An introduction to our valued staff and key people here at Brays, this blog series offers insight into the people that help shape our tight-knit community each and every day.
Paul Burton, Broker-in-Charge of Brays Island Realty, LLC has not only been a Brays owner for 15 years, but has been selling real estate at Brays for the last 19 years. Originally from South Africa, Paul moved to the US at age 28. As a fellow owner, you’re sure to see Paul in and around the property each day, offering property tours, showing homes and homesites, or even teaching someone how to cast a fly. If you’re visiting Brays for the first time, it's a treat to have a tour by Paul whose passion for Brays and love for the outdoors is unmatched.
There’s really nothing Paul can’t or won’t do for this community he loves so much and he will always have an interesting story to tell you if you stop for a chat. Get to know Paul, his role here and his favorite parts of Brays Island.
What are some of the things you do for owners?
I spend nearly seven days a week encouraging folks to visit or welcoming prospective new owners to Brays, and explaining what makes Brays so special. Once they become owners, I spend as much time as possible helping folks learn the ropes ranging from real estate specific matters, to where to catch redfish, to how to throw a cast net, to sharing my favorite ways to honor nature's bounty on the grill!
What is your favorite thing about working at Brays and the community here?
I get to meet many kind, interesting, well-travelled people on a daily basis. It is often said that it is the owners that make Brays so special. It's a great honor and a privilege to share in the responsibility of carrying forth Sumner Pingree's remarkable vision by bringing exceptional people to Brays. People from varied places with varied backgrounds, bound by a common love of the outdoors. These fellow owners are like family. While rarely is any family perfect, and rarely is any place perfect, I truly believe that “Brays Island living” is as close as we get to perfection while we remain here on Earth!
What amenity do you find yourself at the most?
That's a really tough choice - we are so spoiled with options! The fly fishing in our on-site ponds and surrounding waterways is vastly better than I ever imagined. I love the shooting sports at the Gun Club, and finally, diving in our local rivers in search of Megalodon teeth and other incredible fossils is quite addictive. If you ever have a chance to stop by my office, I’ll show you some of the incredible finds I’ve discovered right here in the lowcountry.
What is one fun fact about you that people might not know?
I have to thank former CBS 60 minutes and now Fox Nation host Lara Logan for my degree! She took meticulous lecture notes and very generously shared them with me while I spent most days spearfishing and dodging sharks in the Indian Ocean. My spearfishing proceeds afforded me my first ever plane ticket at the age of 21 - USA bound!