Teresa Tatum Properties in Chattanooga: A Keller Williams Agent Focused on Residential Sales

Teresa Tatum operates as a residential real estate agent under Keller Williams Realty, the national franchise with the largest agent count in the United States. She represents both buyers and sellers in the Chattanooga area and earns commission on transactions rather than a salary, meaning her income depends entirely on completed sales.

How real estate agents in Chattanooga are paid

Most agents, including Tatum, work on commission. When a property sells, the seller's agent and buyer's agent each receive a percentage of the sale price, typically split between them at 5 to 6 percent of the total. The seller usually pays both commissions as part of closing costs. If you're buying, your agent costs you nothing directly; if you're selling, the commission comes out of your proceeds. Agents who work for larger brokerages like Keller Williams often pay a desk fee or split a percentage of their earnings with the brokerage in exchange for tools, training, and leads.

Buyer versus listing agent: what each does

A listing agent represents the seller, prices the property, markets it, schedules showings, and negotiates on the seller's behalf. A buyer's agent represents you as the purchaser, helps you search properties, arranges tours, researches neighborhoods and comps, and negotiates the purchase contract. Some agents do both; many specialize. If you're buying in Chattanooga and do not yet have an agent, you can contact a listing agent directly to view a home, but having a buyer's agent protects your interests independently. If you're selling, the listing agent is your primary contact and bears responsibility for marketing and managing the transaction timeline.

How to evaluate a Chattanooga agent

Look for transaction history in neighborhoods where you're interested. Ask how many homes an agent has sold in the past year and their average days on market (lower is generally better if the market supports it). Request references from past clients. Confirm they understand current Chattanooga market conditions—interest rates, inventory levels, and typical price ranges in your target area shift monthly. An agent who can cite specific recent sales comparables in your neighborhood rather than general market talk is more useful. Many agents offer a free consultation before you commit; use it to assess whether they listen to your goals or push their preferred properties.

Keller Williams as a brokerage option in Chattanooga

Keller Williams operates multiple offices in the Chattanooga area and across Hamilton County. The franchise emphasizes agent training and technology platforms like command, its own transaction management tool. Alternatives include Re/Max, Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and independent brokerages. Keller Williams agents tend to have access to a larger support structure and training network; independent brokerages may offer more personalized attention and lower desk fees. The brokerage itself does not directly impact sale price or agent quality as much as the individual agent's track record and local knowledge do. What matters is the specific agent you choose, not the sign on their office door.

What your first conversation with an agent should cover

If you're buying, an agent will ask your budget, timeline, preferred neighborhoods, and must-haves (yard, walkability, school zone, commute). They will explain your pre-approval letter and financing options at a basic level, though most agents are not loan experts and will refer you to a lender for specifics. They'll ask about contingencies (home inspection, appraisal, financing) and how flexible you are on timeline. If you're selling, the agent will tour your home, research recent comparable sales, discuss your asking price, and outline marketing strategy (MLS listing, photographer, open houses, online ads). They will explain the listing agreement, which commits you to work with them for a set period (typically 90 days to 6 months) in exchange for their effort.

Hours and contact

Real estate agents operate by appointment rather than walk-in hours. Tatum and other Keller Williams agents in Chattanooga typically schedule property tours outside traditional office hours to accommodate buyer and seller schedules, including evenings and weekends. Contact an agent directly through Keller Williams' website or via phone to arrange a consultation or schedule viewings. The Keller Williams Chattanooga office location and phone can be found on their website; confirm current hours before visiting an office.

Teresa Tatum's listing as a Keller Williams agent in Chattanooga places her within the largest agent-owned brokerage network in the country, offering both advantage in training and tools and the potential disadvantage of being one agent among thousands. Whether she's the right fit depends on her transaction history in your neighborhood, responsiveness to your timeline, and willingness to represent your interests rather than push quick closings.