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Defining Why with Aaron Fowler- Realty Executives Maryville
Welcome to this month's edition of our Defining Why blog, where we peel back the layers of our top agents and learn more about why drives them. This month, we sat down with Aaron Fowler, team lead of the Fowler Hall Group at REA Maryville.
Various interests and networks in my life created a great opportunity for me to jump into this business. I started to dabble in real estate shortly after graduating college by investing in rental property with a business partner. I ended up working in a role for the county government as a Property Assessor for several years and learned a tremendous amount about market trends and the valuation of real estate in our area. The motivation to get my license came after countless requests from friends to help keep an eye out on real estate opportunities while working in the field as an assessor. Running my own business was something I had ambition and drive to do. The timing and experience created a unique opportunity for me to transition into this business and grow rapidly
My why is most certainly my family and having the freedom to enjoy life. Fortunately I was able to make sacrifices and invest in myself and my business prior to having little ones. My focus has shifted as our family has grown and it makes me grateful for the timing of the opportunities I have had.
A successful person is someone who has sincere humility and recognizes the things that matter. A successful person makes something of themselves through the pursuit of knowledge, hard work, and integrity. Someone who has experienced it is a good listener, they share credit, they remember their roots, they help others acheive goals, they show the janitor the same respect as the CEO. In my eyes, success is truly a mindset. A person who has very little but is grateful is far more successful than a person who has a lot but lacks humility.
I challenge myself to become more efficient with my time in all aspects of my life. In business, I can be a perfectionist to a fault and am in constant competition with myself. The end goal is to provide a top notch service to clients and help those who work alongside me to achieve goals that would not have been possible without working together. It is a constant challenge to create and fine tune processes within our business so that we can operate efficiently and these goals can be met at a higher level.
Find the balance. Ambition and strong work ethic are key attributes for a productive agent. Of course sacrifices are inevitable especially early on. When a bit of good fortune is mixed in, this business can easily consume your mind. However, work/life balance should be at the top of the list of priorities. I would advise any agent with a large work load to let go of some control. There will never be another person you can hire who does it the "exact" way you do. Step out of your comfort zone and teach someone, support them, help them problem solve. Challenges will always be present. Life will become far more enjoyable long term when all of the pressure is not on your shoulders. Getting caught in the rat race and not devoting attention to yourself or your family will cost you time that you will never get back.
Home Sweet Knoxville – Fall Edition
When the air turns crisp and the leaves change – that is when Knoxville truly shines!
Beautiful shades of reds, greens, oranges, and bright golden yellows blanket the trees to signal the changing of the seasons and form a backdrop that is truly breathtaking. One of greatest things about Knoxville is that there is something here for everyone here to enjoy, and fall is certainly no exception!
For locals (and even those who are not) fall is synonymous with some of the greatest words – IT’S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE. It doesn’t take long to realize that Tennessee Football and being a Vol is not just something you do every Saturday in this town, it truly is a way of life. There is nothing better than driving down Neyland Drive on a Saturday taking in the sights of the Vol Navy, the sea of orange covering campus, the smells and tastes of delicious tailgate food, and hearing Rocky Top. Gameday on Rocky Top is something I believe everyone should experience at least once in their life. The passion and experience of it all is second to none. Not a fan of the elements and inside events more your speed? Catching a Tennessee Basketball game inside Thompson Bowling arena is an event that is fun for all ages! The possibilities (and fun) are endless!
Maybe sports aren’t your thing, but live music is. Knoxville has you covered! There are so many great venues to catch a show with up and coming artists all the way to some of the biggest names in music. The Mill and Mine, The Bijou Theatre, Thompson Bowling Arena, and the Historic Tennessee Theatre are some of my favorite places experience a great show. If you are catching a show in downtown Knoxville, I always suggest making an evening of it and grabbing a bite to eat and some drinks beforehand.
When it comes to great places to get food and delicious drinks, Knoxville has hit the jackpot! Almost everywhere you go downtown, you will find a must try spot with a great atmosphere to enjoy the fall. Tupelo Honey, Café 4, and Downtown Grill and Brewery are some of my favorite staples in the area. If you are looking to try out some new spots, Vida, Osteria Stella, and A Dopo are some new faces in town that are making quite the splash. Fall is also the perfect time to enjoy the views from Downtown Knoxville, which can best be seen from one of the rooftop bars. The Radius Rooftop Lounge and Five Thirty Lounge are two of my favorites. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention where to get what is in my opinion the best burger in town – the Abridged Burger at Abridged Beer Company. Abridged is the perfect place to enjoy fall weather and catch up with friends over some great bites. I also recommend the pot roast nachos to share!
