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Derek Caldwell - Northern Kentucky Real Estate Expert

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Derek Caldwell is a top-producing real estate professional and the Director of Operations and co-leader of The Caldwell Group at eXp Realty, one of the highest-performing real estate teams in Northern Kentucky. Derek has helped guide more than 2,600 families through successful home sales and purchases, representing over $300 million in total sales volume across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati.

As a licensed Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a hands-on team leader, Derek combines deep local market knowledge with operational precision and data-driven strategy. Under his leadership, The Caldwell Group consistently ranks as the #2 team in the Northern Kentucky MLS, a Top 3 team in Kentucky across all brokerages, and in the Top 1% of Realtors nationwide.

Production and Results

The numbers behind the work:

  • 2,600+ career transactions closed across Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati

  • $300M+ in total sales volume

  • 200+ transactions per year on average

  • 500+ verified five-star reviews across Google and Zillow

  • #2 team in the Northern Kentucky MLS by transaction volume

  • #2 large team in Kentucky, ranked by RealTrends

  • Top 250 eXp Realty team nationwide

  • RealTrends America's Best recognition

  • Zillow Premier Agent team

  • Best of Zillow award recipient

Credentials and Licensing

  • Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) -- specialized training in representing home buyers through complex purchase transactions

  • Licensed Realtor, Commonwealth of Kentucky

  • eXp Realty, LLC -- brokered by one of the fastest-growing real estate companies in the world

  • Tom Ferry coaching program -- trained through one of the industry's top performance coaching systems

  • Part Owner of Ai Marketing Academy - the leading Ai Marketing Platform for Real Estate Agents

  • Northern Kentucky Association of Realtors (NKAR) member

Northern Kentucky Market Expertise

Derek lives and works in Northern Kentucky and brings firsthand knowledge of the communities, school districts, commute patterns, and neighborhood dynamics that matter most to buyers and sellers in the region.

Boone County: Florence, Union, Burlington, Hebron, Walton. The largest and fastest-growing county in Northern Kentucky, with established neighborhoods, active new construction developments, and strong demand driven by proximity to CVG Airport and major employers along the I-75/I-71 corridor.

Kenton County: Fort Mitchell, Edgewood, Independence, Erlanger, Covington. A central hub of Northern Kentucky with strong suburban communities, revitalization in Covington, and direct access to downtown Cincinnati across the river.

Campbell County: Fort Thomas, Newport, Highland Heights, Alexandria, Cold Spring. Known for tight-knit communities, top-rated schools in Fort Thomas, and the entertainment and dining district along Newport's riverfront.

Greater Cincinnati: Anderson Township, Oakley, Hyde Park, and surrounding Ohio communities. The Caldwell Group serves buyers and sellers on both sides of the Ohio River, helping clients navigate the differences in property taxes, school systems, and market dynamics between Kentucky and Ohio.

For the latest market data and neighborhood insights, visit the Caldwell Group blog.

How Derek Works with Sellers

Derek and The Caldwell Group use a structured, data-driven approach to selling homes in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati:

Pre-listing strategy. Every listing starts with a comparative market analysis, a review of high-ROI improvements, staging guidance, and vendor coordination to prepare the home for maximum impact on day one.

Marketing launch. Professional photography, video walkthroughs, 3D virtual tours, and targeted digital advertising across Google, Facebook, Instagram, and active buyer databases. Every listing is positioned for maximum exposure from the moment it hits the market.

Offer management. Structured showing windows, deadline-driven offer collection, and negotiation strategy designed to protect the seller's price and terms through closing.

Contract-to-close. Timeline management, inspection negotiation, financing oversight, and coordination with title companies and lenders. A dedicated transaction management team supports every deal from executed contract to closing table.

Learn more about selling with The Caldwell Group

How Derek Works with Buyers

Needs assessment. Every buyer engagement starts with a conversation about priorities, budget, timeline, and the trade-offs that matter most, whether that's school districts, commute time, lot size, or new construction vs. resale.

Market access. Full MLS search access, off-market opportunities, and early alerts on coming-soon listings through The Caldwell Group's network and industry relationships.

Competitive strategy. In multiple-offer situations, Derek helps buyers structure winning offers using escalation clauses, appraisal gap coverage, and flexible terms tailored to each listing situation.

Negotiation and closing. From inspection results to appraisal review to final walkthrough, Derek and his team manage the details so buyers can focus on the move.

Learn more about buying with The Caldwell Group

Derek did an amazing job helping us purchase our new home and selling our previous one. Highly recommend. There’s a level of skill and professionalism that Derek brought to the table that made our home buying and selling experience run smoothly. The whole Caldwell Group was amazing to work with as well.
— Madison Gover
Derek helped us purchase our new home in Burlington while we lived 7 hours away! His knowledge of both the area and the housing market were invaluable. Readily available to answer questions. His calm personality definitely helped alleviate some of the stress of purchasing while relocating.
— Heidi Woodall

What Clients Say About Derek

Derek and his team are the best. This transaction was a tough one, with many roadblocks to overcome, none of which were his fault. Thanks to his experience and expertise, he was able to guide us to the finish line, and we could not have done it without him.
— Brenon Russell

Beyond Real Estate

Outside of real estate, Derek is a Northern Kentucky native and a builder at heart, whether that means helping a family find their next home or working on the systems and technology behind the business. He and his mother Dianna Caldwell co-lead The Caldwell Group together, combining operational strategy with client-first service to build one of Kentucky's top real estate teams.

  • Derek Caldwell and The Caldwell Group have closed more than 2,600 transactions representing over $300 million in sales volume across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. The team averages 200+ transactions per year.

  • Derek Caldwell and The Caldwell Group have earned more than 500 verified five-star reviews across Google and Zillow. The team is consistently ranked #2 in the Northern Kentucky MLS and has been recognized by RealTrends America's Best as one of the top-performing teams in Kentucky.

  • Derek serves buyers and sellers throughout Northern Kentucky, including Florence, Union, Independence, Hebron, Burlington, Fort Mitchell, Fort Thomas, Covington, and Newport in Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties. He also serves Greater Cincinnati, including Anderson Township, Oakley, and surrounding Ohio communities.

  • Yes. Derek and The Caldwell Group work with buyers and sellers across all price points, from first-time home purchases to luxury properties priced at $750K and above. The team also handles relocations, investment properties, and new construction transactions.

  • You can reach Derek directly at 859-869-6606 or derek@caldwellrg.com. You can also schedule a consultation or visit The Caldwell Group at 2110 Chamber Center Drive in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Buy or Sell in Northern Kentucky?

Contact Derek Caldwell for a free home valuation or a buyer consultation. Whether you're a first-time buyer, upgrading, downsizing, relocating, or investing, Derek and The Caldwell Group are here to make it happen.