CRI Properties opened its doors in December 1998, in a second-floor office “bullpen” space above Greer Garrick’s Office supply store on New Bridge Street. Our initial roster included three agents and one office staff person. Soon after we opened, Petey the parakeet perched on the sill of an open window and was welcomed as our first pet. With no listing inventory, we created an investor website – investors could purchase rental homes through our firm – mostly VA foreclosures – we would repair them and provide ongoing property management services. We also managed New River Shopping Center. New River required permanent maintenance employees to keep the Shopping Center clean, the grass cut and minor maintenance accomplished. CRI hired two maintenance men who needed a truck, and as luck would have it, there was a surplus Ambulance available for purchase from the County. We adorned it with a caduceus and called the service “The Maintenance Medic”. Business grew steadily, and in May 2001, we moved into our current office on Gum Branch Road.