Life will throw challenges at you. What defines you is whether you see them as setbacks or opportunities. Every obstacle taught me something. Every lesson made me better for the people I serve.
Everything I owned was gone besides my guitar and my computer tower. That's all I had time to grab before the fire burned down the apartment my dad and I were staying in. I was a junior in college with a year and a half left. But losing everything gave me a new perspective. There was nothing holding me back.
Growing up, my mom was honest about the fact that we didn't have much, and I remember the moment in middle school when she explained what rent was and that we had a landlord. Even at that age, I saw how impactful homeownership could be.
Even though I dreamed of getting into real estate, I kept walking the traditional path. My family encouraged me to become a high school teacher and coach, and I even earned a free ride to college. But when the fire happened, I had nothing holding me back. It was now or never. My friends gave me some of their old clothes so I'd have something to wear, I got in my Honda Civic and drove 10 hours from Buffalo to Charlotte.
My uncle was a successful builder there. I figured he would teach me everything. Instead, he pointed me toward the framing crew and told me to start from the bottom. My aunt and uncle opened their home to me while I got on my feet, which meant everything at the time. On the job site these guys were running across narrow beams four stories up like it was nothing. Meanwhile, I was holding on trying not to fall!
While I worked there, I got my real estate license, then my mortgage license, then my insurance license. I read everything I could get my hands on. When I finally got my own place, a kind shop owner gave me a couch and a bed for free, no questions asked. He knew I needed the help. Small moments like that kept me going.
My uncle eventually let me sell the homes he was building, and for the first time I could see where all this hard work was leading me. Then the market crashed. Every deal fell through overnight. I had taken a leap of faith and found myself at one of the lowest points in my life, far from family and friends.
But something in me said I was supposed to be here. So I went out and started meeting people. That led me to hockey, and it changed everything. The friendships I built on the ice became the foundation of my business. I stopped trying to sell and started showing up for people I genuinely liked. That's when it clicked. Real estate done right is not about sales. It is about building relationships with people who know you, like you, and trust you to take care of them.
From there the business grew. I started a property management company, Scarlett Properties, that now manages over 550 units. I also built Scarlett Property Group, brokered by eXp, with a small efficient team that shares my values. I've been honored to be recognized among the top 100 agents in the nation and named in Charlotte Magazine's 30 Under 30. The more I'm blessed, the more I focus on giving it back. I founded a nonprofit, Scarlett Hearts, to support Charlotte nonprofit organizations. Since 2012 we have helped donate over a million dollars.
My wife Kayce and I have three boys, Hudson, Breck, and Rocky. Faith is a big part of our lives and we stay involved in our local church. God has been guiding this journey, leading me in the right direction and teaching me invaluable lessons, like the impact small acts of kindness can make. That putting people before profit is always the right call. And that if you're going to get anywhere in this life, you have to be willing to fail forward and believe in yourself.
In sharing my story, I want you to know that no matter where you are on your homeownership journey, I've been there. I've started over, built up from nothing, and used real estate to better my life and financial stability. Coming from humble beginnings has proven to be an advantage. It all comes down to perspective. Knowing the alternative, I work harder, I push through challenges, and I genuinely care about helping people improve their lives.
When I work with a client, I am truly here to help. I meet you where you are, walk you through every step, answer your questions, protect your best interests, and point out concerns along the way. My goal is to empower you to make the best choices for your future and make this complicated process as stress-free as possible.
My experience across a variety of markets since 2005 has been a significant advantage to my clients. I've navigated just about every kind of challenge you can imagine. And with my background in lending, insurance, and construction, I understand the transaction from all sides, helping to problem-solve, avoid unnecessary delays, and ensure all parties get what they need for a seamless process.
I've built my business almost entirely through relationships, through hockey leagues, nonprofit events, and two decades of showing up for people in this city. If you want someone who knows Charlotte and will truly make this process about you, I’m your agent!
With gratitude,
Kyle Bender