Did you know this? I had no idea that something as simple as filing your taxes electronically would make such an impact on our environment. It makes me stop to think what else I could possibly do to promote green living.

Electronic Tax Refunds

Take advantage of getting your money back electronically from teh IRS instead of wating for a check to arrive in the mail.  About $135 billion in tax refunds still makes its way through the mail to individuals, which means the IRS has to stuff, print, and mail some fifty-four million envelopes.

Tax Forms

Get your tax forms online.  It’s simpler, and you can file faster. Over seventy-two million tax returns are e-filed, twenty milion from home computers. If every tax return were e-filed, it would save at leaest 660 million sheets of paper – stacked to equal more than thirty-six thousand six-foot-tall IRS agents.

Source: https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:13385.11627107522/rid:81d9725a4016c20b9d435117c829bf50

Kate Goeringer is the Onsite Sales Manager for our Bridgewater Community located in Hermitage, TN and also Lakeside Meadows in Mt Juliet, TN

Number of years working in new home industry:  4 years

How long have you been with Jones?    6 months

Why did you choose this business?     Enjoy working with people and helping them along the process of obtaining a new home.

How did you end up in this industry?     Working as a receptionist at a Mortgage Company, they wanted to open up a real estate division and asked me to be one of their first agents

Where are you originally from?     England

College?    Yes

Name of College:     Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN

Major:  Mass Communications / Media Design

Describe your past work experiences.  Please include what you were doing before The Jones Co.     I sold new construction homes at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club for ICI Homes in Ormond Beach, Florida..

Describe what you do for The Jones Company.    I am the Sales Manager of Bridgewater and Lakeside Meadows, selling new homes in Hermitage and Mt. Juliet

Why did you want to work for Jones?     I wanted to work for the best home builder in Middle TN.

Describe your best experience or nicest compliment received from a homeowner/co-worker.     I worked with the Morrison’s who moved into their new home just before Christmas and they turned around and invited my husband and I over for a New Years Eve/housewarming party. When introducing us to their friends and family they told them how much they loved their new home and me!                                     

What is your personal philosophy that guides your work? (i.e., A job worth doing is worth doing right.)      Do the right thing, give 100%.  I have no regrets at the end of the day and am able to go to bed each night with a clean conscience.  I know I did my best.           

What motivates you or what personal fulfillment do you get out of your job?     I enjoy meeting new people and guiding them through the home buying process.    

Hobbies and Interests:    family, cooking, traveling, shopping, reading

What’s the craziest adventurous thing you’ve ever done?   I got a tattoo on my 19th birthday

Which is the best vacation you’ve ever had in your life?     For our 2 yr anniversary Keith and I went to England to visit my relatives. During our trip we planned a day trip to Paris and ended up not being able to get back to England due to a fire on the railway. We ended up having an incredible night stuck in Paris!

If you could have a luncheon with any three people (real of fictitious/ from any time period, dead or alive) , which three people would you choose and why?   Jesus, Princess Diana, and My Nanny – I would like to get a chance to know a little bit more about each of them.

What’s the one thing, you can’t live without?     Coffee

Favorite Coffee Drink: (or other beverage)-     Non Fat Latté

Favorite TV Show:     Top Chef

If you won the lottery, what would your DREAM CAR be?     2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS Roadster      

Any volunteer work or community involvement?  Homeowners Association Social Committee, and Franklin Mammas and Friends

Tell us about your family:   Husband – Keith married for 6 years, Son – Jake 3 yrs old.

Thinking about renting instead of buying a  home? You might want to take a look at the chart below. It’s a real eye opener. Interest rates are LOW and the cost of renting appears to be going UP. Obviously, now is a great time to buy a home.  With a home, you are not throwing away your money – you are investing.

Yet another dilemma – should you buy a new home or a resale? This one is easy for me. I don’t know about you, but I do not have the time or the resources to repair what may be wrong with a resale.  How do you know what you are really purchasing? What’s behind those walls?  Yuck – what has been on that carpet?!  Upon discovery of defects in a resale, the cost of repair/replacing can be quite expensive and time consuming.

