Real estate veteran Ron Shuffield has headed Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors for the past 26 years, growing the company from a local realty to a nationally-recognized name.

In 2003, Mr. Shuffield sold the company to HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, joining a network of 21 realty firms the company owns nationally.

EWM, with 10 offices in Miami-Dade and Broward, is the only Florida realty firm in its portfolio.

As president, a role he’s held for more than two decades, Mr. Shuffield works to expand the company by acquiring smaller firms and attracting top-producing agents.

He says 2010 is expected to be the best year in sales for the local industry since 2005, with cash buyers dominating much of the market.

The luxury residential market has picked up as well, Mr. Shuffield noted, with five condos priced at above $7.5 million selling in the last three months.

“I think that over these next two or three years, we’re going to start to see values inching up,” he said, “starting at the lower prices first and then moving to the higher prices as we clean through that excess inventory.”

Mr. Shuffield discussed market trends and EWM’s growth and plans with Miami Today reporter Yudislaidy Fernandez at his Pinecrest home.