In 2016, I picked up our lives in Detroit and moved us to Corona, California. No network, no guaranteed income, 2,200 miles from everything we had ever known. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I also knew why I was doing it: my kids were getting older, and I wanted to give them more opportunity than the city could offer. That was reason enough. And I wasn't starting from nothing. My experiences and work ethic had built a strong foundation to help me start over here.
That foundation starts with my grandfather, Joe Scaggs. He was a big deal in Detroit. In the '70s and '80s, he was the first Black person to own a beer distributorship in the city of Detroit, and he was also an executive at Chrysler. He and my grandmother were one of the first Black families to move to Southfield, a great suburb.
When I was young, I didn’t understand how impactful he was. I just remember the warehouse, the trucks, the suits, a man who was always working and always building. As I got older, people would hear my name and say, "Scaggs? Is your grandfather Joe?" He had left a mark on the community and created opportunities for people at a time when those doors weren't easy to open.
My father had the same work ethic and a never-give-up attitude. When we fell on hard times, he didn’t cower in a corner, he just kept going. My mother started as a secretary in property management back in 1987 and worked her way up to area manager. She always said that even as a little kid I always wanted to help, always wanted to work. I guess it was always in me.
My career started at an automotive plant. In Detroit, you get a plant job, you think you've made it. But then I got laid off. I chose to keep going to school and eventually landed a job at AT&T. Again, I thought I’d made it. Then in 2006 I got into property preservation and management as a side gig. Once I saw the opportunities that existed outside the traditional path, I was hooked. Entrepreneurship opens many doors. What you put into it is what you get out of it.
Real estate became my focus and after the market crashed, I worked with banks on foreclosed homes: managing repairs, coordinating crews, handling everything from cleanouts to lawn care to snow removal, all the way through to the new buyer. By the time I left for California, I had a very successful business. But I was willing to let it all go if it meant giving my kids more opportunities.
In 2016, I got my real estate license and started working in California. From the jump, I was incredibly persistent, reaching as many people as I could, and pushing through the challenges. Slowly I started meeting people, and opportunities started coming one after another.
The Midwest and the West Coast are two totally different worlds. But, I found that my work ethic sets me apart. The basics—answering my phone, treating people right, and doing what I say I will do—seemed like business fundamentals to me. However, I’ve learned how rare they can be, and my clients notice and appreciate it. I owe a lot of that to my family and the values they taught me.
Today, my sons, Jaden and Jordan, are doing great and starting their own lives. The move opened doors for them and has given them more opportunities. Today, Jaden works for Lululemon and Jordan works at the House of Blues. I am also an avid sports fan and enjoy watching games, playing fantasy football, and supporting my teams in person whenever I can. I was raised on the Lions, Pistons, Redwings, and Tigers. I now have room in my heart for the Lakers, Dodgers, Rams, and Warriors.
To me, success is having control of my life. And through real estate, I have been able to do just that. It all goes back to my roots. My family. The city that shaped me. And the countless lessons I learned on this journey.
In real estate, my passion is helping people get quick results and move on to the next chapter as smoothly as possible. My specialty is off-market and investment properties, including inherited homes, divorce situations, properties that need work, and sellers who need to move fast without the hassle of repairs, showings, or a drawn-out process. I always have a buyer ready through my investment team, and these deals typically close in ten days or less. I come to every transaction with the right people already in place, including title, escrow, inspectors, appraisers, and termite, so when the numbers work, everything moves quickly and cleanly. I also handle traditional buying and selling, and I love partnering with other agents to find those win-win outcomes. My goal is to make the process seamless for all parties involved.
I've personally bought six homes, so I understand the stress and emotion that comes with these decisions from both sides of the table. I deliver a level of service I would want for my own family members. I’m a fast problem-solver, highly communicative, and proactive to avoid common pitfalls. Whether it's a fast cash close or a complex traditional transaction, I have the experience, the network, and the work ethic to get it done right!
Sincerely,
Brian Scaggs
