Episode 5: Real Estate Wisdom From a Lawyer Turned Broker

The words in your contract matter more than your intentions.
In this episode of True Wealth with Joel Baker, Joel discusses real estate with attorney and broker Jerry Larkowski. Jerry explains why precise contract language can make or break a deal. He shares pricing strategies for sellers and what investors should know about Arkansas. They also talk about staying active and never retiring.
Key Takeaways:
→ What you put in writing controls the outcome if a deal ends up in court.
→ "Shall" is declaratory while "will" is only predictive, so choose your verbs carefully.
→ Pricing a hot listing slightly under value can spark competing offers.
→ Raising the price and offering seller concessions helps buyers cover closing costs at the same net.
→ Arkansas offers lower prices and landlord-friendly laws for long-term investors.
A native of Chicago, Jerry has resided continuously in Central Arkansas for 50 years, He has a bachelors in history and a law degree and is admitted to the bar in both Arkansas and Illinois. In 2019, just for fun, he obtained his real estate license. It came in handy a year later when COVID hit, and he lost his two primary sources of income. He built a real estate practice, moved the Little Rock office into a storefront in 2025, still practices law, owns and runs an Airbnb, and remodels and re-constructs dilapidated houses waiting to be demolished with his wife of 14 years.
Connect With Jerry Larkowski:
Website: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-larkowski-35324960