About us

Although having lived and worked around the globe, Karl spent many of his academic and professional years in the New England area. He holds a B.S. in Finance & Economics from Merrimack College, as well as an MBA from Harvard Business School, has held several executive management positions in a wide range of industries, both in the U.S. and abroad, and has owned and operated his own businesses.

His interest in real estate developed after graduating college in 1991 when he worked for Fleet Bank (now Bank of America) in Portland, Maine performing commercial real estate workouts and structured lending. He also began buying and renovating foreclosed and distressed properties during the recession of that period. Since then, Karl has purchased and sold a variety of properties from Maine to Florida, specializing in all aspects including rehabilitation and resale.

Karl is a licensed real estate Broker in both North and South Carolina and has consistently been a top selling broker year after year. He offers a unique mix of professional skills to both buyers and sellers of real estate. With a strong business background rooted in relationship building, problem-solving and creative solutions, as well as a sound working knowledge of residential real estate development, from construction to finish landscaping, he is committed to offering his clients the best of the business. Karl takes great pride in investing the time and effort necessary to understand and meet client goals rather than focusing simply on the transaction. He enjoys working with people and his multi-cultured background shines through in his ability to mesh with all types of buyers and sellers.

In all his travels, Karl enjoys calling Tryon, North Carolina home, having settled here to take advantage of the many things the region offers, including climate, equestrian activities, art and nature, and the melting pot of people.

When not working with real estate clients, Karl enjoys spending time at his horse farm in Tryon with his P.R.E. and Lusitano stallions, as well as his English labs, Harry and Pippa. Known for “always helping others” he regularly volunteers time and energy to a variety of causes, from food banks to pro bono business consulting. He is a regular donor to local non-profit organizations and has founded a private education foundation to support post-secondary education for underprivileged high school students.

Carrie Kimmell (Applied Real Estate) is well versed in the foreclosure process, spending over a decade serving the private investor space in distressed property acquisition, property rehabilitation, and sales on the California Central Coast. Her experience began in the midst of the last downturn as she dove into a declining market in 2010. This led her to develop a conservative and conscientious mindset in regard to all things real estate. Throughout the last twelve years, Carrie and her team have managed the acquisition, rehab, and resale of 100+ properties. Activities included:

– Initial property, neighborhood, and market research (zoning, CCRs, HOA, comps etc)
– Rehab budget estimation and property assessment (usually via a drive by only)
– Property title research
– Property acquisition generally via trustee sale (auction)
– Contacting current property occupants post-foreclosure
– Eviction oversight (when necessary)
– Securing the property once occupants are out (lock and key changes)
– Property “trash out”
– Revised project budget after possession
– Oversight of project direction and project management
– Organizing and coordinating contractors
– Tracking of budgeting and accounting throughout
– Marketing and sales coordination of rehabbed properties

Scale of projects managed has ranged from traditional single family tract homes to oceanfront estates to entire abandoned neighborhoods including ground up construction. Applied Real Estate has capital on hand and a management team in place to front and oversee properties until reimbursements can be made in due process.

Carrie is efficient, time conscious, and approaches work with a “can do” attitude. Her goal is to simplify your job, by providing timely and budget minded accountability throughout the REO lifetime, getting one more asset “off your books”.

Eric has lived on both the West and East Coasts and spent most of his academic and early professional years in California. A graduate from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, he holds both a Bachelor of Architecture degree as well as a Minor in Construction Management. Eric was fortunate to spend several years working in real estate and development in the early 2000s, prior to the great recession of 2008. In addition to being a licensed real estate broker, Eric is also a licensed general contractor, having worked on projects in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Malibu, greater Los Angeles, Colorado and North Carolina. During this time, many important lessons were learned in how to negotiate and navigate both the distressed and non-distressed real estate markets.

Having personally purchased, renovated, and flipped over 100 properties, Eric has seen and participated in many aspects of real estate that most brokers do not see. These include buying properties at auction, buying properties sight unseen, renovating properties both large and small, designing and building new construction from the ground up, and even finishing abandoned residential developments that were later redeveloped, and sold as part of a community.

Eric is a licensed real estate broker in both North Carolina and California and has consistently been a high-producing agent for over a decade. With his background in real estate, architecture, and construction, he has consistently used his knowledge to help clients with all aspects of real estate. While all deals have their challenges, whether it be a large estate, or a single-bedroom condo, Eric prides himself on finding creative solutions that meet his clients needs. Eric truly enjoys the art of negotiation when representing clients as a broker, treating every property as if it were his own. His unique skill set allows him to offer his clients an educated perspective when it comes to assessing and analyzing the value of a potential purchase, sale, or investment opportunity. He can find value and potential in all properties, no matter what their condition. His expertise and attention to detail parallel his commitment to professionalism and the needs of his clients. Eric understands that helping each client achieve their individual goal is always the highest priority.

When not working with Applied Real Estate Group, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons and is happy to call Tryon his home. Among his favorite activities are tennis, pickleball, and playing music with his family.