When everything seemed to fall apart, I stood at a crossroads, questioning if I’d made the right choice. Just when I needed it most, something incredible happened, turning a dark time into an unexpected blessing.

 

In 2007, I took a leap of faith and opened At Home Realty. After years of building my career, I finally felt ready to start a brokerage of my own. The decision was both exciting and terrifying. My husband, George, was incredibly supportive, but I didn’t make the decision lightly. I spent a lot of time in prayer, seeking guidance. 

 

For months, I had been showing a particular commercial space to clients, but the right deal never seemed to come. Then, it hit me! I realized that the space was meant for me. Confident in this new direction, I opened my office in October 2007.

 

But just as I was getting started, everything seemed to go wrong. The town began a renovation project, tearing up all the sidewalks and cutting off walk-in traffic. Then, the economy took a nosedive. For four long months, my team and I didn’t make a single sale. It was one of the darkest times of my life when I constantly questioned myself and if this was the right decision. I desperately missed my father, who had passed away, and whose wisdom I longed for. I knew he would have had the guidance I needed.

 

One day, I called my mom in tears, overwhelmed and unsure what to do. She offered to lend me money, but I was determined not to borrow from family. I was resolved to make it work on my own. I even considered getting another job and reached out to a company I worked for in college. They told me to call back in a week when a position opened. Within that week, everything changed. Business started pouring in—it felt like a direct answer to my prayers, and from that point on, my business grew steadily. By 2010, we had doubled our business, and from 2015 to 2022, I was closing over $45 million in sales annually.

 

At Home Realty now has over 20 agents who share my values of integrity, hard work, and a commitment to serving our clients and community. With all of the growth my brokerage has experienced, I have remained just as hands-on with my clients. The relationships I build with my clients and the impact I can make on their lives and the community are why I’m so passionate about my work.

 

Looking back, I realize that every challenge I faced was part of a larger plan God had for me. I’ve learned to trust God to guide me, even when the outcome seems unclear, through every decision, hardship, and success. The home my husband and I live in now is a testament to this. We first made an offer on this home in 2013, but 

 

the timing just wasn’t right. For three years, we kept driving by the house, talking about it, and envisioning our future there one day. During that time, my husband suggested we name the house “Adalea,” a name he created by combining his late mother’s name, Ada, and my middle name, Lea, which is a family name passed down from my father. 

 

Finally, in 2016, almost three years to the day after our first offer, everything aligned, and we were able to buy the house. It wasn’t until after we closed that we discovered the name “Adalea” means “in God’s time” in Hebrew. It was a powerful confirmation that our patience and faith had been rewarded, and that we were exactly where we were meant to be. This experience deepened my commitment to helping my clients find the right fit, trusting that with the right work and diligence, everything will come together at the right time.

 

One of my proudest accomplishments in real estate was being ranked the #1 Agent in Tennessee for sales by The Wall Street Journal and among the Top 250 in the Nation. These achievements reflect the level of service, consistency, and reliability I provide to my clients. I approach each client with a commitment to understanding their unique needs, offering insights that only years of experience can provide, and ensuring that the service they receive is nothing short of exceptional!

 

Real estate has provided me with a career that I love, but it’s also opened new doors to help the community. One of the most meaningful has been my involvement in revitalizing our downtown area. My husband and I purchased some commercial properties in town and poured our hearts into restoring them. We’ve been deliberate in choosing tenants who would contribute to the area’s vibrancy—boutiques, shops, and unique businesses that attract people and breathe new life into our community. I’ve also worked on beautification projects with the downtown council, ensuring that the aesthetic of the area respects its history while paving the way for future growth.

 

Sincerely,

 

Amanda L. Bell

Broker-Owner | LIC#287001

Cell (615) 406-9988

Office (615) 792-6100

amanda@amandabellsells.com

amandabellsells.com