Why "Move-In Ready" Homes Are Flying Off the Market While Fixer-Uppers Sit , A Tennessee GuideIf you have been watching homes for sale in Northeast Tennessee or Southwest Virginia, you may have
Testimonials
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Seth was extremely helpful with my relocation from IN. He was able to show me several home either doing a walk through or virtual tour. He was able to help me get in the home before closing making my transition a lot easier, and cheaper.
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- Jacob Shaff
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Seth Lester did an outstanding job for us. He is a solid professional and helped us throughout the entire purchasing process. I highly recommend him.
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- Bruce Judkins
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In a tough real estate market, we wanted agents that would provide 100% proactive support for selling my house for top dollar and in a timely manner. Our first realtor fell short and Baird our house lowner than we stubborn sellers wanted; we were not greedy, just wanted a fair price for all the improvements we funded. Moved on to Diaz and Lester, a husband and wife team they promised the world! Well, they delivered and exceeded our expectations. We relocated halfway across the USA 5 weeks before our house closed, leaving all the work and details to our trusted agents. They earned their commissions by overcoming all obstacles along the way; when the first offer fell out of escrow because the buyer could not sell his house (contingency), Diaz and Lester took the bill by the horns and had it sold in an all cash deal in two days. What a relief; I was not prepared to make two mortgage payments and they were aware of that. Great marketing, super communications, took care of inspection items that needed repairs, kept us informed every step of the way. Grateful to have found this real estate team; they took a lot of the anxiety and stress out of the process.
If you are looking for a winning team, I would highly recommend Diaz and Lester for your real estate reds, a professional experience that, looking back, was as smooth as glass! You won’t regret the experience!
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- Peter and Carmen dempsey (Cdr-USN Retired)
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Wow these two are phenomenal. Seth was our primary but both provided a wealth of expertise. Seth was so knowledgeable and honest. Always willing to help in anyway he could. We highly recommend this team. We've never had such a great experience in buying a home.
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- Lora Norby
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O’Mayra and Seth helped us navigate the purchase of our new home and the sale of our current home. This was my first home buying experience and they were so thorough, answering all of our questions and helping with any concerns. I would recommend them to anyone looking for their forever home.
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- Amy Buetow
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You're in great hands, I love this husband and wife team! I connected with Seth Lester through Zillow. It was easy and he was extremely efficient with helping us get the ball rolling. My family and I were on our house hunting travels for about 3 months and during our travels we were able to meet his lovely wife. This is a power team! They are on point and respond quickly. I appreciate their knowledge and upbeat approach to every detail on our new home journey. GRATEFUL!
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- Jamel Smilak
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Seth was outstanding. He helped to buy our house on short notice. Very professional. Highly recommended
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- Alay Mansurov (Physician)
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Diaz & Lester did an amazing job during my home buying process. They are reliable, professional & respond promptly with any concerns. I highly recommend them!!!
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- Maria Hill (Buyer )
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We absolutely loved working with Seth. It is stressful to move to a new state and we are so thankful for the time and hard work Seth put into helping us find our dream house!
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- Jonna Johnson
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I highly recommend these people for for your next future home! They are very professional and polite!
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- Andrew Fontaine
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O'Mayra and Seth were so helpful throughout the entire home purchasing process. As out of state buyers, we needed agents with great communication skills and they certainly did not disappoint. They were always available to answer any questions we had and were extremely patient while doing so. In addition, O'Mayra and Seth are kind, reliable, and go out of their way to take care of their clients. We recommend them to anyone looking to buy and hope to use them again some day.
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- Joel Bartuste
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They found me the house and then helped me sell it, and in the process they became fast and trusted friends. They're honest, pleasant and dependable. They're by far the best realtors in the business in Eastern Tennessee. You will find better ones!
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- Hanna ODell
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Outstanding !!!!!
Professional, Caring, and a great feel for the market.
They don't leave any money on the table.
Happy to recommend...
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- Frank M Petrucci
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Moving to a new state is very difficult and I am so thankful for the assistance we recieved from Seth. He helped connect us with temporary housing and helped us view new houses virtually and in person. We love our new house and know we would not have found it without Seth's help!
