Rainbow realty expects to move into its new offices at 126 N. Main St. by May. Photo by Dave Boyd

Rainbow Realty maintains steady pace during first years in business

By Megan R. Harrell
Star Staff
mharrell@starhq.com

   In only its third year of business, Rainbow Realty, 517 Broad St., is experiencing a steady increase in sales. Judy Veeneman and her brother, Dale Williams, are co-owners of the real estate agency that lists and sells properties throughout Carter County.
   Although business did slow down toward the end of last year, 2002 started with an onslaught of phone calls and potential buyers. "Since January 1, we have been really busy. We have had almost more call volume than we can handle so we added a new agent which has helped us a lot," Veeneman said.
   Veeneman attributed much of the business' success to advertising their listings. Rainbow Realty's new Web site brings in calls from around the country that would otherwise never see the agency's listings.
   There are currently five agents working at Rainbow Realty and more will be added if business continues to grow. Veeneman would like to keep the business smaller in order to maintain its family centered environment. "We would like to keep it as close to a family operation as possible because we have more control over how our clients are handled. We want to make sure they get the service that they are entitled to," Veeneman said.
   Despite lean economic times in Carter County, Rainbow Realty's listings board is full and it is moving to new offices. The business has grown out of its current location and will be moving into its new offices at 126 South Main Street in May. "We thought being in the historical district down by the Courthouse would be a great spot, and with the building of northern connectors it would take a lot of traffic off Broad Street," Veeneman said.
   Veeneman stated that Rainbow Realty tries to conduct most of its business in Carter County. It has one agent who concentrates primarily on the Roan Mountain area, which is sometimes neglected by the real estate industry.