Mary Burr Newsome

Mary Burr Newsome, CEO of BNT Realty, began her real estate career in August 2021 and has achieved remarkable success in a short period. She was named Rookie of the Year and has consistently ranked in the top 1% of her company and in the nation, selling over $30 million in real estate. Transitioning from her role as a public school principal, Mary brings a heart of service to her real estate business and a heart for coaching to BNT Realty.

 

Born and raised in Locust, NC, just outside of Charlotte, Mary attended Appalachian State University and earned her master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has received nothing but 5-star reviews on Google and Zillow all while never paying for a lead. She believes in offering her clients a service above the rest because they deserve it.

Mary has a deep commitment to her community in Charlotte and beyond. She hosts several service events throughout each year, including efforts to restore food pantries, support the local foster organization Foster Village Charlotte, and has named “By Grace Alone” her Real Estate Impact Project.  Mary believes that education is the key to breaking cycles of poverty and integrates this passion into her real estate work. For every real estate transaction, she donates 10% of her commission to a village in North San Diego, Dominican Republic, where they are currently building a school to provide free education to all children. 

Marlo Taylor

Marlo Taylor, co-founder of BNT Realty, is a dynamic force in the real estate world with a rich background and a vibrant personality. After earning her bachelor's degree in interpersonal communication from East Carolina University, Marlo spent a decade mastering the mortgage industry. Not only did she excel in handling transactions and managing a large team, she also delved deep into proprietary technology, setting new standards in the field.

Driven by a passion for turning dreams into reality, Marlo made the exciting leap to real estate. Here, she combines her knack for finding forever homes and lucrative investments with her flair for interior design, making every property she touches a masterpiece.

But Marlo's heart doesn't stop at real estate. She's the visionary founder of Beans' Buddies, a heartwarming local non-profit set to launch in 2025, dedicated to making a difference in the community.

At home, Marlo is a loving wife and mother, surrounded by the joy of her family and the warmth of her beloved pets. Her love for animals is only rivaled by her love for deviled eggs, which she considers a delightful culinary indulgence.

Marlo Taylor is not just a real estate expert; she's a community champion, a design enthusiast, and a true lover of life.

Erica Southers

Erica Southers is a former HVAC technician turned real estate agent. Her love of houses is what led her into both careers. She is married with 4 kids and a German Shepherd. Erica is originally from Charlotte but has called Gaston County home since 2021. Her favorite part about the real estate industry is watching people fulfill their dreams while she fulfills hers. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family attending local events and supporting local businesses. Erica believes a home is more than the four walls we store our lives in--it’s also the communities we share our lives with. That’s why she has partnered with Holy Angels in Belmont, NC. The Holy Angels mission is to provide compassionate, dependable care and opportunities for high-quality living to those with intellectual developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions through physical, social, spiritual, educational, vocational and emotional support. Everyone deserves a place to call home!

 

Emily Smith

For over 35 years, I have called Charlotte my home, and I have seen the city change many times over. I grew up in Matthews and graduated from Myers Park High School and UNC Charlotte. Ten years ago when our first child was born, my husband and I lived in Orlando, Florida. We started to ask the question, “Where is home for us?” and realized that we really needed to answer the question, “What makes a house a home?” We decided that Charlotte was home for us because of the life we knew we could build there with the people we loved. Since then, we have settled in Matthews where we are raising our four wonderful children.

 

Buying our first home was both terrifying and exhilarating for me. I was drawn to the entire process with energy and curiosity. I remember that being the first time that I thought about becoming a real estate agent. Fast-forward a few years and a close friend of mine brought this idea back to the surface and said, “Hey…I think you’d be really good at this! Why don’t you get your real estate license?” And the rest is history!

 

What really drives me though is my passion for advocating for others. When I see other people trying to navigate difficult experiences, I become activated towards help and action. Pair this with a hyper-focused attention to detail, and you get a real estate agent who cares deeply about both your experience and your pursuit of turning a house into a home.

 

I believe that we all grow up with ideas about what a home should and could be, and for some, these ideas are clouded with negative memories and emotions. That’s why I have chosen to partner with Turning Point, a non-profit in Union County that provides emergency and lifesaving resources for survivors of various forms of abuse. When I think of what a home should be, I think their vision statement says it best: “All people should have safe and healthy relationships, free from domestic abuse, sexual assault, and child abuse in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.” The core tenets that I believe make a house a home are safety, freedom, love, and joy. I also know that it’s a privilege to have a home with all of these. I want to make an impact in the community that allows people to have access to these privileges, and it’s both humbling and fulfilling to play a role in that journey with my clients.