Keller Welch will be the first to admit she has big shoes to fill. Her namesake and grandfather, Ollie Keller, is a local legend and was a successful college and high school football coach. Her parents both owned successful businesses and Keller describes her mother as being a “great mom to three girls and also an all-around badass in her career.”

Before earning her real estate license, Keller worked for beverage distributors and describes herself as “a third-generation juice pusher.” She says, “The legacy started with my grandfather, who quite possibly was a bonafide bootlegger.”  

Keller met her husband, Edward Welch, in Asheville, NC, and the couple married in Bluffton with a reception at Oldfield. They lived in Bluffton for 11 years and recently moved to Hilton Head Island. During the Covid lockdown, the couple’s third child was born. With three children at home and the real estate market exploding, Keller was the busiest she’s ever been. “I don’t think I have slept in two years, but I somehow managed to have my best year yet, kept three humans alive, launched two businesses, Proper Properties Group and a home staging business called High Bluff Designs. Edward and I sold one home, renovated another, and we are about to build yet another.” 

Together they have built and renovated many homes over the years – one every two years, in fact – which has helped Keller to learn and master the building and reconstruction process. This, combined with her natural affinity for real estate and connections in our area are what helped her achieve her personal best of more than $20 million last year. Keller explains, “I know someone for everything needed to get the home sold, from marketing to closing. I have experience in interior design and home staging and styling. I know what homes need and, as importantly, don’t need, to be ready for market. I usually know someone who can get work done quickly during the inspection process, or have my husband help me understand the inspection reports.” In the spirit of networking, Keller and Edward created an Instagram page, #wildwelchs, featuring their children and hobbies including entertaining, surfing, and traveling to the Bahamas. 

Keller has words of wisdom for newer agents. “You don’t have to take on every client; make sure it is a good fit for both of you.” She goes on to say, “Don’t be afraid to not have all of the answers. That comes with experience. You can assure them that you will find out the answer if you don’t have it at the ready.” Another simple but impactful piece of advice that Keller offers is, “Focus on the things you can control and let go of the things you can’t.”

Keller followed her own advice as her business grew. In January of 2022, Blair Rosco joined Keller’s team, Proper Properties Group. “I asked Blair to join my team because I know she goes above and beyond for her clients and conducts her business the way I do.” Hailing from Glennville, GA, Blair is an alumna of Kennesaw State University, where she majored in psychology. She puts those skills to good use in handling client relations and balancing the team’s busy workload. “My biggest goal is leading a life of balance between family, work, and play,” she says. As the mother of two young daughters, Blair volunteers regularly at their school and is a committee member on the Cross School’s annual Pearls to Pluff Mud gala. 

The Proper Properties Team shares responsibilities and leans on one another to ensure they help find their clients the perfect homes and advocate for them from listing to closing. Blair asserts that “the reason for the team’s success is our genuine interest in our clients and our innate understanding of what a growing family is looking for in a home.” 

Keller says, “We have shared values and goals as ‘mompreneurs.’ We trust and help one another to help our clients.” She continues, “Blair is very positive and upbeat and a joy to be around. Our styles and work philosophies both align and complement one another.”