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!
ARCHITECT/BUILDER
Craig Sharp Homes (316) 775-2129
craigsharphomes.com
BANKING - MORTGAGE
Fidelity Bank fidelitybank.com
BUILDER/DEVELOPER
Perfection Builders (316) 729-1900 perfectionbuilders.com
Schellenberg Development schellenberg development.com
CLEANING/MAKE READY
First Impressions
Environmental
Kelly Dixon (316) 522-8795
firstimpressionsenv.com
First Impressions SMART Clean (316) 522-8795
www.fismartclean.com/
CLOSING GIFTS
Closing Gift Store (316) 993-4398
closinggiftstore.com
Cutco Closing Gifts
Blaine Rodman (316) 293-8701
sharpbrandingtools.com
CONSTRUCTION / MORTGAGE LOANS
Andover State Bank (316) 219-1611 goasb.com
DIRTWORK
C3 Skidsteer Services LLC (316) 295-6626 www.facebook.com/ C3SkidsteerServicesLLC
FENCING
TM Fencing
Tane Murphy (316) 218-3450
FLOORING
Designer’s Home Gallery
Ben Henwood (316) 440-8888
nouglyfloors.com
Jabara’s Carpet Outlet
Jason Jabara (316) 267-2512 jabaras.com
FOUNDATION REPAIR & WATER PROOFING
IWP Foundation Repair (316) 308-8507
kansasfoundationrepair.com
GARAGE DOOR SERVICE & INSTALLATION
Roberts Overdoors (316) 788-1752 robertsoverdoors.com
HEALTH/HOME/AUTO
INSURANCE
ICT Insurance Group (316) 440-6111 ictinsurance.com
HOME & PROPERTY INSPECTIONS
Bright Light Inspections
Josh Counce (316) 250-5221 blinspections.com
Goodfellas Property Inspection (316) 655-0280 goodgellasproperty inspection.com
HOME INSPECTION
Pillar To Post
Jason Hancock (316) 570-1444
jasonhancock.pillartopost.com
HOME LOANS
Heartland Credit Union
Michael Lorimor (800) 428-8472
HOME WARRANTY
Achosa Home Warranty
George Brockman (417) 983-3204
achosahw.com
INSURANCE
Wheat State Insurance Group (316) 776-0777
wheatstateinsurance.com/
INSURANCE AGENCY
American Family Insurance
Dylan Hartnett (316) 775-5522
agent.amfam.com/ dylan-hartnett/ks/augusta
INSURANCE/FINANCIAL SERVICES
State Farm Insurance
Crystal McEachern (316) 425-0925 callcrystalnow.com
LANDSCAPE DESIGN & SERVICE
Total Landscape Solutions
Jeremiah Petrocci (316) 217-3344
LENDER
RCB Bank (316) 247-7704
rcbbank.com
US Mortgage Company Will King (316) 312-2936
kansasloanman.com
MORTGAGE
Benchmark
Bret Frerichs (316) 990-9990 ksvahomeloans.com
Gateway Mortgage Group gatewayloan.com/kandi-jones
Kanza Bank (316) 636-5821 kanzabank.com
Meritrust Credit Union meritrusthomeloans.com
Sierra Pacific Mortgage sierrapacificmortgage.com
MORTGAGE BROKER
Motto Mortgage (316) 680-1554 www.mottomortgage.com/ offices/charged-wichita/
Phoenix Mortgage Group (316) 942-8228 phoenixmortgagegroup.com
MORTGAGE BROKER: RESIDENTIAL /COMMERCIAL
JR Mortgage Group (316) 409-5569
MORTGAGE LENDER
Flatbranch
Aaron Clark (316) 573-3996 fbhl.com
Planet Home Lending
Michelle Crubaugh (316) 304-3910 planethomelending.com
MORTGAGE LENDING US Bank
Sara Six (785) 492-7754 mortgage.usbank.com/ steve-farmer-wichita-ks
MOVERS / PACKING SERVICES
Two Men And A Truck Garret Petetman (316) 558-5588 twomenwichita.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Allie Jael Photography (316) 633-5547 alliejaelphotography.com
Jennifer Ruggles Photography (615) 415-3029 jenniferrugglesphotography.com
Kelly Remacle Photography (816) 803-5061
PLUMBING/HVAC
Frederick Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning (316) 262-3713 icalledfred.com
REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEOGRAPHY
Signature Real Estate Media (316) 670-0658 signaturerealestatemedia.com
ROOFING
Mighty Dog Roofing-Wichita (316) 320-3686 mightydogroofing.com/ wichita-ks
ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION
Guardian Roofing and Construction (316) 302-4100 guardianroofingks.com
ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION
A & L Roofing
Art Lohrengel (316) 721-5799 alroofing.org
TAX SPECIALIST
Phelps Tax Ryan Phelps (316) 262-1900
phelpstax.com
TITLE COMPANY Kansas Secured Title (316) 262-8261 kstitle.com
Security 1st Title (316) 267-8371 security1st.com
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Trussell Media (316) 755-6052 trussellmedia.com
