AFTER MONTHS of checking out local home listings and daydreaming about a move, you’re finally ready. The real estate market seems like a maze, and the idea of navigating it might be overwhelming, but there’s also excitement about entering a new phase of life. Selling your home is a crucial piece of the puzzle. So, where do you start, and how do you ensure you have the best guide to help you find the keys to your dream home?
Why not start with the power of a team of agents working together to bring you the best possible experience?
Pulling together in the direction of success like a tandem of yoked oxen, Team Gatlin of Leading Edge Real Estate Group (LEREG) is a picture of effective teamwork — cooperation, mutual support, shared goals, and the recognition that success is a collective effort. It’s an effort that began when Susan Gatlin and Charlie Sullivan partnered in 2016 as Charlie started his journey as a full-time real estate agent under Susan’s mentorship. From a cramped trailer on Gatlin’s property, the duo focused their energy on the Fayetteville real estate market as Leading Edge Real Estate agents.
Their first year set the bar for the future as Susan was the top producer for LEREG, and Charlie received Rookie of the Year. The Fayetteville brokerage office of LEREG opened the following year with Susan as broker and leader of the newly formed Team Gatlin. She knew cultivating an environment that manifested the hallmarks of a team was at the heart of retaining agents — a culture that equally benefits the team’s clients.
The idea of a yoked team well represents Team Gatlin’s multiplied efforts as they share responsibilities and challenges while providing assistance, encouragement, and cooperation to achieve the common goal of a successful real estate transaction.
“I want to help each agent and staff go to another level. We want to see one another excel and grow as individuals, a team, and a family. We are now focusing on incorporating life-changing habits that help us reach the next level of excellence. I know we can do this as a team!” said Susan.
Team Gatlin Agent Libby Jump said, “Being part of the team enhances my ability to help clients by offering a collective knowledge pool. We collaborate on client needs, share responsibilities, and leverage diverse expertise. This ensures that clients receive well-rounded assistance, even if I’m out of town or another team member is better suited for a particular client.”
Just as a yoke makes sure a team all moves in the same direction, a shared vision and common objectives align the efforts of team members, keeping the team on the same focused path and promoting unity. Susan’s faith guides her as she guides the team.
“We’ve found a unique bond in prayer and the belief that we’re all divinely put together as a team. The admin team and I have weekly prayer sessions and study together. Our whole team meets weekly to go over plans, life events, and training. These meetings help strengthen our bond and ground us as a team. When one agent needs help, there are five others to pick them up,” said Susan.
Agent Susan Allen sees the full-circle benefits of the team.
“Team Gatlin is my backbone in the real estate game. We share insights, cover each other’s blind spots, and celebrate wins together. It’s a collective effort that amplifies success and makes the journey more enjoyable,” she said.
Susan’s leadership unites the team as they focus their efforts on their collective success.
“I knew before I joined the team almost five years ago that I would learn a lot from Susan, but the training and support that I have received have exceeded my expectations. What I did not expect when transitioning from a solo agent was the strong camaraderie we would foster together in both my business and my personal life,” said Vivian Fisher, Team Gatlin Agent.
The team’s success isn’t just for their own benefit. The vision is community wide.
“I’d like to ensure that Team Gatlin creates and leaves a legacy for our community. I want to create a legacy of honesty, integrity, and hard work that is recognized when people see the words ‘Team Gatlin.’ Additionally, I want us to continue to be top producers and the number one team in Lincoln County, Southern Middle Tennessee, and Alabama — a close-knit team truly enjoying working alongside one another,” said Susan, the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Crumrine Award for character and achievement.
It’s a reasonable goal. The award-winning team has consistently been LEREG’s top-producing team from its inception in 2016 through 2022. LEREG covers Southern Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama with over 200 agents and many teams.
The team is serious in its pursuit of leaving a community legacy work. Five of their eight team members completed the local Leadership Lincoln program. Two are on the board of directors and have served as immediate past president and president-elect.
The community-wide impact they seek goes beyond accolades and awards; it focuses on values and contributions. As they continue to navigate the real estate maze, the keys to your dream homes are more than symbols of successful transactions; they’re the milestones of a shared journey and a legacy built on principles that stand the test of time.
In every real estate transaction, Team Gatlin doesn’t just find the perfect property for you; they build relationships, contribute to community development, and create a legacy that proudly echoes “Team Gatlin.” GN
