May 2024 ~ Jax Real Producers

TOP PRODUCER

Deanna Foerman

Brandon Jerrell Writer Renee Parenteau Photographer Scott Golmic Photographer Jess Wellar Writer

This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Fix-it Flamingo (904) 474-1768

fixitflamingo.com

HOME BUYER

Mac Home Development Inc (904) 887-4015

machomedevelopment.com

INSPECTIONS

AmeriSpec

Inspection Services (904) 448-5016

amerispec.com/locations/fl/ jacksonville

LunsPro Inspections (904) 249-6523

LunsProFlorida.com

River City Home Inspections (904) 654-4732

rivercityhomeinspect.com

INSURANCE

Kilpatrick Agency Inc:

Goosehead Insurance (904) 420-7711

goosehead.com/agents/ carol-kilpatrick/

MORTGAGE / LENDER

Atlantic Trust Mortgage (904) 338-9356

AtlanticTrustMortgage.com

CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC (612) 599-8334

crosscountrymortgage.com/ My-CC-Team

First Coast Mortgage (703) 627-1775 FirstCoastMortgage Funding.com

Future Home Loans (904) 494-6000 future.loans

Heroes First Home Loans (904) 539-3790 heroesfirst.com

Mortgages By Linda (904) 591-3662 mortgagesbylinda.com/

North Florida Mortgage Brokers

Timothy Newman (904) 755-0307 northfloridamortgage brokers.com

MOVING COMPANY

Jaguar Moving (904) 323-6978 JaguarMoving.com

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

JoyLights (904) 474-1768 WeBringTheJoy.com

PEST CONTROL SERVICES

Kingfish Pest Control (904) 595-5300 KingfishPest.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Renee Parenteau

Photography (904) 236-5337

ReneeParenteauPhoto.com

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Collage Day School (904) 900-1439 CollageDaySchool.org

REAL ESTATE

PHOTOGRAPHY

The Real Estateographers (904) 770-5262 therealestateographers.com

RENOVATIONS

Renovation Sells (904) 655-2411 renovationsells.com/jax

ROOFING

Mighty Dog RoofingJacksonville FLA (904) 867-7859 mightydogroofing.com

ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION

South Edge Construction (904) 799-8000 southedgeconstruction.com

SPORTS TEAMS

Jacksonville Jaguars (904) 633-3348 Jaguars.com

TITLE COMPANY

Atlantic Coast Title & Escrow (904) 853-5591 atlanticcoasttitle andescrow.com

Cherry Tile LLC

Angelique “Chrissy” Kirsch (904) 300-3414 cherrytitle.us

Landmark Title (904) 367-2525 LandmarkTitle.com

Milestone Title Services (904) 716-7285 milestonetitlesvcs.com

Omega National Title Agency, LLC (904) 456-0858 Omeganationaltitle.com

Woods, Weidenmiller, Michetti & Rudnick, LLP

Josh Rudnick (239) 325-4070

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Whitacre Wealth Management (410) 961-6548

WhitacreWealth Management.com

Real Estate Transactions

Owned and operated by real estate lawyers that have a combined 100 years of experience, Sentinel Title & Trust o ers property owners, prospective buyers, and real estate professionals the services of a traditional title company with the added benefit of having knowledgable real estate lawyers on their side.

By Brian Lunsford

REAL ESTATE:

MORE THAN A TRANSACTION

FAREWELL HOME: We said goodbye to my childhood home last month.

The residence on Latta Drive just east of Atlanta in the small town of Conyers, Georgia in Rockdale County, provided warmth and shelter for four generations, and memories for a lifetime.

In April, along with my extended family, we walked the then-empty property and shared stories.

My grandfather built the house in 1968, and along with my grandmother, they lived there with their four children until the kids grew up and moved away in the 1970s.

In the early 80s, my mom and dad purchased the home from her parents and so began my time there with my siblings.

My mom and stepdad later welcomed grandkids, who played in the exact same spots as the generations before them did.

It was time to move on, but the memories there run deep and many tangible, such as the Indiana stone fireplace and my grandfather’s initials and “1968” etched in the concrete of the carport.

when they shared a room as little girls— something I’d somehow never seen or noticed until our final visit.

