Ryan King, who has worked in real estate for more than 22 years, emphasizes the importance of experience. Through challenging transitions, King says his ability to keep up with change has propelled him as a broker.
King leads his team – The Ryan King Team – through Keller Williams Realty in Chattanooga. His team consists of himself, a showing specialist based in Chattanooga and three – “and a half,” he says – admins in the Philippines. King explains that the typical team model has a buyer’s agent instead of a showing specialist.
“The problem with that model is you, the team lead, get lazy,” he says. “You give your buyer’s agent all the buyers and totally remove yourself from the transaction. They don’t remember you anymore.”
As a showing specialist, King says he is involved in every transaction, writing offers, negotiating repairs and handling any problems with a sale.
King also values his virtual model, with multiple team members abroad. He says in-person work isn’t necessary for microtransactions and social media.
“There’s a huge workforce in the Philippines, and they’re hard workers,” he says.
Despite the distance, King says his team operates and communicates smoothly.
If King could give any advice to new Realtors, it would be to communicate. King says of working with other Realtors, especially newer agents:
“Communication from the other side is horrible. Horrible. It’s a struggle. And they’re probably thinking, ‘You old fart, you’ve been doing it for 20 years.’ But that’s given me the experience to know that communication is key.”
The National Association of Realtors found 75% of Realtors fail within their first year and 87% by their fifth year in the industry. King theorizes incoming agents aren’t prepared to market themselves and make the necessary connections to drum up business. When real estate agents start, he says, they have to spend a lot of money on self-marketing but might still struggle to find clientele.
“We make it look fun and glamorous and easy,” he says. “Like, they see I’m out on this glorious day showing this beautiful home with this amazing view. But then I’m headed over to a foreclosed trailer in the middle of the woods.”
King has beaten many statistics. The median Realtor oversees 10 transactions each year, whereas King oversees 60 to 70. Only 22% of Realtors hold broker licenses, and Realtors have an average experience of 10 years. With 22 years of experience and eight years leading a team, King is still younger than the median 55-year-old Realtor.
King entered real estate younger than most. After a lifetime of doctoral aspirations, King majored in chemistry at UTC on the premed track. He worked in various positions at a hospital, took the MCAT and even applied to medical schools.
But King was surrounded by warnings from colleagues: Doctor pay was going to plummet, medical school was miserable and physicians had no free time or control over their schedules. He ultimately decided to leave medicine and find a new path, inspired by a neighbor.
“He was the biggest Realtor in Chattanooga in the ’80s. He drove a nice car and had a nice house and took fun trips. He had the nice clothes, the jewelry, the gold watch.
“And I was like, ‘I want to be that person.’ So, I got my real estate license and jumped in. And that’s what I’ve done ever since.”
Looking back, King says he is grateful he didn’t pursue his medical degree.
“They lose the whole family experience,” he says. “They miss seeing their kids grow. They start making money, but they’re so tied to the hospital that their family is off spending the money and enjoying life while they’re stuck at work.”
King, who was a single father, says the flexibility of real estate allowed him to be present for his son, Keaton, with whom he’s very close.
“The other day we were laughing because I used to drag him to a lot of showings. The car would be running, and he’s in his car seat in the back, asleep or hanging out or playing, and he’s waiting for me to get done showing a house.
“That went on for years. I used to drag him all over – to open houses, showing homes, listing appointments, everything.”
With his son in the Marines, King now starts every day at Starbucks with a grande iced coffee with sugar-free vanilla and oat milk. From there, he opens his 9 a.m. team Zoom meeting and enters the office, where his workday begins.
King spends a fair share of his job working with clients’ problems. He says he faces differing opinions, divorce situations and other challenges.
“You’re a coach slash therapist slash, you know, managing delusions of grandeur.” But as a man who once sought out medicine, King enjoys being able to help and empathize with clients.
An active member of the Chattanooga community, King is on the Hamilton County Zoning Board and has formerly served as the president of the East Ridge Council and the PTA president at his son’s elementary school. He also ran for Chattanooga City Council.
King says politics, education and the environment are important causes, especially in real estate. He adds the upcoming election won’t impact the market but that climate change will – and is – changing the market rapidly.
“I’m not investing in oceanfront properties right now,” he says. “I’m staying in higher elevations.”
King warns that waterfront homes will be underwater in 50 years and that flood zones, which are constantly changing, are crucial to watch.
When King is not working, he is Facetiming his son Keaton, on a yoga mat or playing pickleball – “I’m addicted” – with his partner, Casey. A regular tourist in New Orleans, King also has traveled to Italy and hopes to visit Greece next. But when it comes to moving, King has no plans, saying he loves Chattanooga and all it offers.
King says his life now fulfills his dreams from 20 years ago. In the next several years, he hopes to continue selling real estate – “maybe my son will be out of the Marine Corps and come work with me” – travel more and potentially reenter local politics. His new dream, he says, is to see his son become a productive member of society and have children “because what else is there? That’s your ultimate ‘I’ve made it.’ That’s your legacy – for your offspring to do well.”
King says he doesn’t see himself ever retiring, instead working and contributing to society into old age. “I will probably fall over dead opening a house,” he jokes.
When King enters a room, the room livens. Outgoing and friendly, he says he aims to bring both fun and realness to his interactions.
“I’m nothing really but clumsy. And vocal and blunt and crass, and my mouth can get me into trouble. I have to really monitor that.
“And I really love Jesus, but I love to cuss.
“And I love to have a good time. I love alcohol a little too much sometimes. Last weekend was one of them.
“But we’re just a blip on a screen, and then it’s over. So you might as well enjoy it, you know?”