Community Highlights: Meet Rebecca Peden of Rebecca Peden Properties

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Peden

Hi Rebecca, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
To say I am always up for a challenge is an understatement. My competitive nature goes back to sports. I ran track and swam most of my life. When I was 17, I was in a devastating car wreck. We were teenagers going too fast down a back road. We weren’t drinking or doing drugs. We were simply speeding. The road dipped and curved. We didn’t. The driver turned the steering wheel to the left to avoid the phone pole. We hit the pole on my side (passenger side). The pole broke in half and landed on my side causing severe head/brain trauma. The car hood was forced through the windshield and into my neck almost decaptiating me. When this happened, my collar bone broke and went into my right lung. My right leg broke in half and went underneath the front seat. A doctor who never took that way home – took that way home. He passed by the car accident shortly after it happened. He got out of the car and told his wife to go home and call 911. He crawled into the back seat and slid the car hood out of my neck and held my jugular vein closed for 2.5 hours while Knoxville Rescue Squad cut me out of the car with the jaws of life. He rode in the ambulance with me and went into surgery with me until I was stabilized. The whole time he was holding my jugular vein. This wasn’t just any doctor happening on the scene. He was the Chief of Pediatric Surgery at UT Hospital. I was put into a medically-induced coma for over 2 weeks so my brain and body could heal. They didn’t know what to expect my condition to be if/when I awoke. Upon awakening, I was told I could no longer run or swim competitively. My vocal cord was severed and the breathing tube caused trauma. I was told I would never speak right again. The damage to my right leg was so severe they considered amputation. The orthopedic surgeon also happened to be the Athletic doctor for my high school. When he heard I was an athlete at Farragut, he said he would do everything he could to not amputate. Thank God he was able to keep his word. He completely rebuilt my right leg. It was shattered. He put the pieces of my leg together like a puzzle around two metal rods that are still in my leg today. I had to learn to walk again. I had to learn to speak again. I had to learn to learn again. I was told I would never walk again without a cane/walker/crutches and certainly not run. Hold my beer.

I went on to work in radio and television in Knoxville. I have a Master’s degree and run half-marathons every year. I do not and will not give up. This genesis and growth of my determination was fostered by my mother whose strength I didn’t really comprehend until I became an adult and truly “saw” her struggle. She was a single mother who worked at a local grocery store. She encouraged me to go back to school despite the consensus I shouldn’t and couldn’t. She found creative ways to continuosly encourage me and show me that this car accident was just another path. Definitely a Robert Frost, Road Less Traveled path! Nonetheless, a new and different path that God put me on. She taught me to master that path and forge new ones. She was an amazing woman of whom I am so very proud.

I moved to Nashville in 1993 to finish my undergraduate at MTSU bc they were known for their music business program. I received my Bachelor of Science in Public Relations with minors in Music Business and Psychology. Upon graduation, I worked on Music Row as publicist and then a record promoter. I have nothing but fond memories of my time in the music industry in both Knoxville and Nashville.

When country music took a downturn in the later 90s, the company for which I worked took a hiatus. That’s when I went back to grad school. I received a Master of Science in Communication writing my thesis on Americana Music and went to work in politics.

I was the Marketing Research Manager for NFIB, a small-business lobby located in Nashville. Politics and the music industry are not so different so it was a logical move. I left NFIB after a couple years to have the family for which I had been praying. Three incredible children and a divorce later, I became a college professor. I absolutely loved it! So much so that I worked at three colleges (Belmont, Columbia State and Calhoun State in AL) to make ends meet. Being an adjunct does not pay the bills which led me to real estate.

I had been told for years I should go into real estate, but my children were young when I got divorced and I certainly couldn’t have them sitting in open houses with me and take them on showings. I held off until my children were old enough and took the leap of faith to enter real estate. And it is a leap. Any entrepreneur can tell you about the fear. The sleepless nights spent wondering how the bills would be paid…but God.

