Lowcountry Living & Real Estate asked our advertisers about building a legacy Real Estate Team alongside their children in order to create a stronger real estate environment in the Hilton Head area. Here we highlight how these teams developed and provide a perspective of how they work well together.

Richard & Sanders MacDonald

Richard MacDonald & Associates, Charter One Realty

RICHARD’ S PERSPECTIVE

What was your reaction when your son decided to come work for you?
I was excited for one of my sons to join me in this thriving business to continue sharing what we love about the lowcountry with buyers and sellers. And, having Sanders on board has been helpful for our clients as he interprets my southern drawl!

Do you work well together?
Even being in the business for 43 years, I recognize the importance of the changing climate. Especially, the work-from-anywhere culture that is bringing buyers from around the world to settle into the lowcountry. With Sanders’ fresh eyes and experience working with the Panthers, he teaches me new things every day as much as he is learning from my expertise.

What does a “legacy team” uniquely provide to your clients?
Varying degrees of perspective on what matters to buyers and sellers in different seasons of life. Me, the old man, bringing 40 years of expertise to the table and Sanders, the young man, who was raised here provides a dynamic experience for our clients.

SANDERS’ S PERSPECTIVE

What’s changed in the lowcountry most since growing up here?
While most of the island remains preserved, the development of Bluffton is the most significant change. It has transformed into its own must-visit destination with the charm of Old Town and walkability to the May River. Young families are moving to Bluffton in droves.

What unique skillset do you offer?
Perspective and motivation. Growing up here and then building my career in Charlotte after college, I recognize the intangibles this area has that ultimately drew my family back and makes it appealing for anyone in just about any stage of life.

What was your journey like before coming to work with your father?
I was with the Carolina Panthers for 12 seasons, working most recently as the Ticket Sales Manager, setting 2 consecutive team revenue records in my final seasons. That chapter for me was highlighted in 2016 by attending Super Bowl 50 with my dad in Santa Clara days after my wife, Sami, gave birth to our son!

Nancy Cunningham & Sunny Nolde

Cunningham/Nolde Team Sea Pines Real Estate Beach Club

SUNNY’ S PERSPECTIVE

How has the lowcountry changed since you grew up here?
So much has changed since 1974, however, some of my favorite additions are the abundance of rich and varied arts, cultural, musical, dance, theatrical, educational and culinary experiences to be enjoyed in this beautiful region of the South! When we first moved here it took immense vision and courage as highway 278 was only a two lane road without a single stoplight…huge live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, tall pine trees and lots of woods everywhere. I learned to drive on a path of pine needles. The only public highschool was located near the May River in Bluffton. The elementary school was opening to its first class of students, which included my sister. There was one movie theatre, a grocery store and gift shops and clothing shops, which were opening up near The William Hilton Inn, Harbourtown and Coligny. During my high school years at Sea Pines Academy, our teachers held class in a circle and we called the teachers by their first names. Marine biology class often took place at South Beach, with shrimp nets and spartina grass. I rode my bicycle to my first job at Nelle’s Gift Shop and also selling hot dogs at the concession booth at The Plantation Club. Mom worked in the Heritage Tournament Public Relations Department selling ads for the magazine. I’ve raised my children here and the fourth generation is here too!

What unique skill set do you offer?
I bring many years of professional interior design and furniture sales experience, as well as, management and leadership skills through running a successful Montessori childcare and preschool business, Carolina Day Academy/Cradle-N-All. I held numerous volunteer roles including President of the Coastal Empire chapter of IIDA (International Interior Design Association), president of Hilton Head Dance Theatre and support of other arts, musical, church and school organizations. Growing up here and having lived in Windmill Harbour, Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes and Long Cove, I have a local perspective that helps clients understand the island.

What was your journey like before coming to work with your mother?
While living most of my life in this part of the South I have also lived and/or worked in New York City, London, Washington DC, Savannah, Philadelphia and a few towns in New Jersey. My college years took me to Auburn, Alabama, and Winston-Salem, NC. Yet, this part of the country is extraordinarily beautiful with all of its gorgeous waterways, marshes, rivers, oceans, flora, fauna, and wildlife to explore. I was working for a design/ furnishings business which closed during the pandemic. So mom suggested I go to real estate school. I never thought I would even pass the exam!

Lindsay Bunting & Charlie Wilmot

Sea Pines Real Estate Harbour Town Cottages

What does a mother/son team uniquely provide to your clients?
We bring three generations of local knowledge to our clients. Charlies entire life has been around Sea Pines Real Estate and my clients. As Charlie likes to say, he had 25 years of training before he actually joined me in business. I stand back now and watch and listen to him interact with clients and I love to see how much he has learned and the confidence he exudes.

CHARLIE’ S PERSPECTIVE

What’s changed in the lowcountry most since growing up here?
I was born and raised right here in Sea Pines. The growth and improvements that the owners of Sea Pines (The Goodwin Family) has done has been truly remarkable. From the new Clubhouse at Harbour Town and Plantation Club to the new Beach Club and Quarterdeck, Sea Pines has become one of the most popular vacation spots on the East Coast.

