Ray Trine’s passion for all things real estate blossomed early in his life. After graduating with an accounting degree from the University of North Florida in 1971, he immediately launched his real estate career. Initially employed by Florida National Bank’s holding company, he later became CFO of American Federal Savings and Loan, financing homes and commercial properties and working on building and development projects. He quickly learned that he belonged out in the field making things [...]

Ray Trine’s passion for all things real estate blossomed early in his life. After graduating with an accounting degree from the University of North Florida in 1971, he immediately launched his real estate career. Initially employed by Florida National Bank’s holding company, he later became CFO of American Federal Savings and Loan, financing homes and commercial properties and working on building and development projects. He quickly learned that he belonged out in the field making things happen, rather than crunching numbers in an office.

By 1982, the Trine family included five children, five dogs, and four cats. His quest for a better quality of life brought him to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, where he immediately recognized what an idyllic existence it would provide. He packed up his entire menagerie and moved from an oceanfront home in Atlantic Beach, FL, to his newly acquired farm in Glenville, NC. His family continued to grow, expanding to include llamas, donkeys, cows, goats, sheep, turkeys and chickens. Now with seven children and thirteen grandchildren, he knows he made the right choice!

Once ensconced in the mountains, Ray wasted no time earning his North Carolina Broker’s license. He went to work for one of the oldest real estate firms in the area, V.C. Smith Real Estate, which he bought outright two years later. He soon made his mark as the No. 1 real estate office in sales and listings in the Cashiers area for many years running. Ray proceeded to shape the area with his active involvement in the sale of land tracts, as well as the development of many residential communities such as Bald Rock, Summer Hill, Glenshore, Trillium Links and Lake Club, Bear Lake Reserve, Bridge Creek, Glen Laurel, and Glen Pointe.
With such a large family, community involvement was also important to Ray. He has been president of the Blue Ridge School PTA, elected to the Jackson County School Board, and served on the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Lake Glenville and many private community boards and architectural review committees.

Coupled with his dedicated community involvement, Ray’s background in accounting, property development, and real estate sales has provided him with priceless insights into this unique area. Ray is the quintessential guide to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, offering personal experience, countless and fascinating local narratives, and seemingly limitless knowledge of mountain living. Ray is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Ray is a seasoned professional who brings enthusiasm, vision, and over 45 years of experience to the team at Silver Creek Real Estate Group.