Sam Bayne is one of metro Atlanta's premier and top-producing agents with 19 years experience and more than $1 billion in sales since 2001. His esteemed reputation in the business has attributed to many record-breaking years in business as area sellers, buyers, and developers appreciate his commitment, honesty, and discreet service. As a Founding Partner of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty, Sam continues to create and maintain relationships with budding referrals and long-standing clients. By way of this Q&A-style interview, it is our absolute pleasure to introduce you to Sam Bayne.
The American Man$ion: Sam, where were you born and raised?
Sam Bayne: Born in New York City and raised in NW New Jersey; Far Hills, NJ to be exact.
TAM: What schools did you attend and what did you major in?
SB: I went to Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA from 1979-1982. I attended Skidmore College from 1982-1986 where I graduated with a BA in Business.
TAM: I'm not trying saying that you are old but I was born in 1979. I just had to say that real quick. Hahaha!
Let's talk about your mother and father. What did they do for a living?
SB: My father was a financial manager for a small firm in New Jersey and mom was a real estate agent.
TAM: When did you begin your career in real estate?
SB: I started my career in 2001 with a company called Jenny Pruitt & Associates. I had a great six year run there and then I went on to become a founding partner of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty in 2007.
2645 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA | 9,000+ Square Feet | 6 Beds, 10 Baths | $4,990,000
TAM: So it would appear that your dear mother was a bit of an inspiration to go into the real estate business.
What has been your biggest success in your real estate career thus far?
SB: That definitely has to be jumping from a local broker to helping start a new brokerage firm with national and international recognition. My client base appreciates the brand recognition and everything that is associated with it. We also have the best agents as a whole in the city of Atlanta!
TAM: What adversities have you faced in life?
SB: In 1989, I got caught in a big avalanche in St. Moritz, Switzerland. I was buried underneath five (5) feet of snow for about two and a half minutes but it felt like a lifetime and I passed out. I thought that was it for me! I was saved by the guide who was with us and he gave me mouth to mouth and woke me back up.
TAM: An avalanche!? Geez! I was not expecting that at all Sam. To God be the glory man!
What adversities have you faced in your real estate career?
SB: The biggest adversity so far in my 19 years was the recession from 2008 to 2010. It was a terrible time to start our company but we persevered and overcame it. Sales were not that good but good enough to stay in business.
TAM: Tell us a bit about your family. I know that you are married with children LOL!
SB: Married to my best friend and partner in crime for 24 years. My wife Katie was a 29-year veteran of the Coca-Cola Company. The reason I moved to Atlanta in the first place was because she was moving back to the corporate office and I couldn’t let her go without me following.
I am also father to two amazing young men. Sam is a junior at Southern Methodist University and Drew is a junior at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. Both of my boys are smart, kind, caring, and great athletes I must say.
Sam with his wife and two sons!
TAM: Yes, you definitely must say that! Who better than you right?
Let me see. If you didn't more or less fall into real estate, what career path would you have chosen?
SB: I would probably have loved to have been a sports agent. That was the path I was trying to follow before real estate but I didn’t have a law degree which is necessary to have these days.
TAM: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment in life-both personally and professionally?
SB: Personally, would definitely be marrying my wife and having two amazing kids. Professionally, I'd say that helping launch the best real estate brokerage firm in Atlanta and assisting my clients in buying their home, which is one of the biggest decisions they have to make in life.
TAM: What did you spend your first real estate commission check on?
SB: I don’t remember but probably groceries for my first child.
TAM: The running theme when I do these features is that the first commission is spent on bills, groceries, pertinent business-related items, etc. I love the priorities!
If you had one day left on earth, what would you do with your time?
SB: Travel to as many countries as possible to see what life is like there.
495 Londonberry Road NW, Atlanta, GA | 4,821 Square Feet | 5 Beds, 7 Baths | $1,649,000
TAM: What are some of the most memorable places that you have traveled to?
SB: Been very fortunate to have traveled to some amazing places. I've been all over India (Nepal, Sri Lanka), all over Asia (China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia), New Zealand. I lived in Australia for four years. I've traveled to other places as well but those are just some of the most memorable.
TAM: They all sound like great places. Two of my dream travel spots are Monaco and Abu Dhabi where I can watch a live Formula One race.
Speaking of cars, do you remember your first car? What was it?
SB: Yes, a white Oldsmobile Skylark-I think it was a ‘75. My dad had driven it and I got it for my freshman year of college. After it broke down in the spring of my freshman year, I bought my first car, a Subaru. I guess it would be the first version of what the Outback is today. Then my next car was a Saab Turbo.
TAM: My favorite movie of all-time is ''The Neverending Story", do you have a favorite movie?
SB: My favorite movies are all comedies: Fletch, Wedding Crashers, 48 Hours, Old School, Trading Places, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers. All these have some of the funniest lines ever in movies. My sons and I love trying to remember them all.
TAM: Man, I am movie buff! My friends are always amazed at how many movies I've seen and can actually remember. I know actor's names and everything; it's a gift that I inherited from my dad. Meanwhile 'Trading Places' is an Eddie Murphy classic-I just watched it on Amazon Prime about a month actually.
What's your biggest pet peeve as a real estate agent?
SB: Agents that don’t tell sellers the truth about their homes value just so they can get the listing. And the unethical agents in our business!
TAM: It's sad that even in this day and age, people are still doing shady business. In the end, it only hurts the entire business community.
TAM: What drives you to be successful?
SB: I love the competition to try and be #1. That always drives me everyday.
TAM: Is there something that you've done and you told yourself that you'd never do it again?
SB: Ride in a helicopter. Heliskiing. Nope...never again!
3655 Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA | 7,401 Square Feet | 4 Beds, 7 Baths | $7,450,000
TAM: This is one of my favorite questions to ask. Looking at your life now, what advice would you give to a 21-year-old Sam Bayne?
SB: Keep trying to focus on doing what you really love to do. You will make a living at it eventually. Something you love to wake up every day and be excited to get to it.
TAM: I like that man. Powerful affirmations!
What are some things that you make you happy in life?
SB: My family, traveling, playing golf and tennis, and sports photography.
TAM: To wrap this up, do you have any final words that you'd like to share with the readers of The American Man$ion?
SB: Follow me @sambayne1 for more information on the luxury real estate market in Atlanta as well as around the world.
TAM: Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with us Sam. I appreciate the candor in all of the personal and professional information that you provided.
SAM BAYNE | Founding Partner
3290 Northside Parkway, Suite 200
(404) 375-8628
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