When Charter One Realty agent, Judd Tracy moved to the Lowcountry in 2006, he had a brief stint in the mortgage industry before pivoting to real estate in 2009. In the years since, Judd has built up a thriving real estate business — assisting buyers, major investors, and sellers.
Charter One Realty sat down with Judd to learn more about how he got his start, his partnership with the Reed Team, and some of his favorite aspects of life in the Lowcountry.
Charter One Realty: Tell us about your start in the business. How did the first year go?
Judd Tracy: Back in 2009 the local bank that I was a loan officer for closed their doors late September. I knew it was coming so I had gotten my Real Estate license beforehand so I could transition to another profession. Then in October when I made the switch to Real Estate, My wife and I had our first child Emma Kate. So needless to say the first few months were a whirlwind for my family. But here I am 11 years later and I wouldn't have changed any of it. I love being able to meet new people and share my passion for Real Estate in Hilton Head/Bluffton with them.
Charter One Realty: If you weren't working in real estate, is there anything else you could see yourself doing?
Judd Tracy: Wow....that's a tough one. I was in banking for 13 years prior to my Real Estate career. It was always a good steady job but never a "Passion" where I actually enjoyed getting out of bed to go to work. I wake up every day thankful that for the past 11 years for where I live and what I do for a living. I know for sure I couldn't go back to a normal desk job.
Charter One Realty: As a member of the Reed Team, how has your partnership given you an edge in the market?
Judd Tracy: I've been part of Charter One for nearly four years and Part of the Reed Team for three of those years. It's been a pleasure the past three years working with Charlie, Andy, Tom & Carri. We have detailed marketing magazines that we've come up with for the past few years for our Buyers and Sellers. We all learn from each other daily. We have over 100 years of experience between the five of us. We often brainstorm new strategies for marketing our listings as well as new ideas for assisting our buyer clients. It's a nice feeling to know that there are five people working for you instead of just one. Someone is always there to help out any real estate needs you may have.
Charter One Realty: Can you talk about how your personalities complement each other?
Judd Tracy: We all mesh so well together. Our Team has such diverse backgrounds prior to getting into Real Estate. That makes it fun to be able to see different ways to get find one common answer. The Reed Team really has a family atmosphere, whether we hang out for lunch, go to the beach, or play golf. We enjoy each other's company inside and outside of work.
Charter One Realty: Where are you from originally, and how did you come to live in the Lowcountry?
Judd Tracy: I was born outside of Boston and moved to a suburb of Chicago when I was four. I moved to Charlotte when I was Fifteen and have been in the South since 1989. We started coming to Hilton Head and from that point on I knew I wanted to be here. I moved down here full time back in 2006.
Charter One Realty: Please tell us about your neighborhood and your home.
Judd Tracy: I live in a small neighborhood in Bluffton called Victoria Bluff. It's an off plantation neighborhood of about 65 homes. It's completely surrounded by protected wetlands so we're kind of our own little bubble a mile and a half from the bridge.
Charter One Realty: Can you tell us why your community is so special to you?
Judd Tracy: Everyone knows everyone's kids and dogs. It's a big boating community where we all plan to get out on weekends on the local sandbars together with one another. A few months ago about 12 of the dads went camping (and I'm not a camper) on one of the neighbor's land with our sons, and we had an absolute blast fishing, shooting skeet, and hiking. We usually have multiple oyster roasts through the fall and winter seasons as well. It's great to be able to let the kids out and play and know they're safe.
Charter One Realty: How would you describe the vibe in the Lowcountry?
Judd Tracy: The "Slow" Country is definitely how I describe the daily life in Hilton Head/Bluffton. Having come from a small/big City like Charlotte and have a 30-45 minute commute daily to go six miles the change of pace has been everything I've ever looked for. Sure you have some traffic getting over the bridge if there is a wreck or at rush hour but seeing dolphins swim in the river is much better than dealing with tall buildings and shopping centers.
Charter One Realty: What are some of your favorite aspects of life in the Lowcountry?
Judd Tracy: During these tough times (COVID-19) throughout the world we remind our kids daily of how lucky we are to live in a place like this. How people in cities are relegated to apartments the size of their bedrooms. We're able to get outside and ride bikes or get on the boat every day and enjoy the place where millions of people pay to come annually.
Charter One Realty: Do you have a personal motto or mantra that guides you?
Judd Tracy: "Everything happens for a reason". This is based on my faith, and through good times and bad, I find that it always holds true.
Charter One Realty: Please complete the sentence: “Home wouldn’t be home without . . .”
Judd Tracy: My family and the friends I've made through the years. We were lucky enough to just have these "Family Porch pictures" taken by a local photographer Brooke Simons @BrookeSimonsphotography.com and want to thank her for her time and beautiful photos.
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