Two Northerners move South.
They meet each other and fall in love.
They build more than just a life together.
Meet DrewI’m Drew and I own Bennett Properties in Greenville, NC. I love what I do, but how I came to do it is what caught me by surprise. I grew up in Long Island, NY and learned basic construction skills from my dad, who owns a pool business and is a general contractor. I attended UConn and was a thrower for the track and field team. After graduation, I went on to attend ECU for my Masters and then Ph.D. in Coastal Resources Management. I know, kind of crazy how I’m putting my doctorate to use, but it surprisingly (kind of) all works together. Throughout my years in this college town I saw the opportunity for owning rental properties and now own several for college students and young professionals. As far as the renovation side, it started when I bought my first rental foreclosure with my best friend in 2015. A year later, I purchased my own home as a foreclosure. It was originally built in the 1920s and was obviously well-maintained at one point. Unfortunately it wasn't kept up and was dirty, dangerous, disgusting. Maria and I officially started dating around that same time and she wasn't afraid to share her design opinions. I have to admit, I'm glad she did. The renovation took about 10 months and when it was done, we moved in together. After this first full renovation, I was hooked and knew this is something I wanted to keep doing in Eastern North Carolina. Join us on this Rentals & Renos journey as we show properties in progress, DIY decor, and design ideas.
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(Views, opinions, products and designs are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.)
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Meet MariaHey there, I'm Maria! I guess you could say construction and designing run in my blood, but if you told me I'd be in my late 20s holding a sledgehammer and smashing open walls... I'd call you a liar. I grew up in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My dad is a contractor and co-owner in his family's construction company. It was just a typical day for backhoes, dump trucks, and skid-loaders to be parked in our backyard. I was fascinated with blueprints. I would borrow my dad's home design books, look at floorplans, and design my dream home while I was supposed to be sleeping. My parents told me I'd make a great architect, but I insisted I'd rather be a news anchor. (Side note: I am actually a full-time news anchor.) I attended Robert Morris University, graduated in 2012, and accepted my first job as a news reporter & anchor in a small Northern Virginia town. After being there for about two years, I moved to North Carolina for a new job. I didn't expect to stay in this area, but four years later... I'm still here and loving every minute of it. Drew and I met through mutual friends and I never would have thought we would end up falling in love and renovating homes together. Never say never, I guess. He's so talented and creative. When we renovated our home, I knew this could all be part of something bigger. We started with our Instagram page and when our friends and followers kept asking for more, we launched this Rentals & Renos blog.
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(Views, opinions, products and designs are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.)