“I worked retail and retail management at Blockbuster Video for my first five years out of high school,” David Dynes reflects. “I started as a part-time customer service rep and worked my way up to a store manager position within a few years. That can be a bit of a flashback for some people! The money was OK at the time, but the hours were grueling,” he continues. “Eventually, the retail world pushed me over the edge so I quit.”

After reaching his limit with the demanding store hours, David found his true calling in real estate in 2008 — just as the market was crashing. Now, as the newly appointed broker of Tierra Antigua Realty, he's steering Arizona's largest brokerage into a future filled with the promise of growth.

David notes his transition from retail to real estate was driven by a burning desire for autonomy and a direct correlation between effort and reward. 

"I was drawn to real estate because it offered flexibility and the opportunity to directly see the results of my hard work," he offers. 

Unfortunately, David’s entry into the field coincided with the 2008 financial crisis, a period that proved to be both challenging and formative. Joining a team that handled a high volume of REOs and short sales, David quickly found his footing despite the tough market and hasn’t looked back since. 

In 2011, David joined Tierra Antigua Realty, a firm known for its family-like atmosphere and strong community focus. He quickly climbed the ranks from agent to management, obtaining his broker's license in 2015.

At the beginning of 2024, David embraced his new role as the broker of Tierra Antigua Realty, taking over from owner and founder, Kim Clifton. He now oversees an impressive roster of over 1,100 agents, making it the largest brokerage by agent headcount in Southern Arizona. The brokerage achieved remarkable success in the past year, posting nearly $2 billion in sales with over 4,800 transactions.

"The cool thing is, I knew right away that this was home for the rest of my career,” David asserts. “I love the culture here; it’s like a family. The support and training are great, and the managers always have the agents’ backs and are available no matter how big or small the problem might be.” 

Taking the reins not only marks a significant career milestone and deep loyalty to Tierra Antigua but also highlights David’s readiness to foster the brokerage's legacy while mentoring others. 

“Our brokerage continues to focus on nurturing agents who are good people doing good business," David points out.

David's approach to real estate is deeply rooted in education and support. He believes in empowering agents through knowledge and understanding, which are crucial for navigating the complexities of real estate transactions. 

"Regardless of your role, this industry is all about helping and educating people. That was my philosophy in my personal business and still what I carry forward into my role as the broker," he affirms. “I was busy doing this naturally in my REO sales days…I just gravitated to the role because I have always enjoyed assisting and informing others.” 

David’s advice to new agents is straightforward and echoes his approach to business and life in general: "Be sincere, always be willing to help, and embrace change,” David emphasizes. “It’s also important to remember, as you get busier, to set boundaries and take a vacation every so often! 

“I tell agents they shouldn’t just go somewhere and keep working either; they need to cut the cord and put themselves in a position where they don't have to think about business for a little while — then have someone they trust to cover for them so they can really shut off.”

Outside of his busy brokerage, David enjoys a rich personal life with his long-time girlfriend, Marylyn, and their adorable American Eskimo dog, Audrey. The couple share a passion for exploring new restaurants, hiking, and enjoying craft beers at local hotspots such as Arizona Beer House and the Rocking K Market out toward Vail.  

"We are only a couple of blocks away from The Loop that goes all around Tucson, and I enjoy starting my day with a run at 5:30-6 a.m., as well," David says of his morning routine. “We also make an annual trip to Comic-Con International in San Diego. We enjoy a good movie or TV show and the pop-culture world in general, so it's great to be immersed in that completely different scene for a few days.” 

As for the future, David is focused on adapting to upcoming industry changes while maintaining the core values of Tierra Antigua Realty. He remains optimistic in his vision and poised to guide Tierra to new heights of success in an ever-evolving business. 

"I’m still getting a feel for my new role, but I’m also gazing down the road at all the changes ahead in our industry based on the big settlement ruling. I look forward to helping agents get through the changes occurring,” David concludes. 

"I want to be remembered as a humble leader who was always there to help and hopefully inspire a few people along the way.”

Born in the mid-’80s, David is a huge punk and ska music fan. If you spot David at a karaoke bar, he’ll likely be belting out Operation Ivy’s “Take Warning,” NOFX’s “Linoleum,” or Rancid’s classic, “Timebomb.”