Matt Pridey Sells the Highway 68 Corridor
REALTOR® Matt Pridey of Monterey Coast Realty is bringing the hard work values and warm charm of the Midwest to the Monterey Bay. With a background in professional golf and an upbringing around farms and ranching, Matt specializes in real estate in the Highway 68 Corridor which includes Corral de Tierra, San Benancio, and Toro Park. You can also find him selling stunning Salinas Valley properties, as well as homes in a variety of Monterey Peninsula neighborhoods. "I want [clients] to understand that they can have an amazing experience— and a successful one—with a guy who might wear some jeans and boots and a quarter-zip instead of a suit," Matt says. A local resident and member of the Corral de Tierra.
Matt marked his one year anniversary at Monterey Coast Realty this past summer.
Country Club, Matt and his wife Whitney are raising their four-year-old daughter Harper and two-year-old son Brooks to enjoy all the wholesome fun that the area has to offer. He provides the same extensive knowledge and authenticity for those looking for homes in the area as he does for his own family. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota native is the definition of a good-hearted, all-American family man with the right balance of work, play, and home life. "People really appreciate it when they start to feel that you're a genuine person and you care about the result, not necessarily the money," Matt explains. "The things that were instilled in me from growing up out there— those things morphed into who I am, what matters to me, and how I translate that into business."
Ex-Pro Golfer, Matt shows off his swing at the Corral de Tierra golf course.
Q: How has your experience growing up around farms primed you for selling beautiful ranch-style homes in our area?
A: Having grown up around farms and ranches has groomed me to be both comfortable and confident in representing clients who are pursuing that type of property. I do like to wear my jeans, boots and drive the truck, too. Owning and operating a ranch-style property can be a lot of work, much of which is unanticipated, so I am happy to be able to provide value for clients in the way of education as well. Education in knowing potential hurdles and connecting clients with the right people is just as important as understanding the property itself.
Q: Do you think being raised in the friendly and hardworking Midwest has specifically influenced your skills as a REALTOR®?
A: 100-percent. The Midwest culture instills a hardworking mentality built on a genuine desire to care for those around you, no matter the circumstance. That, a grandfather who was a farmer in Minnesota, and parents in Ministry, and it became engrained in me from a young age.
Q: When did you come to California, and for what?
A: I finished collegiate golf at Grand Canyon University (in Phoenix, Arizona) and started playing professional events in Arizona and California in 2012. I met my wife in September of 2012 and once I came to the Monterey area to play the Monterey Open, I fell in love with the area, and the girl.
Whitney's family ties go way back to cattle ranching in the Valley— [they have] been doing it for 100 years. My family is a little bit different of an operation coming from Midwest farming compared to what it is here, but it all resonated. We have horses out there, and we run cattle. It's such a great culture and I resonate with all the people and things that happen in that community.
Matt with his two children on the Corral d Tierra golf course.
Q: What is your background in professional golf, and how has the transition from pro golf to real estate been?
A: I started playing at the "mini tour," or developmental tour level, out of college in 2012, chasing the dream of playing on the PGA Tour. I spent seven years bouncing from event to event across the country and was never able to quite break through and gain status on the PGA or Korn Ferry Tour. Oddly enough, one of the tournaments I won as a pro was The Monterey Open held at Old Del Monte Golf Course, so [it is] fitting that I set roots down here. That, and my wife was born and raised in Corral De Tierra. The work ethic, mentality, and relationships that I built throughout my time as a pro definitely helped in my transition to real estate. The tools needed to perform at high level on the golf course— dedication, competitive drive, perseverance, winning mentality, preparation, etc.— all resonate with what I believe it takes to be a trusted REALTOR® and create a successful outcome andenvironment for clients.
Q: How is it balancing life as a REALTOR® with two young –and adorable— children, while still keeping time for yourself and interests? (Like golf!)
A: My wife and I have grown to find a good work and life balance. Part of what I like about real estate is the flexibility to "attempt" to plan my schedule, which allows me to make time for my family and the occasional trip to the golf course or charity golf tournament.
Golf has now has become a family thing for us. Brooks is obsessed—he loves it. It's transitioning into a time where we're going to spend more time together. Whitney plays, Harper really likes it, and she's good at it in her own right as a four-year-old. As far as the balancing thing is concerned, Whitney and I do a good job at communicating and prioritizing what we both have going on. She's always been extremely flexible with trying to find the necessities of real estate and the unpredictability of it. If there is a challenge, that would be it, but we've made it work.
Matt with his son Brooks, daughter Harper, and wife Whitney on their family farm.
Q: You are a partner in Twisted Roots Winery, as well. How did you get involved with that?
A: My wife initially came on board to consult for the winery around 2012 and over time it evolved into me helping more on the business side. It has been a fun venture to be a part of.
I just sold a winery in Carmel Valley, and I used a lot of my knowledge from operating Twisted Roots to help me through that process.
(Left) Matt with his wife overlooking Salinas Valley. (Right) Matt tending to his horses on his wife's family ranch.
Q: What is the most special thing about being a REALTOR® in the Highway 68 corridor and beyond?
A: First and foremost, I love the people. My wife grew up in Corral de Tierra so there are clearly ties on that front, but I resonate with the agricultural and rural setting having grown up that way myself. The [Highway] 68 Corridor is home not only to some of the best weather in the county, but the property types also vary quite a bit. You can find everything from a gated track development to ranches running cattle and horses. The versatility found within the area really is remarkable and also what I feel allows me to stand out among the crowd when it comes to my understanding of how to approach different property profiles.
Q: Do you sell in other areas of the Monterey Peninsula?
A: Yes. Right now, I've got a Marina, I've got a Carmel Valley, and a Mid-Valley, so I'm anywhere and everywhere— you name it. Where there's a need, I'm definitely willing to consider going and use my skill set accordingly, and adapt accordingly. I take pride in being able to do that. It doesn't matter if it's a 30-million-dollar house on the coast— I can sell that just the same as I could a thousand-acre ranch in Carmel Valley. It just requires a different focus.
Q: What do you want people know about Monterey Coast Realty?
A: While I am sure that in many ways this holds true already, I hope that Monterey Coast Realty can be known more for the name and the caliber and quality of service you can expect than associating the brand to a specific location. The Monterey Coast Realty name should instill confidence in people that they are being served by the fastest growing, privately owned brokerage on the Monterey Peninsula, equipped with the tools to help anyone produce a positive outcome for their real estate needs, no matter the location. The truth is that Monterey Coast Realty agents operate in markets throughout the state, and the team we have in place from marketing to management prepares us every day to further cater to a successful outcome for our clients, no matter the market. And some of us are more comfortable getting dirty than others.
