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Audrey Yates gets things rolling at the “Hot Properties Event.”

Area Realtors and real estate professionals gathered at the City of Sevierville council chambers Thursday for a new and exciting marketing event, “Hot Properties.”

In the past 10 to 15 years real estate marketing has become a very technologically oriented process. Most real estate professionals communicate via e-mail, Internet and social media sites. While most interested buyers search the Internet for properties that would fit their needs and budget, “Hot Properties” was started in Florida as a way to help market properties the old fashion way, face to face. Judy Bell of Fidelity Title Company first heard about the idea and shared it with Audrey Yates of Smoky Mountain Title. This first event was sponsored by Smoky Mountain Title and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Co.

More story and photos after the jump.

There were three segments to the event. As a person who tries not to miss breakfast, I was very impressed with the array of fresh fruit, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, juice and coffee offered. This alone was worth the trip. Attendees spend the first few minutes sharing introductions and hellos. After the social segment things moved rapidly to the real business in the “Listings for Sale” segment. Each real estate broker or affiliate broker introduced one property from their portfolio that they wanted to emphasize as a great purchase. As photos of their property are displayed on the screen each person has 50 seconds to tell why this property is hot. Like the old Gong Show if you exceed your time you’ll get the gong. During the third segment “I Gotta a Buyer”, brokers explain what features a client is looking for in a home or property.  

There were several vendors in the audience who serve the real estate industry. They were welcome but not allowed to take up any of the public time, but I enjoyed meeting some local business people that were new to me. Lisa Romines of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage did tell the group that during a recent corporate training session they were told that the market for 2011 was going to be 35% first time home buyers, which is an interesting idea. Sean Elbissouri from Advanced Internet Services was on hand and will be helping “Hot Properties” with a possible internet presence. I also met Ken Kraemer of Sevier Cleanup, LLC who is happy to help anyone with trash and junk removal. A much needed service for real estate and banking businesses.  

Working as a real estate broker for the past 30 years in Sevier County, I believe this event will become a great marketing tool and a benefit for all buyers and sellers. Maybe as it develops there will be an opportunity to invite the public to witness first hand this marketing process and take advantage of this buying and selling opportunity.

Audrey Yates announced that the next event will be February 17th at the same location. Real estate professionals should mark your calendar and call Audrey to attend.

Bryan Kendrick of ReMax Preferred Properties introduces his “Hot Property”

Realtors and Real Estate Professionals gather to work for their clients.