In this episode of The Community Table, host Brad Lloyd sits down with Kendra Bell of Crye-Leike Real Estate — a 20-year veteran who started her career in Columbus, Mississippi after being inspired by a regular Friday night dinner guest and never looked back. Kendra breaks down how she handles first-time buyers, seasoned investors, and repeat clients differently, why she picks up the phone instead of relying on feedback forms, and what 15 years of flipping houses has taught her about what sellers actually need to do to get top dollar.0:00 – Welcome to The Community Table0:10 – Meet Kendra Bell with Crye-Leike Real Estate0:36 – How a Friday night dinner guest changed her life1:02 – Getting her license 20 years ago this May1:49 – Moving from Columbus, Mississippi to Memphis2:14 – Selling in two states: Mississippi and Tennessee2:36 – Working with first-time homebuyers: teaching, protecting, and holding hands3:43 – Why first-time home buying can be overwhelming4:03 – Working with investors: finding hidden gems and flipping with purpose5:04 – How investors lift up entire neighborhoods5:35 – Repeat clients and the reward of being chosen again5:57 – Closing on a client's fifth transaction6:50 – Should buyers get pre-approved before seeing homes?7:16 – When Kendra will show a house without a pre-approval8:00 – Sunday afternoon calls and real-world exceptions8:31 – How Community Mortgage fits into the process9:13 – Working with sellers: pricing strategy from day one10:00 – Why sellers have to be realistic in today's market11:20 – Preparing a home to sell: what actually moves the needle13:00 – Neutral colors, curb appeal, and moving-ready presentation16:30 – The value of professional photography19:00 – Staging tips and decluttering before listing22:00 – Getting showings but no offers — what does that mean?25:00 – How Kendra picks up the phone and gets real feedback from agents27:00 – Paint, doors, and windows: cheap upgrades with big returns28:22 – Kitchen renovations: when it's worth it and when it's not29:13 – Adjusting price vs. improving the property31:57 – How long should a listing agreement be?32:16 – Is price always the number one factor?Want to connect with Kendra Bell at Crye-Leike?📞 662-386-9750Ready to get pre-approved? Contact Brad Lloyd at Community Mortgage for more information.Community Mortgage Corporation | NMLS ID 77047 | 142 Timber Creek Dr, Cordova, TN 38018 | (901) 759-4400 |Equal Housing Opportunity

In this episode of The Community Table, host Jason Woods sits down with Eric Fuhrman, General Manager of Crye-Leike Real Estate, one of the largest privately held real estate firms in the US. Eric shares how he went from knowing nobody in Memphis to building a 20-year career, why top producers find opportunity in any market, and what leadership really looks like when you're responsible for 700 agents.

In this episode of The Community Table, host Melanie Nichols sits down with Juanita Hamilton of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) to break down everything first-time homebuyers need to know about down payment assistance in Tennessee. Juanita pulls back the curtain on how the THDA program actually works, who qualifies, and why it's not just for low-income buyers.

In this episode of The Community Table, host Sophie Raines sits down with Max Rubenstein (Maximum Service Group, Keller Williams) to break down his 10-year journey from brand-new agent to top producer in the Memphis market. Max shares what actually worked early on: Open houses, Door knocking, Calling leads, and doing the “dirty work” no one wants to do. Plus the mindset shifts that helped him push through failure and build real momentum.

In this episode of The Community Table, Sophie and Peterson discuss the role of social media in growing their real-estate related businesses, especially how authenticity and consistency drive visibility and client engagement. Peterson shares his journey from healthcare and fitness into real estate, explaining how his early use of social media in fitness helped build confidence in content creation. They talk through practical strategies—like embracing video, being comfortable on camera, balancing personal and business content, and using tools like professional videography—that have translated into business growth (with about one-third of Peterson’s clients coming from Instagram). They also reflect on posting strategies (frequency, timing, calendars), trending sounds and hashtag relevancy, how to interpret social metrics versus business outcomes, authenticity in personal branding, and how to navigate creative motivation and burnout. Sophie and Peterson emphasize that social media is long-term brand work that increases top-of-mind visibility and trust, even if not every post directly generates a lead. Insights from other real-estate pros also highlight that authenticity, variety, and consistency in short-form video are key to engagement and business growth.https://www.communitymtg.com/

In this episode of Community Table, host Jason sits down with top Memphis real estate agents Ashley Tinker and Rachel Goss of Reed Realtors to discuss takeaways from the Vesta Home Show, current home design trends, and their personal journeys in real estate. They emphasize the show’s role in inspiring both potential buyers and homeowners with modern design ideas — like livable floor plans, bold color choices, large kitchens, movie rooms, and strong indoor/outdoor living features — reflecting broader housing trends moving into 2026. Ashley and Rachel also share how they balance real estate with family life, what differentiates their boutique brokerage, and why deep attention to client needs and communication matters. They offer insights into the Memphis market’s challenges — especially affordability and mortgage rate sensitivities — and how they adjust strategies for 2026, including guiding clients to focus on what they need versus what they want. Finally, they talk about building business through referrals, authenticity (especially on social media), and systems that support sustainable growth.https://www.communitymtg.com/

In this episode of The Community Table, host Andy (“the Yankee Closer”) interviews veteran real estate agents Tracie Gaia and Jason Gaia — siblings with decades of experience in the Memphis market. They discuss their backgrounds, how the current housing market compares to past cycles, and strategies for generating business heading into 2026. Key themes include market trends (prices up slightly, sales down modestly), pricing and inventory challenges, buyer and seller behavior, the agent’s role in education and support, and the importance of relationships in real estate transactions. The conversation also dives into personal anecdotes, agents’ real-world experiences, and practical advice for working with buyers, sellers, and lenders throughout the home buying/selling process.https://www.communitymtg.com/

In this episode of the Community Table podcast, Kevin Ruby interviews Amanda Krill, CEO/EVP of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors (MAR), who shares insights on industry changes, the vital role of associations, technology like AI, and the enduring importance of relationships in real estate. https://www.communitymtg.com/

In this episode, Realtor Alton Cryer joins host Jason Woods from Community Mortgage to break down the true market pulse in the Mid-South, explaining why some homeowners are stuck in ultra-low rates while others are forced to move due to life changes. He details which Memphis neighborhoods are growing, how pricing and condition impact days on market, and why sellers must let go of 2021–22 “phantom equity.” Alton shares what first-time buyers need to understand about interest rates, maintenance, and getting a real pre-approval, not just a credit pull. He also opens up about scaling his business through strong systems, a referral-driven model, and white-glove client service, all while protecting his family time and running a nonprofit that mentors youth. Throughout the conversation, Alton emphasizes professionalism, communication, and treating real estate like a true business built on trust and service.https://www.communitymtg.com/

In this episode, co-owners Angie Ware and Sean Blankenship of Coldwell Banker Collins-Maury join host Andy Ofee from Community Mortgage to share how they’ve led their brokerage through a 30–35% market decline while protecting culture, supporting agents, and making tough decisions with integrity. They discuss balancing high expectations with empathy, the importance of surrounding agents with community, and adapting operations across their three offices. The conversation also explores their six-month AI Academy, how technology can boost efficiency and extend careers, their commitment to St. Jude, and why legacy is about impact—not titles.

https://www.communitymtg.com/