A
line from a Bob Marley song has stuck with me: "Mingle with the good people we meet... good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost along the way." It's a reminder that a place is only as strong as its people. Without genuine connections and friendships, real estate is just geography.

    I've lived in various parts of the country and worked in real estate, but nowhere has it felt more true than in Polk County. Critics often describe this area as backward or unforgiving, but I see it differently. In Tryon, Columbus, Mill Spring, or Landrum, I can walk into a local store or gas station without feeling like a stranger. The friendships I've formed here are genuine and strong, even across differences in politics or worldview.

    I've lived in larger cities where I thought I'd built deep connections, but when I returned years later, those relationships were gone. In contrast, my first book signing in Tryon was packed with familiar faces, a sense of belonging that's hard to find elsewhere.

    But look at what's happening in other places: Greenville, South Carolina, is struggling with downtown fights; Columbia's Five Points district has become a combat zone; Atlanta and Denver are battling spikes in violent crime. The pattern is clear: towns over-expand, growth outpaces community, and the fabric of connection unravels.

    Polk County will face similar challenges as it grows. Urban sprawl is real, and more neighbors are on their way. But this also brings opportunities for new friendships and a stronger community. If we can hold onto what makes us different – our willingness to greet strangers, listen, and look beyond labels – we may avoid the fate of larger cities.

    Now is the time to appreciate what we have: the peace, the friendships, and the sense of belonging. Remember Marley's words: good friends we have, good friends we've lost. The answer isn't despair; it's to treasure our relationships and build more while we can. Because in the end, real estate is about people, not just property lines or house prices. If Polk County holds onto this truth, it may succeed where others have stumbled.