Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenny & Kellie Sallis.
Hi Kenny & Kellie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Kellie was born and raised in Lebanon, went to college at Samford Univ on a golf scholarship then grad school at Vanderbilt to become a nurse practitioner. Kenny was born in Mansfield, Louisiana but moved here when he was 8, went to Lebanon High School and then Cumberland Univ to play football. We met when Kellie was home one summer from college and got married in 2013. We have a 3, 5, and 6 year old- Jackson, Emmy, and Madison. We love to travel, play golf and tennis, and be on the lake.
Prior to becoming a realtor, Kenny was a teacher and football coach. He stepped away from teaching and got his real estate license in 2017. Kellie was working as a nurse practitioner and went back to work after having our first child for a few months before realizing she wanted a more flexible schedule and more time home with family. She got her real estate license in 2019 and her real estate broker’s license in 2023, allowing us to start our own company, Sallis Realty Group. We now have 7 agents and an executive assistant on our team. Our office is located on the historic Lebanon square. We love to give back to the community by supporting schools, youth sports, historic preservation, and local churches. We also own and have renovated a few buildings on the square and are active real estate investors with flips, new constructions, and buying long term and short term rentals.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges in the real estate industry right now is the combination of high interest rates, low housing inventory, and elevated home prices. People are still moving but are usually moving out of necessity for more space, downsizing, or relocation instead of just moving because they found a house they like better. In our personal business, a challenge we faced was balancing rapid growth (we sold 126 homes in 2024) and having 3 children since starting our business. We told ourselves we wouldn’t miss dinner time, bedtime, or our kid’s activities because of work, and we stick to that. They are one thousand percent what is most important to us so they come first and our business fits around our time with them.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Lebanon, TN was named the 12th fastest growing city in the US a few months ago. Local job growth (e.g. Amazon, Cracker Barrel HQ) and population stability continue to support demand, helping our region have a more positive industry outlook than other areas across the country. As a team owner, we love being able to help agents grow their businesses. Right now is a tough time for a new agent to get started but we have the experience and resources to help them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sallisrealtygroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallisrealtygroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sallisrealtygroup
