Expert Homebuilding Advice From Eastbrook Homes Sales Agents

Kail Venema

How long have you been a sales agent? 

Almost 2 years

How did you get started in new home sales, and what drew you to Eastbrook Homes? 

I started my career in insurance and then was in mortgages for about 8 years. I had the opportunity to talk with Eastbrook, and I fell in love with the company. I love how personable the process is with Eastbrook. As the sales agent, we get to know the homeowners over a long period of time while they watch their dream home turn from dirt into a reality!

What advice would you give to someone who’s just beginning their homebuying or building journey? 

The best time to start is now. There will be a lot of questions throughout the process, so start early to give yourself time to ask those questions and work through how to bring your ideas to life!

Natalie Rowlader

How long have you been a sales agent? 

I’ve been with Eastbrook for 4 years. Sales Assistant for 3.5 of the 4 years.

What’s one thing most buyers don’t realize about the Eastbrook building process? 

One thing most buyers don’t realize about the process is how easy it is, yet how personal it is. Each customer is tailored to personally by our team members. Working hand-in-hand with our architects, design team, construction managers, and of course our sales team that guide you through the process from start to finish. It can feel like an overwhelming and scary thing to purchase a new home, but Eastbrook makes sure that customers feel comfortable, understood, and excited about their new home!

What Eastbrook locations/communities do you currently work in? What makes these areas a great place to live? 

I work in our Allendale community; Emerald Springs, our Cedar Springs community; Saddlebrook, and our Rockford communities; Pine Rivers, and future Tamarack Run and Creekview Bluffs. 

Emerald Springs is such a great place to live. It is so central; you are 20 minutes from the lakeshore and 20 minutes from Grand Rapids. There are so many restaurants, stores, parks, walking trails, etc all so close to Emerald Springs.

Pine Rivers is also such a great place because of its incredible homesites. They are private, wooded, 2+ acre home sites. The winding street and the tall pine trees truly sets it apart. It is also only about 20 minutes from Grand Rapids and about 10 minutes from downtown Rockford and all its amenities.

Kurt Suidinski 

How long have you been a sales agent? 

Licensed for 31 years – 16 of them with Eastbrook Homes.

Eastbrook Homes offers many ways to personalize a home. What are some of your favorite examples of features that buyers have chosen? 

I love when our clients get creative with trim detail: Accent walls, beams, built-ins, bars, etc. We have some very talented designers and trim guys that come up with incredible pieces!

What advice would you give to someone who’s just beginning their homebuying or building journey? 

Explore, explore, explore! There are some really great builders and developers in West Michigan. Get in your car and check out a bunch of communities and floor plans. I would also ask about how the builder finances the project and what the expectation is of me. 

Trevor Garbow

How long have you been a sales agent? 

I have been a licensed realtor for 9 years. I’ve been around Eastbrook my entire career as an outside sales agent, but have been inside sales since spring of 2018.

What do you enjoy most about helping people through the homebuilding or buying process? 

I take great pride in finding out what they’re looking for and being able to help fit them into the correct community, and find a home plan that fits their needs.

What’s one thing most buyers don’t realize about the Eastbrook building process? 

How truly valuable not needing a construction loan can be. Because Eastbrook doesn’t require a construction loan, and carries the costs of the build without making draws, it can save buyers upwards of 10’s of thousands of dollars in interest compared to a builder that requires them.

Lindsay Smith

How long have you been a sales agent? 

In June 2017, I achieved my real estate license (so a little over 8.5 years) and have always had a focus – and passion – for new home construction.

Eastbrook Homes offers many ways to personalize a home. What are some of your favorite examples of features that buyers have chosen?

There are truly so many features to love! A few of my favorites include covering an exterior deck or patio and adding screens or an outdoor gas fireplace. Talk about cozy! I’m also drawn to the creativity in our kitchen designs, whether it’s two-tone cabinetry or incorporating glass in the upper cabinets to create an intentional, built-in hutch effect that’s both functional and beautiful.

I also love the smaller but impactful statement details, like stained beams in a Michigan Room’s cathedral ceiling or accent walls with wainscoting that add depth and texture. Those touches really elevate a home.

What should buyers look for/consider when choosing a home plan? 

Before browsing home plans, spend some time reflecting on how you currently live in your home: what works well, what you wish was different, what would make everyday living easier, and what are some important features that you must see in your new home. 

Share these ideas and vision with your sales agent because with our experience, we can help guide you to a home plan (or a few) to consider that may support your new home vision. From there, take some time to personalize your space using our Interactive Floor Plan tool (available for every home plan) so you can “build” your new home on paper first. I find this really gives homeowners clarity on their final home plan decision! 

Jessica Balder

How long have you been a sales agent? 

I have been in real estate for 11 years, 6 years with Eastbrook Homes.

What do you enjoy most about helping people through the homebuilding or buying process? 

Being able to watch the excitement for people during the build process and be able to make building a home an easy and fun experience for them.

What’s one thing most buyers don’t realize about the Eastbrook building process? 

Most people don’t realize that your Eastbrook Sales agent follows you through the entire process until handing over the completed home and gives weekly videos of your home during the construction process.

Maureen Smith

How long have you been a sales agent? 

I have been licensed for 28 years and have held my Associate Broker’s license for the last 13 years.

What should buyers look for/consider when choosing a home plan? 

Lifestyle and lifestyle! How do they live, entertain, work from home, family needs, etc. Plan on the now and future needs as they may change. Whether that’s upsizing or downsizing.

How did you get started in new home sales, and what drew you to Eastbrook Homes? 

