Steve Deaton grew up in Southern Pines, North Carolina, and moved to Raleigh in 1975 to attend N.C. State University, where he graduated in 1979. Just two years later, in 1981, he founded Deaton Investment Real Estate, Inc. (formerly Deaton & Associates) with a focus on multifamily brokerage.

In the early years, Steve balanced mowing lawns 30 hours a week while working 40 hours in real estate—just to pay rent and keep crunchy peanut butter in the pantry. That work ethic laid the foundation for a career marked by persistence, integrity, and long-term client relationships.

With involvement in over 2,000 real estate transactions and decades of experience navigating multiple market cycles, Steve offers clients a deep and objective understanding of the financial power of investment real estate.

Today, Steve remains hands-on in leading the firm’s operations and strategic direction. Outside the office, he enjoys traveling and supporting local “basic needs” charities. He also serves on the N.C. State University Foundation Board and the Advisory Board of the Wolfpack Investor Network.

Steve lives in Raleigh with his wife and is the proud father of two adult sons.

“T” (short for Thomas) has always called the Triangle of North Carolina home. Born and raised in Durham, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Duke University in 2003. While at Duke, he was a walk-on for the baseball team—where he gave up home runs in both of his pitching appearances and retired with a perfect sense of humor.

T brings a well-rounded background in commercial brokerage, construction and development consulting, property management, and real estate marketing. He has been a key part of the Deaton team for more than a decade and is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina.

In his role at Deaton, T oversees daily operations and supports the firm’s general brokerage activities. He works closely with sellers to market their properties and advises investors on acquisition strategies. Known for his steady leadership and collaborative approach, T brings a coaching mentality to his work—mentoring colleagues, sharing insights, and helping the team grow stronger together.

T lives in Raleigh with his wife and their two children. He remains active with the Duke baseball community, where he leads Bible study and stays connected to the game he loves.

Born and raised in Raleigh, Michael graduated from East Carolina University in 2014. With boundless energy and a passion for helping clients achieve their real estate goals, he began his career in general commercial brokerage before joining his father at Deaton Investment Real Estate in 2015.

Michael specializes in off-market multifamily transactions and has been Deaton’s top producer since 2017. His deal-making expertise has played a key role in the firm earning the CoStar Power Broker Award year after year. He is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina.

In 2020, Michael was appointed to East Carolina University’s Board of Visitors, where he proudly serves as the youngest member.

Michael lives in Raleigh and leads an active lifestyle with his wife and twin daughters. He enjoys spending time outdoors, working out, and rarely sits still for more than five minutes.

Reef grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, alongside his siblings. He pursued higher education at North Carolina State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance.

Reef began his professional journey as a residential real estate broker, where his energetic and entrepreneurial mindset quickly set him apart. At just 24, he founded his own residential real estate brokerage company, which he successfully expanded into a thriving business. Driven by a passion for growth and innovation, Reef joined Deaton in early 2023. In his role, he focuses primarily on lead generation and brokerage, leveraging his expertise and energy to create meaningful opportunities for our clients.