May 2023 Partner Spotlight: Jeff Smith & Trish Spivey

COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE

Jeff Smith & Trish Spivey

2-10 HOME BUYERS WARRANTY

Having a solid warranty in place is a smart move in most, if not all, markets. Certainly, the hope is to never need to use the warranty, but you don’t want to be without it when you need it. Furthermore, you want to have a warranty that will cover what you need, and when you are dealing with thousands of dollars, comprehensive coverage is crucial.

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW) is the company that can provide that for the real estate industry. 2-10 HBW covers properties nationwide, but they have placed extra focus on Jacksonville due to its large and dense market by assigning two account executives for the region: Jeff Smith and Trish Spivey.

JEFF’S STORY

“Growing up without much taught me to value the few things I had, but because of big dreams, I was driven to accomplish more,” Jeff explains. “I worked multiple jobs as a kid from age nine, including baling hay, walking beans, detasseling corn, shoveling snow, washing dishes, mowing grass, and fur-trapping. I bought my first car, a ‘65 Mustang, when I was 14. I paid for my college through my savings, student loans, and work-study. All these experiences taught me discipline, focus, and perseverance.”

Jeff was born and raised on a farm in rural Illinois. He attended college at the US Air Force Academy and Earlham College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology.

In his early adult life, Jeff played football in the USFL for the New Jersey Generals. After a season there, he went on to play in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cincinnati Bengals for a season each.

Jeff lists one of his most pivotal moments in life as Buddy Ryan, the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, coming up to him and saying, “Welcome to the Philadelphia Eagles, son!” He describes his reaction to the moment as wondering, “How the heck did a farm kid from a

high school of 167 students end up here?” From that, he learned that anything is possible with enough hard work and focus.

After his time playing football, Jeff went into pharmaceutical sales, outside sales, and new home construction before joining 2-10 HBW. He has been married to his wife, Donna, for 29 years. They have three sons: Tyler (31), Zachary (28), and Ethan (26). They also have a three-year-old grandson, Lucas.

Jeff played pro football in the USFL and the NFL (Eagles and Bengals).

TRISH’S STORY

In her mid-thirties, Trish went through a divorce. Opting for a little change of scenery, Trish moved away from Jacksonville to Alaska, where she lived for just about two years. “Prior to moving, I had already fallen in love with Arabian horses, so when I moved from Jacksonville to Juneau, I moved the six horses I had at the time from Florida to Arizona.”

“It was sort of halfway between Juneau and my family back in Jacksonville. I was in Arizona frequently for business and had a number of close friends there, so it made sense at the time. After two years in Juneau, I realized I missed

Trish was born in El Paso, Texas, but her family moved to Jacksonville when she was only four years old. “I attended St. Patrick’s in grade school and Bishop Kenny High School. I graduated from UNF with a marketing degree and an international business minor,” she shares. She went on to start her career in advertising sales.

the sun too much and Alaska was not for me, but I wasn’t ready to come home to Jacksonville, so we relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona where my horses were. I bought a home and some property and had a small horse farm with my own facilities.”

Trish tended to her Arabian horses for another eleven years in Arizona. Her life changed again when she went through some financial difficulties. She stayed in Arizona for another year before moving back home. “I didn’t want to miss any more time with my brother, sister, and nephew. My nephew who is very special to me was growing up so fast

and I was missing out on so many great moments in his life.”

“After two failed marriages I decided that perhaps that was not in the cards for me. Of course, that is when you meet the person you wish you had met so much earlier in your life. Enter my husband and best friend, Rich.”

Trish and Rich have two adopted dogs: a Corgi named Cooper and a Sheltie named Bea. Additionally, they have an adopted orange tabby cat named Bubba. Rich has a daughter and son-in-law, and they now have a granddaughter, Maeve.

Trish has a love for horses and had a small horse farm in Arizona before moving back to Jacksonville.

The Path to 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

Trish has been with 2-10 HBW since 2017, while Jeff has been with them since 2019. As account executives, Trish covers all of Northeast Florida, while Jeff covers the Jacksonville West, Orange Park, Gainesville, Ocala, and Fernandina Beach markets.

Trish spent two years in commercial print and 25 years in print advertising sales. She shares what brought her to 2-10 HBW by saying, “The opportunity actually just kind of found me. My predecessor was moving into a management role and was looking for a replacement. We were brought together by one of my current agents who I knew through a very close friend that we had in common. It was a friend-of-a-friend situation.”

As for Jeff, he says, “From 2003 up to the real estate industry crash in 2008, I was VP of warranty and customer service for Standard Pacific Homes here in Jacksonville. We included a 2-10 HBW systems and structural warranty on every home we closed. My experience with 2-10 HBW and my local rep was always positive and productive. My choice to join 2-10 HBW was largely influenced by that experience, as well as the number of employees who have been with 2-10 for 20 years or longer.”

While it is clear that 2-10 HBW offers some of the most comprehensive coverage for homeowners, what really sets them apart is the company’s local representation.

Jeff explains this by describing how “2-10 HBW acknowledges how robust the Jacksonville real estate market is by being the only national

warranty company to have two account executives for the area,” he says.

Trish adds to this fact by emphasizing the significance of 2-10 HBW on the national stage. “For more than 40 years, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty has covered over 6 million new and pre-owned homes with industry-leading structural and systems and appliances home warranties. One in six homes in the United State is covered by a 2-10 HBW structural warranty. We partner with

home builders, real estate professionals, and service contractors to improve the quality of housing and the experience of homeownership,” she says.

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty has the credentials to be a trusted provider in Northeast Florida, led by Jeff Smith and Trish Spivey at the helm, it is impossible to get better coverage.

JEFF: www.2-10.com/jasmith

TRISH: www.2-10.com/tspivey