I have been in the new home building business my entire real estate career. I have been the director of sales for both a national and local building company during my time in the business. I can’t even begin to count the number of new homes and sales I have personally put together as well as being directly involved in supporting a team of sales professionals. If I were to guess, it would be somewhere around 2500 new homes that I’ve had the pleasure of working with families living their American dream of homeownership and building their new home. 

I was drawn to Eastbrook 11 years ago for their reputation, systems, and volume. I also loved what they were doing in Holland (which is my market) with Macatawa Legends.

Carin Whybrew

How long have you been a sales agent? 

I received my Real Estate License in 1993 and obtained my Associate Brokers License in 2009.  I’ve been with Eastbrook Homes for over five years.

How did you get started in new home sales, and what drew you to Eastbrook Homes? 

I was raised in a family that owned and worked in Plumbing and Heating, and sold real estate. Our family moved a lot, and some of the homes my parents built. As a young girl, I used to design and draw houses. Prior to working with Eastbrook, I worked in new construction of condos, so I already had experience. I was honored when Eastbrook asked me to join their team, as it was a missing piece and a full circle back to my passion of being able to help design and plan a new home for customers to build.

What advice would you give to someone who’s just beginning their homebuying or building journey? 

Explore and delve into Eastbrook Homes website! There is so much expertise, guidance and solid information to be found on the website, and it’s easy to use 24/7. When building, there’s nothing that compares.

Matt Morrison 

How long have you been a sales agent? 

I have been in real estate a total of 8 years, the past 5 years with Eastbrook Homes. 

What Eastbrook locations/communities do you currently work in? What makes these areas a great place to live? 

Hathaway Lakes located in the Spring Lake/Nunica area. At Hathaway Lakes, it’s all about the location and lifestyle. Located just minutes from Lake Michigan, an easy commute North to Muskegon, South to Holland, or East to Grand Rapids. Hathaway Lakes provides all the opportunities for an active lifestyle. Three ponds – one of which can be enjoyed by the residents of the community, a clubhouse, pool, and fitness center are a few. 

We are also fortunate to have direct access in the community to the North Bank Trail system, a walking and biking trail system that links the lakeshore. 

What’s one thing most buyers don’t realize about the Eastbrook building process? 

How simple it can feel once they understand our process. With each customer interaction, I remind myself that easy equals right, and my goal is for them to feel that too. The more we can help simplify the process and eliminate any confusion or roadblocks for our customers, the better their experience will be. 

Jennifer Seguin

How long have you been a sales agent? 

October marked 29 years in Real Estate, and I have been with Eastbrook for 19 years.

Eastbrook Homes offers many ways to personalize a home. What makes Eastbrook stand out? 

I love that homebuyers can personalize most Eastbrook Homes however they like. That is just one of the things that set us apart from other builders. By personalizing, you feel like this is a custom home yet we are getting a far better price than a custom home builder charges for that customization. You truly do get “more home for the money.”

What are some of your favorite examples of features that buyers have chosen? 

I can use my own home as an example; I wanted a first-floor primary suite for myself and my husband. We were building again because my mother was of an age and health status that she did not want to live alone anymore. Well, I could not make her go to another floor to get to her room, and I didn’t want to give up my 1st floor suite. 

The solution was to take my favorite Eastbrook home plan and add a second 1st floor suite which consisted of everything she wanted. We planned for the future for wider hallways, and wider doorways, as well as a roll-in shower with no threshold, so that in case she ever needed a wheelchair, we would not need to remodel our house to accommodate her needs. 

Jonah Pit

How long have you been a sales agent? 

I started with Eastbrook Homes on December 1st of 2021, so I am just starting year number 5! I got my real estate license in 2019.

What Eastbrook locations/communities do you currently work in? What makes these areas a great place to live? 

Jenison, Hudsonville, and Spring Lake. All three of these areas are home to fantastic school districts and have a great community feel. Jenison and Hudsonville are situated perfectly between the lakeshore and downtown, which is highly desirable. Spring Lake is right by the lakeshore, which allows for easy access to the beaches and downtown Grand Haven.

What’s one thing most buyers don’t realize about the Eastbrook building process? 

It’s fun! Eastbrook has developed great systems to help make building an enjoyable experience.

Robin Ryan

How long have you been a sales agent?  

I worked in residential real estate for 12 years. I have been honored to represent Eastbrook Homes for the past 8 years and have 21 years of experience in new residential construction.

What do you enjoy most about helping people through the homebuilding or buying process? 

I love establishing relationships with homebuyers, working with them to design their dream home, and seeing it become a reality. I also love being part of developing communities and watching them grow.

What Eastbrook locations/communities do you currently work in? What makes these areas a great place to live? 

I represent the Grand Ledge/Delta Township area, and off-site builds around the greater Lansing area. Grand Ledge/Delta Township offers access to amenities, such as shopping, dining, and highways within minutes. Still, the communities are nestled in nature and provide a rural feel in addition to enjoying Delta Township water, lower property taxes, and Grand Ledge schools.  

The city of Grand Ledge, also located within minutes of Delta Township, is a charming city known for its natural beauty and riverside setting along the Grand River. It offers a historic downtown area with unique shops, local restaurants, a historic Opera House, and the Sun Theatre. In short, Grand Ledge is a “naturally grand community” where visitors and residents enjoy the blend of history, unique geology, and a vibrant riverfront atmosphere.

Bob Dykstra

How long have you been a sales agent? 

11 years

What Eastbrook locations/communities do you currently work in? What makes these areas a great place to live? 

Tannery Bay on White Lake is the best-kept secret of West Michigan.

What’s one thing most buyers don’t realize about the Eastbrook building process? 

How easy our process is.