Mundi George, Michael Edens, Ernie Redd

Now that the New Year has turned I have LOTS to post about, including a flurry of new listings that have hit (or are about to hit) the Downtown Columbia real estate market.

Before too much time passes, however, and it gets away from me, I have to post about a milestone. On Dec. 30, 2015, we had the honor and privilege of experiencing our 1,000th career closing. Kinda cool!

Are we the first to do this? No. Were all of them perfect transactions? Of course not.

I remember my first closing on Glenwood Road, and the dang inspection like it was yesterday. At the time, I had never heard of a shower pan. I also remember the 3rd closing (which financially afforded me the opportunity to continue in this profession – thank you, Stephen and Amy Scott!), the year we closed almost 350 transactions, and so many in between.

I can think of some good and fun clients that would be a perfect fit for number “1,000.” That said, “#1,000” ended up being a back-office lucky strike. Turns out, a referral from one of my best friends Mundi George, who happens to be a partner within my largest closing law firm MG&C Law (David Ross), was number One Thousand. Thank you, Mundi! As you know, I love you and your family – F|A appreciates you!!! 🙂

On December 31, my buddies Michael Edens and Ernie Redd closed on a vacant lot in the Woodhill Crest neighborhood to make for #1,001. Over the years, Michael and Ernie have been incredible clients. Michael is a Vice President with Southern First Bank and Ernie Redd owns Redd Flooring. As you can imagine, my checking account is with Southern First as are both F|A business accounts because of Michael. Redd Flooring is my source for carpet, hardwoods, cork, and everything else that has to do with the flooring industry. In short, these are my guys. Ernie’s mom and late father are longtime clients, too. Talk about being flattered…

A huge THANK YOU to our families, friends, clients, referral sources, closers, lender partners, insurance agents, home/termite/HVAC inspector pros, foundation specialists, disaster relief folks, (REALTORS), and every other professional that has made this happen. ZERO of these sales could have happened without some level of teamwork.

Amy Ackerman Cartin and I have been working together for almost 10 years. Amy has kept me on the straight and narrow and made sure we stayed true to who we are. She’s also kept me out of real estate jail as it relates to earnest money checks, inspection addendums, and back office things of that sort. Sure, I write this blog and do the social stuff, but she’s the magic behind the marketing.

The addition of Elizabeth Woodring Ross helped take Amanda, Amy, and me over the top. She was an accelerator and perfect fit to take us to the next level of production. Her professional, can-do attitude is always fun to be around and is constantly lifting the team’s spirit. In short, she’s not far from flawless, and always projects a happy demeanor as a Realtor. We actually worked on “number 1,000” together, which was a buyer client who purchased in Ascot.

As for the definition of a ‘Teammate’: Franklin & Amanda, as in “F|A.” (Check this former post out).  Five or so years ago, Amanda and I had the faith in each other to form a real estate team. I remember first meeting her in at a listing we were both previewing on Bagnal Drive in Druid Hills (behind Morganelli’s). Over the years we recruited each other time and again to join the other’s agency. We would jab and argue for hours at Za’s on Thursday nights. I knew it would be a fun and productive alliance, but little did I know teaming up would put such a booster rocket on both of our arses. Amanda closed transaction #999 a couple of days before #1,000.

Last month, on the plane ride back from three days of training at Keller Williams World Headquarters in Austin, TX, I wanted to make my appreciation clear to her – (paraphrased): “Thank you for coming here (to Austin). I know you know this, but I feel like I need to tell you that I wouldn’t and couldn’t have the sales volume (obviously), or be the Realtor or the person I am without you as a teammate.” Her simple response: “Well… I feel the same way.” Fist bump and we were back in Columbia that afternoon doing what we do.

1,000 closings used to sound like a TON, as in, too many. Now that we’ve joined Keller Williams, nationally speaking it’s not that big of a whoop. Like someone told us earlier in the year, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” Well, now we know, and the KW team structure and next level training will combust what we’re doing to the next level, and make the next level the new normal.

Friends… I love this job. I’m surrounded by folks that are better than me at certain things and that is not by mistake. King and Andrew will only add to this awesome ride.

Perhaps my biggest shout out should go to my wife, Jennifer. She has to listen to all of the “stuff” that goes with the gig, and ten or so years ago she’s the one that encouraged me to be a Realtor again (I was a Realtor in Boca Raton, FL, for a while). We were in my truck in the driveway at Atascadero Drive having a pretty “hard truth” conversation. She pushed me to do it.

Thank you, EVERYONE, and we look forward to being good Realtors for our next client.

Franklin Jones