Our Story
Hey Everyone! Check out a little information about how we started Oak & Willow, our backgrounds and our passions. We are glad you’re here!
Over the last several years we have been grinding in the background to build a business in home renovation, new construction, and real estate investing. We had a vision for a business rooted in faith and family. The creation of Oak & Willow is a result of years of hard work as we learned to be business owners and investors, gaining valuable experience in the real estate and building industry.
Through the most unexpected collaboration that began over a local breakfast, Caleb and Sara met Jimmy, who would eventually become our business partner. As Caleb and Sara continued in conversation and collaborative efforts with Jimmy, one thing became clear - we all had the same vision for the direction of our individual companies. After prayerful consideration and a huge leap of faith, Caleb, Sara, and Jimmy decided to come together and create what has developed into the business we have today. Although Jimmy brought wonderful expertise and a new viewpoint to the business, he became more than just a business partner in this new venture. He became a friend and part of the family. Combining our work ethic, experience, and most importantly our faith, we formed a “dream team” that was destined to work well together. Through years of hard work, trial and error, plenty and famine, friendships and partnerships, we have created the business we had all dreamed of in those years prior…
Welcome to Oak & Willow. We bring you HOME. With a mission to create a business that was God centered and family first, we pour our heart and soul into bringing you more than just a house, we bring you HOME. Born out of the work and dedication that we have put into all other aspects of our life, we are proud that we have officially opened our doors to Oak & Willow Realty | Builders | Investments. We are a full service residential real estate company based right here in our hometown of Gastonia, North Carolina.
Meet the Team
Jimmy Poole
Jimmy brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Oak & Willow. Since 2018, he has been a Realtor and licensed agent, consistently demonstrating his industry acumen and leadership skills. Jimmy manages and directs the realty company towards achieving its primary goals and objectives. His responsibilities include overseeing realty operations and delegating tasks to the Broker-in-Charge (BIC). In addition to his real estate duties, Jimmy plays a crucial role in land acquisition and vetting, ensuring that all properties meet our stringent buildability and investment viability criteria as well as developing building designs that are best suited to each piece of property. Outside of work, Jimmy loves anything outdoors. From Spartan races, Crowders Mountain hikes, or trips to the family house on Hilton Head Island - Jimmy and his wife Kendall love to be outdoors with the family. Their 4 children Emma, Kinsleigh, Mikah, and Eli are what motivate Jimmy to be a community stakeholder with his business showing the importance of contribution to the local community. Jimmy also serves on the City of Gastonia Affordable Housing Committee for his ward.
Sara Farrar
Sara is a licensed North Carolina General Contractor with a building classification, leading Oak & Willow Builders with a commitment to excellence. Sara brings with her over a decade of building experience. An Appalachian State Graduate, Sara started her building career in luxury custom home construction while she and Caleb lived in Boone, NC after college. Sara worked for some of the best regional custom builders where she built homes in the exclusive neighborhoods of Hound Ears Club, Linville Ridge Country Club, and Grandfather Mountain Country Club. After leaving Boone, NC to start a family back home in Gastonia, Sara took a position as the Construction Director of Habitat for Humanity. After several years in non-profit, Sara was recruited by Lennar, the largest production builder in the nation, where she worked her way though the ranks to become an Area Manager. Sara served in that position until she stepped away to open Oak & Willow and dedicate her full time efforts to the business. Sara oversees all construction and building operations, ensuring that every project meets our high standards of quality and efficiency. Sara provides effective and measurable leadership, focusing on the scale and growth operations of the company. Her efforts promote synergy and collaboration between the Builders, Realty, and Investment Teams, driving the company towards continued success and innovation.
Caleb Farrar
Caleb oversees the overall Realty and Builder operations at Oak & Willow, integrating the right pieces to make business run smoothly and efficiently with the attention to detail that Oak & Willow seeks to deliver. Caleb is also a graduate of Appalachian State and served in law enforcement for over a decade before realizing his passion and expertise as a real estate developer and investor. Caleb brings his storied experience and wisdom to the Oak & Willow team as he keeps his vision on the future growth and development of the company. As CEO, he ensures that proper resources and strategic plans are in place for business infrastructure, guiding the company towards sustainable growth. Caleb is the strategic director for brand and company growth, playing a key role in enhancing our market presence and operational efficiency. His leadership ensures that Oak & Willow remains at the forefront of the industry, providing exceptional services and value to our clients and investors. Caleb and Sara married in 2015 and are the parents of three wild boys named Andrew, Eli, and John-Luke. For fun, Caleb and Sara love to enjoy a rare date-night, trips to Cherry Grove Beach, and spend time with family whether it's a trip to the park, pool, or a walk in the neighborhood. Quality family time together helps them recharge their batteries to help serve you better.
What We Do
We are a licensed North Carolina Real Estate Brokerage! Are you looking to buy or sell a home? We can help you buy or sell your next home! With our team of agents we can help you navigate your home buying or selling journey with top notch service, providing knowledge and advice along the way. If you are an agent looking for the place to call HOME, give us a call! We are always looking to add excellent agents to our realty family!
We are a licensed North Carolina Builder and General Contractor! Providing several lines of new construction homes including affordably priced spec homes and semi-custom homes, we will bring you HOME. Interested in building one of our plans on your land? Give us a call. Don’t have land yet, but you still want to build your family home? Call us! With our team of experienced agents, we can help you find land, plans, and will consult on the best way forward to build your dream home!
We are real estate investors! Interested in learning how to invest in real estate? Working extremely hard to build our own portfolios in real estate, we have learned a few things. New and experienced investors alike, we are expanding to provide multiple opportunities to get involved! If you have been wondering how to get started on your journey in investing, give us a call. Whether it’s consulting, joint ventures, private investment, or more, we can help!
We are also fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, followers of Christ, and just plain normal people with a passion rooted in building our communities one HOME at a time. Oak & Willow is more than just a real estate company; we are a brand, a lighthouse, a hope of how things should be, a FAMILY… and we would LOVE for you to be a part of this journey! To the family, friends, co-workers, and countless others that have already been a part of our story, we thank you.
We humbly ask that if you think this is worth passing along, please LIKE and SHARE our page Oak & Willow - our story - to get the word out! We are in for one heck of a ride and can’t wait for YOU to join us! We have just embarked. We have launched our social site and have a website (coming soon!), YouTube channel, and daily content that will be filled with more of our STORY, our PEOPLE, and our MISSION.
