Company

“We’re locally owned and operated, not a national franchise, Bigger is not always better!”

“We are large enough to handle all of our customers needs, but small enough that we treat everyone like family”

The beginning

Two women working in the real estate business, Valerie (Kusinko) Ashbrook and Valerie (Swansboro) Hudson, mere acquaintances, decided to work together to start their own real estate agency after realizing they wanted a change in their careers. “We weren’t close personal friends or anything,” says Ashbrook. “We just knew each other from doing business transactions together over the years.”

It was Hudson who initiated the business proposition, calling Ashbrook in October 1999, telling her she wanted to quit her job and start a company with her. After some initial speculation, Ashbrook went for it. “We each reached into our pocket and came up with a couple bucks and said, ‘We’re going to put the good Lord in the drivers seat,’” she reminisces.

Similarities

Initally brought together in the field because of a similarity in beliefs and work ethics, the women realized they had much more in common than just the real estate business and their first names. Both are daughters of coal miners, although Ashbrook’s father later became a builder and really influenced her her career choice through his work. They were brought up in working class families in small towns (Hudson in St. Michael, Ashbrook in Windber) and both their husbands were Vietnam veterans. Additionally, the women adamantly believed that their company should be focused on something bigger than the dollars and cents. “We live our lives by the Golden Rule, and that’s how we operate our company,” says Ashbrook.

Whatever they’re doing, it’s working. American Dream Real Estate is now celebrating a 10 year anniversary. Both Valeries have achieved realtor of the year awards , a peer-voted recoginition, and have held leadership positions in the Cambria Somerset Association of Realtors.

We care about you

Myself and my business partner started American Dream Real Estate Appraisal and Management, Inc., on the premise of being a full service real estate office that cares about our customers and clients.  We feel dealing honestly and fairly with all parties is the most important thing while working with the public. You are, in other words, not just a number with us, you and your real estate needs are our number one priority.  We believe in the personal touch.

We work hard for you, whether we are selling your home, finding you your dream home, rentals, management of your rentals or doing appraisals.  This is our livelihood and we want people to remember and refer us to their friends, relatives and neighbors. You are not only important to us while we are helping you with real estate – you continue to be so after our business is consummated.

We encourage you to call us for all you Real Estate needs!