Coming from a place of contribution and constant improvement, Scott Pridemore and Mike Hege have built an amazingly successful, independent brokerage that encapsulates the entire Charlotte market. And they’re just getting started! With more than 40 years of real estate experience between them, these two entrepreneurs have laid out a clear path to success for both clients and REALTORS®, finishing 2020 with more than $100 million in sales.
“Success is the active progression towards your goal, even if it’s just one step closer,” Scott says. “As a teenager, having mowed approximately 3,000 lawns throughout middle and high school, I knew at an early age I wanted to be a business owner. I learned a lot about customer service, working with people, and operating a business during that time in my life. Moreover, After college, I decided to launch my real estate career. Real estate is exciting to me because I can positively impact lives by building relationships and working hard. I still bounce out of bed every morning, happy to be working in an industry where I know I will get out of it what I put into it. There is no ceiling in real estate.”
Scott launched Pridemore Properties in 2009, a year after the housing crash. Those difficult times did not stop his brokerage from excelling and growing. By 2012, Scott was ready to expand the firm, and he knew exactly who he wanted to partner with. “We go way back,” Mike says of his friendship with Scott. “Scott was my first mentor in the business, and I’ve always admired his work ethic and integrity. When he asked if I wanted to help him increase Pridemore Properties’ reach up north, I jumped at the chance to go into business with him.”
Both men eschew the massive franchise approach to running a real estate business. “We like the idea of being a smaller firm with full control over our decisions,” Mike says. “We lead by example, and all 40 of our agents can talk to us directly. Scott and I are still in the trenches daily, producing, mentoring, sharing, and problem-solving. We’re both seasoned and successful REALTORS® ourselves, and we love breathing that into our agents.”
In addition to one-on-one coaching, Pridemore Properties offers two of the most effective training systems on the market, Tom Ferry’s Coaching and Brian Buffini’s Pathway to Mastery. “It’s the best combination of farming and hunting,” Mike says. “Our agents grow the seeds of their database with personal touches while seeking new sources of business and revenue. For long-lasting success, you need to have more than one lead pillar.”
It also helps to have leaders committed to being at the forefront of industry trends and technology. “Mike and I enjoy the hands-on aspects of real estate,” Scott says. “We have a pulse on things because we are actively out there and always looking to learn more and get better. We’re plugged into the best people and peer groups in the industry, we offer the best tools and strategies to serve clients, and we generate opportunities for our firm many times over. It’s all about making a positive impact on others. A high tide raises all ships.”
Including those in the community! “Our mantra is, we have revenue that we want to reinvest,” Mike says. “Giving back to the community is an integral piece of who we are. We love supporting the Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, Huntersville Christmas Lighting Festival, and Claire’s Army. We also enjoy hosting client parties and annual company parties. We are all about coming from a place of contribution and service. You can’t find fulfillment in life without helping others.”
Agent happiness is also a top priority. “We are strategically growing our general brokerage and are getting ready to launch a new team,” Scott says. “We’ve grown organically and we attract good people. Mike and I are just nice, normal guys who enjoy working with great people and helping them reach their goals. If someone is willing to take care of others and build a practice based on customer service, we would love to have them join us. We’re excited about the future of Pridemore Properties!”