ARTICLES
Top Producer – January 2022
Making the Most of Opportunities
There are few people in the Memphis real estate community who don’t know Mike Parker, Affiliate Broker at The Firm. With nearly 20 years of experience buying and selling homes, Parker is well-regarded for his superior knowledge of the Memphis market. The native Memphian is perhaps best known for his work downtown, and when it comes to condominiums, there is no one who knows more.
Parker credits his success in large part to his work ethic, instilled in him early by his parents and cemented at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he both worked part-time and attended twice-daily practices for the rowing team — a back-up plan he pursued following an ankle injury that left him unable to play lacrosse.
After spending the first 10 years of his career in marketing, a corporate merger resulted in a layoff for Parker. “Luckily, they gave me three months’ severance pay,” he said. With newfound time on his hands, Parker decided to take a real estate class. “I wasn’t thinking about a career. I just knew I would eventually want to buy a home for myself, so why not take this opportunity to get educated on the process?”
As it happened, a chance meeting with a childhood friend around the same time encouraged Parker to earn his real estate license. The friend, who was also the vice president of marketing at Henry Turley Realtors, made arrangements for Parker to join the team.
A New Career Track and a Lasting Education
Henry Turley, a local developer known primarily for his work downtown, quickly became a mentor. Soon, Parker was selling townhomes and condos downtown, as well as on Mud Island. From there, he assisted Turley with the launch of other projects, including the Uptown revitalization, Paperworks condos, The Lofts at South Bluffs, The Farrington, and The Shrine Building.
Parker’s time under Turley’s wing yielded considerable knowledge about the Memphis market, as well as an approach to relationships that still serves him well today. “In any transaction, Turley taught me that as much as the potential buyer is my customer, so is the buyer’s agent.” This mindset means that when a buyer’s agent is less familiar with the downtown Memphis market or a particular condo building or process, Parker sees it as his responsibility to share what he knows. To Parker, the logic is simple. “I always want to be someone other agents are excited to work with — glad to pick up my calls and glad when they see me coming.” As Parker’s career grew, he was increasingly viewed as an expert, frequently educating others on the pros and cons of condominium ownership including fees, bylaws, and covenants. “I often receive calls from other agents — and even appraisers — with questions about some of the particulars of condos, and I love being a resource for them if I can.”
In 2011, Parker joined Marx-Bensdorf Realtors, expanding his business to include single-family homes and properties from downtown Memphis to Collierville. During his time at Marx-Bensdorf, he was asked to list the 143 condos in The Artesian condominium project, which turned out to be one of the premier properties in downtown Memphis — a turning point for the area as well as Parker’s career. To date, Parker has sold more than 500 condos in the city. He is also proud to be among only a handful of preferred REALTORS® for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Another Change … Another Opportunity
Recently, after 11 years at Marx-Bensdorf, Parker decided to again expand his reach. In December 2021, he joined the young but impactful brokerage, The Firm. “I think we all want to grow. And sometimes we have to put ourselves in positions that take us out of our comfort zone and into something new. The Firm has proven to house forward-thinking ideas, and I feel it has caused me to approach business in a fresh way. I hope there are also things I have to offer that will help The Firm in their growth. It’s a win/win.” It is surely this abundance mentality and desire to make every situation mutually beneficial that contributes to Parker’s success.
On a personal level, Parker was married this fall to Lauren Ferrera, whom he met on a successful blind date four years ago. In their free time, you’ll find the newlywed Parkers welcoming foster dogs into their home or making the drive to visit his bride’s native New Orleans.
When asked what his peers may be surprised to find out about him, he responds, “For a brief time I worked as a cowboy.” Yes, the Memphis real estate mogul worked on several ranches in Wyoming and Colorado during his summers in college — something he looks back on with fondness. He still has his saddle to this day.
As he looks to the future, Parker is excited about new opportunities with The Firm, including expanding his business — and expertise— into more new construction homes and townhomes. In 2021, as he has for numerous years prior, Parker ranked among the top 1% of REALTORS® in the city — momentum he carries with him into the new year, with all of the new possibilities Parker will no doubt embrace.
