A Dynamic Brokerage Led by Christie Wallace-Bergen

In the bustling world of real estate, where competition is fierce and individual success is often
prioritized, Salt Marsh Realty stands out as a beacon of camaraderie and community. Under the
the leadership of Managing Broker Christie Wallace-Bergen, this locally owned and operated
brokerage has created a “welcoming and vibrant environment” that nurtures agents and clients
alike. With a team of ten dedicated agents and a commitment to excellence, Salt Marsh Realty is redefining what it means to be a successful brokerage. Agents include Patrick Bergen (Christie’s husband and business partner), Jonathan Haley, Bethany Harris, Katherine Mayville, Malory Batchelor, Nick Witchel, Sharleen Sanchez, Sydney Nishizaki, and Trey Greene.
From Dream to Reality
“Patrick, Jonathan and I worked together at a previous firm,” explains Christie. She was proud
to be the top agent and decided to get her broker’s license. “I was ready to step into more of a
managerial role.” Last year, she decided to go and start Salt Marsh Realty.
Together, they each excel in their own roles. Patrick and Christie run Mint Julep Vacation
Rentals together. “Patrick is our Excel spreadsheet, king of the office,” jokes Christie. He works
with a large national investor to help them secure investment properties.
Jonathan, who is also Christie’s business partner, runs Coastal Management. “We have worked
together for 10 years,” she comments. They built a solid friendship before going into business
together. “Jonathan has a big personality just like me,” she smiles. They used to share
their Savannah Banana tickets together!
Jonathan has added an element of fun to the office, which is important to developing the office
culture. Christie jokes, “Jonathan keeps us laughing in the office. I think that’s missing in a lot of
brokerages.” With brokerages full of independent contractors where everyone is out for
themselves, it can create a competitive environment instead of a collaborative one. That’s
where Christie is changing the culture.
“If someone has a problem, we can bounce ideas off each other,” she explains. “We work
together, talk together about upcoming listings, and we like each other.” Because most
agents in real estate work from home, the office is more of a clubhouse where agents can come and hang out. “We even have a ping pong table and a dartboard. It’s a nice pretty place, but we still have that office feel. People want to be there to get to know their fellow agents.”
Building a Family-Oriented Environment
Salt Marsh Realty has fostered a unique office culture. Christie Wallace-Bergen and her team
prioritize creating a family-like atmosphere where every agent feels supported, encouraged,
and valued. The absence of drama allows for open communication and collaboration, enabling
agents to share ideas, solve problems, and work together harmoniously.
"We don't have any egos. No drama. It's a zero-tolerance for that behavior," explains Christie.
This philosophy has created a safe space where agents can thrive, seek advice, and build lasting relationships. The team's camaraderie extends beyond the office, with quarterly agent outings, happy hours, and social events that strengthen the bonds between colleagues. “We even went on a Savannah for Morons trolley tour,” jokes Christie. All these events support the connection and community among the agents.
Local Focus, Local Impact
Salt Marsh Realty takes great pride in being a locally owned and operated brokerage. Situated
in Savannah, a town that values local businesses and community involvement, Christie and her
team actively participate in local charity events and highlight and promote fellow local business
owners. Their motto, "Buy local, live local, and be local", encapsulates their dedication to the community and their desire to help out-of-towners become true locals.
"We didn't feel that we needed a national brokerage. We wanted to be locally owned and
operated," Christie shares. This approach allows Salt Marsh Realty to develop strong
connections within the community, foster relationships with clients, and contribute to the
growth and prosperity of Savannah.
Excellence in Real Estate Services
Salt Marsh Realty is not just about creating a welcoming environment; it is also committed to
delivering exceptional real estate services to clients.
Christie, who has been licensed since 2012, is passionate about going above and beyond for her clients, providing expert guidance and going the extra mile to ensure their needs are met.
Whether it's recommending vendors, assisting with design choices, or offering market insights,
Salt Marsh Realty's agents are known for their exceptional service and dedication to client
satisfaction.  "We all care about our clients. We go the extra mile. We do what needs to be done," Christie affirms. The brokerage's reputation is built on client referrals and a commitment to delivering outstanding results, no matter the price range or property type.
“We have agents who span several decades, which is nice,” comments Christie. “Some agents
sell to Gen Z looking to buy their first house, all the way to people buying luxury listings. We do
it all.” Agents specialize in different areas, catering to clients from all walks of life.
A Vision for the Future
As Salt Marsh Realty continues to grow, Christie and her team remain focused on maintaining a
midsize brokerage that emphasizes quality over quantity. They aim to bring in a few agents in
different parts of town to expand their reach while preserving the intimate and supportive
environment they have cultivated. "We don't want to get too big. We like staying midsize. We want to be a brokerage that has a similar mindset to us," says Christie. By prioritizing a shared vision and values, Salt Marsh Realty ensures that every agent aligns with the brokerage's commitment to excellence, collaboration, and community.
About Christie
Christie is passionate about real estate, which she developed in her youth. She explains, “My
parents were flippers back in the ‘90s. We always had a project at our house. We would fix
houses and sell them.” It caused her to get a master’s degree in Historical Preservation from
SCAD. When the Great Recession hit in 2009, she went into property management. “That led me to join my friend in real estate,” she says. She used all the skills that she had learned – historic
home building, construction, and flipping – to propel her in real estate.
“I can go into an old house and see what it could be,” she says. She also helps clients, giving
their ideas and seeing the potential of properties. Whether that means helping a client picking
out tile for a bathroom renovation or providing vendor suggestions. Christie excels in serving
her clients. Now she is teaching her agents to do the same. Recruiting and training come
naturally to her at her brokerage.
“Now I find it very fulfilling to help these new agents build a career,” she smiles. “It’s fulfilling
on a deeper level than just selling houses to people.”
When not working, Christie enjoys being the mother of two children and taking time to relax
by playing tennis in the Savannah tennis league. “I also play pickleball and golf, all the country
club sports,” she jokes.
A Lasting Impact
Under the leadership of Christie Wallace-Bergen, Salt Marsh Realty has become synonymous
with a vibrant office culture, exceptional service, and community engagement. With a focus on
fostering camaraderie and eliminating drama, the brokerage stands as a testament to the
power of collaboration and the value of creating a supportive work environment.
As Salt Marsh Realty continues to evolve and make a lasting impact on the real estate landscape of Savannah, Christie's commitment to her agents and clients remains unwavering. With a passionate team by her side, Christie Wallace-Bergen and Salt Marsh Realty are redefining what it means to thrive in the world of real estate, one satisfied client and one successful agent at a time.