Elaine and Ray Eschert have lived in Charlotte since 1978, this last seven in the Thornhill community on Ballantyne Commons Parkway.
"When we moved into this neighborhood, the core of Ballantyne did not even exist," says Ray Eschert. "We knew it was coming and one day woke up to hear the sound of heavy construction equipment building Ballantyne Commons Parkway. It was an exciting moment because that marked the beginning of an amazing period in Charlotte's history."
It's also been a remarkable time for the Escherts, who have actively participated in the success of Ballantyne and the South Perimeter through their Golden Properties marketing Web site.
Elaine is a well-known Realtor affiliated with RE/MAX and was their #1 individual agent in 1998 and 1999 in homes sold. Elaine handles actual home listings and sales while Ray handles marketing. "Ray works for Elaine," says Ray, who accepted an early retirement package from BellSouth when he was 44, 10 years ago.
Much of Elaine's business comes from people and families who are moving to Charlotte and like the Ballantyne area as soon as they visit. "I've shown the Ballantyne area to newcomers from all over the United States," says Elaine. "They've come from Florida, California, Georgia, New York, Wisconsin. You name it. They all like it."
Elaine recently toured Ballantyne with a woman from New York who had just come to take a look at the area. She ended up buying a home near Ballantyne.
"Ballantyne is becoming a name that's recognized around the country," she says. Part of the reason that's happening might be the Eschert's Web site; www.goldenproperties.com which is now approaching its fourth birthday and a whopping 60,000 hits a month. The Escherts use their site to provide information and photos to people who are interested in Ballantyne. The site also lists community news, Elaine's listings, plus a virtual and detailed tour of Ballantyne. Ray takes care of the site's care and feeding, which means almost daily calls to their Internet consultant.
"The Web site conveys how I do business and it's also a showcase for this area," she says. "We spent a lot of time getting it off the ground but it's been extremely successful."
Elaine tries to go the extra mile for her clients, even helping a man from Florida, and new Ballantyne area resident, find an emergency vet late on his first night in a new home. She and Ray kept in contact with him from her car giving him directions as they drove to the emergency clinic to meet him.
The Escherts are looking forward to continued growth in the area and are particularly excited about the opening of the Ballantyne Resort Hotel and the extension of Johnston Road to NC 51.
"A rising tide raises all ships," says Ray. In five years, Elaine estimates that she is averaging 3+ homes a month in just the Ballantyne area alone since Ballantyne opened. As an example of the activity she is experiencing in the Ballantyne area, Elaine reports that seven of her nine sales in January were in Ballantyne. She's noticed some interesting trends in the area. "I'm seeing some empty nesters move out of larger homes and downsizing into a townhome product," she says. "But they are staying in the Ballantyne and South Perimeter areas. I'm also seeing some retirees moving to the area because of all the amenities. Another trend I'm seeing is growing families who already live in the Ballantyne area who are selling their smaller homes and moving up into large ones because they have come to appreciate all that this area offers."
The Escherts named their company after their Golden Retrievers who also play an important role in the Escherts' marketing strategy. But just as important to their success has been the Escherts' dedication to the community, knowledge of the area, and willingness to market Ballantyne. Buying that home in Thornhill before Ballantyne Commons Parkway even existed was a good move.
The Magazine of Ballantyne and The South Perimeter
Spring 2001 Edition
2008 Update
Since this article was published in 2001 our business has continued to grow thanks to our dedication in promoting and marketing the South Charlotte Ballantyne Area. We are constantly updating and adding more information and features to our web site(s) to make them even more helpful for those seeking information about this desirable and growing area.
In 2007 we contracted with Horizon Marketing / Peer 360 to do our Internet marketing and redesign our web site. We also relocated our business, Golden Properties Realty of Metro Charlotte to RE/MAX Select at their newly opened Toringdon office which is located across I-485 from the Ballantyne Resort Hotel.
Today, our network of web sites, GoldenProperties, CharlotteRelocation & BallantyneBreakfastClub receives millions of hits a month.
