​The Chamber Ambassadors honored Law’s Furniture as the Leading Business of the Week for November 9, 2020.
 
Established 62 years ago, Law’s Furniture is a family-owned full-service retail furniture provider in Valdosta.
 
Known as the “Easy Credit Guys,” Law’s continues striving to offer a variety of unique choices at a price that fits every budget.
 
Law’s furniture continues its tradition of offering in-store credit financing to its valuable customers.
 
Law’s has been a proud member of the Valdosta Chamber for the past 62 years, making them the third oldest member.
 
Visit Law’s Furniture at 129 West Central Avenue or call (229) 242-7965.
 
The Leading Business of the Week Program is sponsored by Marcotek Digital Office Solutions.
 
PHOTO CAPTION: The Chamber Ambassadors named Law’s Furniture Leading Business of the Week

The Valdosta Chamber Board and Staff safely gathered on Tuesday, December 8th to celebrate the successful career of outgoing President of 23 years, Myrna Ballard. 
Ballard took on the title of Chamber President in February of 1997 and has overseen the implementation of countless successful programs in her time, most notably, the SEEDS Business Resource Center which has helped many of our small, local businesses begin and grow.  
Her success has not only been recognized in Valdosta, but by the state-wide and nationally. She has earned awards from The Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, an organization in which she has also held leadership positions.  
Ballard has also continuously earned her Chamber a spot in the top 1% of all Chambers nationally with their 5-star accreditation.  
In a tribute presented by Chamber Board member, Thressea Boyd, Ballard was recognized as a “mentor to many.” 
John Page, also a Chamber Board member, dedicated a plaque to Ballard that recognized her contributions to the Chamber and community. Page read three words on the plaque that he felt described her work the best, “Advocate, build and connect.” 
The awards presentation also honored select Chamber Board and Staff members.  
Paul Nichols, Treasurer, was thanked for his 3-year term on the Chamber Board.  
Lee McArthur, Chairman of the Board graciously accepted a shadow box as a tribute to his two-year term as Chairman of the Board.  
Staff members Karil Brockington and Betty Morgan were also awarded for their long-term dedication to the Chamber.  
Brockington celebrates her 20-year anniversary and Morgan celebrates her 10th.  
After the awards commenced, McArthur invited everyone into the parlor of the Barber House to unveil the star of the evening: a portrait of Ballard to forever hang in the Chamber. 
“It only seems right to have Myrna’s portrait in the Barber House. If anyone deserves to be here forever, it is her!” shared Karil Brockington. 
The portrait was hand-painted by Fay Bridges Hyatt, owner of Kaleidescope Gallery & Emporium.  
“Our artist exceeded our expectations. It is amazing how she truly captured Myrna’s spirit,” expressed Betty Morgan.  
Ameris Bank, CBC Bank, CCB Tech Group and Langdale Vallotton LLP sponsored it’s completed and presented it to the honoree, Myrna Ballard.  
Other event sponsors include: Anchored Media Marketing, CBC Bank, CCB Tech Group, Colony Bank, Comfort Keepers, Elliott, Blackburn & Gooding, P.C., Enay Coaching, Farmers Home Furniture Company, IDP Properties, LP, Page Insurance and Financial Services, Paul Nichols, Real Living Realty Advisors, THBoyd Communications, US Press, Valdosta Chiropractic & Rehab and Valenti, Rackley & Associates, LLC.  
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​The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber and First Commerce Credit Union presented Tall Tree Apartments with the Small Business of the Month Award.
 
Located only minutes from Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta State University, downtown Valdosta, and the Valdosta Mall, Tall Tree Apartments offers an experience filled with southern hospitality.
 
“Tall Tree apartments is located in the heart of Valdosta!” Nestled between the tall Georgia pines. Our spacious, bright apartments are the perfect place to call home,” said Kyle Webb, Leasing Manager.
 
An independently owned and operated establishment, Tall Tree has provided Valdosta residents a place to live for more than 45 years.
 
Tall Tree Apartments value each resident who chooses to live on its property. According to Tall Tree, each resident and their family are a priority, and their happiness is not just assumed but guaranteed.
 
