Small Town, Big Ambition: This Massachusetts Top Producer is at Home With RE/MAX

Rehoboth, Massachusetts is a historic town east of Providence, Rhode Island. Like much of New England, it’s home to country roads, quiet neighborhoods, and a close-knit community. It’s also home to Elizabeth Ruehrwein, a lifelong Rehoboth resident and a go-to real estate expert for the area.

Ruehrwein spent six years with Keystone Realty Group, a local unaffiliated brokerage, and eventually became the company’s top-producing agent. But when the firm was acquired by Lamacchia Realty, she decided she was ready to take a big step in her career and align with a bigger brand name.

In October 2023, Ruerhwein made the switch to RE/MAX Integrity in Rehoboth. And she hasn’t looked back since.

A background in building

Growing up, Ruehrwein always dreamt of owning a house one day.

“My mom was a single parent who taught by example what a strong work ethic is, but we always rented where we lived,” Ruehrwein recalls. “It wasn’t until later that homeownership became an option for us.”

The door opened in part when Ruehrwein began working at Frito Lay, where she developed sales and marketing skills in her 15-year tenure. The stability of that job positioned her to pursue her first home purchase – a new home under construction. The experience changed everything.

“The builder we worked with became a mentor to me. I learned a lot from him,” she says. “Eventually, I realized I could do it, too. My mother and I teamed up to build several single-family homes in Rehoboth – and our business blossomed. As the real estate market ebbed and flowed, we ended up doing a few renovation projects. All throughout my 20s, I had my hands in the mix of building and renovating [outside of my career].”

In 2017, Ruehrwein decided to dive deeper into the industry by earning her real estate license and joining Keystone Realty Group.

“Initially, I thought I would just sell the homes we had built, but I quickly realized how much I loved the profession. I started learning the business and volunteering to help with any open house I could.”

Since then, she perfected her craft. Ruehrwein has been the No. 1 producing real estate agent in the Rehoboth area for four of the past six years – and she closed more than $22 million in Massachusetts volume in 2022. Through the first 10 months of 2023, she has closed nearly $12.5 million in Massachusetts and $2 million in Rhode Island.

“I moved mountains to get my mom and me into a home [we owned]. The desire to help make homeownership a reality for others continues to drive me today,” she says.

A move to RE/MAX

When Keystone Realty Group converted to another unaffiliated brand earlier this year, Ruehrwein decided to make a strategic change. A connection with Jean Grota, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Integrity in Rehoboth, made the choice easy.

“Jean and I had worked together previously, and I formed an immediate appreciation for her. When the time came to change brands, I knew RE/MAX would be a great fit,” Ruehrwein shares. “What I love most about RE/MAX so far is the recognizable brand, the international connections, and the amazing support from Jean.”

Despite living in a small town, Ruehrwein was eager to leverage the global awareness of the RE/MAX brand. Its widespread visibility elevates her presence on local, national, and global levels – and it can help bolster her referral pipeline.

“I’m looking forward to expanding my network by meeting more RE/MAX agents,” she says.

Ruehrwein also cites compassionate leadership as a leading reason she aligned with RE/MAX Integrity, where Grota is committed to helping growth-minded agents thrive with support and resources.

“I’m only as good as the agents I surround myself with,” Grota says. “Elizabeth is a hard worker who focuses on customer care and communication – and above all else, is kind. She can only help make this brokerage better, and we’re ecstatic to have her.”

Grota continues, “As part of the network, I can reach out to so many other RE/MAX Broker/Owners who are sharing ideas and building each other up. They’re a resource that helps me support my agents and enable them to be as successful as they can be.”

A profession intertwined with community

Having lived in Rehoboth her whole life, Ruehrwein knows everything there is to know about the area. She knows the people well, too – many are her family members, friends, and neighbors.

“I travel throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island for my clients. But the majority of my business comes from right here in the Rehoboth area because I know so many people from growing up here,” she says.

“One of the strongest things about my business is my network of connections and the genuine relationships I form with everyone I work with. I’ll do anything I can to make things easier for my clients. I love my job because every day is an opportunity to make people happy and make a difference in the community.”

Ruehrwein lives on a hobby farm in town with her mother, husband – a member of the military reserves – and two daughters. They care for cats, horses, chickens, ducks, and a bearded dragon. They also have a pet goat, Tommy, who they take on Sunday morning walks to the Honey Dew Donuts drive-through. Tommy ventures to the local soccer fields to cheer on the kids during their games, too.

“Everyone knows Tommy,” Ruehrwein says. “He might be my best – and most unconventional – marketing yet.”

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