Eat the Cake: Sandra Kearney on Real Estate, Relationships, and Clarksville Living
Sandra Kearney has spent more than two decades helping families buy and sell real estate throughout Tennessee and Kentucky, but her story is about much more than houses.
In this episode of The Clarksville Keys Podcast, Travis Egan sits down with Sandra Kearney, Realtor and team leader of The Kearney Team with What About That House Real Estate Services, for a conversation about real estate, Fort Campbell families, customer service, Clarksville living, gardening, taking chances, and why sometimes the best advice really is to eat the cake.
Sandra entered real estate in 2003 after spending 22 years in retail. What began as a leap into something new eventually became a career built around repeat clients, referrals, long-term relationships, and being available when people need her.
Watch the Episode: Eat the Cake with Sandra Kearney
Meet Sandra Kearney
Sandra’s roots are just across the state line in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where she grew up on a farm.
She spent 22 years working in retail before deciding she wanted something different.
Real estate had always interested her, and after selling a few homes, she realized how much she enjoyed the process and the people involved.
In 2003, she decided to try real estate.
At first, she wasn’t completely convinced it would work.
Sandra describes herself as very shy at the time, and moving from a reliable paycheck to a business where income depended on selling and closing homes required a major leap of faith.
Her husband encouraged her to go for it.
And Sandra did.
From Two Full-Time Jobs to a Real Estate Career
Sandra didn’t immediately leave her retail career.
Instead, she worked two full-time jobs.
One provided the dependable paycheck.
The other was real estate.
As her experience, knowledge, and confidence grew, Sandra realized she could build a career in the business.
Eventually, she left retail behind.
More than two decades later, she still says she absolutely loves what she does.
One of the reasons is simple:
No two real estate transactions are exactly the same.
Different homes.
Different families.
Different problems.
Different goals.
And different stories.
How Clarksville Became Home
Sandra spent much of her early life in Hopkinsville before moving to Tennessee after marrying her husband, Ted Kearney.
Over time, Clarksville became home.
For Sandra, part of the appeal is the city’s location.
Clarksville has its own identity and community while still being close enough to Nashville to take advantage of everything Middle Tennessee offers.
You can head toward Nashville, explore parks and outdoor areas, travel relatively easily, or simply enjoy life in Clarksville.
Sandra likes what she calls the Clarksville feel.
If you are considering a move to the area, especially because of military orders, this guide on renting versus buying during a Fort Campbell PCS may also help:
https://travisegan.com/post/rent-vs-buy-fort-campbell-pcs-what-soldiers-should-know
Local Spotlight: Jeremy Bullock with Tennessee Farm Bureau Insurance
Before moving deeper into Sandra’s experience serving Clarksville and Fort Campbell families, this episode includes a Clarksville Keys local spotlight on Jeremy Bullock with Tennessee Farm Bureau Insurance.
Jeremy helps local families protect their homes, vehicles, and the things they have worked hard to build.
For buyers moving to Clarksville, established homeowners, and military families relocating to Fort Campbell, having trusted local professionals available can make a major difference.
Learn more about Jeremy Bullock and Tennessee Farm Bureau Insurance here:
https://www.fbitn.com/tn/montgomery-county/clarksville/montgomery-madison-street-agency
Serving Military Families Around Fort Campbell
After more than 20 years in real estate, Sandra has worked with countless military families throughout the Fort Campbell area.
Some of those experiences are difficult to forget.
One of Sandra’s clients once responded while he was flying an Apache helicopter.
She called him; he couldn’t answer, and instead he sent her a message explaining what he was doing.
That might be one of the more uniquely Fort Campbell moments imaginable.
But the stories that stay with Sandra aren’t always funny.
Real estate can be incredibly emotional.
Families sell childhood homes.
People leave properties filled with memories.
Military families receive orders and have to make major decisions quickly.
Sandra has cried with clients who were saying goodbye to homes that meant something deeply personal to them.
For her, that emotional side of the business matters just as much as the paperwork.
For military families considering buying in Clarksville, another useful resource is this breakdown of what it really costs to buy a home with a VA loan in Clarksville:
Real Estate Is Still About Taking Care of People
Technology has dramatically changed real estate.
Contracts are signed electronically.
Documents travel instantly.
Clients can buy homes from hundreds or thousands of miles away.
But Sandra believes some things haven’t changed.
People still need someone willing to help.
Sometimes that means negotiating a contract.
Sometimes it means scheduling an inspection.
And sometimes it means sitting in a parking lot and helping someone figure out how to sign a document electronically.
The technology may change.
The need for patience, communication, and personal service does not.
Local Spotlight: Sea Story Sushi
This episode's restaurant spotlight is Sea Story Sushi, an all-you-can-eat Japanese and Asian restaurant in Clarksville at 2131 Lowes Drive.
