Get your guide

Buy your first home at the best possible price for your local market. With advice and tips from a team of experts, this book will help you.
  • explore what's available and where the best values are
  • qualify for and line up financing
  • work with the seller to make needed repairs and close the deal


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OUR AGENTS

Realty Forward

Real Estate Agency

I’m Kelly Hamilton — full-time broker, no fluff, and fully invested in helping people move forward. That includes both clients and the agents who choose to build their business here.

For buyers and sellers, my job is to make the process clear, manageable, and maybe even a little enjoyable. You’ll get honest advice, strong communication, and a steady hand through every step.

For agents, I’m here to provide real support — not just systems and checklists, but the kind of coaching, collaboration, and accountability that help you grow and succeed on your own terms.

No pressure. No gimmicks. Just real guidance, real opportunity, and real results.

That’s what it means to move Forward with us.

Adam Hagen-Stein

REALTOR® | Investment Specialist

For most, a house is the biggest investment of their life—but for Adam, it’s about the people inside it. Since 2020, Adam has been serving the Columbus and Cincinnati communities with a simple philosophy: treat every client like family.

 

As a devoted family man himself, Adam understands that moving isn't just about paperwork; it’s about navigating one of life’s biggest transitions. Known for his 'honest to a fault' advice and a permanent smile, he’s the advisor who will tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or selling a long-time family home, Adam’s mission is to turn a challenging process into a seamless, successful celebration.

Amber Hood

REALTOR®

Brian Parks

REALTOR®

After spending 20 years in corporate IT and always desiring to help others, Brian decided to spread his wings and become a Realtor.  He brings that consistency of helping others and providing the best service possible to all of his clients, no matter their budget.
 
If you have a house to sell, Brian brings his technology background to your service.  From custom home sale websites to effective social media advertising, be sure that your home will be marketed to potential home buyers.  For homebuyers, we'll set you up with automated home search e-mails based on your search criteria.
 
From centralized scheduling of showings to electronic signatures, we bring all the tools needed for an efficient real estate transaction.

CJ Oliver

REALTOR®

As a Columbus, OH native and proud U.S. Navy sailor, I’ve learned the importance of staying calm under pressure, paying attention to the details, and following through when people are counting on you.


I bring that same mindset to real estate. Buying or selling a home can feel overwhelming, especially when timelines, negotiations, inspections, and big decisions all come together at once. My goal is to make the process feel clear, organized, and manageable from start to finish.


I believe clients deserve honest guidance, steady communication, and someone who takes the details seriously. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling your current one, or just trying to understand your options, I’m here to help you move forward with confidence.

Jordan Royce

REALTOR®

Justin Karnes

REALTOR®

With a passion for service in the Columbus area, I am ready to help with your home buying and selling needs. As a proud member of the Red 1 Realty family, I hold the values of hard work, integrity, and outstanding client service into everything I do.

Kelly Hamilton

Broker/Owner- REALTOR®

Kelly Hamilton | Real Estate Broker, Mortgage Loan Officer & Owner of Realty Forward

 

Kelly Hamilton is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Mortgage Loan Officer, and owner of Realty Forward, serving home buyers, sellers, real estate investors, landlords, and property owners throughout Columbus, Grove City, and Central Ohio. He's a straight shooter who happens to enjoy the work, and he'd rather tell you the truth than tell you what closes the deal.

 

Real estate decisions are rarely simple. Whether you're buying your first home, selling a property, building an investment portfolio, managing a rental, or trying to decide whether to sell or hold and rent, you deserve honest advice from someone who understands the entire picture. Kelly's approach is straightforward: real information, clear guidance, and practical solutions so clients decide based on their goals, not sales pressure. Sometimes that means buying. Sometimes selling. Sometimes the best move is holding, refinancing, or turning a property into a rental.

 

Why work with a broker who is also a mortgage loan officer?

Many transactions stall because of financing, not the property. As both a licensed Real Estate Broker and Mortgage Loan Officer, Kelly understands underwriting guidelines, loan programs, and the mortgage approval process firsthand. That combination lets him spot issues early, find financing options others overlook, and keep deals moving smoothly from contract to closing. Few professionals in Central Ohio offer expertise on both sides of the transaction, whether you're a first-time buyer, relocating, upsizing, downsizing, or pricing a home to sell for maximum value.

 

Should you sell, hold, or turn your property into a rental?

Not every owner should sell. Kelly frequently works with homeowners who have significant equity, favorable interest rates, or investment opportunities that make holding worth considering. By reviewing market conditions, equity, rental income potential, cash flow, and long-term goals, he helps clients determine whether selling, renting, or keeping a property makes the most financial sense. The recommendation is based on what's best for the client, not what generates the largest commission.

 

Real estate investing and property management

Beyond residential sales, Kelly works with investors and rental property owners across Central Ohio. Through Realty Forward and Properties Forward, he helps clients evaluate opportunities, manage rentals, improve operational efficiency, and build long-term wealth through real estate ownership.

 

Looking for an LGBTQ-friendly real estate professional in Columbus?

Kelly serves as Vice President of the Columbus Chapter of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance and as a Trustee for the Grove City Town Center, and believes everyone deserves knowledgeable, ethical representation and access to opportunities that help them build their future. Real estate should be professional, welcoming, and focused on helping people reach their goals.

 

Thinking about joining a brokerage in Central Ohio?

As owner of Realty Forward, Kelly has built a brokerage focused on accountability, transparency, accessibility, and professional growth. Agents get direct access to broker support, practical guidance, and a culture that values integrity, authenticity, and results.

 

Whether you're a client looking for guidance or an agent looking for a place to grow, the goal stays the same: move forward with clarity, confidence, and a plan that makes sense for you.

 

Serving Columbus, Grove City, and communities throughout Central Ohio

Scott Holtz

Licensed Operations Manager & REALTOR

At Realty Forward, we place our clients at the forefront of everything we do. Our approach is centered on creating a home-buying and selling experience that aligns with your unique goals, whether short- or long-term. We believe in building genuine relationships throughout the process, as we understand that real estate transactions are not just about properties but about the people behind them.