Pleasanton, CA — December 16, 2021 — NextHome is pleased to announce the newest addition to the franchise, NextHome First Journey Realty, based in Dunkirk, Maryland. The brokerage represents the 531st office to join the NextHome franchise out of 554 active office locations across the country.
NextHome First Journey Realty will serve clients across southern Maryland, including Calvert, St. Mary’s, Charles, and lower Anne Arundel counties.
Under the leadership of broker/owner Freda Powell-Bell, NextHome First Journey Realty is poised to provide professional service steeped in Southern hospitality.
Freda began her real estate career in North Carolina in 1993. Prior to real estate, Freda worked in contract management, human resources management, and taught business management at the University of Maryland.
After obtaining her real estate sales license, Freda worked at a small, private brokerage for many years before moving to Maryland in 2006. After relocating to Dunkirk, Freda got her broker’s license and in 2015 she opened FJP Realty. Since 2015, she has been the head of her own brand, offering unparalleled sales expertise to each of her clients. Throughout the years Freda has developed a unique knack for investment properties and flips. She has managed many of her own flip properties throughout the years and remains plugged in to local investment market trends.
Freda also has extensive experience in the single family home and commercial property sectors.
Over the years, Freda kept FJP Realty small, selling alongside her husband, Archie. However, she knew that one day she wanted to put her leadership and management skills to better use.
“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” Freda said. “After working in the corporate sector for many years, I wanted to spread my wings and help others realize their dreams as well. I want to do something that I love and that combines my passion for teaching, management, and real estate – all the while having the ability to share what I’ve learned over the years with others.”
As she looked to expand her agent base, Freda knew she wanted to partner with a strong franchise. After looking into several different options, NextHome stood out.
“I love the support this franchise provides as well as its focus on customer service,” Freda said. “I was also impressed with the company’s technology, resources, and the camaraderie that exists among all the NextHomies.”
Above all, Freda wanted a franchise that could help her build a brand defined by Southern hospitality and values.
“I want to have a company that brings good old fashioned Southern charm and hospitality to the industry,” Freda said. “I was born and raised in North Carolina and I want to have a business that focuses on meeting people’s needs with kindness and grace. My vision for NextHome First Journey Realty is to develop a team of experienced and passionate sales professionals that have the same dedication to service that I do.”
Today, NextHome First Journey Realty offers clients more than just another option for buying and selling their home.
“Our clients can trust us, knowing that we are here to serve their best interests,” Freda said. “When we say that someone is our client, what we really mean is that they are becoming part of our family. We want to build relationships.”
For Freda, that dedication to service and relationship building extends beyond her brokerage. She often helps distribute food at the food banks in Calvert County and Southern St. Mary’s County. She is also a supporter of Project Echo, a homeless shelter in Prince Frederick, Maryland. Freda also donates often to On My Own, a wellness and recovery center for those emerging from substance abuse.
Freda and her husband Archie will continue to work alongside each other as he joins the expanding team of NextHome First Journey Realty’s professional agents. They are the parents of four adult children who are pursuing their careers.
Please join us in congratulating Freda on the opening of NextHome First Journey Realty in Dunkirk, Maryland!
Interested in being a part of the NextHome Real Estate Franchise? Contact VP of Sales Charis Moreno at Charis@NextHome.com.
Each office is an independently owned and operated business.