Samantha Frase in Chattanooga: Residential Agent Focused on First-Time Buyers and Investor Properties

Samantha Frase is a residential real estate agent with Realty One Group Experts, a brokerage operating across the Southeast with a local presence in the Chattanooga market. She specializes in working with first-time homebuyers and small-scale investors looking to build rental portfolios in Hamilton County and surrounding areas. Her practice sits in the mid-market segment: she handles properties ranging from $150,000 to $400,000 across established neighborhoods like St. Elmo, Northshore, and Hixson, though she occasionally works outside this range for repeat clients.

What Samantha Frase actually is

Frase works as a buyer's agent and listing agent through Realty One Group Experts, meaning she either represents buyers purchasing property or sellers listing homes for sale. Buyer's agents typically earn commission only when their client closes on a purchase; listing agents earn commission from the home sale price when that home sells. Her background includes work with first-time buyers navigating FHA and conventional loans, and she has handled investor clients purchasing properties as rentals. The brokerage operates on a commission-split model standard across the industry: agents keep a portion of the full commission earned on each transaction, with the remainder going to the brokerage and any sponsoring team.

How buyer's agents and listing agents differ, and why it matters

If you are buying a home, a buyer's agent like Frase works on your side at no cost to you: the seller's agent and listing brokerage pay the buyer's agent's commission from the sale proceeds. If you are selling, a listing agent markets your home, holds open houses, and negotiates with buyers; you pay their commission from your sale price. Frase handles both roles depending on the transaction. The key difference for a Chattanooga seller is that listing agents typically take 5 to 6 percent of the final sale price as total commission, split between the listing side and the buyer's side; a buyer's agent costs you nothing if you are purchasing.

An alternative approach is selling without an agent (FSBO, for "for sale by owner"), which keeps the full sale price but requires you to handle marketing, showings, and negotiation yourself. Most Chattanooga sellers use an agent because the time and expertise required to market a home competitively usually outweighs the commission cost. Frase's strength is in matching first-time buyers with properties and explaining contingencies and loan requirements; for investors, she brings familiarity with the local rental market and cap rates.

Pricing, commissions, and what to expect upfront

Real estate agent services are not metered like hourly consulting. If Frase represents you as a buyer, you pay nothing out of pocket; her commission comes from the buyer's agent split in the sale proceeds, typically 2.5 to 3 percent of the purchase price. If she lists your home, commission is negotiable but typically ranges from 5 to 6 percent total, split between the listing and buyer's sides. On a $250,000 home sale in Chattanooga, total commission might be $12,500 to $15,000; the exact figure depends on local market conditions and the agreement you reach.

There are no upfront fees to work with an agent on the buyer's side. On the listing side, you do not pay until closing. Some agents charge for market analysis or staging consultations; Frase's practice does not impose separate fees for these services as part of standard representation.

How Frase compares to other Chattanooga agents and brokerages

Chattanooga's real estate market includes thousands of agents across major brokerages like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Coldwell Banker, plus independent brokerages. Realty One Group Experts is a smaller, regional brokerage with offices in multiple Southeast states; agents there typically have more autonomy and lower overhead than those at massive national franchises. This generally means lower pressure to hit high transaction volumes and more flexibility in the types of clients an agent takes on.

For first-time buyers, Frase's specialization is relevant: some agents treat all buyers the same, while others focus on investor clients or luxury homes. Frase's track record with FHA loans and new-construction financing is specific to the buyer profile she serves. For sellers, compare her listing volume (how many homes she sells per year), average days-on-market for her listings, and whether she holds open houses regularly. Agents at larger brokerages may have more marketing reach within the franchise; smaller brokerages may offer more personalized attention.

Who Frase suits, and who should look elsewhere

Frase is a fit if you are a first-time buyer navigating loan pre-approval and contingencies, or if you are a small investor purchasing one or two rental properties and want an agent familiar with the Hamilton County market and rental property valuation. She is less suited for luxury-home buyers (properties above $500,000+), where agents specializing in that segment bring deeper networks and marketing reach. She is also not a fit if you prefer a large brokerage with extensive in-house financing or title services; Realty One Group Experts offers agent services, not ancillary services, so you handle lending, title, and inspection coordination through separate vendors.

What the first conversation typically involves

Initial consultations with Frase are free and usually happen by phone or at your home (for sellers) or via video call (for buyers). If you are a buyer, she asks about your budget, timeline, must-haves, and loan status; if you do not have a pre-approval, she discusses lenders and loan types. If you are a seller, she performs a comparable-market analysis (CMA): she pulls sales data from recent comparable homes in your neighborhood and discusses pricing, contingencies, and your timeline. She explains her commission structure, the listing agreement (if selling), and what support she provides.

Hours, how to reach her, and verification

Realty One Group Experts offices in Chattanooga operate during standard business hours; Frase's availability for showings and consultations varies and is typically coordinated by appointment. Contact information and current hours should be confirmed directly with the brokerage or through Realty One Group's Chattanooga office directory, as agent schedules and brokerage hours are subject to change seasonally.

Samantha Frase serves the segment of Chattanooga buyers and sellers who value hands-on attention to financing details and local market knowledge over franchise-wide resources, making her a practical choice for first-time buyers and small-scale investors in the $150,000 to $400,000 range.