Richard Kelley
“THE BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU IS TO FIND A GOOD REALTOR; SOMEONE TO REPRESENT YOU, YOUR PROPERTY AND YOUR BEST INTRESTS. GIVE ME A CALL TODAY. I WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU!”
As a multi-generational native of North Georgia and Western Carolina with almost 20 years of real estate experience, Richard Kelley is your “go-to” realtor in the area. He has been a part of the Circle of Excellence for the Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors, achieving over $1MM in sales for the past 15 years. In 2016, he was awarded the esteemed Master Emerald Award by Century 21, and in 2017 and 2018 he was the recipient of the Centurion Award.
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Beginning his real estate career in 2000 was a natural fit for Richard as both of his parents had long-time involvement with the local real estate market as well. His status as a native, and as the son of realtor parents, gives Richard the unique qualification of knowing the area unlike any other realtor in the North Georgia/Western Carolina region. Since 2000, Richard has successfully owned and operated an independent real estate firm in which he managed other realtors and grew his business into the fruitful operation it is today. Being a part of Century 21, Black Bear Realty over the last 10 years has afforded him the distinctive advantage of growing his market share of listings, expand his referral base and providing unparalleled service to his many clients.
A born entrepreneur, real estate is the 3rd local business Richard has successfully operated over the last 35 years. His industrialist streak began in 1980 when he launched Kelley’s Pharmacy, a pharmacy and retail business that remained active until Richard sold it to Rite Aid in 1990. His second successful business, Kelley’s Home Health Care, was born out of his retail pharmacy, and provided in-home medical services throughout Western North Carolina and North Georgia. At its peak, Kelley’s Home Health Care operated 15 locations and served in-home patients throughout 8 surrounding counties until it was sold in 1998 to RoTech Medical. The changing medical environment, and the sale of his business in 1998, lead him to pursue a new career in a field he already knew well – real estate. He credits this career change as the best decision of his professional life.
MEMBERSHIPS and COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
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Richard is a lifetime member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), as well as a member of the Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors, the Georgia Association of Realtors, and the Mountain Lakes Realtors Association. His membership with 3 realtor associations in Georgia and North Carolina, gives his clients maximum exposure across all available Multiple Listing Service (MLS) platforms.
Richard is an active member of McConnell Memorial Baptist Church where he has served as a Deacon, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Member of the Building Committee. He is so thankful to be able to serve his faith community in these capacities.
Richard is presently Chairman of the Chatuge Shores Golf Course Board of Trustees. He has also served as a member of the Towns County Chamber Board of Directors, Towns County Water and Sewer Board, the Clay County, NC School Board, the Clay County Travel and Tourism Board, and on the Nantahala Bank Advisory Board in Clay County.
HOBBIES/INTEREST:
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In his spare time, Richard can be found on the golf course or spending time with his wife, 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Richard says, “I am so blessed to enjoy the life God has given me with the family and friends He has given me to share it with.”