Our Team
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Claudia Roberts
Listing Specialist Charlotte
The Future of Real Estate
Smart Choice Realty was started by Samara Presley in 2008, just as the real estate market began to decline. While this was the death knell for many real estate firms, it actually was the perfect time for us – because more than ever, sellers were questioning traditional approaches, and starting to look for ways to save money.
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Our History
Our Birth
After years of practicing traditional real estate, we started questioning the traditional approach. And decided two things:
1. Buyers and sellers are – surprise! – consumers who value their hard earned dollars.
2. The real estate industry has to change. Just like every other business in the Internet age.
Not surprisingly, those two things are connected. Because when we asked ourselves what we could do differently, the answer was clear: Have a less expensive business model. And pass our savings on to you.
In the old days, it was hard to list and sell a home. It required advertising in print publications. Holding open houses and hoping someone would drive by. And – without cell phones, email and web sites – a lot more legwork.
Today, thanks to the Internet, things are a lot easier. No more expensive print publications; an agent can upload your listing and it’s instantly available to millions of buyers – who can easily search the MLS themselves. Great for buyers. Cheaper for agents.
Three Years Later
Samara Presley is recognized by Realtor Magazine as top “30 Under 30” agents, which confirms that alternative ways of selling real estate are even being acknowledged by the National Association of Realtors, This recognition propels her to make her first hire and begin to grow Smart Choice.
This recognition propels her to make her first hire and begin to grow Smart Choice.
The Model is Working
Word begins to spread about Smart Choice Realty and how we save Triangle homeowners money. Word of mouth advertising saves us a ton of money in advertising costs. We know that if we deliver excellent service our clients will continue to refer us and Smart Choice will continue to grow.
One year after the first hire…
Production doubles and we’ve sold over 70 Triangle homes. We are now one of the top flat fee firms of the Triangle.
Four years later
Smart Choice has grown to a ten person team with specialists to help buyers and sellers every step of the way. Smart Choice is the premier flat fee, full service firm in the Triangle and has saved home sellers over $3 million in commissions.
Smart Choice begins to offer our services in Charlotte
After finding tremendous success in the Triangle market, Smart Choice branches out to begin delivering our superior services and savings to the Queen City.
Smart Choice lands at 3950 Blue Ridge Road, located in the heart of Raleigh near Crabtree Mall.
We don’t like to brag, but…
15 Best Realtors in Raleigh
Realtor Magazine’s 30 Under 30 Honoree
Named one of NC’s Most Influential Realtors
2017 July Cover of Top Producers Magazine
What People are Saying
Highly recommend Smart Choice! We used them in 2017 when we purchased our first home and it was such a smooth and easy process, they kept us up to speed through the entire process. Fast forward to 2023, we decided to sell our first home and relocate and we reached out to Smart Choice to sell our home! Under contract and over asking price! I wish I could give Samara and the team 10 stars!! Do yourself the favor, don’t work with anyone except Smart Choice!!
Matt Woods
1685046237
My house was sold in 4 days. Samara was responsive to questions and kept me informed. I had inquired with 3 other realtors about the percentage that the realtors would make, and Smart Choice Realty had the lowest percentage. Saved me a lot of money! I would highly recommend.
Nancy Calhoun
1681234140
Samara, Angie, and the rest of the Smart Choice team were amazing! After contacting Samara on a Monday, we were able to have the home on the market by Friday. All the perks of a full commission realtor at a fraction of the cost. Wouldn't use anyone else in the triangle area!
Landon Pope
1679174737
Twelve years ago we used Smart Choice Realty to buy our home in Durham, and couldn't have been more pleased with the process or Samara's patience with us as first-time buyers. Since then, we've moved out of state and rented the property.When we decided to sell, we immediately called Samara. She remembered us and our home without hesitation reinforcing that we made the right choice. With her guidance and help of her team, we sold our house quickly and easily from a different state and time zone. They were always available to answer our questions and offer advice.If we ever buy or sell a house in the Triangle again, we will only use Smart Choice Realty.
Craig Munns
1679005260
I'm so glad I heard about Smart Choice Realty. We saved around $13k in realtor fees by having Samara and her team list our home. She helped with any questions we had along the way and was very helpful in negotiating our offer and repairs.7 months later we’re found a new home and Mark helped us all along the way—he was very patient, helpful, knowledgeable, and had great communication. Excellent realtor!
Christin Fingleton
1674690684
During my time in North Carolina, Smart Choice Realty sold 3 homes for my wife and I. The last sale was the most difficult due to a personal tragedy, but the team of Samara, Mark, and Angie made the entire process much easier to handle with their efforts and I would recommend them to anyone who is looking to sell their home.
Steven Thuerwachter
1670347502
Smart choice saved us thousands of dollars and we were very satisfied with the services they provided.
Holly Finis
1670347321
I'm still in awe of how quickly and effortless it was for me to sell my townhome.........in four days!! Samara and Angie literally handled everything while I went about my business.I knew I was in good hands when on a late Sunday night I requested a Monday morning appt. to meet with Sam. Sure enough she arrived Monday morning. I knew within a minute that I wanted her to sell my townhome. Best decision I've ever made.If you are ready to sell your home, look no further, Smart Choice Realty is your best option.........by far. You'll be glad you did!
Jawn Hawjez
1667751879
Smart Choice Realty was absolutely superb and totally professional in handling the sale of our home! Our house sold in 2 days, as promised, for more than the asking price! I would definitely choose Smart Choice again!! Ray M
Raymond Mason
1666702727
We worked with Samara and her team to sell our home. What a great choice! They are a full service realty firm and we got full service from them at a set discounted listing fee. We saved a lot of money and the sale went through with no problems. I highly recommend them and glad I found them during my realtor search!
Cindy Terry
1666052067
Our Vision
We are the industry disruptors of real estate.
The real estate world has changed and we believe we are at the forefront of that change. We want to revolutionize the way real estate is sold by offering sellers another option that not only delivers thousands in savings, but also top notch service.
We are the Future
Not only are we striving to deliver the best customer experience we can offer, but we are also working to become a great firm that agents can call home. We want a professional team of agents whose core beliefs align with ours. We believe in teamwork, putting the customer first, always doing the right thing and maintaining a positive attitude.