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- Jonna
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Seth and Omayra are awesome!! The way they care enough to get to know you well to ensure the places you see are set to as many of your goals for your home as possible. They work at your pace and allow you plenty of time and opportunity to search out and find the perfect place to call home. Their knowledge and commitment are exemplary, we couldn't have asked for anyone better! We would definitely recommend working with them if you are wanting to find the perfect fit for you!
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- Brennen Betts
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Seth was Very knowledgeable, professional and easy to work with. After several other Realtors, Seth was able to sell our lot. Highly recommend!
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- Richard K Spatola
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Definitely recommend Mrs. Díaz and Mr .Lester they did and awesome job and everything went nice and smooth with the closing of our investment property! They will give you suggestions and guide you through the process very well I would’ve like to give a 10 star but there’s none but they very professional and friendly people! Will recommend to friends and relatives call them if you need them !!!
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- Karla urrea
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Seth was amazing to work with. Very flexible with my schedule, always on top of new listings, and gave great advice and recommendations. 10/10 will use Seth on my next home search!
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- Cody Taylor
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We lucked into getting to know Seth via requesting a showing on Zillow. Seth was the agent that contacted us and showed us the house, and we really liked his attitude and willingness to work with us for as long as it took for us to find the home that was right for us. Seth and O'Mayra were there for us every step of the way. We never felt pressured to put an offer in on a home we weren't positive about, or put in a higher offer than we were comfortable with for a particular house. They listened to what our family wanted, and needed, and our situation and were patient with us while we looked for a home our child can grow up in. They were also extremely responsive when there was a house that we wanted to look at quickly before it was under contract. We would message Seth, and he would respond with pertinent information and make time for us very soon after that. They were very professional and knew the process, and were always great answering our many questions, and keeping us informed as well. I can't recommend them enough. They never made us feel like we were just another transaction to them. They cared about our family's situation and needs, and made sure that the entire process was handled with that same care. It was more than just dollars and cents, and that made a huge difference for us. This was a long term decision for our family, and we feel that Seth and O'Mayra gave us the information and support necessary to make the best one possible.
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- Jacob Davenport
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Seth was very helpful with my many questions, being from out of state. He was very flexible and patient. I first met with him in Oct and closed on my new house in Jan. Smooth process. I highly recommend Seth!
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- Robin muza (RN)
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They go above and beyond for their clients during one of the most stressful time
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- Sumer Bowers
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Great team work DIAZ AND LESTER [Next Home>
good communication highly recommended let them help you out to get you new house ,they are out there ready to take call.
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- Juan Garcia
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I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for all the hard work and dedication you put into selling my home. Your approach of putting "Humans Over Houses" truly shines through in every interaction we had.
What impressed me most was not just your professionalism, but also the compassion and empathy you showed throughout this entire process. You both made a daunting task so much smoother and more manageable, and for that, I am incredibly thankful.
Thank you once again for everything. I couldn't have done it without you!
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- Danielle Blackwell
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These two are absolutely amazing! They are two of the most knowledgeable and professional people in the business. They really made the process of buying and selling my home so easy and stress free. They are great with communication and definitely go above and beyond for their clients. I can’t thank them enough!
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- Ashley sutherland
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Absolutely the best realtors I’ve ever had experience with. I wanted to sell my home quickly and within about 2 weeks, I was under contract. Great communication and answered every question I had.
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- Dyani Moore
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This couple is amazing and a great working team. They have compassion and zeal for what they do. Very knowledgeable and caring for the families they work with. They guide you through the buying or selling process. They were with us from beginning to end of our realty transactions and it gave us peace to know we weren't alone. I highly recommend giving them a call when you need realty professionals.
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- Barbara Wilkins
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Diaz and Lester are awesome! Start to finish. Their knowledge and connections help make for as smooth a process as possible!
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- Michael
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I don't have any complaints about O'Mayra and Seth! In fact, I don't think there's enough space in this box to truly list all of the amazing things they did for us. We do not live in TN but are relocating there. They sent us a listing of "my dream home". All it took was one phone call from me expressing interest in the home and this dynamic duo GOT TO WORK! Purchasing a home sight unseen while living in a different state is already stressful enough. But O'Mayra and Seth walked us through all of it with great attention to detail and communication. We did a virtual tour and Seth was very specific in detailing everything he was seeing with his eyes. We signed a contract, trusting in our agents. When we finally went to see the property in person ourselves, we knew we made a wise decision. This was our house! O'Mayra and Seth took care of every detail of paperwork, phone calls with title company, listing agent, lenders, etc. They made the process so smooth and easy for us. Never once were they not available when I called or texted. They gave us peace of mind. They are extremely knowledgeable and I trust them 100%! In fact, I've already given out their number to a couple of our friends interested in moving. HIGHLY satisfied customer here!!!