WELL/LAGOON/SEPTIC INSPECTIONS
First Impressions Environmental Kelly Dixon (316) 522-8795 firstimpressionsenv.com
Every February, we create a new distribution list based on the top 300 REALTORS® from the year before. This means 30% of our 2023 class is receiving a Real Producers publication for the first time. First off, congratulations! Consider it a badge of honor to receive the physical publication. For the past 42 months, we have brought you stories from residential and commercial agents in Wichita and the surrounding areas. We have connected REALTORS® with each other and with our trusted business partners through the magazine, our private events, the Beyond The Pages podcast and several social media platforms.
We are continually working to better our product and services for the entire Wichita real estate community, residential and commercial. Never hesitate to reach out for any reason. Below are some examples we welcome feedback for.
Nominations for features of all kinds:
Cover Story — a top agent in volume and respected by their peers Rising Star — has been an agent for five years or less and is outperforming most Celebrating Leaders — they might not even be an agent anymore but are impacting the industry from a leadership position Niche Agent — someone that is excelling in a specialty Miscellaneous content — an agent who has a great background, involvement, or that is making a difference, a unique team, a new brokerage ... if it has to do with Wichita real estate, it’s important to us!
Our list of Preferred Partners has been personally vetted by the Wichita Real Producers team, and every single one of them has been recommended by someone who receives our magazine. The partners are how we keep this magazine free for the agent. Remember, this is NOT a pay-to-play for REALTORS®. It is a genuine third-party validation.
This company was created to love on real estate agents. We realize that the agent is at the center of all real estate, and a single deal feeds a lot of mouths. Because of our focus on the agent, Real Producers has grown to over 120 locations nationwide in just seven years. We could not have experienced this growth without a readership that was engaged and partners that committed to building relationships. So again, if this is your first time receiving the physical publication, welcome to the club! You earned it. Enjoy receiving your copy of Wichita Real Producers, and keep crushing it, so you never miss another issue!
Pay attention to your text, emails, voicemails and social media for announcements about events, happy hours and news. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. Be sure to follow and subscribe so we can follow you back.
Sincerely, your Friend, Publisher, and REALTOR®,
Samantha Lucciarini
print me more!
Were you,
REPRINTS!
or
featured in an issue of Real Producers?
Want a copy of your article or full magazines that you were featured in?
What the heck is a reprint? A reprint is a four-page, magazine-quality grade paper with your full article and photos and you on the COVER of the publication.
WHY DO I NEED THOSE?
• These reprints are a professional marketing tool that can help brand you, your team and/or your business.
• Use on listing appointments
• Send out to friends and family
• Sent to clients with your holiday greetings
• Brokers, use as recruiting tools for capturing new talent
• Use when farming your favorite neighborhood
WHAT IF I CHANGED COMPANIES OR NEED SOMETHING CORRECTED ON MY ARTICLE?
No worries! We can make any changes needed. We send you a proof, you approve and they are sent to you via FedEx.
WHO CAN BUY THESE?
The REALTOR®, broker or business that was featured, or your family or a friend. Anyone that wants to promote you!
HOW DO I ORDER?
Email Tara Terhune at wichita@n2co.com.
If you are a top 300 producer in the Wichita market, reach out to us and we will supply you with this logo to use in your marketing efforts!
