About Us

Athens Real Estate Group was founded by Blake Underwood in 2010 and is based in Athens, GA.

Blake moved to Athens, GA in 2001 to attend the University of Georgia where he graduated from Terry College of Business with Bachelors of Administration degree in Finance. Upon graduation, Blake decided to make Athens home.

Since 2006, Blake has been dedicated to learning all facets of the real estate industry. Under his leadership, Athens Real Estate Group has grown to over 2500 beds under management, development of multiple boutique student housing developments in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina and a leader in brokerage services.

An Athens area native and 2005 graduate of the University of Georgia, Josh joined the Athens Real Estate Group’s Brokerage team in 2023, bringing with him 20+ years of personal experience negotiating commercial, residential, and land transactions all across North Georgia, and his broad knowledge of residential development and management, which only adds to the wealth of industry experience Athens Real Estate Group brings to our clients. Josh strives each day to share his knowledge and experience in ways that help our clients navigate their own personal real estate journey. Whether buying, selling or leasing your personal residence, buying, selling or leasing investment property or land, each situation and property is unique, and he and our Brokerage team have the ability to assist you every step of the way.

Jessica graduated from the University of Georgia with a double major in Consumer Economics and Real Estate. After entering the property management field immediately following graduation, she joined Athens Real Estate Group in 2013. Originally from Watkinsville, Georgia, Jessica has built her career on a passion for policy development, streamlined procedures, and operational efficiency. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their two boys, and their two doodles.

Hillory joined Athens Real Estate Group as an intern and worked her way up to Operations Manager through her dedication and strong organizational skills. A 2020 graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in English, she now oversees operations within the leasing department. Hillory is passionate about efficiency, collaboration, and creating systems that help the team succeed. Outside of the office, she enjoys reading and spending time with her friends, family, and mini schnauzer, Archie.

As Operations Manager for Athens Real Estate Group, Devin Arnold manages the property management team and oversees daily operations across multiple communities. An Athens native, he values clear communication, problem-solving, and supporting both his team and residents. Outside the office, he enjoys traveling, fishing, and trying new restaurants along the way.

Margo graduated from UGA with a BA in History in 2024. In her collegiate career she had multiple opportunities to immerse herself with the Athens community by working with local museums and the Historic Athens Welcome Center. Since graduating, she continues to make local connections through her role as our administrative assistant.

After graduating from a military school, Madison attended the University of Georgia where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Consumer Economics and Housing Management and Policy. Although not an Athens native, Madison moved to the Classic City in 2021 and quickly fell in love with its charm and housing potential. Her passion for real estate and dedication to helping others find their perfect home have made her a valued member of the Athens Real Estate Group team.

After attending Thomas University, Laken joined Athens Real Estate Group in 2023, beginning her career as a Leasing Agent before advancing to Senior Leasing Agent. In her role, she is committed to fostering clear communication and ensuring balance within the leasing team’s workload. Outside the office, she enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and making memories with her family, and their beloved fur baby, Lalen.

As a Leasing Agent with Athens Real Estate Group for almost two years, Emily is dedicated to making the leasing process as easy and enjoyable as possible. Motivated by a passion for helping people, she loves connecting with others and helping residents feel confident in their homes. Outside of work, she enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family, or unwinding with a good movie.  

Grace joined Athens Real Estate Group in 2024 after graduating from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a degree in Agribusiness. She supports the AREG team as the accounting specialist and one of the go-to people for help with our servicing platform, AppFolio. Grace utilizes strong attention to detail and problem solving to ensure successful transactions for our tenants, vendors, and owners.  

Tim Hydrick is the Financial Controller for Athens Real Estate Group.  Tim oversees all aspects of the corporate, payroll, and project construction accounting side of the firm’s multi-state operations and projects.  With over 10 years’ experience in corporate finance and accounting, he brings experience that is backed by solid credentials.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude with an MBA in Accountancy from The University of Phoenix and also holds a bachelor's degree from Jacksonville State University.  When he is not crunching the numbers, Tim enjoys spending time with family and cheering on Alabama Football.  

Jim grew up in Atlanta, GA and graduated from The University of Georgia with a BS in Computer Science. After graduating, Jim went on to work in Information Technology for 22 years in corporate America, building software for the health care industry in Atlanta. In 2004, Jim moved to Santa Rosa Beach, FL, where he obtained his real estate and community association management licenses and began managing properties and homeowners' associations- all while enjoying life at the beach. A lifelong Bulldog fan, Jim moved back to Athens in 2020 and began working with Athens Real Estate Group as a property manager and association manger. Besides helping tenants and homeowners, Jim's interests include cars and shooting pool.  

Hunter is an enthusiastic employee who holds a BBA in Real Estate from the University of Georgia and has a solid background in property management, customer service, and team leadership. With experience managing complicated processes and increasing efficiency within companies, he thrives at communication, problem solving, and relationship building. Hunter is an outdoor enthusiast, a reader, and a lifelong learner who is always looking for new ways to advance his career.

Jessica is a detail-driven property manager with a bachelor's in business from University of North Georgia, who takes pride in maintaining well-kept communities. Her organized approach and commitment to quality help ensure residents enjoy well-maintained, welcoming spaces. Beyond work, she can usually be found exploring the outdoors with her Australian Shepherd.  

With over 19 years of experience in the multifamily housing industry, Angie is a seasoned leader skilled in property management, operations, and team development. She holds a Business Administration degree focused in Human Resources and multiple industry certifications, including CAM, CAM-SH, and CAPS. Recognized with numerous awards and as the 2025 Chair of the Tradeshow Committee, Angie continues to inspire and mentor professionals across the multifamily field.