The Grounded Epic Timeline
We couldn’t have gotten to where we are now without the support, creativity, and friendship of our amazing clients, partners, friends, and families. We don’t plan on slowing down any time soon, and we’re so glad we’re on this journey with you.
The Grounded Epic Timeline
2011
Humble Beginnings
Sam is unemployed (“the economy is in the sh*tter!”) and decides to get his Real Estate license. He joins Better Homes and Gardens because of the cool green color logo and because of sharp broker Rich Wilks.2011
Started from the Bottom
Sam sells first house for $30k, it was a burned out mess of a transaction.
2011
Wrapping Up the First Year
By December Sam ends the first year with a whopping 3 sales totaling $149,000 in volume, earning $4,462 for the first year.
2012
The Two-Man Wrecking Crew
Sam and Micah officially join forces for their first listing on Biggler Way.
2012
Ok, Still Humble
Sam and Micah win the award for selling the cheapest house in the brokerage for $19,900. Haha – very funny folks…
2012
Bringing Growth and Change
The first house rehab is completed on 6th Avenue in Central Oak Park!
2012
The Oak Park Team
Sam and Micah make it official and become The Oak Park Team.
2013
“Grinding Our Faces Off”
The year 2013 will see The Oak Park Team almost triple their numbers over 2012 and close 40 transactions. Grinding hard, selling, and rehabbing several houses themselves.
2013
Wait, Really? Again?
The team wins the “Lowest Sales Price” Award for the second year in a row with a $39,900 transaction. Okay, but we’re about to take off… just watch.
2013
Coming Up Together in Oak Park
The first big new development listing with Ron Vrilakas and his Broadway Triangle development marks the beginning of several long-term business partnerships, including: Vrilakas Groen Architects, Treehouse Properties (later becoming 20/20 Staging), and Veritas Design Build.
2014
Steady Crushing
Ok, this is the last time: the team gets “Lowest Sales Price” Award AGAIN at $32,500, but the team closes 35 transactions over the course of the year, but double-down on rehabs.
2014
Grounded Development, LLC
On Earth Day 2014, Grounded is officially born.
2014
A Special Memory
The team buys their favorite rehab project ever on Starlit Circle.
2015
Explosive Growth
Over 2015, the team more than doubles from the previous year, with 74 transactions for $21M.
2015
The First Employees!
In January, Grounded hires their first employee/agent, Robin Smith (Micah’s Aunt!). In April Grounded hires second employee, Transaction Coordinator Angela O’Neil. Later, Denny McCarthy is brought on as a Buyer’s agent. Denny later goes on to be the leading agent in the organization.
2016
Growing Pains
In 2016, rapid growth causes serious growing pains. Grounded closes 65 transactions for over $19M volume, adds agent Judah Kent, and admin Kimberly Peterson.
2016
No More Lowest Price Award
The team wins the “Platinum” award, placing them amongst the top teams in the region for Keller Williams!
2017
The Year of Double Platinum
2017 was the year of massive growth and personnel shifts. Grounded more than doubles to 132 sales for $41M in volume. The team loses 2 people but hire 3 more, and win the “Double Platinum” award as the highest selling team in the Sacramento region in Keller Williams.
2017
It’sa me, Luigi!
The team buys the Luigi’s Pizza building on Stockton Blvd. 🤷♂️
2018
Burn-Out
The team had been pushing so hard and growing so fast leading up to 2018 that burn-out sets in. Sam and Micah both take sabbaticals during the year which they believe led to Grounded’s faltering sales, as they only sell 105 deals for $35M in volume.
2018
The Biggest Sale to Date
Come July the team has the highest sale price so far at $1,610,000 on Santa Ynez Way in East Sacramento.
2018
Last Rehab Done, Bigger Dreams to Come
By the end of the year Grounded finishes their last home rehab ever, and begin plans for the Union Park Development.
2019
The Winds of Change
By April the Grounded team moves out of Oak Park and into their first office located in Midtown at the Ice Blocks, and in May Grounded supports Bike lab and Trips for Kids.
2019
Major Developments
The team sells the entire developments at both 15th & T St. and 23rd & Q St., and break ground at Union Park in September. But more importantly, in November, the team’s pie giveaway was a success!
2020
Grounded TV is On the Air
Due to the pandemic, Grounded goes virtual. Grounded T.V. starts to stay engaged with homeschooling crash courses, virtual yoga, trivia nights, and anything and everything it takes to stay in touch.
2020
The Great Divorce
In 2020, Grounded sells 127 deals for $58M, but in June Sam becomes the sole owner of Grounded RE and Micah leaves the team, becoming the sole owner of Grounded Development.
2020
The End and The Beginning
In December 2020 Grounded becomes their own independent brokerage. They add their first independent agent Monte Morris and a new team agent, Austin Cooper.
2021
A New Hope
Beginning the year as their very own indy brokerage, the team grows with both team and indy agents and is up to 18 people.
2021
Union Park Completion
February marks the completion of the Union Park @ The Triangle Development in Oak Park and the team become stewards of ARPF.
2021
30th Fastest Growing Company
In September, Grounded is ranked the 30th Fastest Growing Company in Sacramento by the Sacramento Business Journal. The team couldn’t be more proud, more honored, or more excited for the future.
2021
Midtown Studio Chapter Begins
We buy our Midtown Studio to control our own destiny. Major renovation starts on the formerly Yuebin Gong Art Studio.
2022
Growing Strong
We close out 2021 with 16 Agents.
2022
River City BoatLyfe!
Turns out we absolutely love #BoatLyfe.
2022
25th Fastest Growing Company
We win Fastest Growing Company Award AGAIN at #25.
2022
Midtown Studio Opens It’s Doors
Construction is complete and we officially open our Midtown Studio!
2022
Decking The Hallowed Halls of Midtown
We throw a huge holiday rager to christen the new building.
2023
Number 23
We start 2023 with 23 Agents.
2023
We Leave Oak Park
After almost a decade of amazing parties (like that time we had a mini-horse at our 4 year anniversary), great memories, and living that Oak Park life, we officially close our Oak Park office and move fully into Midtown.
2023
Broker Do!
New Designated Broker: Jessica Do! Jessica dreams big and works hard, climbing the ranks from Office Assistant to Transaction Coordinator to Listing Manager to Chief of Staff and ultimately becoming our Broker of Record.
2023
Yup, Still Growing
Fastest Growing Company YET AGAIN at number 44 on the list!
Where to next?
Oak Park • Midtown • Boulevard Park • Downtown • East Sacramento • McKinley Park • Curtis Park • Land Park • South Land Park • Tahoe Park • Arden-Arcade • West Sacramento