Samantha.lucciarini@n2co.com
If you are a Real Producers-nominated vendor partner you can use this logo on your business card! Reach out to us at Samantha.lucciarini@n2co.com!
Ever since we launched Wichita Real Producers in September 2019, I’ve heard some repeating questions from many of you. Hopefully, this brings some clarity to what we do, how we do it and why we do it. Remember, my door is ALWAYS open to discuss anything regarding our real estate community — this publication is 100% designed to be YOUR voice!
Q: Who receives this magazine?
A: The top 300 REALTORS® in Wichita and surrounding areas based on sales volume from the previous year, Jan. 1, 2022-December 31. We cut off the list at #300. As you might imagine, this list changes each year, with a rate of 20-30% new agents. However, every single REALTOR® member and a large majority of the commercial agents receive the digital
publication on the first of each month via email. If you aren’t receiving these monthly emails, reach out to me.
Q: What is the process for being featured in this magazine?
A: It’s really simple — your fellow peers have nominated every featured agent over the last 42 publications. You can nominate or be nominated by other agents, affiliates, brokers, owners, or office leaders. A nomination currently looks like this: you email us at samantha.lucciarini@n2co.com with the subject “Nomination: (Name of Nominee).” Please explain WHY you are nominating them to be featured. It could be that they have an amazing story that needs to be told, perhaps they overcame extreme obstacles, they are an exceptional leader, have the best customer service, or they give back to the community in a big way, etc. Once the timing is right, the next step is an interview with us to ensure it’s a good fit. If all works out, then we put the wheels in motion.
Q: What does it cost to be featured?
A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. It costs nothing, my friends, so nominate away! This is NOT a pay-toplay model.
Q: How can I write an article to be printed?
A: If you are interested in writing an article to contribute your ideas, experience, knowledge, expertise, or
stories to the Wichita Real Producers community, please email me. Even if you don’t consider yourself a prolific writer, let’s talk! I have professionals on staff to help.
Q: Who are the Preferred Partners?
A: Anyone listed as a “Preferred Partner” in the index at the front of the magazine is an integral part of this community. They will have an ad in every issue of the magazine, attend our events, and be part of our private Facebook group. We don’t just find these businesses off the street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. One, or several, agents have personally referred every single Preferred Partner you see. We won’t even take a meeting with a business that has not been vetted by one of you and has your “stamp of approval,” in a sense. Our goal is to create a powerhouse network not only of the best agents in the area but the best businesses as well so we can all grow stronger together.
Q: How can I refer a local business to join WRP as a Preferred Partner?
A: If you know and want to recommend a local business that would like to work with more top real estate agents, please email me at samantha.lucciarini@n2co.com and introduce us! This is the only way we can grow and strengthen this community through your referrals. It’s much appreciated!
Q: Is there additional recognition for being a 2023 Wichita Real Producers Top 300 REALTOR®?
A: Absolutely! Just email me for your badge, pictured on the adjacent page. Feel free to use this on any of your marketing or social media. You don’t have to brag about how great you are; that’s our job!
As you know, trust can make all the difference in the world. It’s the feeling that your clients have when they turn to you and depend on your guidance to see them through to the closing table.
It’s the same deep bond that Jill and Lucas Johnson share with each other.
Jill and Lucas are a dynamic husbandand-wife tandem with the Johnson Family Team with Keller Williams Signature Partners.
In Tune with Each Other Each day, they cherish the fact that they are better by working together as they serve the needs of their clients.
“I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else,” Lucas says with a smile.
“We have different strengths, and we lift each other up. That has been a tremendous relief in our journey. That has made the journey worth traveling.”
As Jill adds, “It’s easy for us to be in both a marriage and business together. We communicate really well. A lot of things in our lives align together.”
While they count on each other each day, they also appreciate the parts of each day that provide unique challenges.
“No two days are ever the same. It’s fun being able to work with so many different people,” Lucas says. “Working a 9 to 5 would be hard for either of us. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“We wear a lot of hats each day,” Jill points out. “We help people buy and list houses. We have a rental portfolio, and we do a lot with our brokerage at Keller
We go to any lengths to help people. We love our clients, and that’s how we have been able to stay in business.
