The Women’s Council of Realtors Chattanooga found three new members in its stocking during its annual holiday luncheon Dec. 6 at the Walden Club.
Bayli Young Williams and Kaitlynn Creasman of Exit Realty Professional Group in Soddy-Daisy and Teresa Shramko of Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty in Chattanooga joined the local council, which works to advance women as business leaders in real estate and in the local community, following its November meeting.
The agents became members as the organization strives to increase its Realtor membership in the coming year, according to membership director Julie Prescott, an agent with Keller Williams Realty in Chattanooga.
Williams first became a member in 2018 but paused her participation to begin a family. She says she rejoined the council because she found the friendships she formed and networking opportunities that arose from her membership to be invaluable.
“I believe you can never stop learning from others,” Williams says.
Williams became a licensed Realtor in 2017 at the age of 19 because she “wanted more from life than what a college degree could give (her),” she says.
She’s since become the broker of her office and says she’s discovered a passion for passing on her love of real estate to others.
“I make sure I spend time with my agents doing things that ignite their professional and personal growth in and out of the office while making this business fun again.”
When Williams isn’t serving buyers and sellers in residential and land transactions in Tennessee, she coaches and referees youth sports and partners with local animals shelters for charity events.
Williams also spends time with her two daughters and plays with the goats, dogs and other animals on her family’s farm.
Shramko became a freshly minted Realtor in August after serving as a caregiver for three years and realizing she had more to offer others, she says.
“I’ve always had a passion for real estate and love to help people. Becoming a Realtor has given me the flexibility to do both.”
Shramko joined the council to take advantage of the support it offers members, she adds.
“Getting started isn’t easy. Being a part of a group of successful women is helpful and supportive. I’m looking forward to learning from them.”
In her down time, Shramko can be found biking, hiking, watching movies and spending time with her family.
Born and raised in Rhea County, Creasman greets visitors to her Exit Realty webpage with a “Howdy, y’all.” She says this same Southern-bred cordiality made engaging fellow Realtors at the Women’s Council easy.
“I love meeting new people and developing a relationship with individuals who are in the same industry as me,” Creasman says. “Also, the more people I know in the industry, the better I can assist my clients, and that’s always the goal – doing things to better help my clients.”
Creasman, 23, joined the profession in 2022 to show people of her generation that becoming a homeowner isn’t a pipe dream, she says.
“I want to be an agent of change for my generation, as well as others. I want to show people they can achieve their dream of being a homeowner with the right help.”
Creasman worked as a property manager for an apartment complex before earning her license. She says the experience sparked her interest in real estate, and the more she researched the industry, the more she believed it was her calling to help people not only obtain housing but also realize buying a home doesn’t have to be a scary, stressful process.
“With a Realtor that matches your personality, it can fun,” she adds.
When Creasman is off the clock, she enjoys spending time with her “precious pup” Cooper, seeing new places and doing new things, she says.
“I’m a huge animal person, so I spend as much time as possible with animals. I’ll be adding animals to my farm in 2024, and I’m excited about caring for them in the coming year.”
Prescott says all three Realtors are now able to take advantage of the benefits a Women’s Council of Realtors Chattanooga membership offers, including opportunities to network with other local Realtors as well as strategic partners that provide key services during real estate transactions.
“The ability to network with other Realtors is invaluable,” adds Prescott. “Real estate is a relationship business, and the relationships you build with other agents makes doing business much easier.”
Women’s Council of Realtors Chattanooga also provides access to real estate and business training, as well as continuing education.