Closing Day was officially on April 19, 2024.

And my late uncle’s memorial tree presented to my mom by her then-work office a month after her brother’s passing in 2002.

And my late aunt’s name written next to my mom’s name in a bedroom closet

I’m grateful for my time on Latta Drive— all the highs and even the lows.

On behalf of my entire family, we pray the new family treasures this home as much as we always will.

YOUR HOMETOWN MOVERS

In 2010, Amber and Basar Sahbudak founded Ocean Movers, beginning their journey as business owners with a mission to serve. With their first daughter on the way, Amber and Basar decided to take a bold step, leaving their previous work to build the foundations for a life of freedom, flexibility, and community advocacy.

Prior to founding Ocean Movers, Amber worked for a large-scale produce farm, procuring contracts with grocery stores up and down the East Coast. Her work required frequent travel to places from Florida to Virginia.

“When we met, got married, and found out we were having our first daughter, I didn’t want to put her in daycare,” Amber explains.

Basar had worked in the moving industry as a mover for years. He did it while attending college at the University of North Florida, so he knew the moving business. It was a natural fit for us, and opening our own business gave me the flexibility to work but also take care of my children.”

Amber and Basar started with a low-scale operation. They bought

a corner desk for their dining room, a laptop, and a moving truck, setting out to lay the groundwork for Ocean Movers. Over the past 14 years, their company has matured tremendously. They now offer full-service moving and storage, have a 10,000-square-foot warehouse, five trucks, and 12-15 employees. The company can move clients locally and across state

The

clients and partners that we deal with know our work ethic. They know our business.

WE PUT OUR BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS INTO IT.

lines while offering short and longterm storage options. They also offer commercial moving and packing services, as needed. Every one of Ocean Movers’ movers and drivers are permanent employees; they never hire temporary laborers. Each employee has passed a background check and drug screening before officially being welcomed to the team.

Most importantly, Amber and Basar pride themselves on the service they provide. From the moment a client calls to when a job is complete, they can expect top-notch communication and the highest care for their belongings.

“People want to work with us because they know who they are dealing with,” Amber continues. “I do all the scheduling and customer interactions, and

Basar manages the movers, so they know who they are dealing with. You call the office and get the people at the top of the totem pole every time.”

Amber and Basar have three kids: Ava (13), Alyssa (11), and Akin (4). They enjoy spending time at the beach and traveling as a family, having visited places like Canada, Mexico, Germany, Turkey, and Belize. But when they aren’t with their family, Amber and Basar are almost certain to be found building their organization and serving their clients.

and tears into it. We take great pride in our reputation and how we treat our customers. Eighty percent of our business comes from referral and repeat customers, including those referrals from REALTORS®, so we cherish every single relationship.”

“This company is like our fourth child,” Amber says proudly. “We’ve worked very hard to make sure our customers are happy, that we do a great job, and that the people that work for us enjoy coming to work.

Founded in 2010, Ocean Movers is a full-service moving and storage company based in Jacksonville, Florida. For more information, visitoceanmovers.net.

Deanna FOERMAN

By Zachary Cohen Photos By Renee Parenteau

When Deanna Foerman first entered the real estate industry in 2017, she imagined working part-time alongside her role as a teacher. But her business soon took off, compelling her to make the hard choice between two careers she loves. In the end, Deanna chose real estate, the career that allowed her to use the best of her abilities, leverage her prior experience,

The Road Home

Deanna is a native Floridian.

Born at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, she moved to Clay County as a toddler and has lived here since. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and Management from the University of North Florida and spent the next 18 years working in the financial industry, primarily in relationship management and fund management for proprietary and non-proprietary mutual fund companies.

When selling her own home a few years later, Deanna became interested in real estate. She was told that she had what it took to become a successful REALTOR®, so she pursued this new venture. She was licensed in August 2017, intending to continue teaching while selling real estate.

After 18 years in a corporate role, Deanna took a new direction in the early 2010s, leaving her finance career behind to become an elementary school teacher.

“My kids were younger at the time, and my daughter was still at the elementary school where I taught while my son was at the junior high school next door. I was familiar with the school, the schedule worked well, and that’s not something I had in a corporate job,” Deanna shares.

