Janice Folmar of RE/MAX Southern Homes – 280 specializes in real estate services on all levels.
“Whether you’re purchasing your first home, are a move-up buyer, a move-down buyer or selling your home and simply want to make a change, I am available to assist you and your family.”
Buyers and sellers in all price ranges will find that Folmar is thorough and compassionate about their needs and wishes for their daily lifestyle.
“As a full-time Realtor, I am constantly trying to make sure I assist with the entire process,” she said. “It starts with the client’s search for their next home: ensuring the lenders are working on their side of the process and guiding buyers and sellers through the inspection and appraisal processes. These clients become your friends, and I take pride in making sure the home buying or home selling process is a good experience.”
Folmar has been a real estate agent for more than 20 years, ever since the company she worked for as a personnel director decided to move their headquarters to Iowa. Moving to Iowa wasn’t an option for Folmar and her family, so her friend suggested she get her real estate license.
It’s been a rewarding profession from the very first transaction she had through today. Some of Folmar's clients have worked with her on their first home purchase, and others are on their fourth home purchase with her.
There is never a dull moment in her career, and she has had some wonderful experiences. She loves having a life filled with so many great opportunities to help people find their “next move.”
She enjoys working with people and families making the most important decisions of their lives and believes service and compassion is the key to providing open communication and helping the buyer or seller enjoy the experience.
In her more than two decades as a real estate agent, she said her passion and ambition set her apart from other agents. She always does what’s best for clients. If something doesn’t feel right, she does her due diligence to find out why.
“Your care and commitment must go way beyond the listing or the closing of a property,” she said.
She tries to make herself accessible at all times for her clients. She never turns off her phone and is thankful for her family’s patience through it all.
Her passion and hard work have not gone unnoticed. She has received many awards throughout the years, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Diamond Club Award, Club of Excellence Awards, Chairman’s Club, Platinum Club, Top Realtor Dixie Region - RE/MAX, Top 10 Sales Team in the Dixie Region and numerous other awards. Each award is evidence of her dedication to her clients and her profession.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the real estate market is continuing on a strong level, she said. Still, some of her clients are unsure whether to buy or sell a home during the pandemic. Folmar has a favorite response to that.
“I say, ‘If you don’t like where you are, then move. You are not a tree.’ That seems to lighten the mood and gives them reassurance that we all have changes in priorities on a regular basis.”
Although the pandemic created uncertainty and stress, Folmar said it did make many people aware of what’s important to them: their homes.
“They have become our haven, our daily retreats,” she said. “And our families, friends, neighbors and communities are more valuable than ever.”
When families are seeking a new home, so many factors play a role in their decisions, she said. School remains a top priority, but the total community concept has become a dominating factor in choices.
“Knowing you will be in a neighborhood where values will remain steady is very high on the list of buyers. Therefore, they can feel confident their property will be considered for future buyers’ needs.”
As president of Greystone Golf & Country Club, Folmar has had a rewarding relationship with the club members and the Greystone community.
“We all embraced the uncertainty we faced in 2020 with the COVID-19 events, and our community — and our Club — has been very successful in turning negative into positive.”
She watched the Club embrace the solutions to the pandemic, providing a safe environment so members could enjoy the golf outings, special events and food offerings on a daily basis.
She also had to embrace change in her real estate career in 2020.
“Everyone in all types of business had to adapt this year, and mine was no exception,” she said. “Many normalcies were lost, and creative thinking took over our daily business. While we respected the serious impact of COVID-19, we have been available for our clients and their needs full service as usual. Of course, we followed all the safety guidelines daily.”
If there’s anything 2020 taught her, it’s to stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start getting excited about what could go right. Her goal for 2021 is the same goal she has had since she became a Realtor: Always strive to be your best each day.
“What a rewarding life and career I have experienced,” she said. “It’s not because of me but because of my family who understood my passion and dedication; and because of my clients who trusted me with their most important decision and purchase in their lives. They kept me in a successful mode on a daily basis!
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2021!
