Father and son bulls sit on a hilltop, looking down on a herd of cows grazing below. The young bull says, “Pop, let’s charge down there and steal a kiss from one of those cows!” The older bull says, “Son, let‘s walk down there... and kiss all of them.”

I always liked that story, but I also suspect that it leaves someone out. See, I think there’s a third bull: he’s already down there, pushing through the herd, doing his research, fixing his eye on the love of his life.. while the others sit on the hill, shootin’ the bull.

The real estate business is just like that, isn’t it?

We all like those two bulls, but I try hard to behave like the third. In a career that has merged experience in banking, market research and advertising management with Real Estate, I’ve sharpened an important skill set: I listen to the client. I develop a thorough understanding of their hopes and needs… and then I push into the herd for them. But I learned long ago that no progress can be made without understanding--and placing--- the client’s goals first.

So, why might those goals and dreams involve real estate in the Smokies? I think the reader will respond to the natural wonders, the caring, friendly people and the dynamic economy as my wife and I did just a few years ago. With amazement. With a realization that here, dreams can come true. Come talk…I suspect you’ll also end up Bullish on the Black Bear market.