Realty veteran launches company

Longtime Reno Realtor Chris Harris, former owner of Keystone Realty, has opened an office focused on residential resale.

Realty 500 First Choice opened in March in 2,600 square feet at 3891 Warren Way. Harris and a secretary handle office functions for about 24 independent contractor, home-based agents.

Harris says business has picked up after a few slow opening weeks.

Harris had owned Keystone Realty for more than two decades but sold the company and was working the past five years under a non-compete agreement. Toward the end of that contract, he says, he got the itch to run his own office again.

Harris says eight of his former agents now are with Realty 500 First Choice. He leased smaller office space to control costs.

Harris feels the area may already have weathered the worst of the slowdown in residential resales.

"This market has been somewhat insulated from what happens nationally, and I really think things are straightening out," he says. "With the number of sales picking up, values will increase. People are making offers and making things happen."

NNBW staff