Meet Catharine Surface from Sandlin Homes

We love working with Catharine Surface from Sandlin Homes! Her fun personality and passion for helping her clients (and our clients) is contagious, so we wanted to sit down with her and get to know her a little better. Here’s what she had to say…

Catharine Surface

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi, I’m Catharine Surface! I was born in Pomona in Southern California, then moved to Michigan when I was 5, due to a job offer my dad got. 

I graduated college from Macomb Community College and moved to Texas.  My best friend took a teaching position and when I came down to visit her that fall I fell in love with the Metroplex.  I graduated the following spring and moved down that July. 

I have a rescue dog named Roxy.  I saw her pic on the city of Arlington Animal Shelter website.  I went to the Shelter to see her and it was love at first sight.  She looked and me and I looked at her and I told the lady I would take her.  Unknown to me, she was on the short list and needed to be adopted within the week.   

I know this may sound funny but I love to play bingo.  I also like to hang out with my friends, do dinner and play games.  I like to do Painting with a Twist, as well as playing on our family’s Fantasy Football League and rooting on my home team - Go Lions!

2. Tell us about your business.

I work for a local family-owned new home builder, Sandlin Homes.  I am a Community Sales Manager and sell new homes.  I love that this industry because I helps families achieve their goal of owning a new home, whether they are first time buyers, move-up buyers or buyers downsizing. I also run into quite a few of my buyers at various places as my last neighborhood was only 3.5 miles from my house. 

3. What do you like about your career?

Making dreams come true for 27 years.  I will have 16 years with Sandlin Homes in January.  It's the process of taking a piece of land and in 6 to 8 months I have made someone's dream come true.

4. What inspires you (personally/professionally) and why?

Personally, I am inspired by my friend and her husband back in the Detroit area who have a non-profit that provides basic essentials to the homeless in the inner city of Detroit.  Their passion to help those who are homeless and in need is truly amazing.  Their non-profit is called Blessings Bag Brigade of Michigan.

Professionally, I am inspired by all my buyers I have helped.  Each one of them has a unique story.  I have helped buyers from all over the world.  It is amazing to hear their stories, their journey and what brought them to American and to the DFW area.  It is truly humbling.

5. Tell us about any volunteer work or giving back you like to do.   

I support my friend and her husband financially with the Blessings Bag Brigade of Michigan, so they can keep helping those in need.  I help with needs at my local animal shelter and donate various items on their need list several times a year. Sandlin Homes does the Heart Walk and toy drive every year and I support various other groups.

6. Who is your hero and why? 

My hero is my Mom.  She lost her parents at a very young age and overcame a tough life to graduate as valedictorian of her high school, then went onto business college and worked to help put my dad through college at the University of LaVerne in California.  She never complained about anything and made sure my dad, brother and I had a wonderful life.  

Catharine with her family as a child

7. Do you have a secret hidden talent? 

Being a comedian.  All my friends think I am super funny and quick wit.  I love to bake, and I am good at game shows on TV.

Catharine channels her inner Winifred Sanderson of Hocus Pocus

8. What drives you every day?

What drives me is I have the best career anyone could ask for because I am able to change lives in ways I never thought I could.

9. We are always grateful for the opportunity to work with you. What has your experience been with our team?

I have always had wonderful service and I tell anyone who is looking for insurance. I first spoke Susan Miller at Salt Jacket who helped me with my flood insurance and was the person who submitted me. Overall, everyone at Salt Jacket has been fantastic to work with.

Thanks, Catharine! We love working with you and we’re grateful for your partnership. To learn more about Catharine or Sandlin Homes, click here to go to their website.