Chattanooga, TN

Before there were historic homes in Chattanooga, there was, well, history. Nowhere is that more evident than along Missionary Ridge.

On the morning of November 25, 1863, General US Grant's Union Army began its attack on Confederate General Braxton Bragg and his troops which occupied Missionary Ridge and the slopes below. The Union victory here was decisive, leaving strategic Chattanooga firmly in the hands of the Northern Army and set the stage for the march to Atlanta by General Sherman. Many monuments to the fallen & victorious remain along the Crest Road, which is divided into North Crest and South Crest.

The historic nature of the homes, many of which were built in the early to mid 20th century, along with stunning views of either downtown Chattanooga or the Brainerd area and beyond - sometimes both! - makes this a prime area for estate homes.

Think you might want to live on 'the Ridge' and have a civil war cannon in your front yard? Click here to see homes currently for sale.

This sign makes me smile every time I drive by it. Which is quite a lot since it's close to my boy's school.

I mean, who doesn't love chopped weiners with their pit bar-b-q?

You can find this sign and lots of other great old places driving down MLK between Palmetto & Georgia

Chattanooga Stand is close to reaching its goal of 25,000 surveys completed by Chattanooga area residents. Do you live in the Chattanooga metro area (including Cleveland and northwest Georgia)? Have you taken the Stand survey? Well, you should, because if you don't I'm not listening to any whining about not liking where the city is headed.

What is Stand? Glad you asked. It's a campaign to determine what Chattanoogans want from the city. It's a way to make your voice heard about the direction the city is going. It's a way to develop a clear vision for the future. Chattanooga has come a long way from the dirtiest city in America but there's still a long way to go to make it the shining beacon of progressive city plannng that I'd like to see. And no, it isn't multiple choice so put your thinking caps on.

This is what Stand has to say about their goals:

25 years ago, Chattanooga reached a crossroads. Facing economic, environmental and social challenges, a handful of city leaders rallied a few thousand citizens to identify problems and possibilities. Chattanooga Venture’s Vision 2000 process established a legacy of visioning in our community and played a significant role in the remarkable turnaround of Chattanooga’s downtown in the following years.

The community stands at another crossroads. In July 2008, Volkswagen announced Chattanooga as its choice for a North American manufacturing hub. This celebrated news raises an important question. Chattanoogans are asking, what’s next for us?

Downtown, in every neighborhood, across counties, and throughout the region: Stand invites you to help us build on the visioning process that began our community’s transformation 25 years ago.

I will admit (my family would tell you even if I didn't) that I have attempted the elusive faux finish before. I have also gone gung ho for the "red" paint job. A color that professionals painters fear to paint, and with good reason. I will also admit that half way through my red paint job attempt - that would be coat number 47 for those keeping count - I was tempted to leave it looking just like this one.

That's why these people are getting off with just a slap on the wrist even though this is a truly horrific crime against paint.

Trying to paint a room red would make anyone commit a crime.

For the last couple of weeks, when I've given my business card to new clients, they look at the card, and then they look at the sign in the yard. And then they ask, "Ummm, how are you connected?" It's especially confusing because they usually have started out talking to Elisha and she then passes their contact information over to me. So they are looking at a sign that says "Call Elisha Wooden, Southern Style Realty" which they dutifully do, and then I show up and hand them a card that says "Julia Odom, Select Realty Professionals."

I said all that to say this...Southern Style Realty is now Select Realty Professionals! While I am as proud of my southern heritage as anyone who doesn't fly a Confederate flag can be, I was never that crazy about our company name. Unfortunately, right or wrong, the connotation of "Southern Style" is that of slow moving, slow talking, and slightly thick. Biscuits & gravy, straw between your teeth, sitting on the porch throwing beer cans in the front yard. I dearly love biscuits (not so fond of gravy or grits...can you believe that I was born here?) and I've probably had some straw between my teeth at some point, but I have never thrown a beer can in the front yard (back yard? Maybe).

All these things don't really didn't describe our company. And I say "our" company because Southern Style Realty, now Select Realty Professionals has always been family owned and operated (Elisha is my cousin for those who didn't know). The new name describes us much better. Those who choose Select Realty Professionals really are selecting us from our competition because of our professionalism. I've certainly never been a warm and fuzzy real estate agent who tells you want you want to hear about the home or investment you are considering. I'm just as likely to talk you out of what I feel might be a bad decision. So while I may not be your typical "people person" Realtor, I'm proud of my professionalism and commitment to serving my clients to the best of my ability.

So look for our new name and logo for all of your Chattanooga, SE Tennessee & NW Georgia real estate needs.