Pleasanton, CA— September 14, 2017 — NextHome is proud to announce our newest addition to the franchise, NextHome Free. The brokerage is the 45th NextHome franchised location in the state of California. The company will be owned and operated by the real estate broker, James Free. He will be joined on the leadership team by two seasoned REALTORS® – his wife and business partner, Denise, who will handle marketing and sales for the company; and Cynthia Ng, who will be in charge of growing the brokerage.
Based in Corona, NextHome Free will provide real estate services such as single family residential sales, investment properties, and property management to the cities of Corona, Riverside, Norco, Chino Hills, Lake Elsinore and the remainder of the Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
The city of Corona is located in the western-most part of Riverside County and is home to just over 150,000 residents.
James started his real estate career in 2003, as a mortgage lender who specialized in sub-prime loans. While the real estate industry did well for several years, the recession of 2007 hit the state of California hard – specifically the Riverside County area.
“It was like business just immediately stopped,” recalls James. “One day we were doing loans for purchase and the next day – nothing. It was a difficult time in our community.”
Always having an interest in the sales side of the business, James left mortgage to follow that passion.
Seeing the purchase of properties slowing down, James decided to move over to the acquisition of distressed properties and rehab side of the business. He purchased his first property to flip in 2008 and hasn’t looked back since.
Averaging a purchase a month for more than six years, James followed a simple, proven concept to turn homes in need of repair into beautiful properties that buyers were looking for.
In 2012, the business of flipping became so busy, that Denise joined in the process. While James concentrated on the rehab and management of on-site construction, Denise was in charge of marketing and eventually helping sell the finished properties.
In 2013, the couple opened James Free Properties and turned the entire operation into a full-service brokerage. In 2014, Denise became a REALTOR® and helped not only sell the Free’s properties, but also assisted others in their community to buy and sell their homes.
The Frees found NextHome on a Facebook post by one of the franchise’s most visible brokers.
“Scott Gieser is the owner of NextHome Citrus City and is one of the most respected REALTORS® in our area,” said James. “When I saw that he opened a NextHome brokerage, I started investigating more about the company.”
“The more I found out, the more I saw how NextHome could help us run a more efficient brokerage,” he added. “I know that NextHome Free will be an industry leader and the community real estate resource in our area.”
When James and Denise aren’t working, their focus in on their two children – daughter, Delaney (age 4) and son, Jack (age 1).
“Spending time with our children is the most important thing in our lives,” said James. “Even though it’s tough sometimes balancing work and family, being a father is the most rewarding and fun role I have ever had.”
Please join us in congratulating James, Denise, Cynthia and the rest of the team at NextHome Free on the opening of their brand new NextHome office!
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.