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- Lyle & Paola Wilson (Homebuyer)
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They are the absolute best realtors in the Tennessee area. Hands down professional, always brings a solution to a problem and very reliable.
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- Austin Harley
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Working with O'Mayra and Seth for my home purchase was very stress free. O'Mayra and Seth work very well as a team. When one of them is occupied with some task then the other one will gladly step in and "keep the ball rolling forward". I never felt pressured while working with these two and they were always willing and able to find the answer to all of my questions. Thanks again you guys. 5 out of 5 STARS..!!
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- Richard Dodson (Home Buyer)
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The Diaz/Lester team was always available and prompt to answer any and all questions. They were so open to show us a variety of homes even on short notice. Our transaction went very smoothly.This is our second home they have helped us with and we will definitely use them again for any future real estate needs.
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- Elsa Jenels (Retired Registered Nurse )
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Seth and O'Mayra we're a joy to work with! They listened to our needs/wants, sent us listings that fit that criteria and spent the time showing us houses over a couple of days. Seth helped us negotiate getting some safety repairs taken care of prior to closing. This was greatly appreciated!! As a Realtor myself, it was great being able to wear my "buyer" hat and know that this process was in great hands with Seth and O'Mayra!!
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- Kristi Herndon (Realtor/Home Buyer)
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I couldn't say more positive things about Diaz and Lester...This team is amazing...They work have hard for your needs and the top of that they are extremely honest, reliable, friendly, transparency communication, professional, fair, patient...They became my real estate forever team....They have done in the past, present transactions for me and they always will because no one delivers quality service as they do...Once you meet and work with them you will understand exactly my words. Highly recommend...
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- KRIS MACIASZEK (Buyer)
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Seth is great! He was very detailed and helpful throughout the process. They have many services which makes things easier and help you get more for your money.
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- Muneer Uddin
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Had a wonderful experience with Diaz and Lester. They guided us right through the process and stayed on top of issues that could have happened. Would highly recommend.
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- Cindy Wharton
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We relocated from out of state to the area. Seth was available to show us listings via video and made purchasing from out of state easy.
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- Elizabeth Blomquist and Paul Davendonis
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Absolutely loved working with the Diaz/Lester crew. I would 100% recommend!!
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- Abigail Grace Weiberg
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Beyond satisfied with O’Myara and Seth. With this being my very first time selling a home, and having to sell under an unfortunate circumstance, they were more than helpful and took their time to explain everything to me about the entire process. They were extremely professional and also very personable to my situation. They stayed on the ball and made sure everything was done in a timely fashion. I completely trusted them and their service and if I ever need services again they will be who I work with, and who I will recommend to anyone!
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- Brittney Moody
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Seth is by far the most professional and punctual agent I’ve ever worked with (and I’ve worked with many). His expertise, knowledge, and communication skills turned a rocky transaction into something smooth and seamless! Diaz and Lester make a power duo, and I will trust them with all my future real estate needs. To Seth, thank you again for all the help on this one. Couldn't have gotten it done without you!
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- Ashley Abad
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I can’t believe how easy and seamless it was to purchase our beautiful home! Diaz & Lester have mastered the task of home buying from initial contact to follow-up after closing! They will be my first call - all things property!!!
Many thanks to a fantastic team!!!
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- Kelly Johnson
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I absolutely loved working with them. I would highly recommend them for selling or purchase of a home. They are very trustworthy, friendly and on top of everything. They work very fast and hard to get the job done.
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- Candace hammer
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O’Mayra and Seth are hands down the best realtors in East Tennessee. They helped us purchase our first home and then sell it 4 years later. They honestly went above and beyond for us during both experiences. They always kept our interests in mind and were continuously keeping us in the loop about progress and what things meant. We appreciate them so much and couldn’t have done this without them!
