In taking the reins as president of the Greater Chattanooga Realtors from my friend Robert Backer, I’m both inspired and optimistic. No matter your profession or background, 2021 proved we’re all capable of adapting to change and we’re much stronger when we work together.
All things seem to be pointing in the right direction and I’m confident our market will continue the trend of recovery and homes will remain accessible to the people who are moving to our area from all over the country.
Like the many Realtors who served before me, I held a variety of jobs before choosing the career path of full-time Realtor. During college, I worked in the food and beverage industry, where I honed my people skills. While working as a journeyman carpenter in my late 20s, I learned I really enjoyed building, which led me into general contracting and project management.
Overall, I believe all of those experiences and life lessons led me to where I am today as a Realtor.
Years ago, I had been away from Chattanooga since I had left to attend college and I returned to find it booming. Seeing it blossom was a great feeling. Neighborhoods were thriving, businesses were moving here from around the world and the downtown area had an energy I had never experienced in my youth.
Many people talk about Chattanooga’s renaissance, but I feel we’re far from seeing the height of the city’s rebirth. In my years as a Realtor, I’ve seen many trends and fluctuations affect our market, but I also feel we quickly responded to these changes with the necessary adjustments – not just on behalf of the consumer but from every perspective, including builders, buyers, sellers, lenders, Realtors and the government.
We must remember that we’ll often face a wide variety of disruptors, but eventually, things sort themselves out.
Dr. Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, recently provided a market forecast that included a frenzied market mellowing out and even a slight rise in mortgage rates. In 2022, market forecasters are projecting a 3.7% growth in home sales and a 6.9% increase in home prices in the Greater Chattanooga market, for example.
After 2021 year-end numbers come in, we’ll have a better grasp of what these projected numbers mean for the local housing market. I’m looking forward to seeing the data from this past year to see where we need to focus.
For example, we must continue to look at ways to solve our inventory issues and ensure affordable homes are more accessible to homebuyers that are ready to invest. Homeownership unquestionably leads to numerous positive outcomes that extend beyond the home, such as economic stability, better access to quality education, increased civic and social engagement and better health.
The positive predictions for 2022 point toward a market that should be a bit more stable than 2021. While markets are ever-changing, we hope to see stability return in the areas that support and surround real estate, including home building, labor and supplies.
At Greater Chattanooga Realtors, we’ve been blessed with some of the brightest leaders over the years. I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside many of these men and women on various committees, including Governmental Affairs, Grievance, Community Partnerships and Leadership Development.
Most recently, my service on the board of directors provided me with the encouragement that our membership is home to many good, hard-working Realtors who want to see our market continue to grow and thrive.
They’ve weathered a few tough years and deserve recognition for their hard work. It is because of them that I’m honored to serve in the role of president in 2022.
To homebuyers and sellers within or moving into the Greater Chattanooga area, you can rest assured Realtors will continue to advocate for policies that will help you make the most out of your investment and ensure your property rights are at the forefront of our conversations with elected officials.
I’ve enjoyed reflecting on 2021, but like most of you, I’m ready to see what 2022 holds for all of us. I also feel confident in saying on behalf of every Realtor throughout the Chattanooga area, we love serving our clients and our community. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is a regional organization with more than 2,500 members servicing Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a Multiple Listing Service, which is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 2,700 users.