The Scenic City Scoop Editorial Team

Andy Hodes
Licensed to Sell Real Estate in Tennessee and Georgia
Founder of The Scenic City Team of Keller Williams Realty

Chattanooga, Tennessee - The Scenic City - was a great place to be raised; I can say that because it’s my home. I’m most proud that in 1905 my great-grandfather, Abraham, chose Chattanooga to be his family’s new home after leaving their home in Russia. It was a great choice and the fifth generation of Abraham’s descendants (my kids) are being raised right here in the Scenic City. I loved being raised in Chattanooga, so much that, after earning a degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, I left Chattanooga for 15 long years. After I got a few things figured out, I returned for good.

While I was away from Chattanooga I lived in South Florida for a few years working in non-profit administration and then I moved to New York City where I met my incredible wife, Melody, and began a career in Risk Management. My first risk management position involved administering a claims department that primarily defended medical malpractice claims for several of New York’s largest hospitals. Concurrently I earned a M.B.A. from Baruch College - City University of New York. I had my sights set on corporate risk management and fortuitously a position with a chemical company that took me next to Wayne, New Jersey. A few years later I finally convinced my wife, who hales from New York City, that Chattanooga is where we need to be; so we packed up the truck and headed South.

Returning to Chattanooga is the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s simply the right place for me to be, not to mention that the rest of my family loves being here too. While I was away, Chattanooga transformed itself from a polluted city without much to offer to the incredible Chattanooga we’ve come to know and love. The beautiful mountain and waterfront scenery is abundant wherever you go. In 15 years, Downtown had transformed from nothing more than boarded-up store fronts to a vibrant, user-friendly and beautiful city centered around the Tennessee Aquarium, the Hunter Museum of Art and the Creative Discovery Museum plus restaurants, hotels and plenty of things to do. It was a great homecoming!

Along with changing homes, changing careers was at the top of my list. I looked for an opportunity where I could help other people and have more control over my own destiny. Real Estate was the perfect match that brought together my attention to detail, my love for helping people and virtually no ceiling that might stop my ability to grow and be successful. I took the classes, passed the tests and got my license; I was on my way.

Currently I’m a licensed Real Estate Broker in both Tennessee and Georgia, a founding member of Keller Williams Realty - Chattanooga East, and have remained ranked in the top 2% of Chattanooga Realtors for the past few years. In 2006 I founded The Scenic City Team, putting together the best real estate talent in Chattanooga that provides expert and friendly service to our clients throughout every transaction. I’m proud of my team, their expertise, and the way they put our clients first - just like me!

I’m so lucky to have an incredible wife, Melody, along with two sons, Micah and Jonah, who are proud Chattanoogans just like their Dad. Spending time with them, plus my parents and friends, is on the top of my list of favorite things to do. When I’m not with the family or selling real estate, I’m volunteering in the community or proudly teaching students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where I’ve been an Adjunct Professor of Finance for many years.

Check out our blog, The Scenic City Scoop, and let us know when you are ready to buy, sell or trade real estate here in Chattanooga, my favorite place to be.

 

 

David Israel
Business Manager
The Scenic City Team

Chattanooga, Tennessee is my new adapted home. I moved to Chattanooga over three years ago from South Florida, and it is the best move my family has ever made. This is truly the “Scenic City” in so many ways.

I was born and raised in South Florida, I attended Florida International University where I earned my degree in Community Social Work with a minor in Business Administration. My first job fresh out of college was working for the URJ as Assistant Camp Director for Camp Coleman and Regional Youth Director for the SE Region. After this great experience I worked for several organizations in non-profit administration. I met my beautiful wife Paula, while attending FIU, and we reconnected several years later and married. I worked for a family friend when he started his business in the Produce Industry. I started doing accounts receivable and customer service, after we continued to grow, I also grew into the position of Controller. We worked with the US Government providing fruits and vegetables for our men and women in uniform, servicing several military ships, including several aircraft carriers. I also worked with several school districts through the USDA providing nutritional school lunch programs and introducing fruits and vegetables into the children’s daily diets. Andy asks me for produce advise all the time.

I am an active member of the Chattanooga community and volunteer with various organizations, which I love to be a part of. I consider myself a “small fish in a small pond”, unlike in South Florida where I was a “small fish in a huge ocean”. There is nothing more satisfying than being involved to help others and help my community.

I also enjoy traveling throughout the Southeast to visit the sites. In less than 2 hours you can travel through many states and visit small towns or large cities. There is so much to do in the Chattanooga area, we are members of the Tennessee Aquarium, which we love to spend time at. Our out of town family loves to visit, and my wife and I will go for an hour or two just to be one with nature. It is a very relaxing experience.

I have been with The Scenic City Team for almost 3 years and love working with Andy, our team and especially our clients.

 

 

Kacey Sides
Realtor - Buyer Specialist
The Scenic City Team

Chattanooga, TN - What a great city! After moving here almost 2 years ago from Port Saint Lucie, FL, this spectacular city continues to reassure me of the wonderful decision I made to move here!

Born in Sayre, PA, we moved to the Treasure Coast when I was 10. After high school and some college, I became a Certified Dental Assistant. I enjoyed working in the field for 7 years. It really made me aware of how much I loved helping people. During that time I became reacquainted with my high school crush, Jason, whom I married in April, 2004.

After speaking many times with my parents of their desire to move to Chattanooga, Jason and I took our own trip to explore this “Scenic City”. Two months later, we were here to stay. Living in Florida for as long as we both had, this certainly was a big change, but definitely a change for the better! We moved to this area knowing no one, but it has quickly become our home. This city is filled with so many warm, welcoming people, it was easy to adjust!

Jason started his Real Estate investing (”flipping houses” as some like to call it) in Florida, but once we moved here, it now has become his full time passion. I enjoy helping him make the ugly homes beautiful again. I have also enjoyed finding my own niche in Real Estate as well. Becoming a Buyer’s Specialist on one of the greatest Real Estate teams in the area. I have really been able to channel my love for helping people, by allowing them to live the American dream of owning a home. With such a high caliber group of people to work with, we offer an exemplary home buying and selling experience!

In our free time, my husband and I enjoy spending time with family, camping, and exploring all this great city has to offer! We love to be outside and Chattanooga offers so many places to enjoy. The Walnut Street Walking Bridge, the longest pedestrian bridge in the United States, can take you to Coolidge Park on the North Shore or to the Bluff View Art District downtown. Camping, hiking, or boating is easy at one of the many beautiful state parks.

With all there is to do and see here, it’s no wonder we have adjusted so well to our new home. We look forward to spending many more years here!