Williams. For us, it’s about tag-teaming what we do. It’s a divide-and-conquer approach that we take.”
Local Roots
Both Jill and Lucas earned their real estate licenses and began their journey in the business in 2005.
Lucas and Jill were born and raised in the area, went to college and got into the business — meeting at Keller Williams.
Their start in the business may have been anticipated. That’s because both of them grew up around the business — literally.
“Both of our moms (Susan Tamplin and Penny Johnson) are real estate Brokers, and both have been licensed for decades,” Jill says. “Lucas and I have both followed in our moms’ footsteps.”
Today, Jill and Lucas lead the Johnson Family Team. Originally it
was the Penny Johnson Team — run by Lucas’ mother.
Life’s Highlights
Life is made much richer for Jill and Lucas by family, including their children — Elliott and Pierce.
In their free time, they enjoy supporting Elliott and Pierce in their sports and school activities. Lucas also has a passion for hunting, and they both enjoy traveling to spots offering skiing and warm beaches.
They also are engaged and involved with their congregation at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, in addition to volunteering at the VA hospital.
It’s clear to see why Jill and Lucas continue to build on their reputation for results with a driven and caring approach to helping their clients reach their dreams.
“We go to any lengths to help people. We love our clients, and that’s how we have been able to stay in business,” Lucas explains.
“For us, it really is a matter of trust and honesty,” Jill smiles. “We are here to treat people fairly. If we make a mistake, we’re the first to take ownership of that. We are very transparent and like to treat people the way we want to be treated.”
Congratulations to Jill and Lucas Johnson for the way they use their bond together to make a tangible, lasting impact in the lives of those around them each day.
"I highly recommend Ben Henwood at Designer’s Home Gallery. I first used them in a client's home that needed the entire home recarpeted prior to listing it for sale. I always shop around to get my clients the BEST deal and was shocked that Ben could get me the same prices that the factory outlets could, and the quality of the carpet was better. He came to me with the samples, they did the install, and got me the invoice promptly (which is so important to REALTORS®).
They really made the whole process so much easier than ANY other company I had ever used prior. I have been using Designer’s Home Gallery ever since. I don’t have to shop around; he knows what I like, and he gets the job done smoothly.
For the REALTORS®, Ben understands the “Allowance” process, they offer a REALTOR® rate, and he knows how to keep your clients happy! If you want to impress your clients, send Ben with Designer’s Home Gallery!”
-Janiece Erbert, REALTOR®
Keller Williams Signature Partners
Written By Dave Danielson
By Jennifer Ruggles
One of the most attractive parts about working in the real estate profession is having the ability to follow the path you want … and to pursue achievement in the way that’s right for you.
Mark and Season Wedman are prime examples of that dynamic.
As REALTORS® with Wedman Group Real Estate and Exchange with Keller Williams Signature Partners, Mark and Season share the best of both worlds together … delivering results-driven service to a wide range of commercial and residential clients in the region.
Mark is also a Developer with ambitious work underway, including East Winds Patio Homes … a project that also sees Mark work as a financier.
“We are about halfway through developing Mark’s first community, and
based on needs we are hearing from customers and clients both, we intend to continue future developments,” Season explains.
“COVID-19, supply chain and labor shortages have certainly slowed us
down. But we are committed to our clients and homeowners. We are constantly rewarded by their enthusiasm for their well-built homes. With the purchase of several pieces of equipment, Mark spends most of his time on-site and working alongside the tradesman and his foremen to ensure quality in the builds and respectfulness of those already living in the community.”
Mark remembers his start in the business—beginning to build his investment portfolio in 1992.
“Originally, I made the decision to get into the investment side due to tax shelters,” Mark remembers. “In time, I went from my fulltime job to becoming a real estate investor, and then an Agent/Broker in 2004.”
Joining the Same Path Mark and Season originally met years ago in the manufacturing business.
In 2009, Season left corporate America in the purchasing business to assist Mark with his already established full-time real estate business.
“I helped him with rental property organization, operated his two 24-hour fitness centers and took over marketing and advertising for the real estate side. After a few years of calls from KW, we made the move. Following the MREA business model, we took a leap and hired our amazing team of support … and split our business between residential and commercial.”