The menu goes well beyond traditional sushi rolls.
There is sushi, nigiri, ramen, tempura, yakitori, hibachi, boba, and more.
The concept is simple:
One price.
Plenty of variety.
And a chance to try a little bit of everything.
Sandra hadn’t made it there yet when we recorded the episode, but with a husband who is a big sushi fan, Sea Story was probably going to end up on their list.
Learn more about Sea Story Sushi here:
https://www.seastorysushi.com/
Why Answering the Phone Still Matters
When I asked Sandra what someone should expect when working with her, one answer stood out immediately.
She answers the phone.
That sounds simple.
But anyone who has tried to reach a professional while making a major financial decision knows how frustrating it can be when calls, texts, and emails go unanswered.
Sandra shared a recent example of a prospective client who had contacted multiple Realtors.
Sandra was the one who answered.
She was also able to go see the property that same day.
Her philosophy is that if someone needs help, she wants to be available.
Nights.
Weekends.
Holidays.
She sees responsiveness as part of the job.
The Relationship Doesn’t End at Closing
Sandra also makes it clear that she doesn’t see closing day as the end of the relationship.
If a client has a problem with the house later, they can call.
If they need a service provider recommendation, they can call.
If they don’t understand something, they can call.
Especially for first-time buyers, that ongoing relationship can be valuable.
Owning a home comes with questions.
Things break.
Systems need maintenance.
Unexpected issues come up.
Sandra wants former clients to know they still have someone they can reach out to.
For VA buyers, understanding what happens after the contract is signed can also prevent surprises. This guide explains VA appraisal requirements in Clarksville and what Fort Campbell buyers should expect:
Why Clients Call Sandra Again Years Later
A large part of Sandra’s business comes from repeat clients and referrals.
When I asked her why people call again five or ten years later, she said it comes down to trust.
She focuses on keeping clients informed and paying attention to the details.
She also tries to take as much stress off the client as possible.
That can include coordinating appointments with inspectors, arranging heating and air service, helping manage timelines, and handling the parts of the transaction that can easily overwhelm a buyer or seller.
Sandra describes the experience almost like a one-stop shop.
Her goal is to help clients focus on their move while she manages the process.
Who Works Best With Sandra?
Sandra may be a particularly good fit for buyers and sellers who value availability, communication, experience, and hands-on service.
She has experience with:
Existing homes
New construction
Land
Investment properties
First-time homebuyers
Repeat buyers and sellers
Military families
Fort Campbell relocations
And clients who simply want someone willing to help manage the details.
For Sandra, real estate isn’t just about opening doors or putting a sign in the yard.
It’s about being there when clients need help.
How to Connect With Sandra Kearney
If Sandra’s approach sounds like the kind of real estate experience you want, she makes it easy to reach her.
Sandra Kearney
The Kearney Team
What About That House Real Estate Services
Phone: (931) 320-1554
Email:[email protected]
Website:
https://www.sandrakearneyteam.com/
What About That House Real Estate Services:
https://www.whataboutthathouse.com/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-kearney-690a07126
Sandra says calling her directly is often the fastest way to connect.
Local Spotlight: Devon Terwilliger at The Dapper Den Barbershop
Before heading into the Clarksville Keys Quick Six, we spotlight Devon Terwilliger, Tee.Fades, at The Dapper Den Barbershop.
Devon is a local Clarksville barber helping guys look sharp, feel confident, and leave the chair a little better than when they walked in.
You can find Devon through The Dapper Den Barbershop and Tee.Fades here:
https://booksy.com/en-us/s/hair-design/35988_clarksville
The Clarksville Keys Podcast exists to support locally owned businesses and introduce Clarksville residents to people worth knowing.
The Clarksville Keys Quick Six
Every Clarksville Keys episode ends with the Quick Six.
The questions have very little to do with résumés, transactions, or business accomplishments.
They’re about getting to know the person behind the business.
Sandra’s answers did not disappoint.
Garden or the Beach?
Garden. Every time.
Sandra grew up on a farm, and that connection to growing things never really went away.
Her garden includes a little bit of everything.
Tomatoes.
Pumpkins.
And even popcorn.
Yes, Sandra grows her own popcorn.
And apparently it actually works.
For Sandra, gardening is also a way to decompress after a difficult day.
Sometimes you just need to play in the dirt.
What Does Sandra Grow That She’s Most Proud Of?
Tomatoes.
A family story goes with that answer.
Sandra’s father had a tradition of planting his tomatoes early each year so they'd be ready for the family reunion.
Her father has since passed away, but Sandra continues the tradition.
And this year, she succeeded.
She had the tomatoes ready.
Sometimes a garden is about much more than vegetables.
