About

Our Broker, Steve Ballew, is a founding principle and CEO of Pinnacle Real Estate Services. He is a retired Army officer with 22 years of service to our country. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Georgia and a Master’s Degree in Business from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.  Steve started his career in real estate in 2006 with Keller Williams Realty, serving in the Dawsonville, Cumming, and Woodstock areas before opening his own real estate brokerage in 2017.  Steve is on a mission to create a client experience that is unmatched in the industry.  You will not find a more passionate team of realtors to trust with all your real estate needs.

Steve is active in his community.  He was the founding Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 1755, Ball Ground, GA and he serves as the chairperson of several committees in community organizations.  Through all of his involvement, he strives to make this world a little better than he found it.  Steve and his wife, Annabel, reside in Ball Ground, GA where they have raised three children.

Founding Principle, CEO, Broker and REALTOR®

About

Jeff Barrett is a founding principle of Pinnacle Real Estate Services.

His years of experience as an investor, business owner and agent culminated in partnering with Steven Ballew to launch a relationship-driven firm.  As a listener, he can quickly understand your need and go to work for you. Having sat at the closing table dozens of times as a buyer and as a seller, Jeff has a perspective few agents do.  He has personally experienced just about every scenario possible as a buyer or seller.

Years at the table have taught him the value of an agent who is trusted, informed and works tirelessly for you. This shaped Jeff into the kind of agent everyone hopes for — one who is patient, knows how to keep things moving forward when the buyer finds the home they want, and can help navigate the unexpected. He is a resource for the inexperienced buyer or anyone who has tried to navigate the world of selling, purchasing, and financing a home on schedule.

Jeff knows that if he does an excellent job for you today, he will be your agent tomorrow as well. He serves as a mentor and resource to other agents in the firm.

Professional memberships

• National Association of Realtors
• Georgia Association of Realtors
• Cherokee Association of Realtors
• Winder-Barrow Board of Realtors
• Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors

About

Phil Banzhof joined the team of Pinnacle Real Estate Services as an agent who genuinely enjoys the experience of serving others.  It is his nature.  As a combat veteran of 28 years, he values honesty and integrity and exemplifies these qualities as your agent.  Phil understands buying and selling a home is a life-changing event, and he works to make the process as smooth as possible.  He knows what it takes to sell a home and equipped to guide sellers to get the best offers possible.  Because Phil has lived here for 25 years and is also a real estate investor, his market knowledge makes him well suited to help find the home right for you.  He is a skilled tactician that commits to get you the best deal possible, keep you informed and help you navigate the process with ease.

Education: BS in Professional Aeronautics and Aviation Safety from Embry Riddle University.

About

Alexandra “Allie” Barrett is a vital team member here at Pinnacle Real Estate Services.  Allie is a quick study, and as an agent has already proven her drive to serve her clients with excellence. She has a strong commitment to dig in and find solutions for her clients. We truly work as a team at Pinnacle and use our combined experience to assist each other when needed.  As a young mother, Allie is an ideal choice to represent buyers who relocate to the area. She is well informed about school districts and understands the importance of finding the right home and location to meet your needs.  As a seller’s agent, Allie works hard to help you get the best deal possible and aggressively promotes her listings through traditional channels as well as extensively through social media. She is flexible, adjusting her schedule to work when you need her.  Her strong communication skills, familiarity with the community and accessibility to those she serves make her a rising star on our team.

About

Andrew Barrett, one of our young agents here at Pinnacle Real Estate Services, is driven to help his clients.  He finds great satisfaction seeing them achieve their goals at the closing table.  In his first year in real estate, he discovered he enjoys being both a listing agent and buyer’s agent.  Andrew isn’t just an agent from nine to five.  He is tenacious and available when the clients need him. If Andrew isn’t at an evening or weekend showing, he is often busy utilizing social media along with traditional marketing channels to garner attention for his listings.  Or, he is researching properties for his buyers to find the ones best suited to their needs.  As a professional realtor, Andrew enjoys Pinnacle’s team approach and drawing on over 50 years of experience.  He has already become a skilled listener and proficient at closing deals.  Andrew is an exceptional golfer and enjoys a day on the course or as a volunteer leader for his church’s youth group when he isn’t pursuing his real estate career.

