Benchmark Happenings

Buyers keep asking how we’re moving homes so quickly without cutting corners. The short answer: relentless standards, a smarter mortgage strategy, and a system that keeps 13 projects on track without the chaos that sinks timelines and budgets. We open up about our first full year at Land2Homes and what it takes to deliver turnkey manufactured homes that feel great on day one—and still pencil out.

We walk through the real l...

Ready for a fresh start that actually feels like you? We sat down with Prime MD Aesthetics in downtown Johnson City to demystify modern, nurse-led beauty care—no scare tactics, no overdone looks, just smart planning and results you can live in. From GLP-1 weight loss support to microneedling, neuromodulators, fillers, and collagen stimulators, we walk through what each tool does, who it helps most, and how to stack treatments with ...

A warm smile at the door. A clear answer when everything feels blurry. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Kacey Buchanan as we spotlight Agape Women’s Services in Johnson City—an oasis of free, judgment-free care for women and families navigating unplanned pregnancy, STI concerns, and the complex emotions that follow.

We walk through what happens when someone steps into Agape: confidential pregnancy tests, ultra...

A 50-year mortgage sounds like the shortcut to affordability, but does it really help—or just push the bill into the future? We put the buzz to the test with clear numbers on payments, total interest, and equity growth, then map out practical alternatives that preserve your budget and your long-term wealth. Using a $400,000 example at current rates, we show why the monthly savings from 50 years is surprisingly small while the lifet...

The hardest day of foster care shouldn’t start on a linoleum floor. When a child is removed from home, the first hours shape everything—what they feel, what they fear, and whether they sense anyone is on their side. We sit down with Isaiah 117 House founder Ronda Paulson to unpack a simple but radical shift: replace office waiting rooms with an actual home where kids can bathe, eat, rest, and choose new clothes while caseworkers an...

A cross‑country move doesn’t have to be chaotic. Pat, a seasoned California real estate pro, shares how she found her pace, her people, and her perfect view in Northeast Tennessee—plus the surprising role a modern manufactured home played in making it all click. From that first “this is it” walkthrough to an early close, we break down what actually matters when you pair the right property with the right lending partner.

We...

Mortgage headlines are loud, but the real story is quieter: confidence. We dig into why builder confidence is rising while buyer confidence stalls, how the Fed’s long “sugar high” of quantitative easing set us up for today’s rates, and what a softer jobs market—amplified by AI hiring freezes—means for mortgages over the next 6 to 12 months. No fluff, just a grounded look at the forces moving your payment and your plan.

Ste...

The affordable housing crisis looms large across America, but innovative solutions are emerging right here in Northeast Tennessee. Jonathan Tipton and Steve Reed, mortgage professionals at Benchmark Home Loans, have launched Land to Homes—a groundbreaking venture transforming manufactured housing into a viable pathway to homeownership for first-time buyers.

Gone are the stigmas of yesterday's mobile homes. Today'...

A somber yet inspiring tribute to Charlie Kirk fills our latest episode as we reflect on the shocking loss of a Christian leader whose impact reached far beyond political spheres. Charlie's assassination on September 10th—what many are calling the first Christian martyrdom in America in decades—has left a void that cannot be filled by any single voice.

Charlie Kirk began his journey at just 18 years old, founding Turn...

Discovering your authentic style isn't just about looking good—it's about reconnecting with your natural beauty and finding confidence that radiates from within. In this enlightening conversation, Christine Reed welcomes Shelli Holechek, owner of House of Colour in Johnson City and Bristol, who reveals how color analysis is transforming lives across East Tennessee.

Shelli shares her fascinating journey from 24 ye...

What happens when creative passion meets entrepreneurial spirit? Suzanne McKinney's journey with Beauty in Stone Jewelry provides a masterclass in turning artistic talent into a thriving business.

Suzanne believes jewelry is the essential finishing touch that completes any outfit. "Even if you're wearing just a T-shirt and jeans, when you add beautiful jewelry, you've put the icing on the cake and expre...

Ever wonder what happens when you release your white-knuckle grip on what seems "too good to let go"? Tina Wilson's remarkable journey from portrait photographer to business maven reveals the surprising gifts that come from open hands and divine timing.

From finding her cordless phone in the freezer as an identity-starved new mom to hearing a mysterious voice on a drive home from Chattanooga, Tina's pat...

The quest for healthier, more youthful skin can be overwhelming with contradictory advice and miracle promises flooding social media. Kelli Rogers from Performance Medicine cuts through the noise in this enlightening conversation about what truly works in skincare.

Kelli reveals why your daily skincare routine forms the essential foundation upon which all other treatments build—comparing skincare neglect to only flossing r...

Looking for an affordable path to homeownership in today's challenging market? Steve Reed returns to Benchmark Happenings to dive deeper into Land to Homes, a pioneering solution for would-be homeowners struggling with sky-high housing costs and limited options.

While apartment renters face $1,200-$2,000 monthly payments with nothing to show for it, Land to Homes is creating a genuinely accessible alternative. Their t...

Steve Reed, Co-owner of Benchmark Home Loans, shares the story behind his new venture Land2Homes, which provides affordable turnkey manufactured housing solutions for buyers priced out of the traditional market.

• Land2Homes developed after seeing first-time homebuyers priced out by high interest rates and rising home prices
• The company purchases land, handles permitting, orders homes directly from factories, and del...

Freedom isn't free—a truth Michelle Stewart and the Honor Flight program understand deeply. As president of Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands, Michelle has dedicated herself to giving veterans the recognition they earned through their service and sacrifice.

What began as a Facebook message from a high school friend in 2021 has transformed into a mission that's touched hundreds of veterans' lives thro...

What does it take to transform a childhood passion into a thriving beauty business? Shamail McKenzie's journey from practicing on Barbie styling heads to becoming an award-winning hair and makeup artist reveals the perfect blend of artistic talent, business savvy, and genuine care for clients.

Shamail opens up about her 15+ years in the beauty industry, sharing how she built her business from the ground up without any...

Judge Jim Goodwin lifts the veil on what recovery courts really are—not programs for first-time offenders as commonly misunderstood, but rather the last line of defense before long-term incarceration for those caught in addiction's grip. As Criminal Court Judge for the Second Judicial District in Sullivan County, Goodwin has transformed the landscape of rehabilitation in East Tennessee through innovative court programs that br...

What happens when tourism expertise meets a passion for pageants and photography? Something magical, as Krishna Goodwin demonstrates in this captivating conversation about professional imagery, personal branding, and finding your true path.

Krishna pulls back the curtain on her journey from Sullivan County Tourism Director to sought-after photographer, revealing how her husband's hobby unexpectedly launched her into a...