“Because I am local and native to the area and know a lot of people, I hit the ground running when I started real estate,” Deanna explains. I thought I’d be doing it part-time and teaching school full-time, but I produced $5 million my first year while teaching full-time. I knew I had to make a decision on what I was going to do because I couldn’t continue with both.”

Ultimately, Deanna chose real estate, going full-time after the 2018 school year closed.

A Wealth of Experience Real estate has proved to be the perfect place for Deanna to leverage her prior experience and skills.

“Real estate incorporated everything I loved about my corporate job. I was an assistant vice president with Merrill Lynch, managed teams, and managed relationships with outside mutual fund companies. All the parts I loved about that work — the relationships, being part of a team, mentoring people — I got in real estate,” Deanna explains.

Deanna also draws on her teaching experience as a REALTOR®. Being a teacher requires strong communication skills and the patience to guide students through their learning process. Deanna continues to use these skills in real estate, educating her buyers and sellers about the process and encouraging them along the way.

“I still get to teach. Now, I teach big people instead of little people,” Deanna jokes.

Putting Relationships First

Today, Deanna is an individual agent with Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty. She closed an impressive 40 transactions for $16.2 million in 2023.

“I believe that my clients like working with me because of the relationship we build,” Deanna says. “They know I’ve got their back and that I’m very committed to what I do. I love my people and I love on them, and that’s where my business comes from — my sphere of influence.”

When she is not working, Deanna enjoys volunteering, staying active, and, most importantly, spending time with her family and friends. She also gives her time and attention to two Clay County elementary schools, Spring Park Elementary and Lake Asbury Elementary, where she is a business partner and sits on the School Advisory Committee.

Deanna and her husband, Dale, work side-by-side in real estate (Dale is licensed and helps on the back-end of the business). Deanna also has two children, Hunter (23) and Hanna (21), three adult stepchildren, and three dogs. Whether she’s working or not, Deanna puts relationships first.

“Becoming a real estate agent has put me in the position where I am able to help others as a daily opportunity. I get to work with people that I genuinely love and care for, and I get to meet new people and build new relationships. I love this work. I work really hard, but it often doesn’t feel like work. I’m just doing what I love to do.”

Thank you Gemma Fish + Oyster for this photo shoot location.

Spring Fling Spring Fling

EVENT

at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club

M E G A

By Jess Wellar

As a devoted mother of four children with an incredibly supportive husband and plenty of diverse working experience under her belt, it’s little wonder that Megan Hughey is absolutely crushing it in the Jacksonville real estate market.

Closing over $12 million in her first full year as a REALTOR® with United Real Estate Gallery, Megan credits her work ethic and adaptability for her amazing ascent.

“Time is money, and in the luxury market especially, they have little time to spare, so I have to be adaptable,” Megan explains. “I know how business works from being a business owner myself to working with my husband’s business — they may like me as a person, but if I can’t accommodate them, someone else will.”

Entrepreneurial Roots

Born and raised in Maryland, Megan graduated from the University of Maryland with her Bachelor of Science in Public Health and moved to Jacksonville in 2008. Her professional path was paved with plenty of diverse experiences that included medical device sales and marketing, working as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor for a decade, and helping her husband run the back-end of his burgeoning landscaping business, all while raising four children.

Knowing her youngest son would be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2022, Megan locked herself away to study for her real estate exam and passed that March.

“I eased into the business at first, and then hit the ground running full-time once my son entered kindergarten that fall,” she notes.

Rapid Rise

Megan has put up some very impressive numbers — in her first full year, closing 12 transactions while amassing

a total volume of over $12.3 million in 2023. As she continues to build on this momentum, she acknowledges the pivotal role her mentor played in her success, as well as her husband.

“Joselyn Brunelle was a big motivator and mentor to me,” Megan offers. “She brought me on at EXIT (now United Gallery) and was an incredible influence; Joselyn has three kids and also co-owns other businesses so we had similar backgrounds. She would take me to events and introduce me, which really helped me through the process and she is still part of my tribe.”

“My husband also deserves some serious credit for being my biggest cheerleader,” she adds with a laugh. “He recommends me to anyone he talks to and has been a huge help with referrals from the start.”

