About Chris Van Eps

I’ve Been That Buyer

I’m Chris Van Eps — I moved to Southern Middle Tennessee from Chicago because my wife grew up here and we wanted a different life. When I bought my place, my realtor rushed the process. I had a septic system I didn’t understand and questions I didn’t know to ask. Everything turned out fine, but I walked out of closing feeling lucky rather than confident — and that didn’t sit right with me.

So I got my license. Not to become a sales machine, but to be the agent I wish I’d had. Someone who slows down long enough to actually explain what you’re buying — the septic, the land, the quirks, the questions you don’t know to ask yet.

I’m still learning this market every day across Maury, Giles, Lawrence, Marshall, and Lewis Counties. I think that makes me better at the job, not worse — because I know what it’s like to sit on your side of the table.

Local Market Intel

Deep knowledge of Columbia and the surrounding rural communities. I track pricing, days on market, and buyer demand so your decisions are based on real numbers — not national headlines or Zillow averages.

Technical Guidance

Navigating wells, septic, soil types, topography, utilities, road access, and Tennessee Greenbelt tax considerations. The details that can make or break a rural transaction.

Advanced Marketing & Tech

Professional photography, drone video, 3D tours, and AI-driven digital ads that reach the right buyers — not just the widest net.

Relocation Support

Moving from out of state? Virtual tours, video walkthroughs, and a trusted local network of lenders, inspectors, and contractors. Many clients purchase without visiting in person first.

💧 Well & Septic Systems

Most rural properties aren’t on city water or sewer. Knowing what to test, what a failing system costs, and how to negotiate around findings is essential — not optional.

🌱 Tennessee Greenbelt Tax Status

Qualifying land is taxed at use value — saving owners 50–80% on property taxes. Most residential agents don’t even know to mention it.

🗺️ Soil, Topography & Access

Soil types affect what land can be used for. Topography affects drainage. Road access determines whether a parcel is even buildable. These details define value in rural real estate.

🏹 Timber, Hunting & Recreational Value

A property with mature hardwood, creek frontage, or established food plots has measurable additional value — but only if your agent knows how to market it to the right buyers.

💰 Rural Financing Options

USDA loans, Farm Credit land loans, and ag-use financing work differently than conventional mortgages. Knowing which applies from day one saves weeks of delays.

📍 Hyperlocal Comps

A 40-acre tract in Giles County doesn’t compare to a suburban lot in Spring Hill. Accurate pricing requires real rural data.

Local Market Updates

Regular breakdowns of what’s happening in the Maury County and Southern Middle Tennessee market — pricing trends, days on market, and what it means for buyers and sellers right now.

How to Choose a Realtor in Columbia TN

What to look for, what questions to ask, and the red flags to avoid when hiring a real estate agent in Southern Middle Tennessee.

Rural Resources for Buyers & Sellers

Guides on Greenbelt tax status, well and septic basics, USDA loan eligibility, and everything else unique to buying and selling rural property in Tennessee.