

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Historian & Researcher

Active genealogical researcher tracing multiple patriot lines. Hosts history tours of historic sites and downtowns across the Upcountry, researches figures like Bloody Bill Cunningham, and creates history content for The Realtorian brand.

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Community Board Member

Serves on the boards of both the Laurens County Museum and the Upstate Preservation Trust, putting his time where his passion is.

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Based in Simpsonville, SC

Lives and works in Simpsonville, one of the fastest-growing communities in Greenville County and a testament to why people keep choosing the Upstate.

Ready to work together?

Let David be your tour guide.

Whether you're buying your first home, selling a family property, or investing in Upstate SC land, David brings a depth of knowledge, local roots, and genuine care that's hard to find anywhere else. Reach out and let's talk.

Contact David Search Homes (828) 582-9506