Describe your business in one sentence.

John L. Scott Real Estate’s Mercer Island office is dedicated to helping you buy or sell real estate, whether that be on the Island or elsewhere.

Are you an Islander? How did you decide to open a business on Mercer Island?

Yes. I live on the Island and have kids who have gone through the school system and are still in it and have grown up as part of the community. John L. Scott has operated an office on Mercer Island for more than three decades, and many of our broker associates live on and love Mercer Island or have a connection to Mercer Island.

Do you remember the moment or time when you told yourself, “I have to do this”?

I sold real estate for about 14 years as a broker. When I was approached about leading and managing an office, this was where my heart was. The people in this office are hard workers and strong members of the community. We are like a family and are committed to doing the best for our clients. So, I knew then that Mercer Island was where I wanted to lead an office.

What makes your business so unique?

John L. Scott has more than 110 offices with more than 3,000 brokers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California. Our company is also recognized as one of the top 20 residential real estate brands in the nation. At John L. Scott Mercer Island, we have the resources and top technology tools that come with being a part of the John L. Scott family, yet we also possess deeply engrained, hyperlocal knowledge and expertise from more than three decades on Mercer Island, providing a unique benefit to our clients.

What was your experience adapting to the new COVID reality?

We’ve adapted in many ways as a result of COVID-19. First and foremost, we care deeply about our clients, always putting their needs, desires, and safety first. Accordingly, we have adapted our business practices using COVID-19 guidelines and listening to our clients. 

Thankfully, we live in a world with numerous technology advances that have helped along the way, including video, 3D photography to facilitate virtual open houses, video conferencing software, electronic signature solutions, and more. All the work we’ve been doing for the years leading up to this has helped us adapt during this time, including our increased focus on video and development of technology that allows buyers to easily refine search results and instantly receive text notifications of new listings.

We often say innovation comes from questioning the status quo. Have you uncovered new ways of doing business or launched new products/services that you had not thought of before? How did it work out?

As an office and a company, we have been ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation since our company was founded in 1931. One example of this is our website johnlscott.com. We launched our nationally-recognized website in 1995, and we were the first real estate company in the Northwest to put all of the Puget Sound area’s “for sale” homes online. 

We have a top-rated real estate app that can be used even while circling the Island on a boat. We highlight “video everything” on the app and the website.

These are just a few of the items to show our innovation. When people sit down with our agents, they can learn about many more tools they have to use.

If there was a single product, service, or expertise you should be known for, what would you say it is?

We’re known for providing excellent real estate services, whether you’re looking to buy or sell. Our broker associates use the latest technology and time-tested strategies to help buyers and sellers. We also focus strongly on the relationships that we build each day.

Tell us something about your business that would surprise us.

Our office staff and realtors include past Mercer Island school teachers, fire department members, and multi-generational Islanders.

What is your favorite spot on Mercer Island?

I love all the parks on the Island. It is so nice to have so many different parks to get out, walk the dog, hit the lake, or just enjoy spending time with friends.

Since you’ve been in business on Mercer Island, what have you discovered about Islanders and the Mercer Island community in general?

Something I already knew but have learned to appreciate more and more is the close-knit community. On Mercer Island, it’s apparent how much we all look after and care about each other, especially seeing the support for local businesses this year.

When you are not working, what is your favorite pastime?

When not working I love spending time with my family and friends, taking pictures, and watching the Seahawks. I’m looking forward to cheering on the Kracken!

If you had to convince a non-Islander to come discover our town, what would you tell them?

Mercer Island is a small town in a big city. It’s a very active community with people always out and about walking a dog, biking, or playing on the lake. We have a great school district and also a close-knit community with people watching everyone’s back. Yet with all of this Mercer Island has to offer, we are so close to Bellevue, the Eastside, and the fun of Seattle. So our location is priceless, and the Island is just a nice place to be.

Learn more about John L. Scott-Mercer Island at mercerislandoffice.johnlscott.com.