The Commercial Appeal
The NEW Downtown
By Mike Parker
I recently took a prospective new Downtowner couple to an available condo at the Artesian Residences, located on the heels of the Big River Crossing entrance and expansive Memphis riverfront. We studied the space together, I shared the bells and whistles of the build-out and amenities; but, quickly, the conversation shifted.
We looked out the window as the buyer asked, “What else is going on around here?”
That question led to a casual three-hour Downtown tour. Note: I didn’t necessarily choose three hours because I wanted to monopolize my client’s schedule, but rather because I had no other choice—we couldn’t have fit in $4.5 billion of development any faster.
We walked through the Central Station Hotel, then stopped by the Arrive Hotel for a cup of Vice & Virtue coffee, both of which I pointed out opened their doors within the past week.
We walked to the Big River Crossing, which neighbors and residents now see as an amenity for daily activity—not just a sightseeing stop, but a source for recreation and exercise. The bike/pedestrian bridge and greater River Line through the parks are a daily destination to take in and see new people. I can only imagine when the entire riverfront is redeveloped. While walking my dog on the trail the other day, I explained, my brother, a cyclist who lives 10 miles away, coincidentally happened to ride by on his training excursions. There’s a sense of community in the assets and the connections between them.
We drove by shovels in the ground at One Beale, final touches on in-fill projects like Slider Inn on South Main, and recently expanded institutions like the Arcade Restaurant. I painted the picture for The Ravine, as well as for Union Row, a project which I believe will change the face of Downtown, its narrative, and its optics.
And now, with daylight savings, I explained, people can see the Mighty Lights in a way that not only adds to the Downtown living experience but also positively influences their home values. When the Big River Crossing lights were first revealed three years ago with a gathering on the Artesian rooftop, almost 20 units sold within the following two weeks. Coincidence? Perhaps. Related? I’d argue so. Anytime you drive up or down Riverside Drive, you see this magnetic glow, like holiday lights hanging in your backyard. It never gets old. They’re impressive, and they make us look like the first-tier city that we are becoming.
My clients, like many others, proves that today, people don’t want to live in a home in isolation from their neighbors and their neighborhood. They desire walkability and a sense of community. Our strides in those categories Downtown have progressed in a pretty profound way, compared to ten years, five years, even three years ago. As we continue to grow, and as I continue to showcase Downtown residential opportunities, I look forward to showing off new examples of development each time. Who knows: If I don’t watch the clock, our three hours might turn into a full-day adventure in 2020.
ARTICLES
Top Producer – January 2022
Making the Most of Opportunities
There are few people in the Memphis real estate community who don’t know Mike Parker, Affiliate Broker at The Firm. With nearly 20 years of experience buying and selling homes, Parker is well-regarded for his superior knowledge of the Memphis market. The native Memphian is perhaps best known for his work downtown, and when it comes to condominiums, there is no one who knows more.
Parker credits his success in large part to his work ethic, instilled in him early by his parents and cemented at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he both worked part-time and attended twice-daily practices for the rowing team — a back-up plan he pursued following an ankle injury that left him unable to play lacrosse.
After spending the first 10 years of his career in marketing, a corporate merger resulted in a layoff for Parker. “Luckily, they gave me three months’ severance pay,” he said. With newfound time on his hands, Parker decided to take a real estate class. “I wasn’t thinking about a career. I just knew I would eventually want to buy a home for myself, so why not take this opportunity to get educated on the process?”
As it happened, a chance meeting with a childhood friend around the same time encouraged Parker to earn his real estate license. The friend, who was also the vice president of marketing at Henry Turley Realtors, made arrangements for Parker to join the team.