Knoxville also prides itself on being a family friendly city! If you are a family that loves to cook together, the Market Square Farmer’s Market every Saturday is the perfect place to pick up some fresh ingredients for all those fall recipes. Love to decorate for fall? Pope’s Creekside Nursery is a great place to bring the kids to pick out pumpkins, mums, and other goodies to spruce up your entryway for the season. You can also find an abundance of Fall Festivals filled with tons of fun activities for all ages throughout the fall months as well. My favorite annual family tradition is to make the short drive to Gatlinburg to view East Tennessee in all of its fall glory. Taking the scenic drive along the Foothills Parkway or exploring Cades Cove are my top must dos to take in all of the beauty and brilliant colors of fall.
With so much to do and see, Knoxville really has it all. Each year millions of people flock to East Tennessee to experience all that the area has to offer – the fun, the food, and the natural beauty that surrounds it all!
There truly is no place I would rather be than enjoying the Fall season in Knoxville, Tennessee!
The tables have turned and now it’s time for you to help your parents move into the next stage of their life. Maybe they’ve realized they want to downsize from their forever house and find a single-level home, or you’ve noticed they need the kind of additional help provided in a retirement community.
Whatever your parents’ situation, the keys to staying calm while navigating this challenging time are careful planning and understanding, with a healthy dose of patience.
This can often be a tension-wrought time for you and the entire family. Plan to have an honest, open discussion with your siblings and parents about what the right next step is. There are many reasons for elderly parents to relocate, from financial to medical. If you’ll be helping relocate both parents, it’s important to consider that they may not agree about what to do next — or they may require different levels of care. Either way, it can be an upsetting conversation if not handled thoughtfully.
Research housing options based on the level of care each person needs, the costs involved, and how it will be paid for. That way, when you bring it up to your parents, you’re ready with some informed answers to help make the discussion and decisions less stressful.
Sometimes these decisions have to be made on a fast timeline, particularly when there’s a medical situation. However, if it’s not an emergency try not to rush your parents into a decision. Let them adjust to the idea of finding a new place to live, then help them see how it will benefit them, whether in terms of finances, safety, being closer to family, and having an easier way of life. The key is helping your parents feel more in charge of the process and less like a burden to you or other family members involved.
If your parents are moving to a new state or city, it’s important to have their healthcare set up right away. Check to see what doctors will be in-network for them or how far the drive will be from their current doctor. Also take into account how far their new place will be from a pharmacy and consider setting up mail-order prescriptions to save time and money.
Once the decision about their next home has been made it’s time to start preparing for the move. Dealing with decades of belongings and family mementos can be overwhelming. Most likely your parents will be downsizing to a smaller home or apartment, or even a room in an assisted care facility. Another possibility is that they are planning to move in with you, which will most likely require downsizing their belongings, not to mention a big shift in your family dynamic. Keep your conversations open and make sure each member of the family has a voice. Involve your parents in the process of organizing their items, asking them what they want to have in their new place, versus what they may want to keep in storage.
If you have a parent experiencing memory loss, consider doing the organizing yourself and be sure to pack items that will immediately be familiar to them, such as important family photos, a favorite armchair, one place setting of a cherished dishware set. Then, have an estate sale or contact a consignment company for anything the family doesn’t want to keep.
When researching movers for your elderly parent, make sure the company is licensed and bonded. Fraudulent moving companies are an increasing issue and the government has recently tried to crack down on the growth of moving company scams. Many of them even appear to have a location on Google maps when you’re researching. This is why finding a licensed and bonded company is crucial. Look at Yelp and Angie’s List for reviews or ask friends and family for recommendations.
The level of moving service you need will depend on the distance of the move and the number of items your loved one will be taking with them for this next phase of life. A traditional moving service might be too costly or stressful when you’re downsizing into a smaller space given their rigid schedules and the risk of damage. A portable moving container offers more flexibility, time, and control over the process
— something that will be highly valued by you and your elderly parent – plus you have the option of hiring professionals to assist with packing and loading.
Remember that traveling is more difficult when you’re older! Plan their trip in ways that will minimize stress, like picking nonstop flights and scheduling for the time of day they’re usually feeling their best. If they’ll need special assistance for mobility, you can arrange for the airport to provide a wheelchair for easy maneuvering. Make sure there’s someone available to drive them to the airport and pick them up when they arrive at their new destination.