A new home has so many advantages, especially if you choose the right builder. A reputable new home builder will take away the worry of surprise defects. Check into the builder’s warranty program. Do they offer an in-house warranty, or do they outsource? What are the terms, conditions, and time period? Do your research and ask questions! The answers are there. Yes, renting does take away the cost of repairs and upkeep. But aren’t you paying for it anyway? Each monthly payment goes to someone else. You have no equity.  And with a new home – you have no surprises.

Click here for more reasons to buy a NEW home.

Jeremy Malone is our Community Sales Manager for Barnes Bend located in Nashville, TN

Number of years working in new home industry:    7 yrs

How long have you been with Jones?    1 yr

Why did you choose this business?     ‘I love construction and have always wanted to work in the real estate industry. I love the idea of taking raw, undeveloped land and building a place someone will call home, it’s very rewarding.

How did you end up in this industry?     My mom was a big influence. As a kid she was always dragging my brother and I to open houses and playing with blueprints. She has designed and built her last three homes. In my early teens one of my best friends, whose father was a major developer/builder, hired us to work for him over the summer. We did little stuff like mow lots and clean out framed homes but that’s really where I developed a great appreciation for home building.

Where are you originally from?     Born in Nashville but raised in Memphis.        

College?    Yes

Name of College:     Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro TN         

Degree Received:     B.S.          

Major:     Business – emphasis in Organizational Leadership         

Describe your past work experiences.  Please include what you were doing before The Jones Co.     In college I had an internship working for a commercial real estate developer. After college I went to work in Memphis as a project agent for the Uptown Homes Development. This project was a public/private venture that went into what was one of the worst areas of downtown Memphis (Hurts Village) and revitalized into a very different and diverse community (talk about a socioeconomic experiment). This project utilized the efforts of private investors/developers and government funding (Hope 6 grant) to make this 210 city block effort possible. As a project agent I represented 4 different builders that constructed “market homes” (those home that did not quality for grant money) and three “hope 6” builders (those that qualify for grant money). Due to the developments location, history, funding, and a variety of other factors this was truly unique experience. I was in the middle of a very tuff community that only a very few years ago would not have been able to walk out of alive. I was selling homes to people form all walks of life, doctors that worked next door at St.Jude to gang members that grew up in the old Hurts Village public housing building. This was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I was able to give back to a city and its people by making the area a better place. We built homes for people that without the grant would have never realized the American dream of home ownership. After this I moved to Nashville and went to work for Centex homes. As a sales manager for Centex I sold both single and multi family homes.

Describe what you do for The Jones Company.    Community Sales Manager for Barnes Bend in Nashville
                                                            
Why did you want to work for Jones?     Besides Peder…it was the quality of construction and reputation. The fact that the Jones Company is not publicly traded did have major appeal and worth noting.  We (Jones co.) make decisions locally unlike the big box builder who’s decisions made in Nashville are many times influenced by other markets and regions.

   
Describe your best experience or nicest compliment received from a homeowner/co-worker.     I remember it like it was yesterday. The mans name was Pierre and he was an immigrant from Haiti. This guy worked hard, like 80+ hrs a week for a sanitation company in Memphis. He was a big, gruff guy whose only goal was to buy a home for his family (he has four daughters). After working for months and months and months on getting all the paperwork, docs, red tape, set backs, etc. we were able to get him qualified for the hope 6 grants and finally get him that home. It wasn’t what he said I found so compelling. It was a simple hand shake and tear on his cheek that paid more than any commission.                                    

What is your personal philosophy that guides your work? (i.e., A job worth doing is worth doing right.)      My godfather David French once told me “if you keep doing what you’ve always done, you will keep getting what you’ve always got”.  I have never forgotten this and to me it speaks volumes.

What motivates you or what personal fulfillment do you get out of your job?     I love being able to drive through a neighborhood that I worked in and say I helped make this happen.    

Hobbies and Interests:    Hobbies- golf, interests- almost everything except reality TV