A New Career Track and a Lasting Education
Henry Turley, a local developer known primarily for his work downtown, quickly became a mentor. Soon, Parker was selling townhomes and condos downtown, as well as on Mud Island. From there, he assisted Turley with the launch of other projects, including the Uptown revitalization, Paperworks condos, The Lofts at South Bluffs, The Farrington, and The Shrine Building.
Parker’s time under Turley’s wing yielded considerable knowledge about the Memphis market, as well as an approach to relationships that still serves him well today. “In any transaction, Turley taught me that as much as the potential buyer is my customer, so is the buyer’s agent.” This mindset means that when a buyer’s agent is less familiar with the downtown Memphis market or a particular condo building or process, Parker sees it as his responsibility to share what he knows. To Parker, the logic is simple. “I always want to be someone other agents are excited to work with — glad to pick up my calls and glad when they see me coming.” As Parker’s career grew, he was increasingly viewed as an expert, frequently educating others on the pros and cons of condominium ownership including fees, bylaws, and covenants. “I often receive calls from other agents — and even appraisers — with questions about some of the particulars of condos, and I love being a resource for them if I can.”
In 2011, Parker joined Marx-Bensdorf Realtors, expanding his business to include single-family homes and properties from downtown Memphis to Collierville. During his time at Marx-Bensdorf, he was asked to list the 143 condos in The Artesian condominium project, which turned out to be one of the premier properties in downtown Memphis — a turning point for the area as well as Parker’s career. To date, Parker has sold more than 500 condos in the city. He is also proud to be among only a handful of preferred REALTORS® for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Another Change … Another Opportunity
Recently, after 11 years at Marx-Bensdorf, Parker decided to again expand his reach. In December 2021, he joined the young but impactful brokerage, The Firm. “I think we all want to grow. And sometimes we have to put ourselves in positions that take us out of our comfort zone and into something new. The Firm has proven to house forward-thinking ideas, and I feel it has caused me to approach business in a fresh way. I hope there are also things I have to offer that will help The Firm in their growth. It’s a win/win.” It is surely this abundance mentality and desire to make every situation mutually beneficial that contributes to Parker’s success.
On a personal level, Parker was married this fall to Lauren Ferrera, whom he met on a successful blind date four years ago. In their free time, you’ll find the newlywed Parkers welcoming foster dogs into their home or making the drive to visit his bride’s native New Orleans.
When asked what his peers may be surprised to find out about him, he responds, “For a brief time I worked as a cowboy.” Yes, the Memphis real estate mogul worked on several ranches in Wyoming and Colorado during his summers in college — something he looks back on with fondness. He still has his saddle to this day.
As he looks to the future, Parker is excited about new opportunities with The Firm, including expanding his business — and expertise— into more new construction homes and townhomes. In 2021, as he has for numerous years prior, Parker ranked among the top 1% of REALTORS® in the city — momentum he carries with him into the new year, with all of the new possibilities Parker will no doubt embrace.
The Commercial Appeal
The NEW Downtown
By Mike Parker
I recently took a prospective new Downtowner couple to an available condo at the Artesian Residences, located on the heels of the Big River Crossing entrance and expansive Memphis riverfront. We studied the space together, I shared the bells and whistles of the build-out and amenities; but, quickly, the conversation shifted.
We looked out the window as the buyer asked, “What else is going on around here?”
That question led to a casual three-hour Downtown tour. Note: I didn’t necessarily choose three hours because I wanted to monopolize my client’s schedule, but rather because I had no other choice—we couldn’t have fit in $4.5 billion of development any faster.
We walked through the Central Station Hotel, then stopped by the Arrive Hotel for a cup of Vice & Virtue coffee, both of which I pointed out opened their doors within the past week.
We walked to the Big River Crossing, which neighbors and residents now see as an amenity for daily activity—not just a sightseeing stop, but a source for recreation and exercise. The bike/pedestrian bridge and greater River Line through the parks are a daily destination to take in and see new people. I can only imagine when the entire riverfront is redeveloped. While walking my dog on the trail the other day, I explained, my brother, a cyclist who lives 10 miles away, coincidentally happened to ride by on his training excursions. There’s a sense of community in the assets and the connections between them.
