My parents (Ray & Irene) fell in love at Illinois State University and decided to make Bloomington/Normal their home together.  They married in 1972 and raised my sister and me in Bloomington.  As a lifetime Bloomington, Illinois resident, I hope to make my friends and clients feel just as comfortable in my hometown as I do.

I went to District 87 schools and graduated from BHS with honors in 1995.  Since I was young, I always said I would attend Illinois State University and live in the dorms, like my mom did.  I majored in mathematics education and minored in economics.  After graduating in May 1999, I took a teaching position at my alma mater, Bloomington High School.  After two years of teaching Algebra, Pre-Algebra, and Honors Geometry, I decided to explore the business world with my family business.

In July 2001, I bought my first investment property and joined the family business, Denbesten Real Estate.  I worked for my father and maintained my own building and tenants for the following year.  In September 2002, after a year of assisting my father run Denbesten Real Estate and manage his investment properties, I passed my Real Estate Salespersons license exam.  After my first year as a Realtor® I had accomplished 5 closings and had satisfied 6 clients.  In February 2004, I passed the Broker’s exam, and in April took over Denbesten Real Estate from my father, Ray.  In September 2005, I bought my second apartment building.  For many years, I was involved with various committees at our local MLS office.  Since October 2009, I have chaired the Education Committee at the Bloomington Normal Association of Realtors.  In May 2010, I graduated from Illinois State University a second time, this time with my MBA (Masters in Business Administration).  In October 2011, I was elected by my colleagues to sit on the board of directors for the BNAR.

Connie Beard had been with my family business for many years and stayed on when I took over.  She has always been an uplifting person to have in my office and serves her clients to the utmost.  David Paul Blumenshine joined my local family business in the summer of 2016  He offers many years of experience from several different offices as well as once having his own real estate company in Bloomington, IL. Rita Daker got to know Cathy when she first moved to town from the Chicago area.  She can’t believe how much she loves this area  She became licensed and started selling and investing in real estate in McLean County IL in 2016.  Each of us are all excited to help every individual reach their dreams through real estate in central Illinois.

I am the proud mama of two amazing young ladies.  They enjoy non-competitive piano, legos, sewing, gymnastics, swimming, soccer, reading, baking, playing with friends, and swinging in hammocks.  I am active in my church, attend Bible Study Fellowship, volunteer with the 4-H fair in the summer, lend a hand to McLean County Young Life, and am a member of the Lake Run Club.

Give me a call or send me an email so that I may come to know you as a friend and client.  Feel free to ask me for a list of references of past clients.