“People have needs and wants and wishes, and where does that fit? If they can get (those elements) in something that’s brand new, they would prefer that,” Becker says.

When it comes to new construction, homebuyers have several options: One is purchasing a “package home” — a new home and a lot in one of C&M’s many new neighborhoods. “People don’t have to go through the whole process of a custom home where you’re doing every little detail,” Becker says of this approach. “You’re still able to pick out some of the selections that you want, but everything is move-in ready … It’s an affordable, pretty simple, pretty slick process.”

C&M can also build 100% custom homes for clients, catering every detail to the buyers’ wishes. A sophisticated software tool allows customers to follow along with each step of the process.

Increasingly, clients are also turning to C&M to buy and sell existing homes. Becker says C&M’s experience with construction is an asset in these situations, too. “We’re able to give such an overall view of the market,” she says. “We come with this market knowledge because we’re on top of what’s new in the community. Because of the new construction we’re able to see where you are going to get the most value in the area where you’re purchasing.”

Becker has worked in the real estate business for 22 years, nearly six of them with C&M. She loves the business because it allows her to focus on customer service. “What does that entail?” she asks. “At C&M, we like to dig a little deeper, because there’s a lot of wants and wishes that people come in with, and we kind of really nail that down by asking the right questions.”

Real estate can be a stressful, emotional business, and yet ultimately, Becker says, that’s what makes it rewarding. “At the end of the day, I can say that I thoroughly enjoy seeing it come together,” she says. “There’s a sense of accomplishment in seeing the relief and joy on people’s faces and with their families and their kids when they can finally walk through the door and it’s theirs.”

“At C&M, we like to dig a little deeper, because there’s a lot of wants and wishes that people come in with, and we kind of really nail that down by asking the right questions.”