Leann Stitt at Crye-Leike Realtors in Chattanooga: A Specialist in the North Shore and Downtown Markets

Leann Stitt is a residential real estate agent with Crye-Leike Realtors, a regional firm with multiple offices across Tennessee and Georgia, operating in Chattanooga's competitive market where median home prices range from the mid-$300,000s in established neighborhoods to over $500,000 in high-demand areas like North Shore and St. Elmo.

How agents are paid and what to expect from a listing or buyer agent

Real estate agents in Chattanooga, including Stitt, earn commission only when a sale closes, typically split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent, with each taking 2.5 to 3 percent of the final sale price (though this is negotiable). If you are buying, your agent costs you nothing directly; the seller's proceeds cover both commissions. If you are selling, you negotiate the total commission rate with your listing agent before signing a listing agreement. Buyer agents help you search properties, attend showings, make offers, navigate inspections and appraisals, and handle closing logistics. Listing agents market your home, schedule showings, review offers, and coordinate with the buyer's agent and title company. The distinction matters: a buyer's agent represents your interests in negotiation, while a listing agent represents the seller, even if you are both in the room.

How Crye-Leike and Stitt fit into the Chattanooga market

Crye-Leike is one of the larger independent brokerages in the Southeast, with offices in Chattanooga, Nashville, and Georgia. It competes with national franchises like Keller Williams and RE/MAX, which dominate by volume, and with smaller independent agents who may offer lower commissions or specialize in specific neighborhoods. Crye-Leike's scale means access to a shared MLS database, in-house marketing resources, and training systems; smaller independents often provide more hands-on attention but fewer support systems. National franchises like Keller Williams often attract high-volume agents in Chattanooga's fastest-moving segments (North Shore, Southside). Stitt's approach within Crye-Leike positions her as part of an established operation with stability and resources rather than as a solo practitioner.

Who Stitt suits and who it does not

Stitt works well for sellers and buyers who value connection to a structured brokerage and do not need a hyper-specialized agent focused solely on luxury homes or investment properties. Her affiliation with Crye-Leike means you gain access to the firm's administrative support, dispute resolution, and trust account management, which matter if complications arise during escrow. She is suited to first-time homebuyers in Chattanooga who benefit from an agent embedded in a firm with training resources and to move-up buyers trading from one neighborhood to another. She is less optimal if you are buying or selling a $1.5 million+ waterfront property, where luxury market specialists with dedicated high-end networks (often found in smaller boutique firms or at national franchises' luxury divisions) may move faster. Similarly, if you are an active investor buying multiple rental properties annually, an agent who specializes in investment portfolios and has relationships with property managers and lenders will serve you better than a general residential agent.

What the first conversation involves

When you contact Stitt or any listing agent, expect an initial consultation to discuss your timeline, budget (if buying), or current home condition and desired sale price (if selling). For sellers, this typically includes a market analysis of comparable sales in your neighborhood over the past 60 to 90 days, pricing strategy, and marketing plan. Crye-Leike's process usually involves a signed listing agreement that locks in the commission rate and term (often 90 to 180 days) before the home goes on the MLS. For buyers, the first step is discussing pre-approval (or pre-qualification) with a lender so you know your offer power, then reviewing neighborhoods and price ranges that match your needs. Agents in Chattanooga typically show homes within 24 to 48 hours of request; Crye-Leike's online platform lets you track showings and feedback after offers are made.

Hours, phone contact, and next steps

Crye-Leike's main Chattanooga office is located downtown, with agents available for showings by appointment six days a week, typically 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Confirm current hours and Stitt's direct contact with the brokerage, as individual agent schedules vary. Crye-Leike's website lists agents by specialty and neighborhood; you can request Stitt by name or ask the office manager for an introduction. Real estate transactions in Tennessee take 30 to 45 days from offer acceptance to closing, barring inspection or appraisal delays.

Stitt's presence in a brokerage with institutional memory and regional presence matters more in a market like Chattanooga, where neighborhoods shift quickly and agent turnover is high, than it does in a market where a single agent's brand dominates.