The passion that Mark and Season have for their work is easy to see. Season proudly shares the admiration she has for Mark’s development efforts.
“Mark has a great deal of creativity. Commercial real estate is more than putting up a sign. It takes thinking
For me, I want to serve people and allow everyone in a real estate transaction to have the best experience possible. We want to provide them with a five-star experience every time.
outside the box. In any transaction, there are elements that may come up involving replotting or rezoning. He is very creative when it comes to finding solutions in seemingly difficult situations,” she smiles.
“For me, I want to serve people and allow everyone in a real estate transaction to have the best experience possible. We want to provide them with a five-star experience every time.”
Consistently earning Presidents or Masters Circle awards since 2004, Mark and Season receive recognition for being Million Dollar Month producers as well as a top team for GCI producers. This has allowed them the experience and knowledge to work through tricky transactions and provide the best outcomes for their clients.
Away from work, Mark and Season treasure time with their children — 21-year-old daughter Jillian Mae and 18-year-old son Cody Lee.
In their free time, the Wedmans have a love for traveling … common getaways include Colorado, Missouri and Arkansas. They love the outdoors … with a favorite pursuit being trout fishing and earning off-road badges for their Jeep along with their Scottie, Gus and their Dood, Moses Leopold. No phone reception in outof-the-way places dictates time to disconnect and recharge.
Their extended family is the team that they spend much of their time with. A good, experienced support staff is imperative.
“When I am unavailable, I need to know without a doubt that they are an extension of Mark and me and that our motto of serving all real estate needs with honesty, integrity and transparency is carried out 100%. I know a conversation is happening similarly if not exactly the way it would with me,” Season emphatically shares.
They also have a heart for helping their community. Favorite
organizations for them to support include Habitat for Humanity and the Alzheimer’s Association. They also enjoy taking part in Keller Williams’ annual Red Day activities.
Each day, Mark and Season drive forward in their efforts to fulfill the needs of their clients and community. And it all starts with a firm focus on the human element.
“We’re not in the real estate business. We’re in the people business, whether we’re working with residential, businesses or land owners,” Mark emphasizes.
“Having a good relationship with our clients is really what we want. It is very fulfilling knowing that we can source all of their needs.”
That’s what it looks like when your efforts are channeled to help people on an individual level … in turn, producing results that represent the best of both worlds.
There are some bonds in life that seem to have been destined to happen … like they had been mapped out … just waiting for the right time to happen.
That’s the feeling you get when you talk with Chris and Brenda Noffert.
As a husband-and-wife team leading the Noffert Group with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Alliance, Chris and Brenda have a story together that seems like it was meant to be.
First Glances
It began in 1985 in the hometown where Chris and Brenda grew up — Detroit, Michigan. Brenda was 15 years old at the time. As she sat in the passenger seat of her mother’s car, they pulled into a full-service gas station.
“I was midsentence when the most gorgeous pair of blue eyes (attached to a young, gorgeous face) bent down in the window,
said, ‘Don’t I know you?’” Brenda says. “It was those eyes again!”
A date soon followed. As they talked about their “not-seeing-anyone-seriously” status, Brenda shared that she was waiting for a white knight … a guy to ride up on a white horse, sweep her off her feet and ride into the sunset.
“We saw each other almost every day after that. I lived in a heavily populated city just outside of Detroit. About three miles from the notorious 8 Mile. I was home one evening when the doorbell rang. I stepped onto the porch to see my future … Chris’s blue eyes … in a white suit …with a huge bouquet of flowers … on top of an enormous white horse.”
smiled and said, ‘Do you want to fill it up?’” she recalls with a smile.
It was 18-year-old Chris Noffert. The first meeting left an impact on both of them.
“I kept a very close watch on my mom’s gas tank and always happened to be in the car when she needed to fill up,” she smiles.
“My parents bought my sister a car, and for the next several months, I bought all of her gas, as long as we did it almost daily and a few dollars at a time. Chris and I talked, we flirted, we exchanged ‘looks’ that made me melt, but he was required to speak from the driver’s side window — so it was all very casual, and my sister was always between us. On my 16th birthday, my sister pulled up and said, ‘Guess who turned 16 today?’ With that, Chris reached his arm past her, grabbed my neck and pulled me to his soft lips. A short but electrifying kiss left me stunned as he said, ‘Happy Birthday, Angel.’ I was on cloud nine the whole day!”
