Laila Punjani at Crye-Leike Realtors in Chattanooga: Residential Agent Focused on First-Time Buyers and Relocating Professionals

Laila Punjani is a residential real estate agent at Crye-Leike Realtors, a locally rooted firm operating across Chattanooga and surrounding areas, where she handles both buyer and listing representation for clients entering the market or moving to the region.

What Crye-Leike and Punjani's Role Actually Is

Crye-Leike Realtors operates as a full-service brokerage with multiple agents across Hamilton County and surrounding markets. Punjani functions as one agent within that network, meaning she lists properties through the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and represents buyers seeking homes. She does not set rates or commission structure independently; Crye-Leike's standard buyer's agent commission typically runs 2.5 to 3 percent of the sale price (though this is always negotiable and appears in the listing), while listing agent commission mirrors that range. Her role is to guide clients through either selling or buying a home in Chattanooga's residential market, which has seen median home prices rise from the mid-$200,000s in 2021 to the low-to-mid-$300,000s as of 2024.

Services and Pricing Framework

As a buyer's agent, Punjani walks clients through the purchase process: pre-approval consultation, property showings across neighborhoods, offer negotiation, inspections, and closing. As a listing agent, she prices your home (using comparative market analysis), coordinates marketing and photography, schedules showings, and negotiates offers on your behalf. Crye-Leike agents do not charge a flat fee to buyers; commission comes from the seller's proceeds at closing, typically split equally between listing and buyer's agent. If you are selling, your listing cost is the agent commission (usually 5 to 6 percent total, split with the buyer's agent) plus any optional marketing costs beyond standard MLS listing and online syndication. These figures shift annually; confirm current terms directly with Punjani or Crye-Leike's office.

How Punjani Compares to Other Chattanooga Agents

Crye-Leike is one of the longest-established brokerages in Chattanooga, competing with national franchises like RE/MAX and Keller Williams as well as independent agents. Crye-Leike agents tend to have deeper roots in the local market and access to the firm's internal resources and referral network, which matters if you are relocating and need vendor recommendations (inspectors, lenders, contractors). National franchises often offer more consistent processes and marketing templates but may cycle agents more frequently. Independent agents can offer flexibility and personalized attention but lack the back-office support. Punjani's appeal lies in working within an established local firm while representing a client base that includes newcomers to Chattanooga (tech workers relocating to the North Shore, military families near Fort Campbell, and professionals joining Erlanger Health System or the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga).

Who This Works For and Who It Does Not

Punjani suits first-time buyers unfamiliar with Chattanooga's neighborhoods, relocating professionals on a deadline, and sellers who value local market knowledge in a changing price environment. She does not suit clients requiring niche expertise (luxury homes above $1 million, investment portfolios, commercial real estate) where specialists at larger firms may have deeper networks. She also does not work for FSBO (for-sale-by-owner) sellers who want to avoid commission entirely.

What the First Interaction Looks Like

A buyer typically contacts Punjani, discusses budget and neighborhood preferences, and signs a buyer's agent agreement (non-exclusive or exclusive, depending on broker policy). She then schedules showings, pulls comparable sales data, and advises on offer strategy. A seller contacts her for a listing consultation, during which she tours the home, pulls comps, and proposes a listing price; if you agree, you sign a listing agreement and she begins marketing your home. Both processes culminate in a closing handled by a title company, usually at a local title office.

Contact and Hours

Crye-Leike Realtors maintains offices across Chattanooga; Punjani operates during standard business hours with evening and weekend showings available by appointment. Real estate agents typically work outside standard nine-to-five schedules to accommodate client needs. Reach Punjani through Crye-Leike's main office or directly via phone or email to confirm availability and schedule a consultation; these details change and should be verified through current listings or Crye-Leike's website.

Punjani fills a practical role in Chattanooga's residential real estate market, particularly for buyers and sellers who benefit from local expertise without the overhead of larger national franchises or the isolation of independent agents.