Steven M.J. Byers

Officer & Designated Broker

A real estate professional his entire career, Steven Byers has earned his clients’ trust by having deep expertise, encyclopedic property knowledge, and exceptional market insights. Never part of a corporate behemoth, Steven values a hands-on, personalized approach with each client. Co-running Argus with a "right way or no way" mindset, his strict efficiency has allowed him to reign in costs, keeping investors profitable and minimizing vacancies. Along the way, Steven has expertly managed hundreds of projects and over $150 million in real estate assets. Steven became a licensed agent in 2007 and has been a broker since 2011. One of his most notable early projects was during the 2008 to 2009 housing market crisis when he personally oversaw the acquisition of 100 homes that he successfully overhauled and managed. Steven continues to acquire and enjoy these projects and those on a smaller scale. Dealing mainly with seasoned investors, he favors one-on-one interactions and creating an exclusive client experience, enabling him to maintain quality client relationships for decades. Originally from Albuquerque, Steven was born and raised in the Southwest. He also lived in Illinois—where he got his first taste of real estate—and Texas before settling in Phoenix in 2003. The Southwest is where Steven thrives professionally and personally. In his free time, Steven enjoys outdoor recreation and traveling with his wife. He also loves hiking, often with his loyal German Shepherd by his side.

John Vandercook

Officer & Agent

With his lifelong exposure to real estate, John Vandercook already possessed a wealth of firsthand knowledge when he became an agent in 2013. Paired with his unwavering perseverance and problem-solving skills, John has significantly minimized operational costs and rental turnover while expertly bringing complex projects to fruition. Today, he manages apartments and single-family home assets with a value just over $10 million. John also serves with utmost integrity, demonstrating through his actions that this quality is as essential to success as any degree of knowledge or expertise.

The son of Argus’s founders, John initially launched his career in the hospitality industry, working at luxury resorts dealing with high-net-worth individuals. After learning how to develop and maintain relationships and honing his talent for decision-making, John felt that returning to his real estate roots was a practical decision for him. He began his career as a leasing agent at Argus and has since specialized in apartment and single-family home management, overseeing 100-plus properties throughout the Valley of The Sun. One of John's notable—and favorite—projects was the acquisition of a distressed 12-unit building occupied by long-term tenants, which he renovated inside and out while keeping every tenant in place.

Today, John's clientele are primarily long-term investors who want hands-free management, are generational-wealth conscious, or are planning for retirement. A Phoenix native, John further benefits his clients with his unique perspective of having been a homeowner, landlord, and tenant in Phoenix. He specializes in all of Maricopa County, but his passion lies in Central Phoenix. John knows The Valley inside-out and appreciates the region's architecture as much as the local market, especially mid-century designs.

Outside of work, John enjoys bicycling, hiking, and golf. He was also a competitive golfer while growing up and still plays the sport.

Paulette A. Pelc

Founder & Associate Broker

Paulette is a native of Illinois and graduated from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) with a B.F.A. degree in French. After a year abroad in Paris, she earned her M.A. degree in Teaching. An unexpected job offer led her to Arizona in 1975 where she taught French and was involved in the Orme School's challenging outdoor survival program.

She acquired, along with her students, a new set of skills that have been invaluable in personal life as well as in business. She later worked for a French real estate broker in Scottsdale, AZ and became a licensed real estate agent and, a few years later, acquired her broker’s license.