We drove by shovels in the ground at One Beale, final touches on in-fill projects like Slider Inn on South Main, and recently expanded institutions like the Arcade Restaurant. I painted the picture for The Ravine, as well as for Union Row, a project which I believe will change the face of Downtown, its narrative, and its optics.
And now, with daylight savings, I explained, people can see the Mighty Lights in a way that not only adds to the Downtown living experience but also positively influences their home values. When the Big River Crossing lights were first revealed three years ago with a gathering on the Artesian rooftop, almost 20 units sold within the following two weeks. Coincidence? Perhaps. Related? I’d argue so. Anytime you drive up or down Riverside Drive, you see this magnetic glow, like holiday lights hanging in your backyard. It never gets old. They’re impressive, and they make us look like the first-tier city that we are becoming.
My clients, like many others, proves that today, people don’t want to live in a home in isolation from their neighbors and their neighborhood. They desire walkability and a sense of community. Our strides in those categories Downtown have progressed in a pretty profound way, compared to ten years, five years, even three years ago. As we continue to grow, and as I continue to showcase Downtown residential opportunities, I look forward to showing off new examples of development each time. Who knows: If I don’t watch the clock, our three hours might turn into a full-day adventure in 2020.
ARTICLES
Top Producer – January 2022
Making the Most of Opportunities
There are few people in the Memphis real estate community who don’t know Mike Parker, Affiliate Broker at The Firm. With nearly 20 years of experience buying and selling homes, Parker is well-regarded for his superior knowledge of the Memphis market. The native Memphian is perhaps best known for his work downtown, and when it comes to condominiums, there is no one who knows more.
Parker credits his success in large part to his work ethic, instilled in him early by his parents and cemented at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he both worked part-time and attended twice-daily practices for the rowing team — a back-up plan he pursued following an ankle injury that left him unable to play lacrosse.
After spending the first 10 years of his career in marketing, a corporate merger resulted in a layoff for Parker. “Luckily, they gave me three months’ severance pay,” he said. With newfound time on his hands, Parker decided to take a real estate class. “I wasn’t thinking about a career. I just knew I would eventually want to buy a home for myself, so why not take this opportunity to get educated on the process?”
As it happened, a chance meeting with a childhood friend around the same time encouraged Parker to earn his real estate license. The friend, who was also the vice president of marketing at Henry Turley Realtors, made arrangements for Parker to join the team.
A New Career Track and a Lasting Education
Henry Turley, a local developer known primarily for his work downtown, quickly became a mentor. Soon, Parker was selling townhomes and condos downtown, as well as on Mud Island. From there, he assisted Turley with the launch of other projects, including the Uptown revitalization, Paperworks condos, The Lofts at South Bluffs, The Farrington, and The Shrine Building.
Parker’s time under Turley’s wing yielded considerable knowledge about the Memphis market, as well as an approach to relationships that still serves him well today. “In any transaction, Turley taught me that as much as the potential buyer is my customer, so is the buyer’s agent.” This mindset means that when a buyer’s agent is less familiar with the downtown Memphis market or a particular condo building or process, Parker sees it as his responsibility to share what he knows. To Parker, the logic is simple. “I always want to be someone other agents are excited to work with — glad to pick up my calls and glad when they see me coming.” As Parker’s career grew, he was increasingly viewed as an expert, frequently educating others on the pros and cons of condominium ownership including fees, bylaws, and covenants. “I often receive calls from other agents — and even appraisers — with questions about some of the particulars of condos, and I love being a resource for them if I can.”
