Partner Spotlight: a paid placement by a neighborhood business, not editorial coverage.
With fourteen homes on the market in one neighborhood, the Lorimers kept a listing off the public system entirely and found a buyer anyway.
When the Lorimers listed a home on McComb Manor Court, fourteen homes were on the market in Ballantyne Country Club.
"That's an unusually high level of inventory for the neighborhood," Steven says.
So they kept it off the Multiple Listing Service, the shared database where agents publish homes for sale, and marketed it instead as a Firm Exclusive, offering it only through their own network of brokers who work the area. They still staged it, photographed it professionally and prepared it as though it were going public. A buyer was secured before more competing homes came on.
It is the kind of call that comes out of a longer habit. For Steven and Marie Lorimer, success in real estate has never been about simply selling homes. It is about guiding families through some of life's biggest transitions with honesty, expertise and a level of personal care that continues long after the closing table.
The husband-and-wife team behind the Lorimer Realtor Team at Howard Hanna Allen Tate has built its reputation by treating every client as if they were making decisions for their own family. That philosophy has served them well in an ever-changing market and remains the foundation of their business today.
"Whether we're representing a seller or a buyer, every recommendation we make is based on one question: what would we do if this were our own home or our own investment?" Steven says. "We want our clients to know they have trusted advisors in their corner who genuinely care about helping them achieve the best possible outcome."
Over the past year, the Ballantyne market has shifted dramatically. Inventory has increased, giving buyers more choices while creating greater competition for sellers. Instead of slowing down, the Lorimers have stayed busier than ever by adapting their strategies.
"The biggest difference today is that buyers have more options and are more selective than ever," Steven says. "Getting a home truly market-ready is no longer optional. It's essential."
That preparation begins long before a home hits the market. Marie's 15 years of experience in new construction, combined with her design background, allows the team to help homeowners focus on the improvements that deliver the greatest return. Whether it is tackling deferred maintenance, recommending cosmetic updates or staging a home to show its best features, the Lorimers work alongside contractors and vendors they have cultivated relationships with over many years.
That approach has paid off in Ballantyne Country Club. One standout success was the sale of a beautifully renovated home on Jockeys Ridge Drive. With limited inventory at the time, the home generated multiple offers and went under contract during its first weekend on the market.
Their creativity extends beyond listings. One of the Lorimers' favorite success stories involved a family relocating from California while expecting their first child.
"We toured every available home in Ballantyne Country Club, but nothing felt like the right fit," Marie recalls. "With a little persistence, some networking and a bit of luck, we uncovered a beautiful off-market home that checked all the boxes."
Watching that family settle into their new home, and gaining new friends, remains one of their most rewarding experiences.
"Real estate is about so much more than buying and selling homes," Marie says. "It's about helping people through some of life's biggest transitions and building relationships that last long after the closing table."
That relationship-first mindset also shapes their lives outside of work. The Lorimers remain active members of Ballantyne Country Club, where their family has created countless memories over the years. Today, those memories continue to evolve as their sons pursue their own passions. Julius, now a high school junior, competes in increasingly competitive state and national golf tournaments, while Olson is preparing to enter high school and continues to enjoy tennis.
Balancing a thriving business with an active family schedule isn't always easy, but working together makes it possible.
"Our boys' schedules have become much more demanding," Marie says. "Between golf, tennis, school and everything else, our calendar stays full. Often one of us stays back to work while the other cheers from the sidelines. We trade off whenever we can, support each other and make it work."
She adds that being a husband-and-wife team gives them the flexibility to be present for the moments that matter most while continuing to provide exceptional service to their clients.
Looking ahead, the Lorimers are excited not only about helping more families navigate Charlotte's evolving real estate market, but also about embracing this season of family life.
"It feels like just yesterday we were teaching our boys to ride bikes," Steven says. "Now Julius is beginning to think about college. As busy as life and business can be, these moments remind us to slow down and appreciate this season. Watching them grow into thoughtful, kind young men has been our greatest accomplishment."
By Content Coordinator Delia McMullen.
This publication is made possible because of our Ballantyne sponsors. When searching for vendors for your home or business, please consider working with these invaluable neighborhood and area establishments.
This partner spotlight appears in the September 2026 issue of Stroll Ballantyne Country Club. Read the full edition here.