What’s the craziest adventurous thing you’ve ever done?     I once picked up some “friendly” large lost dogs walking in the middle of a busy intersection. The dogs did have a collar with a phone number which I called but no one answered. Due to prior obligations and time constraints I had to do something with the dogs so I decided to take them over to a pet adoption/ vet office so they could contact the owners. Upon my arrival the phone range, it was the owners, at the same time the dog’s temperament changed almost instantly. The dog’s owners said they were great animals “except” when they get around other dogs. Well the parking area of the adoption/vet office has several kennels and cages set up outside with many barking dogs inside. The dogs inside my car went crazy and I was actually in fear for my life. Jumping out of the car and slamming the door the dogs went on attack. These barking, scratching, clawing hounds wanted nothing more than to kill anything it could catch. Everyone in the parking lot and working in the adoption/vet office were looking at me in complete shock. I’m still on the phone with the owner asking them what is going on with these dogs and how quick can he get here to deal with these beasts. Well he was in Phoenix which by plane is more than 6hrs too late. The owner who is obviously aware of the dire situation at hand quickly hangs up with me to call the only other person in the area that can handle these animals “Billy”. Aside from the damage to my vehicle the situation is about to get much worse. In my selfish attempt to flee for my life I neglected to retrieve the keys from the ignition. This is when the dog’s paws hit the power window button and out pounced ciaos and mayhem. Everyone outside retreats to the safety of the office as the hounds begin to attack cages and kennels. Quickly those of us inside arm ourselves with any and everything on hand mops, brooms, etc. and exit the building in attempt to save the other animals. Almost simultaneously as we exit Billy arrives and quickly gains controls of the animals. Billy snaps up the dogs and throws them into the back seat of a convertible BMW and with that quickly jumps into the car and speeds away. Not one word from Billy, not even break lights as he drives off into the distance. No one said a word; we just stood there unsure of what just happened. Slowly I turned, put the mop away and made like Billy. Thankfully no one or no animals were hurt.

Which is the best vacation you’ve ever had in your life?     Honeymoon in St. Lucia

If you could have a luncheon with any three people (real of fictitious/ from any time period, dead or alive) , which three people would you choose and why?
Jesus- obvious
John Malone-great, great, great, great grand father who was the first Malone that came to America from Ireland. It would be cool to see if this is what he envisioned for future generations.
Thomas Jefferson- I would want to ask him what changes (if any) he would make to the constitution given the current environment.

What’s the one thing, you can’t live without?     Oxygen

Favorite Coffee Drink: (or other beverage)-     coffee, black or sweet tea

Favorite TV Show:     MythBusters

If you won the lottery, what would your DREAM CAR be?     1979 FJ40 Toyota Landcruiser.       

Tell us about your family:   Jinni, Sam, and Wes Malone

Bridget W. Thompson is the Marketing Director for The Jones Company of  TN

How many years have you worked in new home industry? 13 years New Homes, 3 years General Real Estate

How long have you been with Jones?  10 years

Why did you choose this business?  Honestly, it chose me. My degree is in Advertising / Marketing and I had training in college as a graphic designer. I saw a job in the newspaper for a graphic designer for Crye-Leike, Realtors. That was my first job in marketing.               

How did you end up in this industry?  I left Crye-Leike 3 years later to work at an engineering firm (most boring job I ever had!) and then learned of an opportunity from my previous manager at Crye-Leike, about a Marketing Coordinator position with David Weekley Homes. I went to the interview – and met Richard Chapman, who was then the Division President of David Weekley Homes in Nashville. I worked there for 3 years – handling the marketing for two divisions – Nashville and Atlanta.  Then Richard retired.  I moved to Atlanta, and didn’t want to stay there because I missed my family and friends, so I moved back to Nashville and got married. Not too long after that, I discovered that I was pregnant, and I didn’t know how I would do all the travelling (Atlanta & Houston).  Then someone told me that Richard was getting back into the industry…and  working for The Jones Company as Division President.  He hired me, and I have been with Jones since 2001.  Honestly, I saw it as God’s answer to my prayers!  I could work for the manager I enjoyed working with, and not have to travel!

Where are you originally from?   Murfreesboro, TN    

Name of College:  Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro TN

Degree Received: Bachelor of Science

Major: Advertising with Marketing & Psychology Minors

Describe your past work experiences.  Please include what you were doing before The Jones Company:  Worked for David Weekley Homes as a Marketing Coordinator – handling the marketing for their Nashville and Atlanta divisions.  Before that I worked for Crye-Leike, Realtors, in their Marketing Department, under Donna Brown, who was the Marketing Director at the time.  I learned a lot from Donna!  Before that, while I was in high school & college, I worked in retail (jewelry) sales for 9 years – with Finley Fine Jewelry, Jay B. Rudolph, and (first real job) The Gold Rush in Murfreesboro.  I have always had a job since I turned 16…sometimes 2-3 jobs at a time!            

