by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
Jiggy Smaha of Watson’s South Beach office is ready to protect the sellers and tackle the buyers.
Now this may sound like an unusual way to approach real estate, but not for Smaha. He is a former NFL and University of Georgia outside linebacker.
“I was a defensive player and had to study and learn everything about my opponent,” said Smaha. “Real estate is the same way. I have to study and learn everything about other real estate companies and other properties. Also, football is a very disciplined sport. You can apply those same disciplines to any walk of life, including real estate.”
Smaha has been a real estate agent for the past 18 years and recently moved to Jacksonville where he joined Watson Realty near his Ponte Vedra home.
After graduating from University of Georgia in 1968, Smaha became a NFL football player. During the off season, he got into real estate.
He played for Dallas, Cleveland and Oakland but five years into his career, an unfortunate accident where he broke his back and needed a spinal fusion ended his career.
After his career ended, he became a sales manager and practiced real estate for six years. After that position he joined Coca Cola USA as a promotions manager for 10 years and then joined DelMonte USA also as a promotions manager for six years. He decided to get back into real estate full time and joined Cendant’s Resort Development Division where he did real estate and mortgages for six years.
He then moved over to Wachovia Mortgage, but when he decided to move to Jacksonville, Wachovia didn’t have any openings, so he took the real estate road instead.
But, he said his mortgage experience will prove invaluable.
“I’ve sold more homes with mortgage knowledge than I have with real estate knowledge,” said Smaha. “You show houses, but you sell mortgages. You have to be able to show them how they can afford to pay for it. If you don’t know the mortgage industry in real estate, you are missing a very good tool.”
After a whole month under his belt, he has decided to focus on the Beaches and Intracoastal area— specifically oceanfront and gated community homes with a price range of $300,000 to 800,000.
“I really identify with that type of clientele, both on sellers and buyers,” said Smaha. “But, I will work with anybody, anybody I can help. The potential here looks extremely good. There are constantly rising prices at the beach, an influx of people moving into the area and rates are at an all time low. So, with those three factors, it makes it very appetizing. The Beaches will always have a draw even when the market is soft in other areas, which it is right now.”
He really enjoys real estate and is looking forward to excelling in his new position.
“One thing I like is that your income is not limited,” Smaha. “Your income is determined on your ability and your willingness to work. I have always had a good grasp of the real estate industry and the mortgage industry.”
When he is not working, Smaha likes—surprise!—football.