When Brenda returned to the gas station a few days later, Chris had taken a new job, unbeknownst to Brenda. They fell out of touch for the next year and a half.
“That was until I stopped at a newer self-serve gas station on a random Wednesday evening, and a voice
Two years later, the two were married and started the next chapter of their lives together.
Brenda, Chris and Chris’ mom, Marie, opened a flower shop. Marie and Brenda worked at the flower shop, while Chris worked as an auto body painter.
In time, Brenda faced a scary health hurdle. She had stopped breathing
one night after an escalating set of symptoms. It turned out that she was allergic to flowers.
“That same week, Chris started experiencing numb fingers and hands, blind spots in his eyesight and tremors,” Brenda remembers.
“We were told that although his job paid well, the toxins entering his body all day (even though he wore a respirator while painting) were taking a toll on his system, and it would be in his best interest to find a new career.”
Brenda’s mom owned a real estate school and had been prodding Chris and Brenda to take the classes for years, but neither had been interested. After extensive discussion, the two made a deal that they would both get licensed, and Brenda would help Chris get his start in real estate, and then she would then leave for a new direction. The transition proved to be grueling and stressful.
“I had 8 weeks left before I started my new job, and I decided to change my whole thought process. I knew I wanted to help Chris get started, and I wanted to have fun with him while I was there because our dream had
We want the people we serve to feel better about their day, life and situation. I want to improve their lives.
and Chris’s mom, Marie. They have enjoyed and benefited from multi-generational living since moving to Kansas. In their free time, they enjoy exercising and playing board games. When it comes to giving back, they enjoy supporting the humane society, as well as the Women’s Shelter and Lighthouse Mission.
With positivity and professionalism, Brenda and Chris make a lasting impact on their clients and their team members.
always been to work together. Here I was with that opportunity, and I was wasting it! I decided I was just going to have fun!”
Chris and Brenda changed tactics and, in just over seven weeks, put together eight transactions. In the end, Brenda decided to continue in the business with Chris.
In time, they moved to Wichita, despite the advice from those around them that they shouldn’t make the huge mistake of leaving all they had known. Shortly after their move, they discovered that Brenda was pregnant and expecting their first child.
Through time, Brenda and Chris have gained extensive experience and are proud to team up with their administrator, Kim Appleton, to
create The Noffert Group. They have several team members and are expanding for 2023.
Away from work, they treasure time with their 16-year-old daughter, Gillian,
“We want the people we serve to feel better about their day, life and situation. I want to improve their lives,” Brenda emphasizes.
There’s no doubt that is exactly the feeling their clients have. And it wouldn’t be a surprise for the people who work with Chris and Brenda to feel that their path with them was meant to be.
One motivated and inspired person can achieve a lot of good for others in life. But those results can be magnified many times over when two people who care about each other and who share the same vision join the same path.
The Start of Something Special
The two began their path in life together in 1988.
“Kelly and I met on a blind date. His sister connected us at my 10-year high school reunion. We have been married 33 years,” she says with a smile.
Janet was the first to get her start in the industry in 2005, with Kelly joining her in 2010.
Growing up, Janet’s father had his own auto parts business that she helped out with. Along the way, she learned a lot of lessons about the value of customer service. As she came of age, she owned and operated her own tanning business in her 20s.
Customer service and people have always been our forte. We love the process of getting to know them. That’s what we like. It’s not just about the dollars; it’s about helping people.
The process of transitioning into the business and then building through time has been a positive, natural one for them.
“Customer service and people have always been our forte. We love the process of getting to know them,” Kelly says. “That’s what we like. It’s not just about the dollars; it’s about helping people.”
As Janet says, “Real estate fits the bill for sure. I love how, with each transaction, we become friends with our clients, and you get to see the whole process from the beginning to the end with them.”
Their record of results continues to grow through time. In fact, they consistently qualify for Masters Circle or President’s Circle.
