Barry Hamilton likens the town of Signal Mountain to one big neighborhood where children ride their bikes to school, parents cheer on their children at games without becoming overly zealous and families keep their eyes on each others offspring.
“One day, I’ll come home from work and there will be five kids playing in my yard, and the next day, I’ll come home and my kids will be playing in someone else’s yard,” says Hamilton, 43.
There are small communities within the encompassing fold of Signal Mountain, but the sense of being a part of a single, sprawling neighborhood extends from the peak of Signal Mountain Summit Road to the northern end of neighboring Walden, Hamilton adds.
Although Hamilton describes the Signal Mountain community as tightly knit, he adds that it’s also welcoming to newcomers.
One of the latest new arrivals is Keller Williams Greater Downtown Realty, which recently opened a new Signal Mountain office called KW Summit Realty and tapped Hamilton to serve as managing broker.
Hamilton is part of the Hamilton Group, a real estate threesome that includes his brother, Woody Hamilton, and his mother, Bonnie Hamilton.
The team has been associated with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices banner since 2014, when the Warren Buffet brand arrived in Chattanooga. But it has its roots in the real estate business Bonnie started in the 1980s, making the family a decadeslong staple for Signal Mountain’s homebuyers and sellers.
While Barry has only good things to say about his previous affiliations – which include not only Berkshire but also Prudential Realty Center and Crye-Leike – he says the opportunity to collaborate with Keller Williams was too good to pass up.
“We’re retaining our autonomy while gaining access to the technology, training and leadership of the national company,” Hamilton says. “Our partnership with Keller Williams will allow us to continue to be a staple in our community.”
The new partnership came with a fresh set of walls. Since signing on the dotted line, the Hamilton Group has moved to 801 Ridgeway Avenue, where it will continue to serve clients on and off the mountain.
“We’ve always been based in Signal Mountain, but we sell all over the place,” Barry notes.
At their new office, Barry, Woody, and Bonnie will run their team and give other agents in the area the opportunity to partner with Keller Williams without commuting down the mountain.
“This is not going to be a one-team office,” Barry clarifies. “We want to grow our business, but we also want to help other agents grow their businesses.”
Barry also invites agents from other Keller Williams offices to use KW Summit Realty’s computers and conference rooms when in town – with the caveat that renovations are not yet complete.
“Keller Williams wanted a place where agents could hang their hat when they’re on the mountain,” he adds. “So, stop in and take advantage of what we have.”
The Hamilton name resided in Signal Mountain long before Bonnie began selling houses, as the real estate matriarch moved to the town when she was 7 and has remained there ever since.
Although her sons did seek their fortunes elsewhere for a time, they also returned, with Barry arriving first in 2001.
“I was working in outside sales in Mobile, Alabama, after college when mom expressed an interest in me helping her with her business,” says Barry, who was 23 at the time. “I was about to either change jobs or move to another state, but I decided to come home instead.”
Woody, 51, was practicing as a title attorney in Birmingham when he decided to explore a difference side of real estate. He returned in 2012, his brother estimates.
“He came back with his wife and kids, and the rest is history,” Barry says.
Actually, the rest lies ahead of The Hamilton Group, which Barry says is strong as it turns the page to a new chapter.
“We have our challenges, but we also work well together,” Barry laughs. “We treat my clients like their clients and their clients like my clients. When you pick the Hamilton Group, you have three experienced, full-time agents at your disposal.”
While Barry says he’s excited about his team’s partnership with Keller Williams, he’s most looking forward to building on the relationships his family has nurtured over the years in the big neighborhood of Signal Mountain.
“Most of our clients know us from us having lived here and been a part of the community,” Barry explains. “We’re thrilled about growing a new office, but we’re also glad that, in a sense, it’s going to be business as usual.”