Dan Schaefer - Associate

About Dan

Having lived and being raised in Knoxville and East Tennessee, this region shaped who I am. Family and friends taught the importance of values like integrity and service to your community. Many of my friends and family also taught traditions like exploring the mountains, playing sports and having a general sense of adventure and wonder. My earliest memories are filled with trips to the mountains, church outreach, and playing organized sports. Experiences that grounded me in East Tennessee and taught me the importance of loyalty, hard work, and giving back.
My love for this region runs deep. As a young man, I explored the lakes, trails, and backroads of East Tennessee with friends and family. To this day, I still enjoy those same adventures with many of those same friends but with the addition of my children. My connection to the land and the people is what drives my passion for helping others find their own place here.
I studied English Literature and Marketing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where I also played varsity football and earned my letter. After college, I launched my career working with Entrepreneur Magazine, helping create The Walmart Tax and Savings Guide — the largest-distributed custom magazine in 1998 at 2 million copies.
From there, I served as Vice President of Business Development for a publishing house, leading national campaigns to promote cities and states through custom content for tourism and economic development. I later co-founded a children’s book subscription company that became the number one book box on Amazon — a business born from a love of storytelling and building something that lasts.
Today, I combine decades of business acumen, deep local knowledge, and a heart for service to guide home buyers through one of life’s biggest decisions. Whether you’re new to the area or coming back home, I’ll help you find your home and your place in this community.