About

Sherryl joined Pinnacle Real Estate Services as an experienced agent.  Even before she was an agent, she watched and learned from her mom as a realtor.  Because listening is vital to succeeding in this business, Sherryl takes the time to get to know the wants and needs of her clients before working on their behalf.  Searching for the right home or finding the ideal buyer can be an emotional time for any client and her positive outlook puts people at ease.  By providing relevant detailed information, she empowers you to evaluate every option and not just settle for the first offer presented or make do with the first home you visit. Let her help you purchase or sell your home on terms that meet your goals.  Sherryl and her family enjoy life on their horse farm, where they can support their daughter’s passion for barrel racing.

About

Sean Catlett joined Pinnacle Real Estate Services as a realtor who first entered the real estate market as a buyer and investor.  He fostered and honed his skills and experience as an agent, beginning with his personal real estate purchases and investments.  Before offering his services to others as homebuyers, investors or sellers, Sean did his due diligence to become well-versed in his expertise. His entrepreneurial nature and adventurous spirit led Sean to live and work internationally in mainland China, and he now speaks Mandarin as a second language.  He has renovated a 100-year-old home and created some Airbnb rentals.  His enthusiasm is tempered by real-world experience in the demolition and construction of commercial and residential properties.  If you are looking for a home, a potential rental property, or need to make a 1031 exchange, Sean is ready to leverage his practical knowledge and expertise to help you realize your real estate goals

About

Samantha Finney joined Pinnacle Real Estate Services as an experienced agent.  She is organized, a self-starter, and possesses the leadership skills to take charge and work for her clients. Samantha carefully listens to hear your dreams and goals to guide her research of the market. Her approachable demeanor puts others at ease. And she instinctively knows that keeping her clients informed, whether they are buyers or sellers, is invaluable.  During the negotiation, due diligence period, and before closing on a home, Samantha remains in constant contact with her clients because she has been at the closing table multiple times as both a buyer and a seller.  Samantha is determined to win the best deal possible and make each opportunity a positive experience for her clients.  Samantha and her husband have three children and she is a lifetime Georgia resident.

About

Karen Johnson joined Pinnacle Real Estate Services with a considerable background in customer service.  She is a detail-oriented problem solver that is adept at offering multiple solutions. Karen has firsthand experience understanding the stresses of making a big move, whether across the country or around the world.  The Johnson family made Georgia their home 15 years ago, and as a resident, Karen has become very familiar with the region and is a valuable resource to her clients.  As a realtor, she is a careful listener and empathetic to what is a priority for you.  If it is time to move to your next home and you are looking to buy or to sell your current home, Karen is an agent who is ready and willing to serve you with excellent care.

About

Steven Meier joined Pinnacle Real Estate as an experienced agent who has served sellers and buyers; and truly enjoys working with both.  Whether it is a primary residence, second home, or investment property, Steven dedicates his full attention to you, the client, and your needs.  He approaches each challenge by applying his management skills and experience in process engineering to advance his client’s wishes.  Intuitively prioritizing the steps, his long-term approach is to help you efficiently and effectively achieve your goals in buying or selling a property.  As a long-time resident of North Georgia, Steven is familiar with the region and has helped clients from Atlanta to the North Georgia mountains.  Are you searching for a committed agent for your real estate needs?  Steven is ready to serve as your guide and advocate.

About

Geoff Miller joined Pinnacle Real Estate Services, expanding its footprint to include the greater Columbus Georgia region.  Geoff began his relationship with us as a client. Our relationship-based philosophy of a client and realtor partnership led Geoff to become part of the team. With Pinnacle’s help, he has been able to expand his own portfolio of properties and enjoy the freedom of letting Pinnacle manage them for him.  Geoff has more than twenty years of service in the National Guard. His skills as a combat advisor have taught him to be resourceful, stay informed and explore options.  As a realtor, daily, he applies these skills for his clients.  He derives great satisfaction in helping others find the home they imagined.  Geoff is easy to work with and is a valuable resource to sell your home or help you find the best value possible when it is time to purchase.

