The Catherine Bennett Real Estate Team

Catherine Bennett, Broker & Owner, Melrose Plantation Real Estate has been a real estate professional specializing in the Northern Neck since 1995.  Catherine’s sales and listing activities have placed her among the TOP agents in the region.  This isn’t surprising since Catherine had an outstanding marketing, media relations and public relations career that spanned positions in one of the largest government, non-profits and major corporations that included one of the largest banks in the country and a global Fortune 250 company before “retiring” to the Northern Neck in 1994.

In 2003, Catherine completed and passed the four college level courses required to become a real estate broker and passed the difficult state and national standardized examinations to become a licensed broker in Virginia.  The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) granted her principal broker and firm licenses in March 2004, after which she opened Melrose Plantation Real Estate, LLC. which in it’s first month of operation has closed nearly $500,000 in new business in Lancaster, Middlesex and Northumberland Counties.  Catherine’s sales in 2003 exceeded $2,255,000 in the sale of homes and land in the area.

Catherine is a member of the Northern Neck Association of Realtors, the Chesapeake Bay and Rivers Association of Realtors, the Virginia Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors (NAR).  Not all real estate agents are Realtors.  Only those members of the NAR who have completed extensive ethics courses are designated as Realtors.  In May 2004, she participated in the Resort and Luxury Homes forum at the NAR Convention in Washington, D.C.  In addition, she is a member of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Neck Tourism Council.  A student of history and historic architecture, Catherine is a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Real estate is a complicated, detail oriented and highly regulated business.  Contracts have grown from a handshake to multiple pages written by highly skilled lawyers. But it’s in Catherine’s blood to take a sale from concept to closing: Catherine’s mother sold real estate and insurance for a large firm in Memphis, Tenn., and so little Cathy spent every free moment looking at homes for sale, driving neighborhoods to spot potential properties for buyers, balancing up gangplanks into buildings under construction, blowing up balloons for open houses, and helping organize and distribute property flyers for her mother.  Catherine’s father and great grandfather were renowned real estate title attorneys who instilled in her the love of real estate law and helping others.  Catherine’s grandfathers were a society photographer and an entrepreneur who instilled in her the importance of capturing the moment and the opportunity.  With these excellent influences, it is only natural that Catherine has incorporated all these traits into outstanding real estate sales achievements.  So, when she married an Architect, Professional Engineer and contractor it was another natural step for her to join him as an active real estate investor, participating in the 1031 deferred capital gains tax procedure.  Together they own rental properties and investment timber and farmland which provide sheltered income and a growing portfolio, and can consult with you on these investment strategies as well.

Catherine’s team members are her husband, Robert and Sally Rohlfing, both licensed Realtors.  Robert is also a registered Architect, licensed Professional Engineer and Class A Contractor.  We understand the importance of keeping  you informed every step of the way during the listing and sales process and beyond.  Catherine is available to talk with you at any time should you have questions or concerns.

Contact Catherine Bennett at 800.711.4620 or bennett@melroseplantation.com