Why did you want to work for Jones? I wanted to work with Richard Chapman again. I felt like it was the perfect place for me to be.  

What is your personal philosophy that guides your work? (i.e., A job worth doing is worth doing right.)   #1 – Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. – Col 3:17   (In other words, I want to do my best in everything I do – because we are expected by God to strive for excellence and to give Him the glory.  I don’t always hit the mark, but I do my best.)   #2 – Never, ever stop LEARNING. It is the key to growth.   #3 – Don’t get discouraged by your mistakes, and don’t rest on your accomplishments.

What motivates you or what personal fulfillment do you get out of your job?   I always say that my job couldn’t be more perfect for me – because I am kind of wired strange – in that I am both a right and left brained thinker.  So, there are elements to my job that are very “left brained” or creative (advertising, copy writing, design, merchandising) but there are also elements to my job that are very “right brained” or analytical (budgeting, analyzing data) and I love it all!  Also, I get to do a great mix of both office work, and more “hands on” work out in the communities, and work with people.  My best days are days that I feel like I have contributed something to the common good (or the team as a whole)!

Josh LaWarre is the Sales Manager for Kelsey Glen in Mt Juliet, TN

Number of years working in new home industry:    12 years

How long have you been with Jones?    2 years

Why did you choose this business?    After I left the military, I worked a mall job to pay the bills and was recruited by another builder.  I took the job with uncertain expectations and ended up being pretty good at it.  Since then I have learned that I am a house junkie and I like people and problem solving, so it seems like a natural fit.

How did you end up in this industry?    I was recruited by a builder after the military.

Where are you originally from?    Cincinnati, OH/Northern KY     

Name of College:    Bradley University      

City and state where college is located:   Peoria, IL 
Degree Received:  BA I also have an MBA  Major:   International Studies       

Describe your past work experiences.  Please include what you were doing before The Jones Company.      I started my working life at 12 by carrying a sandwich board in downtown Cincinnati for a friend’s restaurant.  Since then, I have worked at a bakery, an ice cream shop, as a teaching tennis pro, as a translator, as a mover, as a copywriter intern at an ad agency.  More professionally, I enlisted in the Army right after college and trained and worked as a counterintelligence special agent.  I spent 5 years in the army, 3 of those at Ft. Campbell as a member of the 101st Airborne Division which included a deployment to Saudi Arabia in 1997.  I started in the new homes business almost a year after leaving the service in 1998 and, with the exception of 2 years out of the business, have been in it ever since.  I started as a sales assistant, made it to Neighborhood Sales Manager, changed over to Division Sales Manager for a semi-custom builder, and now am back on-site. 

Describe what you do for The Jones Company.    I create an atmosphere where people want to buy a home from me.

Why did you want to work for Jones?     I was impressed with the quality of the homes, the commitment to green building, the home designs, and the willingness/capability of management to adapt to the market.  Also, it was recommended to me by a friend whom I respect .        

Describe your best experience or nicest compliment received from a homeowner/co-worker.     Without a doubt, the nicest thing I have had happen is when families decide to buy from me a second (or third) time.  That’s the highest compliment I think a salesperson can receive.

What is your personal philosophy that guides your work?     My personal integrity is the only currency I have.  Don’t waste it.
         
What motivates you or what personal fulfillment do you get out of your job?     I am motivated by my commitment to my family. 
           
Hobbies and Interests:    Playing guitar, singing, playing tennis, spending time with my family, playing any sport or doing anything athletic, playing trivia, exploring spiritual philosophies, trivia, languages, politics.

What’s the craziest adventurous thing you’ve ever done?    How long do you have?    I have backpacked through Europe alone, rappelled from helicopters, had an AK 47 pulled on me on the highway in Saudi Arabia, competed in several triathlons, got married (twice) and had kids=0).

Which is the best vacation you’ve ever had in your life?     San Diego 2006 with Kaila, who was then my girlfriend.  No responsibilities, nothing to stress over, gorgeous weather, in love, beach, ocean, great hotel – perfect in every way.

If you could have a luncheon with any three people (real of fictitious/ from any time period, dead or alive) , which three people would you choose and why?
I’ll take The Buddha, Mohammed, and Jesus and we’ll get this whole mess sorted out once and for all.

