In this episode, Celine and Chris Evans kick off with a behind-the-scenes look at podcast recording challenges and microphone mishaps. They share local updates from Cobb County—including winter break chaos, community events, and a deep dive into Marietta Middle School’s innovative phone pouch initiative to improve student focus. The pair then spotlight the Marietta Kiwanis, upcoming library and plant sales, and a fun “Touch-A-Truck” event for families. Wrapping things up, Celine and Chris pivot into real estate topics, covering negotiations, changes in how broker commissions work, and strategies to keep communication and deals running smoothly. Finally, they mention their own book, From the Ground Up, for anyone interested in long-term real estate investing.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Intro & mic troubleshooting
• [00:01:21] Episode intro with Celine and Chris Evans
• [00:02:00] Winter break, sick kids, and juggling family life
• [00:03:00] Georgia’s unpredictable weather and “polar vortex” talk
• [00:04:00] Visit to Marietta Kiwanis and the new student phone pouch policy
• [00:10:00] Addressing parent concerns about phone usage in schools
• [00:15:00] Civics groups, volunteering, and community involvement
• [00:22:00] Upcoming Cobb County events: 4-H plant sale, library sale, Georgia Food & Wine Festival, and Touch-A-Truck
• [00:31:00] Transition to real estate: negotiating offers, due diligence, and writing clear contracts
• [00:45:00] How buyer-broker commissions and new rules affect negotiations
• [01:06:10] Outro and mention of From the Ground Up book

Key Takeaways:

• Community: Marietta Kiwanis does extensive service work, such as flag placements and school initiatives.
• Schools: Marietta Middle School’s “phone pouch” pilot program significantly reduces classroom distractions.
• Real Estate Tips: Negotiating in good faith (and with good data) helps buyers and sellers find common ground more efficiently.
• Local Fun: Georgia Food & Wine Festival, library book sale, 4-H plant sale, and the Touch-A-Truck family event are all coming soon.
• Personal Finance: Celine and Chris’s book, From the Ground Up, shares strategies for long-term real estate investing.