Team Starrett is Celebrating 10 Years in Business!

Their real estate journey began in 2012, sparked by what seemed like an ordinary family vacation. While visiting Charleston, South Carolina, they stayed in a beachfront condo booked through VRBO. That experience opened their eyes to the potential of short-term rentals and planted the first seed of what would eventually become a thriving real estate career.

At the time, they were living in Middle Tennessee near Nashville. Although purchasing a property in South Carolina was tempting, the distance felt impractical if they ever needed to be on-site quickly. After careful consideration, they focused on one of the most visited destinations in the country—the Great Smoky Mountains. This decision led them to purchase a rental cabin in Sevierville, Tennessee, an area they quickly fell in love with both personally and professionally.

By 2015, life presented a major turning point. Their youngest son was graduating from college in May, and both were working at a community college in Nashville, where they had spent 11 years building stable careers. With their son’s graduation approaching, they realized it was time for a change. After commencement, they made a bold move—quitting their jobs, putting their home up for sale, and relocating full-time to their cabin in the Smoky Mountains. Many thought the decision was risky, even crazy, but they had a clear plan and a deep belief in their vision.

Their passion for real estate was not new. Marc’s roots in construction ran deep. His father owned a septic installation company, and as a child, Marc often accompanied him to work, walking through new construction sites. In high school, Marc worked for a builder, cleaning newly constructed homes and learning the industry from the ground up. When Marc and Annette met, she frequently joined him on job sites, sharing in the hands-on experience. They built their first home together when Marc was 20 and Annette was just 18, further solidifying real estate and construction as a shared passion.

On Sundays, they could often be found touring open houses simply for fun, proudly calling themselves “open house junkies.” Real estate wasn’t just a career path—it was part of who they were.

After moving into the cabin in June 2015, they committed fully to their future. They enrolled in an online real estate course and spent their days studying from their mountain home. After completing the required 90 hours of coursework, they took and passed the real estate exam in December of that year. In January 2016, they officially launched their professional journey by hanging their licenses with a local broker.

Since then, their accomplishments have been substantial. They have owned and operated two property management companies specializing in short-term rentals and have owned 20 investment properties. Through it all, their true passion has remained the same—real estate and working closely with clients to guide them through both the buying and selling process.

January 2026 marks their 10th year in business, a milestone built on vision, dedication, and a willingness to take bold steps. Here’s to many, many more years ahead.