Finding creative ways to transform a house into a home is a passion that began when Brooke was very little. She found inspiration wandering the woods, gathering pine, holly, and crow’s feet to make wreathes for her church and friends.
As a girl, Brooke cherished gardening with her grandmother, helping nurture her award-winning flower gardens and making precious, sometimes extravagant, floral arrangements to adorn her home. She spent many years rummaging through her father’s barn and workshop, searching for items to recreate and repurpose, designing furniture, or pieces of art. When Brooke wasn’t hunting for treasures, she could be found pouring through treasured hand-me-down copies of Architectural Digest, tearing out photos, filing them, and storing them away to use as inspiration someday.
Luckily for prospective new home owners who want a unique experience working with a one-woman-show, that day is now. Brooke offers real estate services, custom home design, and building. We got a chance to catch up with her between closings, overseeing construction sites, and meetings with clients to select kitchen features.
Q. How and when did you get into the real estate profession?
I got into the real estate profession about five years ago after realizing the need to get deeper involved in the dreams of my clients—home ownership! It became a win-win situation for clients to be able to both sell an existing home, while also helping to buy a new one to fix up, which truly serves as a pivotal tool in helping clients create a home.
Q. What made you decide to add design and build services for your customers?
Creating a design and build firm was a no-brainer, specifically because of my love for beautiful architecture and design, coupled with my creative ability to renovate spaces. Adding the real estate component became a natural transition while working with clients—especially because a home investment is the largest they’ll ever have. My ability to help recommend ways for clients to prepare their home to be market-ready for the current calendar year, while understanding the real estate market and demographic of potential buyers, helps add to the vision of what a house could be. This ensures a home’s value stays within reach of potential buyers and accomplishes the design and repair needs of its existing homeowner.
Q. What do think is the most valuable benefit to hiring one company to help find, facilitate the sale, design, and building of their home?
I truly believe the benefit of working with that one person, such as what I do with B Home, is working with someone who understands both the current industry marketplace and trends, along with an expertise in creating and building on a vision for a piece of land or renovating that fixer-upper. I am able to predict the pitfalls, as well as greatness, with a project because I see it through from the very beginning until absolute completion.
Q. What are the biggest trends that you are seeing (and enjoying) when it comes to home design right now?
Open-living floorplans are continuing to serve as a primary trend, which is always nice and something I enjoy personally in my own home. I always love designing smaller nooks and crannies though too, which keeps some spaces more intimate and can be lovely. Right now, smart living seems to be a big focus for those with cottage-style homes. Single-story living or homes with master bedrooms on the first floor are very in demand these days. Visually speaking, lots of clean lines and going to back to solid products such as real stone versus manufactured materials are in demand, too.
Q. What are the current hottest neighborhoods/areas in southern Maryland for real estate?
Southern Maryland has always been quiet and under the radar. I can’t say there are currently “hot” neighborhoods, but Chesapeake Beach and North Beach are building up to be quite beautiful, sweet cottage towns. I am currently working on a tear-down and brand new build in downtown North Beach, which has been a lot of fun! Of course, I love where I live—Huntingtown—and really, all of Southern Maryland offers a delightful way of life. Anyone who lives in our region is very blessed!
What made you decide to add design and build services for your customers?
Creating a design and build firm was a no-brainer, specifically because of my love for beautiful architecture and design, coupled with my creative ability to renovate spaces. Adding the real estate component became a natural transition while working with clients—especially because a home investment is the largest they’ll ever have. My ability to help recommend ways for clients to prepare their home to be market-ready for the current calendar year, while understanding the real estate market and demographic of potential buyers, helps add to the vision of what a house could be. This ensures a home’s value stays within reach of potential buyers and accomplishes the design and repair needs of its existing homeowner.
Q. What do think is the most valuable benefit to hiring one company to help find, facilitate the sale, design, and building of their home?
I truly believe the benefit of working with that one person, such as what I do with B Home, is working with someone who understands both the current industry marketplace and trends, along with an expertise in creating and building on a vision for a piece of land or renovating that fixer-upper. I am able to predict the pitfalls, as well as greatness, with a project because I see it through from the very beginning until absolute completion.
