Meet the Team

Barbara Park grew up in Evanston, Illinois, where she lived a brisk 2 miles from Lake Michigan, so she’s always preferred lakes to oceans. These days, she operates on Tellico Lake and in the Tellico Village community. 

Barbara’s father worked as the corporate treasurer for the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in Chicago. She recalls her father telling her about the association’s code of ethics and the reason for its existence: to protect consumers. Growing older brought new experiences, such as buying and selling her personal home several times — an experience that reeled her back to real estate.

In 2007, her daughter left for college, and her husband worked long weekends, so Barbara had extra time on her hands. In 2008, she worked in Atlanta for the CDC and got involved part-time with a local, independent real estate brokerage. 

She prides herself on providing exceptional service that exceeds client expectations. From research to marketing, helping buyers and sellers find the best price possible for what they’re looking for is critical. Still, her favorite part is advising and educating with the best information to help clients make intelligent decisions. Loyalty to her clients is paramount, and her focus is to make their purchase or sale a positive experience.

As a child, if the day was warm enough, she knew it meant a trip to the beach — riding the waves and watching the sailboats.  Her favorite memory of the lake was taking bike rides around the shore. When she married her husband, they would take family vacations in northern Wisconsin on Lake Owen, where they would ski, tube, and take late-night boat cruises to gaze upon the stars.

These days she doesn’t ski or tube as much but enjoys afternoon rides and cocktail cruises, or she can be found in a quiet cove of Tellico Lake lounging in the cool waters. Thankfully, her family lives close to the lake. Their daughter, who lives in Chattanooga, visits home often, where she enjoys paddleboarding and boating.

When she’s not on the water, Barbara can be found cooking, gardening, golfing, or pickling her favorite vegetables.

Tammy McCurry operates in eastern Tennessee. She serves Fort Loudoun and Watts Bar but has a specialty and fondness for Tellico Lake. Growing up in a military family enabled her to move around the United States, and while she’s lived in Texas and Georgia, the Tennessee Valley is where she calls home.  

Before she joined Lake Homes Realty, Tammy began her real estate career in 2013 as a builder representative with a national homebuilder. No stranger to the lake, she has always been near the water no matter where she’s lived. Today, Tammy is thriving and feels blessed to be part of a team of professional, experienced women who support one another.

Her family is as tied to the lake as she is. As a child, she recalls sunbathing on a boat launch at summer camp by the lake. It’s where she would spend hours with her boyfriend—now her husband of 41 years. Today, they can be found waterskiing, wakeboarding, or attending one of the county’s many events, including the Monroe County Hot Air Balloon Festival. When Tammy is not on the lake, she’s spoiling her grandson, who knows her as his “favorite grandma at the lake.” 

Introducing Karen Michels, your dedicated real estate expert specializing in lakefront properties. Hailing from Moville, Iowa, Karen brings a wealth of high-level marketing and design experience to her real estate career. With a background as a Creative Director and Marketing Manager, coupled with running her own successful design and marketing business, Karen possesses a unique skill set tailored to meet her clients’ needs.

As a seasoned realtor with a specialization in acreage properties in Minnesota, Karen’s expertise in lakefront real estate is unparalleled. She finds joy in helping others navigate the excitement of finding their dream home or selling their property, providing a seamless and rewarding experience every step of the way.

Despite being new to the area, Karen’s familiarity with lakefront living spans over five years of frequent visits, giving her valuable insights into the community and its offerings. Now residing in Tellico Village, Karen and her family embrace the abundant recreational opportunities, from hiking and biking to exploring the vast lakefront vistas.

Outside of real estate, Karen’s passions include showing and riding horses, along with a love for pickleball, tennis, and photography. Her decision to join Lake Homes Realty/Beach Homes Realty stems from a desire to work within a smaller, specialized brokerage, where she can focus on her niche market and provide personalized service to her clients. Choose Karen Michels for a tailored approach to finding your perfect lakefront retreat.

Dani joined the Karen Packett Team in 2019, and is a licensed real estate assistant and dedicated buyer’s agent. Dani brings a wealth of experience from her previous career in the television industry, where she excelled at project management in marketing production. A true lake enthusiast, Dani grew up cherishing moments at her grandparents’ lake house in the Ozarks, fostering a deep appreciation for lakeside living. She is thrilled to be a part of your real estate journey and looks forward to partnering with you every step of the way!