Broker Spotlight: Debby Hall

 

A keen eye for beauty and a creative spirit drive Silver Creek Real Estate broker Debby Hall. 

With over thirty years of experience working as a successful interior designer and entrepreneur in Highlands and Atlanta, Debby has perfected the art of finding and crafting homes that reflect her client's personalities and lifestyles.

Fueled by a lifelong passion for aesthetics, balance, and architecture, Debby pursued her Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design from the University of Tennessee. "Even in Junior High School, I knew I wanted to be a designer," she says. "One of our ‘rites of passage’ before moving on to high school was to write a career notebook, and even then, I wrote about my dreams of being an interior designer.”

Upon graduating with her degree, she began her career working with builders and real estate agents on speculative and custom homes, bringing projects to life from construction to final finishes and furnishings. Over the years, Debby continued to grow and develop her design business in the Atlanta area, eventually showcasing her work for three consecutive years at both the Atlanta Symphony Showhouse and Christmas at Callanwolde events. 

The ability to conceptualize and render her vision for a space is a skill she has been fostering since childhood. Growing up in a family that moved frequently, Debby recalls her parents often making design changes to their homes, swapping out furniture and decor throughout the years. This inherently inspired her from a young age to do the same. "When I was about ten or eleven, we lived in Kansas City, and my room at the time had all of this white, wooden, provincial style furniture, including a heavy canopy style bed," Debby recalled." One morning my Mom walked into the room, and I had rearranged the whole thing overnight. She was pretty shocked that I had managed to move all of the furniture myself, but I was determined." 

This would prove useful in her future career. With decades of experience listening to her client’s unique wants, needs, and visions, Debby's intuitive nature allowed her to seamlessly shift her interpersonal and design skills to the real estate profession. 

As a part-time resident of Highlands for over 15 years, Debby's admiration for the natural beauty of the area is rooted in her memories of time spent with family in northern Minnesota, a place that, for her, bears a close resemblance to the Plateau that she now calls home. When the time came to relocate to the Highlands permanently, it was a welcome change, "I think a lot of people that come to the Plateau, including myself, are drawn here because of a genuine love for nature and the outdoors," she remarked. 

As a full-time resident if Highlands, Debby has found immense fulfillment in harnessing her eye for space planning and design to help her clients position their homes for sale and inspire buyers to see potential in spaces they otherwise would not. Her ability to visualize simple changes, whether it be the wall color or layout, can mean all the difference in converting a house into a dream home. From working with developers to construct a project from the ground up or working with builders, trades, and suppliers to craft her client's visions, she is an expert at managing each process to achieve the desired result. 

When Debby is not helping her clients find or create the homes their dreams, she can be found hanging out with friends at her favorite spots in town, like Oakleaf Flower & Garden, spending time with her son and family, or walking the trails around town with her best four-legged friend, Gracie. An avid fan of cooking and gardening, she also loves whipping up new creations in her kitchen and connecting with other ‘green thumbs’ in the Highlands Mountain Garden Club.

Q&A with Debby:

What goals do you have for the New Year?

“I have a few goals for 2023, one of which is to exceed my sales goals from last year. Apart from the financial side, I’m looking to build my expertise in utilizing the tools available to us as brokers to grow my business and expand my marketing calendar.”

What made you want to hang your license with Silver Creek?

“When considering which firm to join on the Plateau, someone suggested I talk with Jochen [Silver Creek Real Estate Group Founder/President]. Through our conversations, it was apparent how ethical and authentic he is as a leader, and he creates an environment in which each of us, as Brokers, can grow our businesses. With Silver Creek’s ethics aligning firmly with my own, it felt like a natural fit.”

What qualities differentiate you from other agents in our market?

“A fresh perspective and a sharp eye. Being a newer agent in the area has allowed me to look at things from a different angle, and with my background in design, I am able to offer those skills to help my clients. Whether it’s positioning a home for sale or scoping out a new property, I can help them determine and make the changes necessary for a successful outcome.”

Is there a non-profit in the area that you are passionate about?

“Absolutely. The Humane Society. My Gracie is a rescue dog, so it is a cause very close to my heart.”

What are your favorite design trends of the moment?

“I wouldn’t necessarily call them trends, but I’m thrilled that the cool, steel grays are moving out and warm browns are coming back. Wood furniture and antiques are becoming more popular, as is wallpaper. We moved away from using wallpaper for many years, but it has become so much more sophisticated, and some of the paper that you find now really looks like it has been hand-painted by an artist. I think it's a great way to bring warmth and texture into a space.”

Tell us about your favorite restaurant on the Plateau.

“I love going to Wild Thyme because the service and food are consistently great. Another favorite is Wolfgang's Restaurant & Wine Bistro; their braised short ribs are absolutely delicious.” 

What is your favorite season on the Plateau?

“I would have to say summer because it feels like an extended spring; everything is beautiful, green, and blooming all season long. I also really love the seasonal transition on the Plateau from summer to winter.”

Outside of the Plateau, where is your favorite place to travel?

“The coast of Maine - it is breathtakingly beautiful. I would love to rent an RV someday and travel the whole coast. There’s also nothing quite like fresh Maine lobster!”

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned while working as a broker?

“I’ve learned how translatable my skills are as a Designer. Working in real estate, I have been able to tap into my knowledge in architecture, space planning, and design to provide a more thorough experience for my clients when it comes to buying and selling a home.”

What advice would you give a new real estate agent?

“Take advantage of the fact that you have a fresh outlook on the industry and the area that you are working in. Although you may not have years of experience, you are a new face, with new ideas and insight that can prove invaluable when working with your clients.”

Contact

To get in contact with Debby and view her listed properties, visit her website here.