For leading United Country Real Estate brokers, Patrick Gibson and Bradley Arnold, this company represents something more powerful than a brand and more impactful than a program. For them, it’s a foundation for their professional and personal growth. United Country is the basis for their standard of service and marketing reach while aligning with their core values and long-term goals. Their experiences represent a large population of UC real estate professionals whose ability to lead, adapt and learn has helped build this centuries old company into the leader in land sales and most trusted source in lifestyle real estate in the country.
Patrick Gibson – Broker/Owner of United Country | Southern States Realty
“Lou Frances, [former UCRE president] and his wife… took us out to dinner when we were at our first convention. I thought that was really nice. You know, of all the people that were there, we were brand new. I remember he asked me what I thought, and I said, “Well, it’s been a lot to learn, but I’ve been learning from some of the best in the franchise.” And then I said, “We’re going to be the number one office,” and he just kind of laughed. He’s said, “Okay, all right.” So that was in 2002, and we were the number one office in 2008!”
What has been the most valuable part of United Country for you?
“Without a doubt, the most valuable part of United Country has been the ability to list any type of property that I want. United Country has the best listing tools and everything that I need to succeed and then some. I’ve been able to combine the listing tools from United Country, my own experience and my company’s success, and I can list anything. I rarely ever lose a listing because of the combination of those things.”
Do you have any words of wisdom you’d share for anyone starting their career?
“You have to be willing to change. Especially now, more than ever, things are changing so quickly that you have to be willing to change. If you don’t want to learn whatever the new stuff is that you should implement, you need to have someone that will learn it and flesh it out on your behalf, so that you don’t miss out.
I think in this business, you can’t ever lose sight that you’re here to help people. If that’s your motivation, and you really are like that when you’re working with somebody, your attitude and your mindset has to be like, okay, how can I best help this person? I think if that stays in the forefront, the money will follow. The referrals will come because you’re sincere and there are no other objectives. You know, you’re playing an important role for that person at that time and they need you.”
Bradley Arnold: – Broker/Owner of United Country | Southern Lifestyle Properties
“I love everything about the franchise. I love everything about what’s behind me: the core values and the guiding principles are why I believe this company has been successful over 100 years.”
How are core values important to the enduring success of United Country affiliates?
“You have to have core values, you have to have principles, you have to have a rock-solid foundation that you can build your company on, and I feel like ours has been solid from the very beginning. I never knew [former UCRE president] Mr. Roscoe Chamberlain, but I feel like this company was built on true values. That’s been important to me, and I believe that’s one of the reasons why United Country has been able to sustain all this amount of time.”
What are some important factors that United Country excels in?
“The support and the camaraderie between the offices and the support that we get from the home office is unmatched. It’s a technology-driven company that provides a ton of tools, even though it’s a hundred years old. I’ve been amazed at the way that they’ve been able to bend and adapt to the technology curve, not only as it comes to us, but we’re out ahead of it in a lot of cases.”
How do you describe United Country to a potential seller?
“I tell them that we have industry-leading tools. These conversations are easier to have when a seller has what I call a non-traditional property- you know, a specialty property type. Not many companies have the ability to market property by type, and I think that, not only is a value proposition for the seller, but for the property and for us agents as well, trying to uniquely position our properties and our customers to have a chance to succeed.”
Patrick Gibson – Broker/Owner of United Country | Southern States Realty
Patrick Gibson co-founded United Country | Southern States Realty, and, with hard work and dedication, has spent 12 years as the #1 United Country Real Estate office in sales internationally. He specializes in premier hunting and cattle ranches which often require a customized marketing strategy to reach willing buyers. Patrick is an experienced broker who has facilitated complex multi-million-dollar transactions and is an expert at contract negotiation. He has personal experience managing timber and beef cattle on his farm in North Mississippi. The most rewarding parts of his career are the relationships he’s made and the satisfaction from helping clients achieve their goals.
Bradley Arnold: – Broker/Owner of United Country | Southern Lifestyle Properties
Bradley Arnold is a highly motivated real estate professional and entrepreneur who enjoys working with clients, providing dedicated and passionate assistance in buying, selling, and leasing real estate while combining hard work, honesty, and integrity with a commitment to excellence in all endeavors. Bradley has been licensed in real estate since 2001, though he grew up in the business as the son of a real estate broker. He has earned countless awards as a top agent at United Country, as well as holding five national real estate designations: GRI (Graduate Realtors Institute), SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist), SRS (Sellers Representative Specialist), e-PRO (Online Designation), and NAR’s Green Designation.
To learn more about Bradley Arnold, Patrick Gibson and the United Country program as a whole, read the full article detailing the value, innovation and leadership of this 100-year-old company.