A Word About This Blog Series

As the holiday season rapidly approaches here in Eastern Middle Tennessee, gratitude has a way of pulling us back to what matters most: the people in our lives, our purpose as REALTORS, and the places we call home as we live, work, play, and serve in our communities.

As EMTAR members know, in real estate, “home” isn’t just our business—it’s our very heartbeat. It’s “who we R.” Every broker’s conversation, every agent’s call to a prospective client, every buyer’s dream, every seller’s next chapter, every closing, every aspect of every transaction—it all matters, and it all hinges on a simple but powerful idea: belonging.

This November, we at EMTAR are sharing a four-part Thanksgiving Gratitude Series — reflections on gratefulness from different corners of our real estate industry. Whether you’re a REALTOR, a buyer, a seller, or simply someone who loves the feeling of “home,” there’s something for you over these next few weeks leading to Thanksgiving.

This series includes:

• (Last Wednesday, Nov. 5) Part 1 — The Realtor’s Gratitude: Finding joy, purpose, and fulfillment in serving clients with excellence, expertise, and ethical integrity.
• (Today, Wednesday, Nov. 12) Part 2 — The Buyer’s Gratitude: Thankful for a fresh start, a new threshold, and a cherished place to call home.
• (Next Wednesday, Nov. 19) Part 3 — The Seller’s Gratitude: Thankful for memories to savor, friends to keep in touch with, and new beginnings to embrace.
• (Wednesday, Nov. 26) Part 4 — Our Industry’s Gratitude: Thankful for community, collaboration, communication, and continuing growth.

Each piece is a small reminder that gratitude doesn’t just change our mindset—it changes the way we work, connect, and live here in Wilson, Smith, and Dekalb counties.

As we head toward Thanksgiving, we hope these reflections inspire you to pause, look around, and give thanks for all the ways “home” shows up in your life—in your business, your relationships, and your heart.

And now, let’s zoom in on buyers with Part 2 . . .

Thanksgiving reminds us that home isn’t just where we live—it’s where we feel safe, loved, and connected. For anyone who’s recently bought a home in Wilson, Smith, or Dekalb county, or is dreaming of it, this season is the perfect time to pause and appreciate the journey.

1. Thankful for the Journey, Not Just the Destination

Buying a home can be thrilling, stressful, and everything in between. There are highs (the first showing buyers attend that feels “just right”) and lows (the one that got away to another buyer). But gratitude helps us see that every step—from saving for a down payment to signing those final papers—builds patience, faith, and perspective.

2. Thankful for a Place to Belong

A home isn’t just walls and a roof—it’s where life unfolds. It’s where Thanksgiving dinners happen, where kids grow up, and where quiet mornings turn gazing out at the beauty of Tennessee all around us turn into cherished memories. When we stop to feel grateful for the space we call our own, we realize how much it shapes our sense of belonging and peace.

3. Thankful for Stability and Opportunity

Also, of course, owning a home is more than an investment; it’s a foundation. It creates stability—financial, emotional, relational, and even spiritual. Gratitude turns that stability into pride and joy. Whether you recently bought your first condo, your forever home, or your retirement bungalow, it’s all worth celebrating.

4. Thankful for the People Who Helped You Get There

Behind every successful purchase stands a team—your REALTOR, lender, inspector, and maybe even a few encouraging friends and family members. Taking a moment to thank them adds joy to the experience and reminds us that homeownership is a community effort.

Try This: As a tangible way to express your thankfulness, consider writing a quick “gratitude story” about your home: what you love most about it, who you have enjoyed sharing it with, and/or one special memory you’ve made there. Share it with your REALTOR or post it (and tag them!) with a photo of your favorite cozy corner.

Gratitude, like home, grows when it’s shared.

About EMTAR: Chartered in 1969, our Association’s 1,200+ REALTORS are a proud part of the 36,000+ members of Tennessee REALTORS and of the 1.5 million+ members of NAR, all working to serve the public and protect the rights of America’s property owners. EMTAR members are known not only for their unmatched real estate excellence and high ethical standards, but also for being generous, hospitable, others-focused, loyal, hardworking, and eager to help wherever and whenever help is needed.