Sometimes, it takes more than a coat of paint to make the old new again. Coldwell Banker Kinard Realty in Ringgold, Ga., went the extra mile and then some during its recent renovation, when it doubled the size of its existing facility and added handicap accessibility and a parking lot.
To the back end of the decades-old house, Kinard Realty has added a large meeting room and six private offices. The company has also expanded its restroom to allow wheelchair access, revamped the kitchen, and stripped the carpet from the original areas, exposing the home’s aged, but still sturdy, hardwood floors.
Parking for up to 12 vehicles is in the rear. A handicap accessible ramp takes customers from there to the new side entrance, which opens to the meeting room. The meeting room doubles as a hub for the new offices.
The house Kinard Realty calls home has housed a number of real estate firms over the years, including Ringgold Realty, Vaughn Realty, and Armour Realty. The latter became Coldwell Banker Realty, which was renamed when Bob Kinard purchased the franchise from David Armor. Eddie Floyd, manager and broker of Kinard Realty, believes the house was built in either the 1930’s or the 1940’s.
Floyd says the team at Kinard Realty is proud of their refurbished facility, and excited about the opportunity to better serve their community. During 1890’s Day Jamboree in Ringgold in May, the agents and staff held an open house to show off their hard work to the public. The festivities included a drawing for a flat screen TV, free bottled water (which was cold, and appreciated by the thirsty throngs), and small gifts. “A visit from Batman offered an opportunity for guests to take selfies with a superhero, too,” Floyd says, laughing.
Floyd is optimistic about the future of real estate in Ringgold. She’s says people are drawn to the small, historic town for its quick access to Interstate 75, its highly rated schools, and its proximity to Chattanooga, Tenn., and Dalton, Ga. “Housing rates are good, people have jobs, and builders are starting new construction,” Floyd says. “It’s a good time to be the only real estate franchise in town.”
Kinard Realty is just one of over 3,000 Coldwell Banker offices located in 43 countries around the world. In 2015, Kinard Realty contributed to the more than $225 billion in sales Coldwell Banker did in the U.S. alone. Floyd is hoping to deliver even more this year by focusing on customer service and expanding her roster of agents.
“Our success is based on the dedication, aspiration, and commitment of our professional real estate associates and staff,” Floyd says. “In working together to make our office the best it can be, we are dedicated to providing quality service to our customers and clients.”
With regard to adding new agents, Floyd said Coldwell Banker offers all the tools Realtors need in order to become real estate industry leaders. “We provide all the support and training necessary to succeed,” she says. “We’re the perfect combination for success.”
To see more photos, pick up a copy of this week's Hamilton County Herald.