rising star written by Susan Marquez photography Abe Draper Photography
Michael Oswalt came to real estate organically. “I didn’t dream of selling real estate all my life,” he laughs. As a high school student at Bayou Academy in Cleveland, Michael had a talk with his guidance counselor. “I was good at numbers, but I didn’t want a job where I sat at a desk all day. My counselor suggested I look into being an appraiser.” After taking basic courses at Mississippi Delta Community College at Morehead for two years, Michael went to Delta State University where he majored in real estate and insurance. He went to work for the Mississippi Department of Transportation doing appraisals. “I did eminent domain around the state, working to acquire right-of-ways for roads. I decided I wanted to be a certified general appraiser, which was a long process with requirements for experience in both eminent domain and commercial. I did some work for Melvin Chaney to help meet my commercial requirements.” 18 • May 2020
Finds Balance in Work and Life
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Central Mississippi Real Producers • 19