What unique skillset do you bring to the business?
My mom, Lindsay, is in her 41st year having her Real Estate license, while I am in my 3rd year. I bring the young energy, fresh perspective and eagerness to learn from the best. Mom has worked 25 hours/8 days a week for close to 4 decades now and she has me to trust and rely on taking a lot of that work off her hands. Learning and working with her every day is like getting a putting lesson from Tiger Woods, I’m truly learning from the best!

What was your journey like before coming to work with your mother?
I was living in Atlanta for a few years out of college working for the PGA Tour and PGA of America. After a few years of traveling all over the country for multiple tournaments, I realized how much I missed the low country. I called my mom one random day and said “Hey mom I just wanted to let you know I just put my 2 weeks in and signed up for Real Estate School.” She couldn’t believe it at first and was thrilled when she realized I was being serious. Over the years, I have built close relationships with many of Lindsay’s clients. I knew that I could thrive in the Real Estate market and continue to keep and build strong connections to her clients of 40+ years.

Randy Fix & Marisa Wagner

The Randy Fix Team, Charter One Realty

RANDY’ S PERSPECTIVE

What was your reaction when your daughter decided to come work for you?
Very ecstatic though it wasn’t like we didn’t have a plan. Always a treat to watch your children work and very rewarding to participate in their achievements. Marisa was the reason that we moved to the lowcountry in the first place back in 2002. As I entered Real Estate in 2005, I can’t say it was the plan to work together as she had other career aspirations and encouraged her to continue on her path. She joined Gateway Realty at the time as office manager and really bloomed in the Real Estate business enough to get her Broker’s license as well. During the transition to Charter One Realty in 2016, Marisa had the opportunity to work for a local builder which really enhanced her knowledge of the Real Estate Business adding that perspective when working with friends and clients to find the perfect housing option.

What does a father/daughter team uniquely provide to your clients?
Each generation provides a perspective on the business as well as different skill sets. Customer Service came naturally to us, however in different ways. Mine was working in Big Box Retail Management, operating Stores for Sears, Roebuck and Co, later traveling and opening SuperCenters for Wal-Mart Stores. Marisa was in Hospitality and she really has that Customer Service “Gene” working for her. Our days are spent “scouting” the local Market to keep up-to-date on Market trends and opportunities and this is the most exciting part of working together. Our clients benefit from our combined knowledge of the business and from different generational perspectives. The clients can tell that we really enjoy working with each other to help them achieve their dreams.

What does a father/daughter team uniquely provide to your clients?
Each generation provides a perspective on the business as well as different skill sets. Customer Service came naturally to us, however in different ways. Mine was working in Big Box Retail Management, operating Stores for Sears, Roebuck and Co, later traveling and opening SuperCenters for Wal-Mart Stores. Marisa was in Hospitality and she really has that Customer Service “Gene” working for her. Our days are spent “scouting” the local Market to keep up-to-date on Market trends and opportunities and this is the most exciting part of working together. Our clients benefit from our combined knowledge of the business and from different generational perspectives. The clients can tell that we really enjoy working with each other to help them achieve their dreams.

What is something people would find surprising about how you work together?
We do consult with each other on a daily basis. Marisa really makes the final decision on what homes might fit our clients. She has an innate sense to pick up signals from them and determine which client is the decision maker.

MARISA’ S PERSPECTIVE

In your perspective, what’s changed in the lowcountry over the years?
I moved to the lowcountry in 1999 for an internship with Marriott Vacation Club International. I was recruited from Penn State and after graduation never left. So many things have changed, shopping for one. I used to frequent the mall on Hilton Head and even worked one winter season at William Sonoma, that was pretty much what we had, otherwise I would take a trip to Savannah to shop.

What unique skillset do you offer?
My undergraduate degree from Penn State was in Commercial Recreation and that is a very customer service based business and in Real Estate we are all about customer service! My masters is from The University of South Carolina in Education and that definitely helps when showcasing to our clients how much the Lowcountry has to offer and educating them on the different areas in The Lowcountry.

What was your journey like before coming to work with your father?
I worked in Operations with Marriott Vacation Club International but never felt as though that is where I was supposed to be. So, I went back to school to get my Masters as I had always loved working with children and thought teaching was my calling. Teaching didn’t work out exactly as I had planned. In the meantime, Mom and Dad decided to make Bluffton their full time residence and when Dad said he was going to get his Real Estate License, I decided I would too. We didn’t start as a team right away. I decided to utilize my skills in management and education to work at a Real Estate office. I was fortunate to be offered a position as an office manager with Gateway Realty where I spent 11 years learning everything I could about the Real Estate business while Dad started building the business. Gateway Realty went through a transition and I was very fortunate to spend 2 years working with a builder to learn that area of the business. Finally in 2018 I decided it was time to join the team.

In the past, we have worked with other legacy teams such as the Scott Team. Barbara Scott, a long time islander, a real estate legend, and a client of Lowcountry Living & Real Estate, formerly Island Real Estate Magazine, was one of these. She welcomed her son, Thurber Scott, to her team and taught him all she knew. Thurber Scott continues the legacy they built together at Sea Pines Real Estate Harbour Town Cottages.

Another Realtor that Lowcountry Living & Real Estate Magazine worked with for many years was Rick Murray. Today, his son Ritchie follows in his dad’s footsteps continuing the legacy that Rick started.