What Does Sandra Wish She Knew at 25?
Sandra’s answer was immediate:
Eat the cake.
But she wasn’t really talking about dessert.
Her point was about fear.
People spend too much time worrying about what everyone else thinks.
What will people say?
What if I fail?
What if someone doesn’t approve?
Sandra’s advice is to stop letting other people’s opinions determine your life.
Go for it.
Be your own person.
Make your own way.
Be the leader, not the follower.
And every once in a while, eat the cake.
If Sandra Weren’t in Real Estate, What Would She Be Doing?
This answer took the conversation somewhere I definitely wasn’t expecting.
Sandra said she’d be sailing the Caribbean.
Again.
Sandra and her husband once decided to do something most people only talk about.
They sold almost everything they owned other than their houses and vehicles.
They bought a boat.
They worked on it in Florida.
And then they spent a season living aboard the boat in the Bahamas.
That’s a pretty good example of someone actually following her own advice.
Go for it.
What Can Instantly Make Sandra’s Day Better?
Ice cream.
Asking Sandra for one favorite flavor turned out to be the wrong question.
Why settle for one?
Vanilla.
Chocolate.
Strawberry.
Maybe bananas and pineapple tomorrow.
The specific flavor isn’t really the point.
The point is ice cream.
And based on Sandra’s earlier advice, eating dessert first is probably perfectly acceptable.
What Would Sandra’s Billboard on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard Say?
Every Clarksville Keys guest gets the same final question.
You get a billboard on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard.
Five words or less.
What does it say?
Sandra had two ideas.
One tied directly to her real estate business:
Two Kearneys. Twice the hustle.
But the message she ultimately leaned toward was about something many buyers worry about:
Rates are temporary. Buy the house.
Her point is not that interest rates don’t matter.
They do.
Her point is that buyers should look at the whole picture, not let one number automatically stop them from considering homeownership.
Markets change.
Rates change.
Circumstances change.
Real estate decisions should be based on the buyer’s finances, goals, timeline, and overall situation.
If you are trying to decide whether buying makes sense during a Fort Campbell assignment, this may help:
https://travisegan.com/post/rent-vs-buy-fort-campbell-pcs-what-soldiers-should-know
The Bigger Lesson: Eat the Cake
This conversation offers plenty of real estate lessons.
Answer your phone.
Take care of people.
Pay attention to details.
Stay in touch after closing.
Build trust.
But Sandra’s Quick Six answer may summarize her story better than anything else.
Eat the cake.
Sandra left a 22-year retail career and started over.
She worked two full-time jobs while building her real estate business.
She and her husband bought a boat and lived in the Bahamas.
She continues carrying on family traditions in her garden.
And more than two decades after entering real estate, she still genuinely enjoys the work.
Sometimes the opportunity is worth taking.
Sometimes fear needs to take a back seat.
And sometimes you should just eat the cake.
Missed the Previous Episode?
Catch up on the previous episode of The Clarksville Keys Podcast, featuring Pati Ellens of Blooming Roots and Keller Williams Realty.
Pati shares her journey from Poland to Clarksville, buying her first home sight unseen while living overseas, serving military families relocating to Fort Campbell, and why moving away ultimately helped her realize Clarksville had become home.
Watch or read the Pati Ellens episode here:
https://travisegan.com/post/pati-ellens-clarksville-realtor
Or explore the full Clarksville Keys Podcast here:
https://travisegan.com/clarksville-keys-podcast
About The Clarksville Keys Podcast
The Clarksville Keys Podcast takes you inside the people, places, businesses, and stories that make Clarksville, Tennessee, home.
Hosted by Travis Egan, VA Mortgage Vet, the show features conversations with local Realtors, business owners, veterans, and community leaders who know Clarksville and the Fort Campbell area firsthand.
From Clarksville real estate and PCSing to Fort Campbell to restaurants, local businesses, neighborhoods, military life, and hidden gems, each episode is designed to help you:
Crack the Code to Clarksville Living!
Explore more episodes and learn more about The Clarksville Keys Podcast:
https://travisegan.com/clarksville-keys-podcast
Connect With Sandra Kearney
If you’d like to talk with Sandra about buying, selling, new construction, land, investing, or real estate in Clarksville, Fort Campbell, Tennessee, or Kentucky, you can reach her here:
Sandra Kearney
The Kearney Team
What About That House Real Estate Services
Phone: (931) 320-1554
Email:[email protected]
Website:
https://www.sandrakearneyteam.com/
What About That House Real Estate Services:
https://www.whataboutthathouse.com/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-kearney-690a07126
Sandra has built her business around being available, answering the phone, and helping clients long after closing.
If that sounds like the kind of Realtor you want on your side, reach out to her directly.
