Jami Maxwell Bloedow (pronounced Bla-dow) has been a site agent since May 2001 for Mercedes Homes at Meadow Pointe, in the Crystal Springs area of the Westside.
Describe your position
“People come in and want to see the model homes. I try to find the right home for their needs in their price range, families and situation. I also do some outreach and try to get my own customers through extra marketing and referrals. I also have to service the customer for six to nine months every day through phone calls and monitoring the construction of their home.”
Awards
Last year, she won the Laurel Rookie of the Year award and this year she won the Laurel Site Agent of the Year award. “I was very surprised, very excited and felt so honored. It was a very big honor to win that.”
Secret of success?
Bloedow goes above and beyond in her job. She has created a three-page newsletter that she mails out to every resident of her community. She hosts contests and events for the homeowners and goes out of her way to create a sense of neighborhood within her community.
Before Mercedes
She was a personal trainer, aerobic instructor and health club manager over the past 10 years.
College
She has a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from Indiana State University.
Why real estate?
“I was looking at new homes because my husband and I wanted to build a new home and I just got this fever to do it. The people weren’t very helpful at the places we visited and they kind of acted like we were bothering them. They didn’t have enthusiasm about their product and I was excited and I didn’t know why they weren’t. I saw that Mercedes was hiring, so I decided to try it. I thought if I liked it, then I would switch gears and I certainly did.”
Why site sales?
“The opportunity was there and I didn’t know anything about real estate. I was excited that I was going to be able to work in a model home and help people find a new home because I didn’t get a lot of help when I was out there looking. I liked the challenge of working for a new home builder.”
Like your job?
“I love working with the people. The most rewarding part is when you help someone find their dream home, especially a first-time home buyer. When they actually realize that the day has come to close on their home and you see that excitement in their eyes, that is the biggest part of it. I get that excitement with every closing.”
How about
Meadow Pointe?
Meadow Pointe is a Mercedes Homes community. It will have 300 homes when finished. Currently there are 160 completed. Phase I, II and III are sold out. “We are selling Phase IV and V now. I sold 60 homes in a new phase where there are no roads yet. We are working on the roads as we speak. My co-workers tease me that I am just selling air and somehow I am still selling, They just can’t figure it out. Each phase has a different price range. The earlier phase prices range from $120,000’s - 170,000’s and later phases range from $160,000’s - 220,000’s. Mercedes Homes builds all over Jacksonville.”
Mercedes on
the Westside
“I have been begging for more land on that side of town and they been searching. You are able to buy land at a less expensive price than other areas, so I think you can get more of a house in that area right now. That trend will probably change in the future. I really think people are trying to get out that way because the cost of homes is less. People know they are getting more for their money right now and that the equity is going to build due to the growth of that area.”
Hometown
Terre Haute, Ind.
To Florida
In 1995, right out of college to do an internship with the Navy at Naval Air Station Jacksonville as a fitness specialist.
Family
She has been married to Jim, who also works as a site agent for Mercedes Homes, for three years.
Other stuff
Yoga and kickboxing and weight training programs. “My husband and I just love to spend time together. We don’t get to see each other a lot, so we enjoy whatever time we get together.”
Favorites
Her favorite movie is “City of Angels” and a book she recommends is “Raving Fans,” by Kenneth H. Blanchard. When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “24.” Her favorite places to visit are Jamaica and Las Vegas.