Prior to becoming a real estate professional, Cathy Garren worked in the Banking industry as a Mortgage Loan Officer and Trust and Estate Officer with First Union National Bank for ten years. In the latter position, she managed the acquisitions and sales of her clients' real estate and stock portfolios.

For the past twenty six years, Cathy has been extremely active in the Highlands/Cashiers real estate market listing and selling homes and land. Additionally, she has devoted a considerable portion of her time to working with the Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS, including President of the Board and Chairman of the Grievance Committee.

Cathy specializes in fine homes and estate properties, conservation easement acquisition and placement, short sales and foreclosures, large land properties, and investment properties. She has served as a consultant for the Jackson County Clerk of Court on several property dispute cases. Her accreditations include e-Pro, Short-Sale, and Foreclosure Specialist, Certified Residential Broker, Resort and Second Home Property Specialist, Senior Marketing Consultant and Interior Staging and Decorating Designation.

Cathy is a native of Western North Carolina and truly loves calling Highlands her home. She and her husband, Gary, also a successful Broker with Highlands Sotheby's, have a twenty five year old daughter. Her hobbies include horseback riding, reading, hiking and fishing, and Mah Jong.

Cathy is delighted to be the Broker-in-Charge of the downtown Highlands Sotheby's International Realty office. She recognizes the incredible marketing advantages that this international brand gives to her clients.

When people first meet Gary they often ask “Where do I know you from?”.  Gary Garren has called Highlands his home since 1999 when he transferred to Highlands from Asheville as the City Executive of a local Bank.  In the last 20 plus years he has been a fixture in and around Highlands and Cashiers in banking and real estate.  A licensed Agent since 2004, Gary also spent several years as a Broker/Owner of another local franchised real estate firm.  With years of management and customer service under his belt, Gary came to the realization that what he enjoyed most about both professions is the potential to create meaningful relationships with his clients.  Hence, his reintegration back into real estate and specifically to Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty.