One of Knoxville’s top real estate producers has joined Realty Executives Associates.
In 2022, Wala Habiby was the No. 1 Realtor in the agency that was the No. 1 Coldwell Banker office in Tennessee, Coldwell Banker Wallace – now Wallace Real Estate. He finished the year with about $20 million in sales. Let that sink in.
Wala operates with his first name as The Wala Group. He plans to expand the group with new agents and associates, and he says he will have the freedom to do that with Realty Executives.
The Habiby family: Jordan and Wala with their kids Julian and Ramsey.
He has only positive comments about his previous agency. “After all, we spent 13 years together.” But he wants to reach his potential and says REA is the place to do that. “Justin (Bailey) and Greg (Cates) opened the books to me. There’s a reason REA is No. 1 in the Knoxville market.” Habiby will work out of the West Hills office.
“Wala is a perfect fit for the community and culture at Realty Executives,” said CEO Justin Bailey. “He’s smart, ethical and extremely hard working.
“I can see why fellow agents and clients love working with him. He’s honest and very transparent. His skill set truly creates the total package of a great Realtor.”
Wala took a circuitous route to real estate. A Knox West High graduate, he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee (2009) and an MBA in international business from Lincoln Memorial University (2012).
“With experience in both management and engineering, I spent many years soul-searching before discovering my passion for real estate,” he says. “Since then, I have been dedicated to working hard for my clients. I work hard so they don’t have to.”
In addition to his residential and commercial sales (about 90% of them in Knox County), Wala has served on committees at the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors and is a Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI).
Habiby Investments: Wala is developing a 5-phase company that deals with “building, flipping, renting houses, and management of residential and commercial properties.” He manages a current portfolio of 60 rental properties worth over $10 million. He will help new and experienced investors start/improve their portfolio.
“Investing in real estate is a smart financial move, and doing so while you are young can have significant benefits for your financial future,” he says. “Real estate is an excellent long-term investment that can provide a steady income stream, build equity and appreciate over time.”
You can reach Wala Habiby at 865-385-2809 or wala@walahabiby.com/. His office is at 124 N Winston Road, 865-588-3232.
Sandra Clark is editor/CEO of Knox TN Today Inc.