BUILDING A VISION FOR YOUR CHARLESTON HOME

Sarah Ellen Lacke is pragmatic, practical and all about people

by CHRISTINA ANDREWS / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Sarah ellen lacke of the exchange co offers her lifelong experience in real estate to clients in their quest for a home. Her good nature, down-to-earth personality and high energy make her not only a great mother but the perfect real estate agent for families and for those who desire a more practical and forthright approach to the home-buying experience.

Knowing Lacke’s background allows one a glimpse into the sources of her real estate expertise and invaluable insight. Lacke grew up with a mother in real estate and was surrounded by the workings of the profession from an early age. She is no stranger to the ups and downs of the selling and buying process. Born in Midland, Texas, Lacke moved numerous times throughout her childhood, following her father’s career in financial services, which took the family to Savannah, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; and Columbia, South Carolina, ultimately landing them in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lacke attributes this experience to her understanding of real estate and being able to relate to her clients’ experiences and their priorities when relocating.

was all-in as an agent and has since worked for Carolina One, Berkshire Hathaway and Smith Spencer, and has now found her place among a great team of agents at The Exchange Co. Lacke has been one of the top-producing Realtors in the Charleston area, specializing in waterfront properties and the communities of James Island, Johns Island, West Ashley, Mount Pleasant and Folly Beach. Over the years, as Lacke worked her way into a full-time real estate career, she has held reciprocal licenses in both North and South Carolina, which is an advantage for clients moving between states.

Lacke describes herself as a go-getter who is focused on providing an exceptional buying and selling experience for her clients. She is an avid student who stays abreast of the latest in the real estate market, has an in-depth knowledge of all things technical related to the properties she represents, and has multiple referral resources, ranging from attorneys, lenders and insurance agents to contractors, decorators and home organization professionals, just to name a few. Most importantly, Lacke has keen negotiating skills. You can count on her to get you the best price, whether you’re a seller or a buyer.

Clients love Lacke’s energetic personality, responsiveness and honesty, as well as her competitive spirit. To the buyer’s advantage, Lacke has a natural talent for interior design and an eye for the potential in a property. Add to that her expert skills in communication. These traits allow Lacke to expertly paint the picture that a buyer needs to envision themselves thriving in the space they will call home.

In 2000, Lacke graduated from Charlotte Country Day School, then went on to attend Clemson University, not quite knowing what the future would hold. Two years later, she transferred to UNC Chapel Hill, where she graduated with a bachelor’s in communications with a focus in media and production. As is often the case, a degree program may be followed by an altogether different career, though typically many skills are transferable. Such was the case for Lacke, who upon graduation secured a North Carolina real estate license, then branched out into a second field in financial services.

Lacke had always dreamed of moving to Charleston, with its lively social scene and charming demeanor, and in 2010 was able to do so after meeting her now husband, Evan. The two were married in 2013 and are the proud parents of daughter Emmons (8) and sons Jennings (6) and baby Cannon (6 months), as well as fur babies Flynn, a great Dane, and Ellie, their golden doodle. Lacke and her family live on Johns Island, where they enjoy the rural ambience but are in close proximity to all the amenities that Johns Island and Charleston have to offer

Lacke says it was her move to Charleston, and truly being out on her own, that helped her gain the focus and discipline needed to become a full-time real estate agent. By 2013, she

Conversely, when selling a property, Lacke finds pragmatic ways to prep the listing for the market, primarily through decluttering, organizing and neutralizing. This practical approach to staging saves her clients money but, more importantly, gives potential buyers a blank canvas on which to overlay their own visions. Lacke feels that the little things matter in preparing a listing and make all of the difference toward achieving a quick and successful sale. She wants her listings to evoke a sense of excitement for buyers as they envision their lives in the house.

Lacke makes a point of getting to know her clients and developing a rapport that will result in a lasting relationship. She understands that her clients have busy lives, made all the more complex by an impending move, and she strives to make both the buying and selling processes as seamless as possible. Lacke’s goal is to become a long-term, trusted advisor to her clients, their friends and their families. Developing these relationships and improving her clients’ quality of life is all part of building a strong community, which is Lacke’s top priority. *