In time, Kelly and Janet sold their first home as a forsale-by-owner and were general contractors of their dream home they built on family grounds.
“That was the start of our real estate career. We really got the bug after selling and building,” Janet remembers. “I was in sales and marketing for a local cable company. One of the ladies there got her license, and it inspired me to further pursue real estate. I started with a team in 2005.”
As Kelly grew, he learned the lessons of hard work and creating success while contributing to his family’s farm.
As he came of age and started his path in life with Janet, Kelly bought a lawn and landscape business that he grew and operated with Janet. In addition, he worked part-time with UPS.
“Janet and I had business meetings every Monday for lawn and landscape. In the meantime, I had also put my name in to be a driver at UPS. A week later, an opening came up, and I ended up driving for them for 15 years,” Kelly recalls. “Two knee surgeries later, I decided to become a REALTOR®.”
God and family are at the heart of life for Kelly and Janet, including their three sons — Ethan, Christian and Braedan.
In their free time, they enjoy listening to music, playing board games, and watching vintage movies and have a passion for cooking, grilling, outdoor adventures and travel.
When it comes to giving back to their community, they like to stay engaged in their church — the Well Worship Center in Derby. In addition, they also look for people they can help on a oneon-one basis.
“There are times when people are really hurting in the process of either buying or selling,” Janet says. “We pray with many of them … guiding and encouraging them throughout the transaction.”
When you talk with Kelly and Janet, it’s easy to see the honesty and integrity that they bring to their work together each day.
As Janet says, “We truly care for the people we get to know through our business for them … making sure that we meet their needs and wants in a way that will work for their family.”
When you think about the results that you create on behalf of your clients, one of the elements they appreciate the most is your commitment to serving their needs through the ups and downs of a typical transaction.
In the same way, it means a lot to be able to partner with someone who applies that same approach to their work.
That’s what you experience when you and your clients work with Owner/Inspector Josh Counce with Bright Light Inspections LLC.
“The work I do is ever-changing. Each client is different, and it keeps me engaged,” Josh says. “With homes, there’s a lot that can go wrong and things that are tough to spot for the average person. It’s nice to be able to provide a keen eye to help people out and make sure they know what’s going on.”
Josh has long lived out his desire to help others. In fact, he originally worked in the restaurant business for 10 years, working first as a server, then working his way up to becoming a manager. He also served the community as a Wichita firefighter for five and a half years.
In the meantime, he started Bright Light Inspections. In 2022, he made the move to operate Bright Light Inspections full-time.
“I think the common element in my background between my time working in the restaurant industry, firefighting and working in the real estate industry is that I innately enjoy helping people out and serving their needs,” Josh says.
One main element of focus for Josh in his work is making the process as seamless as possible for his real estate partners and clients.
“From the moment an inspection gets scheduled to the time the report is issued, and we’re going through the report, I do what I can to make life easy on REALTORS®,” Josh explains.
“Also, everything I do has complete honesty and integrity. There won’t be any doubt about what I’m doing. And my partners have peace in knowing that, once this inspection is over, I will do everything I can to make sure that the client is taken care of … with honesty and transparency.”
I HAVE A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. THAT IS WHERE OUR FAMILY IS CENTERED.
Away from work, Josh’s world is made much richer by his family, including his wife, Aimee Counce, who is a REALTOR®.
“I have a strong relationship with God,” he emphasizes. “That is where our family is centered.”
At the end of the day, those who work with Josh know they can count on him to serve them to the best of his ability.
Josh and Aimee have three children — their 7-year-old daughter, Scarlett; 5-year-old daughter, Everly; and 3-year-old son, Deacon.
In his free time, Josh enjoys playing golf. Another favorite pastime for him is woodworking and home improvement.
All along the way, Josh’s faith guides his life and efforts in the world.
As he says, “Each day, I’m dedicated to showing up, doing a good job and making sure everything has been taken care of.”
When you’re looking for a partner who approaches your clients with the same sense of service as you, look to Josh Counce and Bright Light Inspections.
Contact Bright Light Inspections LLC Today!
Phone: 316-250-5221
Website: www.BLInspections.com
What sets IWP apart?
