At RedKey Realty Leaders, the roots are local, but the reach is global. “That’s one of our mottos,” says CEO Jill Butler, who founded the company in 2012. Last year, RedKey became a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE), cementing its commitment to serve local residents and those coming from across the globe. “Relocation is one of our areas of specialty,” Butler says, “and [joining that network] will only make us stronger.”
Relocation referrals traditionally came by word of mouth or Internet search, but now RedKey agents attend international meetings where they network with some of the world’s finest real estate firms. LeadingRE lists 565 firms in more than 65 countries, and membership is by invitation only.
Another way in which RedKey is uniquely positioned to offer platinum service to clients is the ethnic diversity of its agents and the number of different languages spoken, Butler says. Off the top of her head, she lists Spanish, Russian, French, Hindi, Bulgarian, Romanian and Polish, and says agents and clients are always matched with their mother tongues in mind. “When people are coming from another country, we want them to feel welcome,” she says.
Butler explains that RedKey agents see themselves as ambassadors for St. Louis and are dedicated to showing the city in its best light. “Our town has had a lot of bad press lately, and some people may be apprehensive about coming here,” she says. “But we make it our job to know what makes the city great—where the best communities and schools are, the parks and attractions, and places of worship.” RedKey even offers limousine tours of the city to clients coming in from out of town (in a car typically reserved as a celebration for transporting clients to closings). “They’ve just gotten off a flight, they’re tired and in strange surroundings—what better way to begin a new journey than with a fun hour or two of sightseeing!” Butler says.
Although relocations make up a small percentage of RedKey clients for now, Butler is confident the numbers will rise. “With Washington and Saint Louis universities, and big companies like Monsanto, Boeing and Emerson, the city continues to draw people from other places,” she says. “Already, our relationship with LeadingRE has brought us a lot of new buyers.”
Butler formed the company five years ago with a broad philosophy: to serve the needs of the St. Louis community. Its first 12 months saw a 300 percent growth in sales. RedKey now has 150 agents in two offices (Chesterfield and Frontenac), and is planning to open a third next year. “We are very proud to be independent and to have created our own brand, environment and character,” Butler says. “Our official motto is, ‘love, service and fun’—love our clients, serve our community and have fun. We do it every day.”
RedKey Realty Leaders is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (Leading RE), making it uniquely positioned to meet the needs of clients relocating to the St. Louis area. It has offices in Frontenac and Chesterfield. Pictured on the cover (in front): Stacey Bridson, Jill Butler; (in back) Caitie Wiedner, Jane Spooner and Jill Balaban. For more information, call 314.692.7200.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky | Cover photo by Bill Barrett
