Great GA Realty came out of a desire for a new career path for founder and broker, Jessica Herrmann. In her early 20s, she was looking for a change and her husband, Scott, district manager at Thayer Monument Company, suggested real estate.
Herrmann, 43, had never considered a career doing sales, but upon doing research into the career field, she determined that it was something she would be interested in doing.
She gained her real estate license in 2005 and four years later, obtained her broker’s license. For those who don’t know, a real estate agent is someone who has obtained their real estate license and can sell real estate, but must do so under the supervision of a broker.
A broker has passed a brokerage license exam, which opens up additional opportunities for them — they are able to own a real estate firm or be an independent contractor. Brokers can train, recruit and manage agents, write contracts and supervise transactions.
“I always knew I wanted to have my own brokerage,” said Herrmann. “I felt like I had a lot of ideas that I wanted to share with other agents to help them to be successful. I decided it was time to spread my wings in 2018 and opened Great GA Realty.”
As the owner/broker of Great GA Realty, Herrmann is responsible for overseeing the agents who work with her as well as the office staff. Great GA Realty currently includes 16 real estate agents and two full-time employees. Realtors include Debbie Hagan, Laura Shaver, Courtney Stephens, Maddie Colon, Jim Branch, Leigh Rountree, The Property Pros: Jamie Canady and Ainsley Byington, Mason Davis, Marla Baker, Brandi Wilson, Anna Clifton, Amy Cowart, Brittany Wilson and Amber French Sewell. Their office employees include Sydney Davis, office and marketing manager, and newly-hired marketing assistant Haley Padgett.
The team has made a difference in many people’s lives by helping them to buy or sell their homes, land or commercial spaces. Those clients are pretty satisfied and Herrmann’s team has the awards to prove it. They have won the Discovering Bulloch Award for Best Real Estate Office for three years and Herrmann herself was recognized as Statesboro Magazine Fabulist’s Real Estate Agent this year. In 2019, she was recognized as a member of the Statesboro Herald’s 20 under 40 (she adds, “While I was still under 40.”) Sydney Davis was recognized this year as a 20 Under 40 recipient.
Real estate is a business that requires a lot of great networking and connections and community involvement is a way to accomplish that while also doing good for your community and improving your life.
The realtors at Great GA Realty participate in a variety of community events, educational seminars and some of the realtors are involved in local civic organizations.
“We are sponsors of the Statesboro farmers market, participate as sponsors in Chamber events, local races and tournaments. We are involved in some type of community event almost every month,” said Herrmann.
At the time of the interview, Herrmann said that the next week they would be hosting a free homebuyers seminar at the Statesboro library to help out anyone wanting to figure out how they can purchase a home.
In addition to their sponsorships, Great GA Realty’s team organizes multiple community events every year. They host a yearly Santa event that has grown to be a pretty large event in December.
Great GA Realty currently serves 13 counties in Georgia but it is Herrmann’s goal to expand soon. She recently obtained her license in South Carolina and is exploring options to expand into the Palmetto State.
She and Scott have two daughters, Maddie, an upcoming junior at Bulloch Academy, and Marlie, an upcoming eighth-grader at Bulloch Academy.
Originally from Swainsboro, both Herrmanns attended the University of Georgia where they met and then moved to Millen.
“I have worked in Statesboro for more than 20 years and knew that with the growth I have seen in the area that it was the perfect place to open Great GA Realty,” she said.
Another goal Herrmann has for the company is growth— she is always looking for the right individuals for her team. Her three main qualifications include agents that are “humble, hungry and smart.” The team’s No. 1 goal is to provide “concierge level customer service to our clients and customers.” Herrmann said that anyone who fits that description would love to work with them.