Team

Jeff Koon, CCIM

Managing Partner

Beginning at an early age, Jeff has had a passion for entrepreneurial pursuits and hands-on problem solving. He began his real estate career by learning operations at the ground level, working in maintenance and property management. Attending the University of Georgia, he graduated from the #3 nationally ranked corporate real estate degree program.

Jeff gained valuable experience working with a wide variety of prominent developers, private equity funds, and financial institutions earning more praise than any other broker in the state for above-market returns and straightforward dealings with his clients. He was directly responsible for the acquisition, disposition, and asset management of over $250 million of assets. Secondarily, he operated a private investment and development company which specialized in value-add opportunities across North Georgia in various asset classes.

This variety of skillsets were all brought together in the establishment of Stratus Development Group in 2016, which focuses on the development, acquisition, and re-positioning of multifamily assets across the southeast.

Jeff brings this wide variety of experience to bear in the creation and operation of thoughtfully designed communities. 

Contact: 404-618-0878 ext. 1 or [email protected]

Blake Underwood

Managing Partner

Blake attended the University of Georgia where he graduated from Terry College of Business with a Bachelors of Administration degree in Finance.  Blake gained his experience in the real estate industry by investing his personal assets to flip and sell houses in the Athens area real estate market. When the market began to deteriorate, Blake focused his investment strategy on student-oriented rental property, and eventually began developing lots and small communities.After several successful years in the real estate industry and turning around a struggling homeowners’ association, other investors began expressing interest in having him manage their properties and investment decisions. Blake decided to obtain a real estate license and create a full service real estate firm—Athens Real Estate Group.

Today, Blake has partnered with Jeff and Stratus Property Group to found Stratus Development Group. He uses his hard-earned, hands-on experience in the real estate industry to help his clients structure a real estate portfolio to fit their needs and to help manage that portfolio through an ever-changing real estate market.

Contact: 706-340-1215 or [email protected]

Nicole Sarmer

Marketing Director

Nicole is a Georgia native and graduate of the University of Georgia where she studied public relations and new media. She has a history working with digital marketing and is certified in Google Analytics. Before joining the Stratus team, Nicole gained experience in the student housing industry during her years at Georgia as a community ambassador with Landmark Properties in downtown Athens.

Contact: 404-618-0878 ext. 3 or [email protected]