“We love creating a sense of family for our residents,” said Webb. “From ice cream nights, to paint parties, to virtual bingo. Tall Tree gives you that “back home” feel to apartment living.”
 
For more information about Tall Tree Apartments, call 229-244-9632 or visit the leasing office at 420 Connell Road.
 
PHOTO CAPTION: First Commerce Credit Union and the Chamber Named Tall Tree Apartments Small Business of the Month. 

​The Valdosta Young Professionals continued their virtual webinar series, Coffee & Connections, with Daniel Bayman, one of the entrepreneurs behind downtown Valdosta’s GUD Coffee Company, and special guest Hope Brown-Franklin, the Georgia Associate Broker and Florida Broker of Legacy Realtors.
Valdosta Young Professionals is a product of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce and is made possible by the support of its title sponsor, Georgia Power. Coffee & Connections is presented by VYP and hosted by GUD Coffee Company.
VYP was established in March as a platform for young professionals to connect with other like-minded individuals who live, work or do business in Valdosta. The program is open to anyone between the ages of 21 and 40 and members are provided with social, networking and educational opportunities. Membership is free.
Due to COVID-19, VYP is not able to host in-person events, so they have partnered with GUD Coffee Company to continue learning and gathering with members through a new virtual series. Each month, this live-streamed event will feature an expert on a topic beneficial for today’s young business professionals.                   
This month’s presentation was on first time home buying and selling.
Hope has been in the real estate business for over 10 years, beginning her career as a real estate paralegal. Her passion for real estate prompted her to obtain her real estate license and now she currently works in Valdosta for Legacy Realtors.
Daniel began the presentation by stating that the home buying and selling process can be unchartered waters for some, so he then asked Hope for her advice on the best place to start.
“Contact a mortgage lender. They will get you pre-approved for a home loan, evaluate your assets and financials, debt to income ratio, and credit scores. The specific score that they prefer is a 620 or higher,” Hope answered.
Hope recommends lenders Clay Hadsock with Ameris Bank, Nikki Rodgers at Commercial Banking Company, Cedric Johnson located in Atlanta with Homestar, and John Willis at On Q Financial in Atlanta.
Daniel continued by asking what other qualifications beside credit scores are reviewed when buying a home.
“All buyers should obtain a pre-approval letter. A lot of buyers go online and fill out an application for a pre-qualification letter, and that is just information that you are submitting on behalf of yourself. Lenders look at bottom-line monthly income, which could change pre-approval,” she said.
“I recommend reaching out to a qualified lender and obtaining the information from them so you can provide them with further documentation in order to make sure that you can qualify for a home loan.”
Hope also suggests for future buyers to contact a mortgage lender first and obtain a pre-approval letter before interviewing real estate agents.
“You want to find the agent that is right for you,” she stated. “Some specialize in price points, and as for myself, I serve all price points. I treat all my clients the same.”
Hope explained that behind the scenes, realtors study all contracts and do research on the home to make sure that they negotiate the best deal possible for buyers. “A lot of buyers are scared to contact an agent in fear of large fees. I make all my buyers aware that my real estate commission is covered by the seller, so I represent all my buyers for free.”
The discussion then moved to tips for selling a home.
“Should I sell my house right now?” Daniel asked. “When is the best time to sell a home?”
In a typical pre-COVID year, Hope stated that the best time to try to sell is in the spring. “It gives a lot of people time to obtain their income taxes, and a lot of people like to move around in a time when kids are getting out of school,” she said. “Due to COVID-19, interest rates and inventory are extremely low. If you are in the market to sell a home, now is definitely the time.”
To sell a home, Hope specified that there are certain factors that come into play for how long it will take to sell—condition, location and price point.
For those that may have further questions, Hope can be reached at (404) 989-4898, or hope.legacyrealtors@gmail.com. She is also on social media on Instagram (@hopetherealtor) and on Facebook. Hope would love to assist any potential buyer or seller in Georgia or Florida.
For more information on VYP or Coffee & Connections, call the Valdosta chamber, (229) 247-8100, ext. 231.
 
Photo Caption: Daniel Bayman of GUD Coffee hosts Hope Brown-Franklin of Legacy Realtors on Coffee & Connections.