Each week on “Around Town,” our hosts, Tom Reber and Jason Shepard, talk to members of the First Coast community who are making an impact in their part of town. Today, Tom and Jason speak with Sara Jackson of Century21 Lighthouse Realty.
Century21 Lighthouse Realty is a local franchisee of the internationally known Century21 brand, currently operating in 84 countries worldwide. They bring local expertise and decades of experience to Northeast Florida, helping your successful real estate transaction be as smooth as humanly possible.
Are you a member of any area organizations? If so, which ones?
Currently I am focusing on my family, clientele, studies, and considering going to graduate school in fall 2025. I am hoping that by improving my skillsets and increasing my experience, I will be better equipped to assist any organizations when I am at that point in my career.
What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome in your business?
The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome is being a nobody in this area. As a lifelong Floridian, moving from SWFL to NEFL in order to find more opportunities as an outsider versus the good ol’ boy system at work in much of Florida. I am grateful to all those clients who have taken a chance on me and allowed me to wow them with their real estate transaction with me.
What is the most enjoyable part of what you do?
The most enjoyable part of what I do is likely helping first time homebuyers get into their home and on the path to financial independence. Many people are lifelong renters, and simply don’t realize that home ownership is well within their reach. One of my proudest work to date recently was helping a family get into their first home, a beautifully remodeled 4/2 single family home here in NEFL. They ended up paying $300K for the home situated on a fully fenced quarter acre lot with city water/sewer, and I was able to negotiate $12,000 in seller concessions from a self-described “not desperate” seller, which was so much that it allowed them some funds to buy down their interest rate to 5.75%. Additionally, inspections showed the home’s roof was at the end of its useful life, and instead of running scared, my clients let me do my thing and I was able to get the seller to replace the roof prior to closing at no cost to my buyers, savings them thousands and helping them lower their insurance costs, as well as helping ensure safety during recent Hurricane Helene. They lost power for a few days but the concrete block house with a brand new roof stood up to the storm well!
What are your biggest goals in the next 12 Months for your business?
My biggest goals in the next 12 months is to continue to scale my business and provide quality service to my selling and buying clients, add my partner to my real estate team, as well as continue to educate myself in order to bring the most skill, knowledge and experience to my business for my clients.