This can be an emotional time for elderly parents and for you. Consider having someone from the family travel with them to help with the trip, whether it’s a cross-country flight or a few hours on the road. Then, once you get to their new place, it’s a good idea to have someone stay for a few days to assist with unpacking and getting them settled.
Written by Karin Burkey, CRP, VP of Corporate Services
Do you know the difference between
listing date, effective date, and coming soon date?!
Listing date: the day that the listing agreement is signed by all parties.
Effective date (line 44 on listing agreement): a later date for property to be marketed to public.
Coming Soon date (must use the Pre Marketing Addendum): the listing date is the date signed on the listing agreement by all parties and coming soon date commences on listing date and terminates no later than 14 days later at which time the listing becomes active.
Reach out to your broker if you have any questions!
We are here to serve YOU!
Why Maryville? The better question really is, why not Maryville? No
matter where your travels have taken you, as you leave the Knoxville
McGhee Tyson airport (which is actually conveniently located in Blount
County rather than Knox) and head south towards Maryville, the Great
Smoky Mountains instantly greet you on the horizon as a Welcome
Home sign. A poignant reminder that there is simply no better place to
live.
Maryville has a population of about 30,0000 and is the county seat of
Blount County. It is situated with its sister city, Alcoa, at the foothills
of the Great Smoky Mountains- and is a suburb of Knoxville. Don’t be
fooled by its small size though; at approximately 17 sq miles, this small
town packs a punch and has a “mini big-city” feel.
Maryville is positioned perfectly to access endless possibilities- whether
it be hiking, kayaking, or bicycling in the Smoky Mountains, visiting
nearby Dollywood, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, boating on the many
nearby lakes, or catching some University of Tennessee sports in
Knoxville. However, even though you can easily leave Blount County and
travel 25 minutes in any direction to find great entertainment, it is
certainly not necessary!
The Maryville-Alcoa Greenway connects sister cities Maryville and
Alcoa by providing a 9 mile paved and lighted pathway connecting the
towns’ parks (Pearson Springs, Sandy Springs, Bicentennial, Greenbelt,
and Springbrook) for joggers, cyclists, and walkers. Along the way are
playgrounds, duck ponds, the impressive Blount County library,
fountains, and restaurants.
Eating out in Maryville brings an unexpected surprise. The Walnut
Kitchen, Foothills Milling Company, and The Restaurant at RT Lodge
offer upscale dining experiences with unrivaled menus and intimate
atmospheres. Local favorites include an international flare with Lemon
Grass and Los Amigos and local chains Sullivan’s Downtown and
Aubrey’s. The Bluetick Tavern and the newly opened Blackhorse Pub & Brewery offer a casual atmosphere to have a drink. Don’t overlook the
off the beaten path eateries such as Uncle Lem’s located in a gas
station on the way to the mountains- serving slaw dogs and homemade
cinnamon rolls! Other popular gathering spots include the Vienna
Coffee House and Bruster’s Ice Cream (formerly the iconic Kay’s ice
cream) always bustling summer evenings in the center of town.
If you’re interested in sports, Blount County offers up some of the most
watched small town high school football in the country. The Maryville-
Alcoa rivalry spans 75 years and is one of the most anticipated events
of the year. The two teams have combined 35 state titles and both have
the produced the winningest coaches in high school football. It isn’t just
the game itself though, the spirit week leading up to the game has
become known for highlighting this cross town rivalry.
Education is consistently a priority in Blount County with Maryville City
and Alcoa City being among the highest ranked public schools in the
state. Maryville College is a picturesque private liberal arts college
situated on 60 acres that is the hub of Maryville. Founded in 1819, the
Maryville College Fighting Scots bring a college town element to
Maryville with NCAA III sports, the much anticipated Scottish Highlands
Festival and Games, and concerts, dance and drama at the Clayton
Center for The Performing Arts.
Maryville might not exactly be the place “where everybody knows your
name,” but it certainly is a place that has hometown familiarity, yet at
the same time big ideas, big possibilities, and big opportunity. For every
stage of life: single, young family, empty nester, or retirement age-
Maryville offers something for everyone!
Realty Executives Associates was founded on Novemeber 1, 1977 when R. Vance Burkey brought the first 100% commission model to Knoxville and has since cemented its position as the #1 firm in East Tennessee for four decades. Establishing ourselves as the best residential firm in East Tennessee, we’ve grown to over 1,000 agents, 19 offices, and 55 employees. Luxury real estate, commercial, leasing and residential.
