Tanja Hollowell at Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty in Chattanooga: Agent for Buyers and Sellers Across the Metro

Tanja Hollowell is a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty, one of Chattanooga's largest independent brokerages, operating as both a buyer's agent and a listing agent across Hamilton County and surrounding areas. She represents clients in residential transactions ranging from starter homes in North Shore neighborhoods to investment properties and waterfront parcels along the Tennessee River.

What a buyer's or listing agent actually does

Real estate agents in Chattanooga work on commission, typically paid by the seller at closing. A buyer's agent represents the purchaser, negotiates terms, and coordinates inspections and financing logistics at no direct cost to the buyer (the buyer's agent commission comes out of the seller's proceeds). A listing agent markets the property, schedules showings, and fields offers. Some agents do both roles; others specialize. Hollowell handles both buyer representation and listings, meaning she can guide someone through a purchase or prepare a home for sale depending on which side of the transaction a client enters from.

Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty operates multiple offices across Chattanooga and North Georgia, giving agents access to a broader network and shared listing databases than solo practitioners.

How agent commissions and negotiations work in Chattanooga

Standard listing agent commission in Chattanooga ranges from 4.5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the listing agent's brokerage and the buyer's agent's brokerage. On a $300,000 home sale, a 5 percent combined commission equals $15,000 total; the split is negotiable but typically 2.5 percent each. Buyer's agents typically earn their portion whether they represent the buyer in writing or simply bring an unrepresented buyer to a showing, though a formal buyer agency agreement clarifies this and protects both parties.

Commission rates are not fixed by law or the Chattanooga Area Association of Realtors; they are negotiated between the seller and listing agent when a property is listed. Some agents price below the traditional 5 to 6 percent to compete; others maintain higher rates in high-demand neighborhoods. Sellers should discuss and compare rates with multiple agents before listing.

How Chattanooga agents compare: full-service brokerages versus discount and boutique options

Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty is a full-service brokerage, meaning Hollowell has access to broker support, marketing resources, and office infrastructure. This differs from agents at national franchises like Keller Williams or RE/MAX, which operate as agent-owned models where individual agents pay desk fees or splits to the brokerage and retain more of their commission but provide their own marketing. Discount brokerages in the Chattanooga market (such as Zip Realty or certain flat-fee listing services) charge fixed fees of $1,000 to $3,000 upfront regardless of sale price, then list the property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), but provide minimal agent guidance or marketing.

Choose a full-service brokerage like Coldwell Banker Pryor when you want hands-on agent guidance, professional staging advice, and coordinated marketing. Choose a discount service if you are comfortable managing showings and marketing yourself and want to reduce transaction costs on a straightforward sale. Choose a boutique agent if you are selling a luxury or specialized property (riverfront, investment portfolio) and want deep local expertise.

Who Hollowell suits and who it does not

Hollowell works well for first-time buyers in Chattanooga who need an agent to explain contingencies (home inspection, appraisal, financing), navigate the application process at local lenders, and negotiate in a competitive market where multiple offers are common in neighborhoods like St. Elmo, Avondale, or downtown lofts. She suits sellers whose homes need professional staging or marketing guidance. She also suits investors buying rental properties, since Coldwell Banker Pryor agents handle multi-unit and investment transaction paperwork.

Hollowell is not the right fit for buyers shopping exclusively in a narrow price range or microneighborhood if they prefer an agent with hyper-local expertise only in that area; boutique agents sometimes specialize by zone. She may not suit sellers in a rush if they have not decided on a commission rate in advance; the listing process requires discussion and negotiation upfront.

What happens at a first meeting

A buyer typically meets with an agent to discuss budget, financing timeline (pre-approval required), and neighborhoods. The agent pulls comparable sales and shows available listings. A seller meets to review the home, discuss a recommended listing price based on comparable sales in the area, negotiate commission, and plan a listing start date. Most first meetings last 30 to 60 minutes and do not obligate either party.

Hours, contact, and next steps

Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some Saturday availability by appointment. Verify current hours and contact Hollowell directly through Coldwell Banker Pryor's website or phone number to confirm availability. The MLS data Hollowell accesses updates daily, so listings can appear or disappear quickly in the Chattanooga market.

Hollowell's role as a local agent at an established brokerage gives her access to market data and negotiating leverage that matters in Chattanooga's competitive residential market, particularly in high-demand areas where the median home price has climbed above $350,000 in recent years.