When diving into the inspiring stories of our Board of Directors, it becomes evident that each member brings a unique and rich background to our Association. This diversity fuels our strength and fosters an environment of continuous growth and innovation. One such remarkable member is Paige Batten whose journey from a dedicated stay-at-home mom to a Realtor and influential volunteer leader exemplifies the dynamic spirit that propels us forward.
What did you do before real estate? Being a mom was one of my life dreams. I have four amazing kids: Chase (28), an EMT and soon-to-be Realtor; Chad (27), an Aerospace Engineer; Somer (25), an ER Nurse; and Sydney (23), who works for Pine Cove, a nonprofit Christian Camp ministry. Before becoming a Realtor, I was a domestic engineer, AKA stay-at-home mom, to those four amazing kids. I honestly had never thought about having a career other than raising my children. Through various circumstances, the opportunity presented itself, and, in December of 2015, I obtained my real estate license. What started out as a hobby turned into a full-fledged career and full-time job, and I have never looked back!
You serve on the BOD. Why did you choose to serve in a leadership capacity? When I first obtained my license, I realized there was so much to learn in this business. I set out to become the best I could be and gain all the knowledge available. Little did I know that this industry is an ever-changing one, and every day is a new learning experience. I hired a mentor, Robert Morris, right off the bat who encouraged me to take as many classes as possible and to get into any leadership role that I could. In 2019, I graduated from Greater Chattanooga Realtors’ leadership academy. It was during that time then my eyes were open to all the leadership opportunities that were right here on the local level. I began rubbing shoulders with others who had been on the Board, and it was soon very clear to me that this was something that I wanted to pursue. The Association does so much for our members and community, and I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to be a part of changes that would make our industry better, especially on the local level. Being on the board has given me the opportunity to have a voice, to see what the inner workings look like, and to give back not only to the Association, but also to my fellow realtors. A big "thank you" to past president Derek English for initially asking me to be on a committee years ago. He and our CEO Carol Seal were instrumental in my decisions to pursue this volunteer leadership path.
What would you like your fellow Realtors to know that our Association offers its members? This is a loaded question for sure. Our Association does so much for our members! If you look at our calendar for any given month, there are many classes that are offered, most of which are complimentary for members. Education is very dear to my heart, so this is what I am most proud of for what the Association does for our members. Greater Chattanooga Realtors gets some of the best instructors in the nation to come and teach classes here. Also, Greater Chattanooga Realtors are very involved with the community. They provide the members with service projects and volunteering opportunities all the time. They also provide tons of networking opportunities and social events for members as well.
What is your favorite part of being a Realtor? There are so many things that I love about being a Realtor. One of my top things would have to be seeing the faces of people when you hand them the keys to their home that they never thought was a possibility of owning. Helping someone own a home and achieve the American dream is so rewarding. Also, helping people navigate the home buying/selling process. I am a problem solver and do not mind taking on the stress of the process and making it as smooth as possible for my clients. My motto has been, "Once a client, always a friend" and having your clients become dear friends after the transaction has been so rewarding for me.
What is something your fellow Realtors/Members/Association do in the community that you love and want others to know about? As a member of the board of directors, we are given the opportunity to be a liaison for some of the committees at the Association. This year I have the privilege of being on the Consumer Education & Scholarship Committee. Each year this committee hands out scholarships to graduating seniors to help with their college education. This was such a fun thing to be a part of, and I had the opportunity to present one of the scholarships to a very deserving senior from East Hamilton high school and their Senior Class Night. This committee has been a highlight of my year.
Have you read any recent books you want to share with others? If you had asked me this question two years ago, I'm not sure I could have even given you the name of any book. But this year, as life would have it, I have become quite an audible book listener. First and foremost, my favorite book to read is the Bible. This book keeps me grounded and is my guide to life. Other books that I have read this year that have been life-changing are, Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life by Bob Proctor, Fanatical Prospecting by Mike Weinberg and Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa TerKeurst. She has become one of my favorite authors.
Paige’s journey from being a dedicated mother to becoming a proactive leader in our Association illustrates the transformative power of passion and commitment. Her story, filled with continuous learning, community service, and personal growth, embodies the spirit of our Board of Directors. As we celebrate the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our board members, we are reminded of the collective strength and vision that drives our Association forward. That’s Who We R®.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® serves Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The Association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations/board of REALTORS® nationwide that comprise the National Association of REALTORS®. Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® owns and operates a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 3,000 MLS users. Local Association membership is comprised of REALTORS® servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines – appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multi-family, property management and residential. Working alongside REALTORS® are our Affiliate members, who represent related industries in sympathy with the objectives of the Association. Our Affiliate members include mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control and insurance.