Real Estate Reorganized + Revamped + Revitalized
Re/Max Renaissance Realtors introduces a brand-new approach to real estate services in Chattanooga — Scout Realtor Group. Housed under the most recognized real estate brand in the world, Re/ Max, Scout Realtor Group combines the innovative tools and brand recognition provided by Re/Max with the benefits of a boutique real estate company. Scout agents operate collectively, pooling their resources, talents, and energy with one another to cultivate a culture of impeccable standards. The result — agents are more attune, attentive, and engaged with you, the client.
Created and led by Becky Cope English, Scout Realtor Group is simply a group of successful, entrepreneurial Realtors who wanted to enhance their business with more personalized, client-focused services. Additionally, Scout agents pledge to contribute their time to a collection of worthwhile causes and community-based organizations as a means of giving back. “Proactive engagement within our community is what makes us better Realtors, but also better citizens.” Said Cope English. Scout agents have already attained a high level of success and training, but must commit to consistently increasing their education and knowledge.
“Being a part of a worldwide recognized brand offering the latest tools and training that smaller firms find difficult to attain, Scout agents have a multitude of options at their fingertips,” explained Cope English, “but no amount of classroom training can take the place of our small group sessions, which focuses on current issues like the recent EPA Chattanooga Lead Site announcement.” Cope English has been involved in a development slated for the South Broad district for over two years when the sudden announcement came in January. “It sparked a lot of questions and fear initially, but after attending several meetings with TDEC officials, I can now help people understand the situation and guide them through it,” shared Cope English. Scout agents have varying backgrounds, strengths, education and skills which allows the group to collectively offer a wider-range of comprehensive and, often times, more complex services. For example, most of the Scout agents have a strong background in new construction and new home sales. Two of the five agents are transplants so relocation is a natural specialty from personal experience.
Scout agents are committed to excellence, but seek to do much more than reach business goals. The culture of Scout Realtor Group is rooted in simple, holistic values: integrity above all things and in all things; building relationships over rankings; and investing in people and ideas that matter.
“I had this idea and challenge at the same time,” said Cope English, “I knew I needed reinforcements in my career, but it was not an easy fix as most Realtors are independent contractors. Who to trust and what you had to give up was my hang-up.” Knowing that she faced these challenges, Cope English knew that others had to be facing similar issues. This is when she had the idea to partner with a group of agents versus creating a one-agent centered team.
“In this business, said Cope English, “teams are all the rage. Anywhere from a few to a few dozen licensed agents work under one person, the team leader.” Real estate teams statistically have been growing at a record pace, but Cope English says that a team was not for her, but does works well for many others. “I tend to question the status quo,” shared Cope English, “I have found that the best solutions are rarely what everyone else is doing.”
Determined to solve the challenges she was facing, Cope English began researching alternatives to real estate teams, which did not yield much help. Instead she found herself researching what doesn’t work and fashioned a business plan from that. She never dreamed of having her own name at the helm, or to claim production from other agents who actually did the work. “As a broker, our work, our client relationships and often blood, sweat and tears, is poured into every transaction and belongs to us as individuals,” said Cope English, “what seems innately backwards to me is the approach of having all the credit for a sale go to one person especially if that person was never involved in the transaction.”
Explaining that production is how Relators are ranked and how they market themselves competitively, Cope English said “It just wasn’t a goal of mine to be the highest grossing agent with the highest production. What mattered most to me is that every client receives the highest level of service and their goal is realized, nothing else should matter.”
Cope English said the next challenge was assembling agents who felt the same as her and were at a place in their career where it made sense to make a shift. Besides working with her husband, Derek English, an Affiliate Broker of five years, Cope English selectively met with agents. “I was met with a lot of positive feedback, but ironically,” shared Cope English, “this simple business model seemed to puzzle agents who had only thought there were two ways to do real estate - as an individual or as a team.”
“Real estate has always been a competitive business, but now more than ever we are under more pressure to exceed expectations,” said Misa R. Ankar, Affiliate Broker with Scout Realtor Group. “I am
thrilled to be a part of this group as we come into real estate with different skill sets, but have the same business goals in mind so collaboration is key.”
Today, Scout Realtor Group is up and running with five agents – Misa R. Ankar, Brian Erwin, Lisi Chavarri, Derek English and herself. “The goal,” says Cope English, “is to take it slowly and develop a strong foundation before adding more agents to our group.” The future looks very bright for this group and their new business model that is client-centric and agent-centric at the same time. “Joining Scout Realtor Group is a privilege,” shared Brian Erwin, “and I am so excited for the opportunity to work with a group of professionals who’s ethics are equally aligned.”
Scout Realtor Group collectively has over 51 years of real estate experience. Licensed as a Broker in 2004, Becky Cope English was previously manager of RealtyCenter New Homes Division, Broker/Partner of Builder Realty Group before joining Re/Max Renaissance in 2007. She and her husband returned to Re/Max Renaissance in January of 2018 after spending 28 months at Crye-Leike, Realtors. Scout Realtor
Group is housed at Re/ Max Renaissance Realty located at 201 Cherokee Boulevard, Suite 101, Chattanooga TN 37405 (423) 756-5700. Their newly launched website is www. ScoutRealtorGroup.com and they have business pages on Instagram and Facebook, currently.