What....err.... who is Real Estate Wise?
Real Estate Wise is a team, owned by David and Amanda Blanton, (husband and Wife) that is affiliated with the Keller Williams Atlanta Partners North Gwinnett market Center.
Why Keller Williams?
David started in Real Estate with a small brokerage. In fact, unfortunately, this person put the word broke in 'broker'. It was appealing to work on this small brokerage, because the broker took a much smaller part of his commission than many brokerages. Having 14 years experience in the Real Estate industry, David didn't really feel like he needed the training available at the larger brokerages.
In a blessing disguised as otherwise, the broker called David to tell him that he had to lease out his office space to a therapist in order to be able to pay the monthly note on his office condo. This is actually after David had already paid to have phone lines installed. David didn't want to work from home, so the search for a new brokerage began.
All in all, David interviewed over 7 brokerages in the area, including all of the big brands, and even another KW office. This was in one of the roughest housing markets in years. This was in January of 2012. So, not only a horrible market, but also the dead of winter. Most brokerages had very low energy, and few people even in the office.
KW North Gwinnett was completely different. The agents there were determined to be productive regardless of the environment. The energy was high! But, there was something else. It wasn't until I joined that I could put my finger on it. The people in the market center cared for and helped one another. See, Real Estate is a competitive business. In most brokerages, a top agent isn't going to share how they are successful. They are going to hide that so that no one steals it. This place was different. Not only did they have training, they had other agents that were more than willing to share their 'secret sauce'. It is a more collaborative environment than you will find anywhere else.
And, moreover, the broker, (no operating principle) had tremendous integrity and was a Godly person. God, Family, Business. That is the order or priority with Keller Williams. That was huge for David (and is also very important to Amanda, but she wasn't a part of the team at the time)
Why Keller Williams?
David started in Real Estate with a small brokerage. In fact, unfortunately, this person put the word broke in 'broker'. It was appealing to work on this small brokerage, because the broker took a much smaller part of his commission than many brokerages. Having 14 years experience in the Real Estate industry, David didn't really feel like he needed the training available at the larger brokerages.
In a blessing disguised as otherwise, the broker called David to tell him that he had to lease out his office space to a therapist in order to be able to pay the monthly note on his office condo. This is actually after David had already paid to have phone lines installed. David didn't want to work from home, so the search for a new brokerage began.
All in all, David interviewed over 7 brokerages in the area, including all of the big brands, and even another KW office. This was in one of the roughest housing markets in years. This was in January of 2012. So, not only a horrible market, but also the dead of winter. Most brokerages had very low energy, and few people even in the office.
KW North Gwinnett was completely different. The agents there were determined to be productive regardless of the environment. The energy was high! But, there was something else. It wasn't until I joined that I could put my finger on it. The people in the market center cared for and helped one another. See, Real Estate is a competitive business. In most brokerages, a top agent isn't going to share how they are successful. They are going to hide that so that no one steals it. This place was different. Not only did they have training, they had other agents that were more than willing to share their 'secret sauce'. It is a more collaborative environment than you will find anywhere else.
And, moreover, the broker, (no operating principle) had tremendous integrity and was a Godly person. God, Family, Business. That is the order or priority with Keller Williams. That was huge for David (and is also very important to Amanda, but she wasn't a part of the team at the time)
Then, of course, there is the WI4C2TS.
The training has been amazing, the support has been better than anyone could have imagined. This is what defines the culture of any organization. And, the culture of Keller Williams as a whole and the North Gwinnett market center specifically, is beyond any you will find anywhere else.
This culture has fostered incredible growth and success for David, Amanda and all of the members of Real Estate Wise.
The WI4C2TS are on display in our market center Daily and it makes our office a fantastic place to go to work everyday.
Who are David and Amanda Blanton?
David and Amanda grew up in Kansas City, KS. Well, Amanda grew up there for the most part. She spent her summer's with her father in Snellville, GA. David and Amanda met each other in High School on the school bus, and while they would love to say it was love at first sight and they lived happily ever after.... well, that would be a lie. They did date for a brief time in High School, but broke up and shortly after, David transferred to a different school.
David went on to graduate and join the Navy. Amanda went on to graduate and go to college. And, they didn't see each other for about 6 years. Then, one day, they ran into each other on campus. Fate had brought them together again.
On November 9th, 1996, they were married. In October of 1997, they moved to Snellville, GA. (Everybody is Somebody in Snellville, after all)
They have been blessed with two beautiful, talented, smart and funny daughters, Mikayla and Sophia. Mikayla is on the Dean's list with a perfect 4.0 at UNG and Sophie is in gifted classes with a 4.0 at Osborne Middle School.
David and Amanda attended Brookwood Baptist Church for 13 years until 2013. Since, then, they have attended 12 Stone.
David and Amanda both pull for their hometown teams. David is a huge Chiefs fan and Amanda is a Huge fan of the Royals.
