Woman Finds Calling in Real Estate Investing

Written by Thomya Jenkins, Business Editor

July 17, 2011

The Leaf Chronicle - Clarksville, TN

Meli Gerogianis became a license Realtor in 2007 and holds several designations, including accredited buyer representative, short sale and foreclosure resource, certified distressed property expert and e-Pro.  She is working on getting her certified residential specialist credential and is licensed in both Tennessee and Kentucky.

A Realtor with Keller-Williams, Gerogianis said she was attracted to the company for several reasons, including its emphasis on training.  "There is at least one training class every day -- yes -- and it is free and open to all agents, even to agents outside the company if they wish to participate," she said. "I am an education junky so this feature really agrees with me." 

Gerogianis is also part of the Associates’ Leadership Committee as Chairman of the Technology Committee.  The committee represents agents and their concert to management and partners.  “This creates an agent-centric culture an en environment that encourages the development and education of the individual agents,” she said.  “This is the philosophy of the feature.”

During her 17 years in the community, Gerogianis has seen a lot of change, including the exponential growth along Exits 1 and 11, and additional growth at Exits 8 and 11.  She said Fort Campbell has always supplied a steady stream of buyers and sellers - even in the worst markets - which allows the market to retain property values. But she added that the growth of new and expanding industries locally have also contributed to the community's growth, creating opportunities in real estate.

In addition to being a Realtor, Gerogianis also helped start the Clarksville Real Estate Investors Club, which meets 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month at the Keller Williams office on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard.  The club covers a variety of subjects, including rental properties, evaluating properties, purchasing and management, housing rehabilitation, foreclosures, taxes, and other issues.  She said the Club is not just for investors - those interested in buying a personal home are also welcome.

“I enjoy very much what I do and being able to offer my knowledge and expertise in helping others buy or sell a home is what I live for,” she said.