In this week’s Rentometer Agent Spotlight, we’re featuring an investor-friendly agent who is making a meaningful impact in the Augusta-area market.

Meet Taylor Cartledge of The Cartledge Group — a data-driven real estate agent helping buyers and investors build long-term success across Georgia and South Carolina.

---

Professional Overview

📍 Markets Served: Augusta, GA • Grovetown, GA • Martinez, GA • Evans, GA • Harlem, GA • North Augusta, SC • Aiken, SC

Licensed Real Estate Agent: 3 Years

Annual Sales Volume: $8.9M | 33 Transactions

Known for strong client advocacy and an investor-first mindset, Taylor helps buyers, sellers, and investors navigate today’s housing market with clarity and confidence. From pricing strategy and rental analysis to negotiations and closing, Taylor brings a long-term perspective to every transaction.

We asked Taylor to share more about his journey, client philosophy, and approach to serving today’s market.

---

A Conversation with Taylor

What inspired you to become a real estate agent, and what continues to motivate you today?

“I started out as a real estate investor first. I quickly saw a gap in the market — there weren’t enough agents who truly understood how to serve investors. I decided to step in and fill that need.”

Taylor’s background as an investor continues to shape the way he serves clients today, with roughly 75% of his business coming from investor relationships.

---

When is the best time/age to invest in real estate?

“Can I go back in time? In all seriousness — the earlier, the better. When you factor in rent accumulation, debt paydown, and long-term appreciation, starting early is one of the biggest advantages an investor can have.”

It’s a simple philosophy: time in the market compounds opportunity.

---

What’s the most challenging transaction you’ve worked on, and how did you overcome it?

“One of the most challenging deals involved a luxury four-unit property that a residential appraiser refused to appraise. Under normal circumstances, that would have killed the deal — and caused my client to miss out on significant rental income tied to Masters week.”

Because of the appraisal issue, the closing was delayed and at risk of missing a $62,000 Masters week rental contract already in place. Taylor pivoted to a commercial lender to keep the deal alive and negotiated directly with the seller to split the rental income with his client — even though the property hadn’t officially closed.

In addition, the property was originally listed at $2.4M, and Taylor negotiated the purchase price down to $1.7M.

Despite the setbacks, the deal closed — turning what could have been a failed transaction into a strategic win with immediate income and long-term upside.

---

How important are having investor clients to your business?

“Investor clients are the cornerstone of my business. Roughly three-quarters of my clients are investors, and serving their long-term goals is at the core of everything I do.”

Rather than chasing one-off transactions, Taylor focuses on building repeat relationships and scalable portfolios.

---

What makes your local market unique compared to other parts of the country?

“The Masters golf tournament is a major differentiator for our market. Beyond that, we offer lower entry prices than many other areas, while still supporting long-term, mid-term, and short-term rental strategies. On top of all that, the market continues to appreciate, making it especially attractive for investors.”

For investors seeking flexibility and growth, the Augusta area presents a compelling balance of affordability and upside. The average rent for a three-bedroom single-family home reached $1,445 in 2025 — up 3.6% year over year — according to Rentometer’s 2025 Annual Rent Report, reinforcing the area’s steady demand and growth potential.

---

How does Rentometer support your pricing and market analysis process?

“Being able to send curated rental reports is crucial to the success of my business. Data is everything for investors, and Rentometer allows me to provide it.”

For Taylor, rent data isn’t just helpful — it’s foundational. Whether he’s evaluating a potential acquisition, validating projected returns, or helping clients submit competitive offers, curated rental reports bring clarity and confidence to every decision.

In a market where numbers drive strategy, having reliable rent comps at his fingertips allows him to move quickly while keeping investor goals front and center.

---

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about investing in real estate?

You don’t always need a “home run” deal to be successful. If you focus on stacking consistent “base hits,” you can build a winning portfolio over time.

---

Connect with Taylor

If you’re investing or buying in the Augusta-area markets and want to connect:

📧 Email: taylor@thecartledgegroup.com

📲 Phone: (706) 955-5421‬

Follow Taylor on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• ddss
• Link

---

Price with Confidence. Invest with Clarity.

Whether you’re advising investors or underwriting your next deal, Rentometer delivers instant rent comps and professional reports to support every decision.

Start your free trial and bring trusted data into every deal.