Cheri and Martin Woodard form new real estate firm in Sperryville
By James P. Gannon
Sperryville is about to get a new real estate firm, but the faces and identities of the owners are very familiar to those in the village. Cheri and Martin Woodard, who have a long history of operating businesses in Sperryville, are starting their fourth business and returning to the village that was home to their previous successes.
The Woodards are looking forward to returning to Main Street where they are about to open a real estate office in partnership with the Roy Wheeler Co., a well-known regional firm based in Charlottesville. The business will be housed in the Thornton River House, which the couple purchased a few years ago and renovated in 2003 to house business and professional offices.
Most recently, both Martin and Cheri have worked in the Frank Hardy realty office in Washington, VA, where Cheri has built a reputation as one of the top-producing real estate agents in Rappahannock County. In 2006, she was one of only two Rappahannock agents recognized as Platinum Level Realtors with sales in excess of $10,000,000.
The Woodard’s new real estate firm will offer a high level of service and business expertise, drawing on their 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and recent success in real estate. They also offer selected clients real estate consulting and planning services. Conservation easements are often an important consideration for their clients. The Woodards are knowledgeable and experienced in conservation easements having placed their farm in the FT Valley in easement in 2005.
“We want to open a real estate office so we can put to work some of our own marketing and customer service ideas that we have been working on for the past few years. Frank Hardy is a great firm but we felt we need the freedom to be on our own,” said Martin Woodard.
Roy Wheeler Realty Co. was founded in 1927 and is one of the leading firms selling country properties in Virginia’s Piedmont.
Sometimes referred to as “serial entrepreneurs,” the Woodards moved to Rappahannock County in 1972 and quickly realized they would have to start their own business to make a living.
Martin put his masonry skills to work and started Martin Woodard Masonry, “Brick, Block & Rock.” He did much of the residential stonework in the County as well as larger commercial projects in Culpeper and Warrenton. Simultaneously, Cheri pursued her interest in herbs and opened Faith Mountain Herbs and Antiques in Sperryville.
As Faith Mountain grew, Martin sold the masonry business and joined Cheri’s thriving business. Eventually it grew and became one of the largest direct marketing companies of country themed products in the country.
After selling their interest in Faith Mountain in 2000, the Woodards opened Long View Gallery in Sperryville, combining their retail knowledge and love of art. Andrew Hailey and Suzanne Zylonis became partners in the business and eventually bought out the Woodard’s share in 2004.
Cheri Woodard said, “I’m excited to get back to our roots in Sperryville. I’m also excited about the opportunity to show clients how great a real estate firm can be.”
-- James P. Gannon
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