In 2011, Parker joined Marx-Bensdorf Realtors, expanding his business to include single-family homes and properties from downtown Memphis to Collierville. During his time at Marx-Bensdorf, he was asked to list the 143 condos in The Artesian condominium project, which turned out to be one of the premier properties in downtown Memphis — a turning point for the area as well as Parker’s career. To date, Parker has sold more than 500 condos in the city. He is also proud to be among only a handful of preferred REALTORS® for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Another Change … Another Opportunity
Recently, after 11 years at Marx-Bensdorf, Parker decided to again expand his reach. In December 2021, he joined the young but impactful brokerage, The Firm. “I think we all want to grow. And sometimes we have to put ourselves in positions that take us out of our comfort zone and into something new. The Firm has proven to house forward-thinking ideas, and I feel it has caused me to approach business in a fresh way. I hope there are also things I have to offer that will help The Firm in their growth. It’s a win/win.” It is surely this abundance mentality and desire to make every situation mutually beneficial that contributes to Parker’s success.
On a personal level, Parker was married this fall to Lauren Ferrera, whom he met on a successful blind date four years ago. In their free time, you’ll find the newlywed Parkers welcoming foster dogs into their home or making the drive to visit his bride’s native New Orleans.
When asked what his peers may be surprised to find out about him, he responds, “For a brief time I worked as a cowboy.” Yes, the Memphis real estate mogul worked on several ranches in Wyoming and Colorado during his summers in college — something he looks back on with fondness. He still has his saddle to this day.
As he looks to the future, Parker is excited about new opportunities with The Firm, including expanding his business — and expertise— into more new construction homes and townhomes. In 2021, as he has for numerous years prior, Parker ranked among the top 1% of REALTORS® in the city — momentum he carries with him into the new year, with all of the new possibilities Parker will no doubt embrace.
The Commercial Appeal
The NEW Downtown
By Mike Parker
I recently took a prospective new Downtowner couple to an available condo at the Artesian Residences, located on the heels of the Big River Crossing entrance and expansive Memphis riverfront. We studied the space together, I shared the bells and whistles of the build-out and amenities; but, quickly, the conversation shifted.
We looked out the window as the buyer asked, “What else is going on around here?”
That question led to a casual three-hour Downtown tour. Note: I didn’t necessarily choose three hours because I wanted to monopolize my client’s schedule, but rather because I had no other choice—we couldn’t have fit in $4.5 billion of development any faster.
We walked through the Central Station Hotel, then stopped by the Arrive Hotel for a cup of Vice & Virtue coffee, both of which I pointed out opened their doors within the past week.
We walked to the Big River Crossing, which neighbors and residents now see as an amenity for daily activity—not just a sightseeing stop, but a source for recreation and exercise. The bike/pedestrian bridge and greater River Line through the parks are a daily destination to take in and see new people. I can only imagine when the entire riverfront is redeveloped. While walking my dog on the trail the other day, I explained, my brother, a cyclist who lives 10 miles away, coincidentally happened to ride by on his training excursions. There’s a sense of community in the assets and the connections between them.
We drove by shovels in the ground at One Beale, final touches on in-fill projects like Slider Inn on South Main, and recently expanded institutions like the Arcade Restaurant. I painted the picture for The Ravine, as well as for Union Row, a project which I believe will change the face of Downtown, its narrative, and its optics.
And now, with daylight savings, I explained, people can see the Mighty Lights in a way that not only adds to the Downtown living experience but also positively influences their home values. When the Big River Crossing lights were first revealed three years ago with a gathering on the Artesian rooftop, almost 20 units sold within the following two weeks. Coincidence? Perhaps. Related? I’d argue so. Anytime you drive up or down Riverside Drive, you see this magnetic glow, like holiday lights hanging in your backyard. It never gets old. They’re impressive, and they make us look like the first-tier city that we are becoming.
My clients, like many others, proves that today, people don’t want to live in a home in isolation from their neighbors and their neighborhood. They desire walkability and a sense of community. Our strides in those categories Downtown have progressed in a pretty profound way, compared to ten years, five years, even three years ago. As we continue to grow, and as I continue to showcase Downtown residential opportunities, I look forward to showing off new examples of development each time. Who knows: If I don’t watch the clock, our three hours might turn into a full-day adventure in 2020.