After becoming a REALTOR®, Megan was able to help her own family finally buy a home, an endeavor that took years as her husband and her were both business owners. This deeply per sonal experience continues to inspire Megan in her new career.

“Going through all of that for years while renting made me want to learn the process and get ahead of it for my own children,” Megan reflects. “I also want to help small business owners and contractors get ahead and teach generational wealth not only to my family, but to other families as well.”

The Secret Sauce In Megan’s world, success has nothing to do with sales.

“To me, success means balance. When you can balance your job, your family, your marriage or relationship, your personal happiness and growth — you have succeeded!” she declares.

Megan’s individuality shines through her authenticity and the comprehensive approach she adopts in her

Photos By The Real Estateographers

interactions with clients. She also has a reputation for her preparedness, communi cation prowess, adaptability, and integrity.

“I think the mom of four in me makes me very adapt able — I can figure out how to accommodate schedules quickly,” she affirms.

Megan’s advice for new agents is rooted in her own practices. She encourages continuous education, men torship, and proficient use of social media for marketing. Staying true to oneself and fostering genuine connec tions are principles Megan holds dear.

“I’m not a ‘salesy’ person because I hate when peo ple try to sell me! I want people to know they can use me as a resource, and eventually, we may work together,” she emphasizes.

Beyond the Office

Outside of real estate, family is the corner stone of Megan’s life. At the heart of her world is her supportive husband, Cotey, with whom she’s built a fulfilling life over the past decade. Together, they’re raising an energetic brood: Chloe (14), and Juliette (11), Megan’s beloved “bonus babies,” and their shared children, Izabella (8), and Cotey Jr (7).

a bright future for her children by securing them each a home by the time they graduate high school.

Looking further ahead, Megan envisions building an elite, female-led real estate team in the next five to seven years, leveraging her expertise and passion to mentor and uplift other women in the industry.

I want people to know they can use me as a resource, and eventually, we may work together.

According to Megan, the Hughey household is filled with love, laughter, and ‘plenty of snuggles’, especially during pizza and movie nights. Adding more

“I’m grateful for everything I have,” Megan concludes. “I’m also a hard worker, I love on my people, and I’m driven for long-term success.”

Megan and Cotey’s children: Chloe (14), and Juliette (11), Megan’s beloved “bonus babies,” and her children, Izabella (8), and Cotey Jr (7).

Megan and her husband, Cotey.

question of the month

What is one thing that can instantly make your day better and why?

KELLY BELLO

Keller Williams Realty Atlantic

Partners Southside

My boys! There is no bad day, or even good day, that my two boys cannot make even better. Colton and Mason, ages 6 and 4 give the best hugs and say the sweetest things to make me smile. I truly am so blessed to have such joys in my life.

CAITLIN DAUGHERTY

DJ & Lindsey Real Estate

There is nothing like a dose of fresh

Realty One Group Elevate

Serving another person. It takes your mind off of you and anything you are

LISA GARNER

ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

The one thing that instantly makes my day better is simply realizing that I am the only one that’s responsible for doing so. No circumstance, situation, or human has that power unless I give it to them. Therefore I have lots of amazing days!

GEORGE POTTENKULAM

Chocolate and a good song! Sweets are my favorite thing in the world and it always helps when you are down in the dumps!

CASSANDRA SHOBER

Watson Realty Corp EXERCISE! I look and feel great mentally, physically, and emotionally! I’m energized and can help sellers and buyers in their real estate process!

CYNDY TOMASSETTI

Engel & Völkers First Coast Gratitude! I remind myself of at least 10 things I’m grateful for every morning.

ASHLEY STOKES

Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage

You want to make my day, do something kind and pleasing to the Father in heaven, and give the praise to Him.

BRIT O’DONOGHUE

Landmark Title

KERI CARPENTER

Keller Williams Atlantic

A smile. You can’t help but smile back.

LINDA WHITE

United Real Estate

The voice of...a kiss from... my best friend/hubby. He’s my emotional support human - encouraging and calming. Twenty years and he still makes my heart skip.

DEBBIE TUFTS

Engel & Völkers Jacksonville

There are two things - First is my early morning bible time and the second is seeing, hearing, or facetiming with any of my 3 daughters or my grandbabies. They all light up my world!