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- Thalia and Jason Nicholson
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O’mayra and Seth were amazing when purchasing our first home! We felt comfortable with their leadership and were never misguided. They are great to work with and extremely thorough throughout the entire process making sure we understood the “fine print”! We absolutely love them both!
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- Miranda Regan
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Very good, very professional Real estate team always available would definitely use them again very smooth transaction
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- Tom Jenels
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We bought our first and second house with Diaz and Lester. They also helped us sell our first house. Allows great communication and recommendations to make the process seamless.
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- Alex Haley
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Go above and be to help. And when you're in a totally different state, you can definitely depend on them to do the virtual walkthroughs with you and are excellent at letting you know, everything and guiding you through The procedure Whether this is your first home or your fifth, they are the people to get ahold of I will recommend them to anybody.
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- Jeannine Ewan (Mother)
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Seth and O'Mayra were fantastic from start to finish during the purchase of my new construction home. They helped me evaluate different lots available, understand the purchasing and building process, and navigate all the paperwork involved, all while adding their personal touch. I'd highly recommend them to anyone looking to purchase a home!
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- Jarod Blazo
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We are so thankful for having crossed paths with Diaz and Lester. They were available everything time we had a questions, even on the weekends. They guided us through the whole process of buying our house, helped with ideas and great tips on how we can update our kitchen and add an additional restroom to fit our needs. They are professional, they truly love what they do, which is to help people find the right home. We have already recommended them to our friends. Thank you Diaz and Lester.
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- Marco and Perla V
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Seth was an absolute professional during the whole process. Enjoyed working with him and will do whatever it takes to get your property sold as quick as possible!
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- Mike Dulaney
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Seth and O'mayra are a dinamic duo. If you have a question they will tag team into taking care of your every need. Needless to say, we had a wonderful experience selling our house, they made the transaction feel super smooth.
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- Roberto Jesus Aramburu (Affiliate Broker )
About Diaz and Lester
Diaz & Lester Team | Elevating Every Real Estate ExperienceReal estate is more than a transaction—it's one of life's biggest milestones. Whether you're buying your first home, upgrading to your forever home, investing in real estate, or selling a luxury estate, you deserve expert guidance, honest advice, and a team that genuinely cares about your success.
That's exactly what you'll find with the Diaz & Lester Team, led by husband-and-wife Brokers/Owners O'Mayra Diaz and Seth Lester of NextHome Magnolia Realty.
Proudly serving Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Jonesborough, Piney Flats, Gray, Elizabethton, Bluff City, Greeneville, Erwin, Rogersville, and communities throughout Northeast Tennessee, our team has built a reputation for combining innovative marketing, expert negotiation, local knowledge, and concierge-level service with a warm, approachable experience that puts clients first.
Our expertise spans every stage of the real estate journey. We proudly represent first-time homebuyers, growing families, military veterans, healthcare professionals, executives relocating to the region, retirees, investors, builders, developers, and luxury buyers and sellers throughout the Appalachian Highlands.
Luxury Expertise. Personalized Service.
Luxury isn't defined by price, it's defined by the level of service you receive.
The Diaz & Lester Team specializes in luxury homes, executive residences, custom-built homes, waterfront properties on Boone Lake, Watauga Lake, and South Holston Lake, historic estates, golf course communities, mountain retreats, equestrian properties, acreage, farms, investment properties, commercial real estate, vacation homes, and new construction.
Every listing benefits from a tailored marketing strategy designed to maximize exposure and attract qualified buyers. Depending on the property, our marketing may include professional photography, cinematic video, drone imagery, AI-enhanced digital marketing, targeted social media advertising, luxury property syndication, email campaigns, geographic buyer targeting, and strategic pricing backed by in-depth market analysis.
Whether we're marketing a luxury waterfront estate or a first home, our philosophy remains the same:
Every home deserves exceptional marketing, and every client deserves exceptional representation.
Local Experts. Trusted Advisors.
As Broker/Owners deeply rooted in Northeast Tennessee, we offer clients more than market knowledge—we provide insight into the communities, schools, neighborhoods, outdoor lifestyle, and investment opportunities that make this region one of the fastest-growing places to call home.
Our service areas include Washington, Sullivan, Carter, Greene, Hawkins, and Unicoi Counties, along with the vibrant communities surrounding Boone Lake, Watauga Lake, South Holston Lake, and the greater Tri-Cities region.
