Thought Leaders

Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate…CSRA Rental Market

Owning investment property is a common wealth building tactic for the novice investor as well as the experienced one. I am not a financial advisor, and I am not giving financial advice, but I am sharing about our rental market. I feel my opinion on the matter could help someone thinking about investing in our market. I like to look at investment properties as a forced or free savings account when done correctly. If you have a mortgage on a property, each rent payment made should be covering the mortgage

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Shawna Woodward

Local housing market experiences temporary slowdown

As housing prices continue to climb, Shawna Woodward says the real estate market has slowed down, but she doesn’t expect it to stay that way for long. Woodward – agent for RE/MAX Reinvented in Columbia County – explains the market generally slows down when school starts. “Historically, we have lower inventory coming into October and November,” she states. An article from Southeastern Residential explains the nationwide housing inventory is almost 19% lower than it was last year at this time. The median price of homes in Georgia has increased significantly

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Darin Myers

Coach Darin…Turning your passion…and a need…into a profitable company!

Editor’s Note: The CSRA is littered with driven people who have turned a “hobby” or “passion” into a business, especially when there is a need. This week, Arissa Kirk of Healthy Hangout and Amber Connor of Sinless Sweets are opening their own storefronts in Evans after seeing the health effects of their products on friends, family, customers and themselves. They have inspiration in Bethany Roley of Fierce Fitness and Vibe Yoga and Fitness—who turned her passion into a successful pair of businesses. At age 45, she is still going strong

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Re-Invest In Your Home

If you are a homeowner, your home is most likely your biggest and most valuable asset. Just like you have to spend time nurturing personal relationships with friends and loved ones, your home needs constant care and love as well. Here are a few helpful things to do, that will definitely keep things up to date and maybe even add monetary value to your biggest investment. First off, finish up minor repairs around your house. These things can actually make a difference in the value of your home. Take some

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Darin Myers

Coach Darin: Eliminate bad habits and increase productivity!

I think Darin is talking to me with his latest article. I am in the camp of those who were going to stop procrastinating, but I put it off! If I don’t multi-task with a phone in one hand, a person in front of me and my computer up—it’s a slow day. Yes, I need to better take care of myself too. I haven’t played tennis with the guys at Petersburg Racquet Club in many months! Uggh. I better start reading. Enjoy—this maybe aimed at you, too! Even the most

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Don’t leave $$$ on table when you sell!

If you find yourself feeling like now is the time to sell, you will not have to wait long for a buyer. Most homes are selling for 100% of the listing price and officially closing the sale within 48 days! Here are a few quick things I feel strongly are a must do if you decide to sell your home at anytime! FRESH PINE STRAW OR MULCH – Cleaning up your landscaping is an easy and inexpensive way to present a well maintained home and ensure nice curb appeal. ADD

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Darin Myers

Why You Might Want to Sell the Family Business

Recently, longtime Augustan Jeff Annis sold his decades old Advanced Services for Pest Control Company to one of the big, regional players in their space. His mom started the company and although a couple of his children worked in the business, there was not a succession plan for family to “step in”. What will the Weinbergers and the Busbys and the Mulherins and so many other excellent, legacy companies in the CSRA do when the time is right to sell? Local business coach Darin Myers says looking outside the family

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: CSRA millennials scooping up houses

It’s no surprise by now that the real estate market is hot, moving fast, and pretty much a race to be the first buyer to see anything that lists for sale! We are finally beginning to accept this as our new normal and have thrown all past experiences and expectations out the window in favor of just “winning” a house. If you are familiar with the housing market here in the CSRA, and have read my previous article on how we actually are experiencing higher sales inventory than previous years.

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Darin Myers

Coach Darin: Handling negative reviews for your company

No business wants to get a bad review for its products or services. However, since it’s impossible to please all customers all the time, the likelihood of encountering dissatisfied customer reviews online is high. But businesses that respond adroitly, with a professional tone and determination to succeed, can weather these negative reviews and even win over other potential customers. The key is learning how to respond in ways that acknowledge a customer’s issues and demonstrate to everyone online that you take customer concerns seriously. Here are five tips on handling

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Cyber Security

Job opportunities tomorrow at Fort Gordon and across U.S Army footprint

If you or someone you know has a security clearance, there may be a good fit for job opportunities. A virtual hiring fair is being organized by a staffing contractor for Fort Gordon and the U.S Army. Transition Careers, LLC founder and CEO Jason Semerakis tells ABD that active duty, reserve, national guard, military retirees and civilians with experience in defense, engineering, IT, cyber and intelligence are encouraged to register and participate. Active or current (used within 24 months) security clearance issued by the U.S. federal government is REQUIRED for

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