About

Valerie Mitchell is a licensed Realtor® for Pinnacle Real Estate Services, serving clients as a sales agent and property manager. Her helpful demeanor is fueled by a desire to meet or exceed the expectations of those she serves. She is an eager and quick learner who gravitated to the role of a Realtor® with an ability to put others at ease. Valerie’s degree in counseling sharpened her emotional intelligence and communication skills. As a manager of both residential and commercial properties, she is knowledgeable, skilled, and committed to serving both property owners and tenants. She recalls her family’s relocation from out of state and, as a wife and mother, has a fresh memory of the stresses of a big move. As a sales agent, Valerie aims to reduce the stress that sometimes overwhelms buyers or sellers. Instinctively, she advocates for her clients and is an exceptional choice for listing a property or purchasing one.

About

Lori Erwin has recently joined Pinnacle Real Estate Services as a Realtor®. She and her husband, Dave, have been residents of the Jasper area since 2012 and she possess comprehensive knowledge of the local market. Lori is a proficient sign language interpreter and has even served as an instructor, training others in this valuable skill. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries and a Master’s in Educational Counseling. Her lifelong passion for real estate and her keen ability to listen actively enables Lori to cater to her clients effectively. She is committed to providing excellent service. Whether representing sellers or buyers, Lori works to structure sales contracts to meet her client’s goals. She finds fulfillment in delivering strategic advice and serving as an advocate on behalf of her clients. If you are considering purchasing or selling real estate in the region, Lori is ready and available to serve you.

About

Since working for a custom homebuilder in college, Jamie Smith has had an active interest in real estate. She is tenacious and believes that follow-through is the validation of commitment and the realization of integrity.  Jamie is passionate about people, serving and learning. With over 12 years of experience working for a large commercial contractor, she gained an understanding of the business of the construction industry and of business systems.  Jamie met Steve Ballew, our Broker, while successfully coordinating the sale of her own home as well as her parents’ home and purchasing one of his listings.  As a result of the 2020 CoV-2 virus pandemic, things locked down, plans changed, and the road to finally combine her passions by embarking in a full-time real estate career was paved. She lives in Bartow County with her husband Brandon, their two sons and 4 German Shepherds.  Whether you are beginning your home search or are looking for the perfect buyer for your home, Jamie is eager to go to work for you.

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About

Marjorie Stickles joined Pinnacle Real Estate Services with over 25 years of experience in sales. She honed her skills to become a top performer gaining national recognition within her company. Marjorie now applies these same skills to the Real Estate market. She is an excellent communicator and can readily put you at ease. As a skillful listener she is adept at anticipating your needs, offering thoughtful solutions, and is the kind of person you want as your advocate. As a longtime resident of the region, Marjorie is ready to assist buyers with helpful insights to narrow your search for the ideal home. As a seller’s agent, she works diligently to showcase your property’s benefits for the best offers. Marjorie is the mother of six children and three grandchildren.

About

Russell Thompson joined Pinnacle Real Estate Services as an agent who is passionate about serving others. Before becoming a realtor, he honed his listening and leadership skills as the COO for a Senior Living Community with 50 employees. Russell knows how important one’s home environment can be. He discovered the joy of serving others when working with families to find the perfect place for their elderly parents. Through his years of leadership, Russell became exceptional at finding solutions in difficult situations. Whether it is helping find your ideal home or selling and moving on to your next home, he focuses on your goals.  His practical experience as a numbers guy and negotiation skills weighs heavily in your favor to get the best deal possible. As your agent, he is there to help you through each step of the process. You will discover this isn’t just his job, but it is a calling to serve others with excellence and integrity.  Russell and his wife are the parents of three children and live in the community he serves. For a dedicated agent who is determined to serve… Russell is your go-to Realtor.

About

Pinnacle Real Estate Services is pleased that Jared Wise, an experienced and successful realtor, is now a part of our team. If there is a single descriptor that applies to Jared is “servant”. As a 14-year veteran of the US Army, Jared held various positions in his assignments. In each post, he served with duty and honor. His propensity to serve culminated in furthering his Bachelor’s in Business Administration to a recent Master’s Degree in Organizational and Servant Leadership from Columbus State University. As a realtor, the most desirable quality is to find someone who makes your priorities his own, a hallmark of servanthood. Jared’s disposition to serve makes him an excellent choice to aid you in your real estate goals to purchase your next home, sell your home, or assist with both. He lives in Columbus and is licensed in both Georgia and Alabama. Jared is married with three daughters. Besides spending time with his family, he enjoys golf, hunting, and attending Florida Gators sporting events.