David went on to graduate and join the Navy. Amanda went on to graduate and go to college. And, they didn't see each other for about 6 years. Then, one day, they ran into each other on campus. Fate had brought them together again.
On November 9th, 1996, they were married. In October of 1997, they moved to Snellville, GA. (Everybody is Somebody in Snellville, after all)
They have been blessed with two beautiful, talented, smart and funny daughters, Mikayla and Sophia. Mikayla is on the Dean's list with a perfect 4.0 at UNG and Sophie is in gifted classes with a 4.0 at Osborne Middle School.
David and Amanda attended Brookwood Baptist Church for 13 years until 2013. Since, then, they have attended 12 Stone.
David and Amanda both pull for their hometown teams. David is a huge Chiefs fan and Amanda is a Huge fan of the Royals.
David's Background
David Worked construction for three years while in High School. He would work summers, weekends and holidays. In addition, he held a job at KFC working his way up to shift supervisor before joining the NAVY.
David graduated High School in 1992. He served in the NAVY for 4 years. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer 3rd class. He served in many different capacities during that time including driving small boats to land marines on the beach in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and Training Petty Officer in the Supply maintenance division. David received the combat ribbon, the NAVY "E", Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Combat Action Ribbon. As Training Petty officer, David gathered and wrote lesson plans and a training system that was commended during inspection and shared with other training petty officers throughout the fleet.
After honorable discharge from the Navy, David was a Deputy Sheriff in Wyandotte County, in Kansas City, KS, during which time he received a letter of recognition.
After his time with the sheriff's department, David and Amanda moved to Georgia.
David became a licensed appraiser in 1998. He was able to become a licensee in less than six months and went on to become a Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser, which is the highest level to achieve for Residential appraisers.
During the time as an appraiser, David also worked as a loan originator part time, and buy and flip homes.
In November of 2011, David began his Real Estate Sales Career. David was rookie of the year in 2012 for KW North Gwinnett despite starting with KW in late January and working part time as an agent until July of 2012. In 2013, David sold 30 units as a solo agent.
David has served on the Agent Leadership Council for 2014, 2015, and is currently serving for 2016. David is also a trainer in the North Gwinnett Market Center, as well as the chairman of the mentor program.
David received a Silver Medal in 2013, and he and his team have received Gold medals for 2014 and 2015. David is also a three year active member of the Realtor Million Dollar Club.
David graduated High School in 1992. He served in the NAVY for 4 years. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer 3rd class. He served in many different capacities during that time including driving small boats to land marines on the beach in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and Training Petty Officer in the Supply maintenance division. David received the combat ribbon, the NAVY "E", Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Combat Action Ribbon. As Training Petty officer, David gathered and wrote lesson plans and a training system that was commended during inspection and shared with other training petty officers throughout the fleet.
After honorable discharge from the Navy, David was a Deputy Sheriff in Wyandotte County, in Kansas City, KS, during which time he received a letter of recognition.
After his time with the sheriff's department, David and Amanda moved to Georgia.
David became a licensed appraiser in 1998. He was able to become a licensee in less than six months and went on to become a Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser, which is the highest level to achieve for Residential appraisers.
During the time as an appraiser, David also worked as a loan originator part time, and buy and flip homes.
In November of 2011, David began his Real Estate Sales Career. David was rookie of the year in 2012 for KW North Gwinnett despite starting with KW in late January and working part time as an agent until July of 2012. In 2013, David sold 30 units as a solo agent.
David has served on the Agent Leadership Council for 2014, 2015, and is currently serving for 2016. David is also a trainer in the North Gwinnett Market Center, as well as the chairman of the mentor program.
David received a Silver Medal in 2013, and he and his team have received Gold medals for 2014 and 2015. David is also a three year active member of the Realtor Million Dollar Club.
Amanda's Background
Amanda graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1994. She went on to attend Kansas State University.
Amanda worked in purchasing for the majority of her professional career. As a purchaser, she was responsible for locating and procuring goods from reliable vendors at reasonable prices taking care of the logistical difficulties that arose.
In 2012, Amanda began working in HOA management. In 2013, she earned her CAM license. In late 2013, Amanda decided to get her sales license and join David on the Real Estate wise team.
Amanda has achieved gold medals in each of her last two years. Amanda served on the productivity committee in 2015 and is serving on the Culture Committee for 2016.
Amanda worked in purchasing for the majority of her professional career. As a purchaser, she was responsible for locating and procuring goods from reliable vendors at reasonable prices taking care of the logistical difficulties that arose.
In 2012, Amanda began working in HOA management. In 2013, she earned her CAM license. In late 2013, Amanda decided to get her sales license and join David on the Real Estate wise team.
Amanda has achieved gold medals in each of her last two years. Amanda served on the productivity committee in 2015 and is serving on the Culture Committee for 2016.
