After a down year in 2007, Crye-Leike officials said Tuesday they are aiming high in 2008 despite a bleak national real estate outlook.
Co-founder Harold Crye told Chattanooga area agents the firm is shooting for $6 billion in sales - up from this year's $5.7 billion.
Rob Hatchett opened the sales gathering at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club by declaring, "It's a good time to buy."
He said, "Mortgage rates are phenomenal, and our prices are very good."
Mr. Hatchett said analysts are talking gloom and doom for the national real estate picture, but he said Crye-Leike agents here should remember that "real estate is local."
He said, "Our local is better than the national. It's a great time to be in real estate in Chattanooga, Tn."
He said a 1,500-square-foot house that might cost $450,000 elsewhere can be had in Chattanooga for between $135,000 and $160,000.
Mr. Crye said some agents are getting out of the business and some realty firms are retracting.
He said, "We believe there is a huge pentup demand out there. Our plans are for growing and expanding."
Crye-Leike has 132 offices with 4,141 agents overall. There are 12 Chattanooga area offices with 420 agents.
The local sales goal last year was $750 million, and sales came in at $620 million.
But the firm added a new Ooltewah office that now has 18 agents.
Larry Allen of the Cleveland office was added to the firm's coveted Circle of Excellence.
Top Crye-Leike producers last year were Jay Robinson, Sandi Phillips, Max Phillips, Judy and Larry Allen, Sandi and Todd Henon, Jannis Sams, Jay Craig, Janice Robertson, John Sanders, Susan Swicegood, Cheryl Campbell, Bonnie and Barry Hamilton, Barbara Howell, Cindi Richardson, Leann Stitt, Tony Young, Johnny and Kim Lewis, Porter Yarbrough, George and Donna Byrd, Eric Spencer, Terry Posey, Jean Smith, Claire Smith, Teralyn Wright and Lu Farmer.