CATHERINE REAGOR

New Scottsdale brokerage draws heavy hitters among luxury home agents

John Vatistas' Launch has added several of metro Phoenix's top luxury residential real estate agents to its broker roster

Catherine Reagor
The Republic | azcentral.com
Scottsdale-based Launch was started by Valley real estate entrepreneur John Vatistas.

A new luxury home brokerage called Launch is drawing some of metro Phoenix’s top real estate agents.

Scottsdale-based Launch, started by Valley real estate entrepreneur John Vatistas earlier this month, has already added well-known Valley agents Sandra Baldwin, Ronnie Gilbert, Robert Joffe, Heather Maclean, David Newcombe and Chris Morrison to its roster.

“While it is common among traditional real estate brokerages to house agents of varying skills sets and experiences, from novice to tenured part-timers, we’ve chosen to take a sniper’s approach in hiring vs. a shotgun approach,” Vatistas said.

He isn’t new to the residential brokerage business. In 2005, Vatistas launched Equitable Real Estate Co. of Scottsdale. In May 2008, he purchased a 50 percent interest in Russ Lyon Realty, and then sold his interest in 2012

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Launch has been the buzz in Valley real estate circles during the past month as it began to attract agents from other brokerages, including Berkshire Hathaway. The new residential group already has 35 real estate agents.

“In creating Launch, I actively sought out agents whom I respect and admire,” Vatistas said. “Pulling this talent under one roof enables Launch to give its clients access to a broad network of industry expertise unrivaled in the marketplace and free of corporate bureaucracy.”

Launch formally launched for business Friday night with a party at the Arizona Country Club.