Residential and Commercial, we do it all! IWP’s focus is to fix the past with the highest quality of materials and workmanship in order to prevent problems in a homeowner’s future. If you ask yourself what the strongest part of a house should be and start with, it’s a durable and protected foundation. The real difference between IWP and the other guys is the superior craftsmanship we provide because we know how precious and meaningful a home can be. We get excited every day to go out into our own community and help protect homeowners biggest investment. Their home. Making families comfortable and safe in their own homes is a big reason why we do this!
What significant changes have you seen take place in your profession through the years?
With technology always changing, we are mainly focusing on the ins and outs of
providing the best of the best. Those who have had foundation repair completed know that vertical settlement is the most expensive part of foundation repair. With new construction helicals, we can guarantee that your home will not settle once it is built. A basement like that has less than a 5% chance of settling compared to more shallow foundations like crawl spaces or slab foundations. Back in the day, when a home would settle, they would excavate and pour yards and yards of concrete underneath to stabilize it. Turns out, adding thousands of pounds of concrete onto an already broken foundation is detrimental over time. By fixing the problem early on, we can gain insight into today’s settlement by looking into yesterday’s problem. If we can see it and find the problem, you can be assured that your home is in good hands.
What do you most want the top producers and REALTORS® to know about your business?
We are here for every want and need! Allow us to continue to be a tool for you and your clients. We love to meet and teach others how complicated a foundation can be but easy with the right eyes and mindset. Let our team show you how we can provide a certain fix so it will never move, leak, lean, or bow! Our warranties back it. We back it. It doesn’t have to be scary!
ask the expert
Q — Why does the VA state that “Any seller concession or combination of concessions which exceeds 4% of the established reasonable value of the property is considered excessive, and unacceptable for VA-guaranteed loans,” but I have seen this amount exceeded on many occasions?
A — Part of this explanation involves the VA’s definition of “seller concessions” as it relates to VA purchase transactions. We (REALTORS® and lenders) commonly use the term seller or sales concessions in a broad manner to include all customary buyer costs paid by a seller. However, only a few of those costs are typically included in the 4% threshold test.
These would include the pre-payment of the buyer’s property taxes and first year of insurance. Also included are discount points in excess of 2% and given the current interest rate environment, you may negotiate a temporary interest rate buydown that would also be considered a seller concession on a VA purchase if paid by the seller.
But that 4% limitation, and the VA’s definition of “seller concessions,” is also what makes VA loans far more lenient than their conventional, FHA, or USDA counterparts’ 3% – 6% limitations.
For instance, let’s say you have negotiated a $200,000 sale with a VA buyer, the seller is paying all the buyer’s closing costs/pre-paids, and the home has appraised for $3,000 over the purchase price.
All is well until the title work comes back, requiring an old judgment to be paid in the amount of $2,500. The VA will allow seller concessions of $8,120 ($203,000 X 4.0%). The pre-paids total $4200, so raising the sales price to $202,500 and amending the contract to reflect the seller paying the judgment at closing would result in total “seller concessions” of $6,700 — $1,420 under the maximum threshold and another successful closing.
More than any other loan type, VA allows a commonsense approach to underwriting, giving us the latitude to make common-sense decisions. No matter what type of situation may arise either before or after contract consummation on a VA purchase, always reach out to Benchmark Mortgage Wichita before giving up on one of our Heroes.
My local team and I have been serving Wichita and the Kansas area for over 25 years, and we also have licensing in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Locally and nationally, VA loans are our specialty. We know the VA guidelines and the guideline exceptions. At Benchmark, we are approved for automatic processing of VA loans. This means that our loans are processed, underwritten, and closed in-house without waiting for another lender’s or VA’s approval of the veteran or property.
Additionally, Benchmark provides real-time field education on VA policy changes to gauge the impact and opportunities those changes will have on our Veteran clients. Taking ownership of these extra steps allows us to make the process as seamless as possible for all parties and reduce the time required to close a VA loan.
We encourage you to access or direct your active duty and veteran clients to our veteran-dedicated branch website KSVAHomeLoans.com for more VA home-buying information, testimonials, and access to our online application.
SCAN TO BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND AND STOP MISSING OUT ON POTENTIAL SALES AND CLIENTS!