My Savior has been my anchor throughout my entire life. I couldn’t and wouldn’t be here without Him. He has guided my path which eventually led me to real estate. He has given me the strength to survive and thrive in an industry for over 10 years where 75% of agents don’t last the first year and 87% don’t make it to five years. I am so thankful for every client God has placed in my life. My clients become friends. I pray with many of them. I’m helping them through most likely the largest purchase of their lives. It’s a very emotional time. There are many deep conversations. Thank goodness for my Psych minor, eh?

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ll refer you back to 75% of agents don’t survive the first year and 87% the first 5. It is stressful. I work 24/7. My average work day is about 14-16 hours. It is challenging working so many hours and having three very active kids. I had one in Cross Country, one in travel cheer and one in soccer. My Savior and my children are always a priority. Now that all three children have either graduated college or currently attending, I have more time to dedicate to my career. Yes, I’m one of those people who genuinely enjoys her career. This isn’t something new or real-estate specific. When I first started in radio/tv in Knoxville, I would work overnight (12-6) at WIMZ. I would leave that station about 5:45 and run to WMDR, an AM station in Maryville that I would sign on the air @ 6AM and work until 11AM. Depending on the day, I would leave Maryville and drive to Newport where Shop At Home was located. I was an on-air salesperson (see, I’ve been in some form of sales since I was 18!). I would work there from 1-ish until 6-ish (it really just depended). I would drive back to Knoxville, sleep a couple hours and start all over. I relished it! I felt so blessed to be doing what I enjoyed. I also loved I was doing something I was told I would never be able to do. Not only was I able to talk – I spoke professionally. How’s that for a turn?! But God…

All this to say, I don’t see situations as challenging. They are what you make them. I thrive in that environment – always have. Still do. 🙂

As you know, we’re big fans of Rebecca Peden Properties. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I continuously hear from people that they love/admire and are amazed by my work ethic. I’m not just sitting behind a desk 14-16 hour days. I’m researching the markets for my listings so I can accurately price homes. I don’t just slap a price on a home and hope it sells. . I’m creating marketing campaigns targeted to the specific market of the price point and demographics of said area. I work with clients to help them prepare their home for sale. I host open homes every weekend. I am constantly negotiating everything in the offer from contingencies to price to concessions. I’m always working with Buyer Agents to get the deal to the closing table. Keeping strong positive relationships with other agents is paramount to success in the business.

The majority of my work is in Southern Middle TN. However, my terriory goes from the AL state line to the KY state line. I go as far West as Jackson and as far East as Cookeville. Yes, I have sold properties in almost every one of those counties.

Tenacity is another word frequently used to describe me. I have had to overcome some physical limitations early in my life. If it weren’t for that accident, God knows where I’d be. He gave me strength and determination to dig deep and persevere. I truly believe God has me exactly where He wants me.

My work ethic and tenacity are highlighted when working with clients. As a listing agent, that means working with the clients to get maximum value for their homes. I walk them through preparing the home for sale. Staging, showings, offers and the negotiations that lie ahead. When Buyer clients give me a wish list – I go to great lengths to search for and show them their dream property. Once that property is found – that’s where the fun begins! The negotiations are some of my favorite discussions. I taught Argument and Debate at the collegiate level. Having difficult conversations with clients and/or other agents doesn’t bother me. I like having them because this is where the gold is mined. You get to their true why. Understanding this gives me a strength because I know for whom and what I am fighting. I want to see my clients succeed like I want to see a friend succeed. When that happens, we’re friends for life.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am an athlete and that competitive mindset definitely sets me apart from many people not just other agents. I go on 50-mile bike rides on the Natchez Trace and run half-marathons several times a year. It helps me clear my mind and really opens up the creativity. I have some of my best ideas after my morning elliptical sessions!

I love mission/service work. I have been able to serve on many mission trips through my church in Franklin. I’ve been to AZ to serve the reservations. Ohio and Alabama to teach Vacation Bible School (I LOVE teaching music!). I actually taught VBS Music at my church for well over a decade. Right here in Middle TN, I’ve been a part of many reading programs as well as volunteer work once a month for a local Franklin organization.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rebeccapeden.realscout.me
• Instagram: @rebeccapeden_realtor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccapedenproperties/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapedenproperties