No Place Like Home
After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University, Jed Walker moved to Dallas where an unexpected change was soon underway. Walker spent a lot of time in the city missing the place where he grew up. In 2015, he made a life changing decision to return home to Hopkins County and begin a real estate career. “I quickly decided to move back to more familiar territory and joined Janet’s office in 2016,” recalls Jed. And since then, he says, “This is where I have developed my family, my career, and my relationships. While I love visiting other places, after a few weeks of being away, home is where I always want to be.”
Real Estate Experience
Jed’s full-time work is actually as a real estate appraiser which makes him a valuable asset to his peers. Combined with his accumulated real estate knowledge and extensive experience, both as an appraiser and as a Janet Martin Realty agent, his expertise extends beyond Hopkins County. “Because of my parents, I have been involved in real estate in some form my entire life, primarily as an appraiser,” Jed says. Yet, he continues buying and selling real estate primarily because he genuinely enjoys time spent working with clients. “I love all my clients and have developed personal relationships with most all of them.”
These last few years in the real estate appraisal business keeps Jed busy. Putting in lots of hours to meet tight deadlines on various transactions. But his constant passion lies in helping others attain the American dream of homeownership. He hopes that one day, it can be something everyone can attain at some level.
Personal Life & Goals
Jed and Hope Walker with daughter, Aspen
Jed enjoys spending evenings with his wife Hope watching the sunset from their porch. While they mutually enjoy immersing themselves in the fantasy world of books or video games, their deep connection with nature draws them outside the walls of both fiction and home. Whether it be kayaking in the Scottish Highlands or hiking in Oklahoma, Jed and Hope are intentional about scheduling times of travel. After getting married in 2018, they have since enjoyed visiting unique places with fewer tourists. “We love experiencing the real culture that [overseas] locals have to offer,” Jed shares. For their honeymoon, they took an extended trip to Norway, Iceland, and Scotland. Finding it to be even better than they imagined. Jed says, “The landscape of the Scottish Highlands were especially breathtaking and the people that live there share a strong resemblance to the people in Sulphur Springs, in that they treat everyone as family and are some of the kindest we have ever met.”
When it comes to personal goals, Jed says, “I currently live with my wife and daughter. My goals now revolve around them. Ensuring that they’re offered every chance at happiness I can give them”. He considers any added accomplishments or achievements going forward just icing on the cake. But if any struggles should arise, Jed says, ”I want to treat my personal life and career as Christ would have”. His standard and business motto comes from the book of Philippians in the Bible, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:2&3 NIV. For those who know Jed, understand how true those verses describe his mindset at work and in his community.
A Change for the Better
At the end of the day, Jed has never regretted his choice to switch to real estate after leaving criminal justice behind. Being part of his client’s life during one of their biggest financial decisions feels just as important and fulfilling. “I have enjoyed it every day since”. Which goes to show that disrupted plans can also be the beginning of something even better.