Partners Southside

My children running into my arms for big hugs when I pick them up! Their sweet SMILES and tight grips make me so happy!!

LORI NEIGHBORS

Assist2Seff Full Service Realty

It doesn’t matter what kind of day I’m having, especially in this crazy business! If someone asked me to grab a few scuba tanks, a speargun and my gear to go diving, I’m in! Immediately, going offshore JAX to grab a few fish and lobsters will turn any day into a SPECTACULAR day. Anytime I can spend a day offshore is like a reset. No phones, no texts, no craziness, just friends and always a good time. I always come back ready to tackle the world again. Like the saying goes, “A bad day scuba diving is better than a good day at work”.

JONATHAN DAUGHERTY

Future Home Realty

The moment when I come home and my 3 and 6 year old run to the door screaming DADDY!!!! And they jump into my arms.

AMANDA ARNETT EDWARDS

Great Expectations Realty

Giving thanks for the things and people that I have in my life.

SARAH OLSON

RE/MAX Unlimited

A note of gratitude. For years I have taken to writing handwritten note cards to clients, colleagues, and friends. It warms my heart to hear back from them how I made their day. It feels equally as good to receive one and know that I was being thought of.

MISSY DEKAY

Watson Realty Corp

The one thing that can instantly make my day better is taking my dogs to the beach and experiencing pure joy through them!

ANDREW MICHAEL

Florida’s First Coast

Your attitude. Most things aren’t really good or bad. It’s how you view them and respond.

PAUL WAGNER

Milestone Title Services LLC

Receiving a call or a text from my daughter. She is getting older so the calls and texts are getting fewer and farther in between.

SAM FISHER

Ponte Vedra Club Realty

TAMMY TINGLE

Century 21 Miller Elite

A Clear to Close from a Lender.

One thing that can make my day better would be a smooth closing! There are many things that can put a kink in a closing, but when it’s a smooth closing all around it makes my day a whole lot better.

by

from the desk of the president

“NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® REACHES AGREEMENT TO RESOLVE NATIONWIDE CLAIMS”

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) announced an agreement that would end litigation of claims brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions.

There are two major components of the proposed Settlement that impact you: Release of liability and industry changes on how practitioners communicate compensation with each other and how we work with buyers.

The proposed settlement, subject to court approval, releases most NAR members and many industry stakeholders from liability in these matters and the fact that cooperative compensation remains a choice for consumers when buying or selling a home. NAR also secured in the agreement a mechanism for nearly all brokerage entities that had a residential transaction volume in 2022 that exceeded $2 billion and MLSs not wholly owned by REALTOR® associations to obtain releases efficiently if they choose to use it.

Despite NAR’s efforts, agents affiliated with HomeServices of America and its related companies—the last corporate defendant still litigating the Sitzer-Burnett case—are not released under the settlement, nor are employees of the remaining corporate defendants named in the cases covered by this settlement.

The second major change is the agreement to put in place a new MLS rule prohibiting offers of bro ker compensation on the MLS. This would mean that offers of broker compensation could not be communicated via the MLS, but they could continue to be an option

consumer can pursue off-MLS through negotiation and consultation with real estate professionals.

Offers of compensation help make professional representation more accessible, decrease costs for home buyers to secure these services, increase fair housing opportunities, and increase the potential buyer pool for sellers.

Further, NAR has agreed to enact a new rule that would require MLS participants working with buyers to enter into written agreements with their buyers.

These changes will go into effect in mid-July 2024 unless your MLS makes changes sooner. Questions on your new requirements may be posed to the Florida REALTORS® legal hotline at 407 438-1409.

In preparation of these new rules we all need to make sure we are up to speed with the usage of.

Buyer broker agreements and understand the ways to receive compensation when working with buyers.

Florida REALTORS® has offered, and continues to offer, buyer representation CE classes free of charge. Florida REALTORS® will roll out additional tools, such as forms and other information, to help all members adjust and comply to these new rules.

For more information please visit https:// www.floridarealtors.org/law-ethics/ nar-settlement-sitzer-burnett-lawsuit.

Gia Arvin

2024 President of Florida REALTORS®

Gia Arvin, 2024 President of Florida REALTORS®