A Competitive Advantage for Buyers
In addition to serving as Broker/Owner of NextHome Magnolia Realty, O'Mayra Diaz is also a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator with Cardinal Financial. This unique combination allows our team to guide clients through both the real estate and financing process, helping buyers better understand conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, construction, and investment loan options while making informed financial decisions from day one.
Relationships Over Transactions
Our goal has never been to simply sell homes. We strive to become trusted advisors for life.
Many of our clients return years later to purchase their next home, invest in additional properties, or trust us to help family and friends with their real estate goals. Those lasting relationships are built on communication, transparency, education, and consistently delivering results.
Whether you're searching for your first home, relocating to Northeast Tennessee, expanding your investment portfolio, purchasing a custom luxury residence, or preparing to sell a waterfront estate, you'll receive the same level of professionalism, dedication, and personalized service that has become the hallmark of the Diaz & Lester Team.
Luxury Expertise. Hometown Heart. Elevated Service for Every Client.
Latest Blog Posts
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Waiting for Prices to Drop? Here's the Cost of Hesitation in the 2026 Tri-Cities MarketIf you are waiting for Tri-Cities home prices to fall, you are not alone. Higher mortgage rates and
7 Mistakes You're Making with VA and USDA Loans (and How to Fix Them)If you’re looking at homes for sale in Kingsport, TN or checking out the beautiful homes for sale in Greeneville, TN, you
Areas We Cover
- Abingdon
- Afton
- Andersonville
- Appalachia
- Bakersville
- Baneberry
- Banner Elk
- Bean Station
- Ben Hur
- Big Stone Gap
- Blackwater
- Blaine
- Bland
- Blountville
- Blowing Rock
- Bluff City
- Breaks
- Bristol
- Bulls Gap
- Bulter
- Burnsville
- Butler
- Bybee
- Byrdstown
- Castlewood
- Cedar Bluff
- Celina
- Chattanooga
- Chilhowie
- Chuckey
- Church Hill
- Cleveland
- Clinchco
- Clinton
- Clintwood
- Cobsy
- Coeburn
- Corryton
- Cosby
- Creston
- Crossville
- Damascus
- Dandridge
- Dante
- Del Rio
- Dryden
- Duffield
- Dungannon
- Dunlap
- Eidson
- Elizabethton
- Erwin
- Ewing
- Fall Branch
- Flag Pond
- Fort Blackmore
- Galax
- Gate City
- Gatlinburg
- Glade Spring
- Gray
- Greeneville
- Hampton
- Harriman
- Harrogate
- Hartford
- Haysi
- Hilham
- Hiltons
- Jefferson City
- Jellico
- Johnson City
- Jonesborough
- Jonesville
- Keokee
- Kingsport
- Kingston
- Knoxville
- Kodak
- Kyles Ford
- Laurel Bloomery
- Lebanon
- Limestone
- Little Switzerland
- Marion
- Mars Hill
- Maryville
- Meadowview
- Mendota
- Midway
- Mohawk
- Mooresburg
- Morristown
- Mosheim
- Mount Carmel
- Mountain City
- New Market
- New Tazewell
- Newland
- Newport
- Nickelsville
- Norton
- Oneida
- Parrotsville
- Pennington Gap
- Pigeon Forge
- Piney Flats
- Pound
- Richlands
- Roan Mountain
- Rockwood
- Rocky Gap
- Rogersville
- Rose Hill
- Rural Retreat
- Russellville
- Rutledge
- Saint Paul
- Saltville
- Sevierville
- Seymour
- Shady Valley
- Sharps Chapel
- Sneedville
- Speedwell
- Spruce Pine
- Strawberry Plains
- Sugar Grove
- Sulphur Springs
- Surgoinsville
- Talbott
- Tazewell
- Telford
- Thorn Hill
- Trade
- Tusculum
- Unicoi
- Vansant
- Washburn
- Watauga
- Weber City
- White Pine
- Whitesburg
- Wise
- Wytheville
- Zionville
MLS® Disclaimer
Tennessee Virginia Regional MLS All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested
in purchasing. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Diaz and Lester may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. Copyright ©2026 All rights reserved.
Last Updated: September 24, 2026 9:29 PM UTC
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