What’s the one thing, you can’t live without?     A guitar

Favorite Coffee Drink: (or other beverage)    Starbucks Morning Joe or Pike Place roast

Favorite TV Show:     The Daily Show

If you won the lottery, what would your DREAM CAR be?     Porsche Cayenne Turbo in Meteor Grey metallic with two-tone natural leather interior.
           

Any volunteer work or community involvement?    None at the moment
           

Tell us about your family:        
          
Kaila (Wife)
Ella (Daughter 4yrs old)
Henry (Son 10 months old)

Pass on the salt…

Protect your driveways, walks, and steps by removing snow and ice promptly. 

Take care not to gouge paved or brick surfaces while chipping ice. If you cannot remove a stubborn layer of ice, use cat litter or sand for traction. They are safe for driveways, walks, steps, and nearby grass or shrubs. Avoid applying salt in any form.  Repeated thaw and freezing with salt and chemicals can damage concrete, brick, mortar, and asphalt, and salt will kill grass, shrubs, and trees. Provide an outdoor floor mat to prevent the cat litter or sand from being tracked into the house. Another mat just inside the door will provide additional protection for carpets and floors.

Hey Joe!  

What are you doing with those Stairs?

Episode 18 – Behind the Walls of a Jones Company Home

Episode 19 – Behind the Walls of a Jones Company Home

How many years have you worked in new home industry? 16     

How long have you been with Jones?  Since January 2006   

Why did you choose this business?  I have a passion for construction and specifically homebuilding.  This started when I was a very small child and I loved working with my hands building things.              

How did you end up in this industry? A guidance counselor in high school suggested I look into construction management rather than simply being a carpenter and a pig farmer.  One thing led to the next and here I am in homebuilding.

Where are you originally from?   Iowa      

Name of College: University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio

Degree Received: Bachelor of Science – Construction Management; Associate of Science – Civil & Construction Engineering

Major: Construction Management       

Describe your past work experiences.  Please include what you were doing before The Jones Company:  I started out in January of 2006 as an Area Construction Manager handling the construction and warranty portion of the business.  I am the “licensed general contractor” for the TJC and thoroughly enjoy new home construction.  In 2009 our Division President Richard Chapman asked me to start managing the sales team in lieu of the construction team.  So I went out and got my real estate license and put on a suit instead of my blue jeans and boots.  What a change for me – my wife hardly recognized me the first week.  It is a pleasure working with general Realtors and our entire sales team as we promote the incredible Jones Company. Before TJC I worked for Centex Homes in Dallas, Texas.  I started out as a builder and worked my way up to a area manager position handling sales and construction for the high end condominium division called City Homes where we specialized in downtown re-development in Dallas and Fort Worth.
 During my college years I worked for a commercial general contractor MAC Construction as a superintendent for four years.  This was a great learning opportunity for me to understand the difference between commercial construction and residential home building.  It helped make my decision that homebuilding truly is my passion.            

Why did you want to work for Jones? I wanted to get a way from the “public” builder mentality where they worried more about the stock price and cared NOTHING about the value of their homes or the quality of construction presented for their customer.   

Describe your best experience or nicest compliment received from a homeowner.  The best experience I have ever had was when I built a home for Chris Snyder in Allen, Texas.  He met with me at the pre-construction meeting and explained that he did not want to see the house during construction, talk to me during the process, or even conduct a new home presentation.  He simply said when the house is 100% finished call me and I will close and move in.  His explanation was that he doesn’t get to see how his car , computer, furniture, etc. is built so why should he see how his home is built.  Nor did he like having his customers watching over his back while he was working on their product.  He simply asked me “Are you a building professional?  If so, then build me a home that I will be satisfied with.”  I diligently focused on the construction of his home and once it was finished he moved in.  Amazingly he NEVER even had a single warranty item.  I spoke with him about five years after his purchase and he was still raving about his home and how it was exactly what he wanted.   

 What is your personal philosophy that guides your work? (i.e., A job worth doing is worth doing right.)   Hard work combined with a lot of fun!  Constantly learning something new and focusing on building value for the customer.

Know what’s behind the walls of your home? Click on the link below to get a glimpse of one of the many reasons how The Jones Company takes extra measures to make sure you have a Quality Built New Home.

  Episode 10 of our Behind the Walls Tour