Houses have always told me stories. Over time, I realized I wasn’t just fixing or selling them, I was learning how to rebuild my own life along the way.

 

If there was one thing I learned from the economic crash of 2009, it was this: never rely on a single source of income. Watching my roofing business dry up was painful. Work disappeared almost overnight, and to keep money coming in, I joined the Union and became a journeyman carpenter. I was working on homes nonstop, and somewhere in that stretch, a thought arose: instead of only building and rehabbing properties for others, why not start investing in them myself?

 

I’ve been involved in construction almost my whole life, and even since high school, I was drawn to homes and cohesive architecture. I worked for a couple of general contractors before eventually starting my own roofing business. Over the years, I did just about everything…installed siding, built decks and garages, and remodeled kitchens and baths. I loved the work and took great pride in it.

 

What I didn’t see coming was the market crash. No one was buying, and nobody was hiring remodeling services. Slowly and painfully, I watched my business begin to fade. Becoming a Union carpenter gave me stability, but I promised myself that I would never again put all my eggs in one basket. I wanted to become an investor.

 

In 2011, I bought my first flip house. I remodeled it myself, using the skills I had learned over the years in construction. From then on, I started flipping homes on the side…my own properties and sometimes for others, while continuing to work primarily as a journeyman. 

 

Honestly, my transition to real estate was practical. I felt bad about constantly bothering my REALTOR to show me distressed properties. I simply wanted lockbox access so I could view homes on my own. Then, one day it hit me: I could also sell the properties I had flipped myself, so I got my broker license in July of 2017.

 

My initial success as a REALTOR caught me off guard. Perhaps it was my network, or the fact that people already trusted my work as a contractor, but suddenly I had clients approaching me left and right. I sold 19 homes in my first six months and went on to become the top-producing individual agent in my office the following year.

 

At that point, I stopped physically remodeling homes myself and began hiring subcontractors. My focus and energy shifted to helping clients buy and sell real estate. By 2019, the business had grown so much that I hired my Director of Operations, Ashley, and then not soon after, began growing into Matt Garrison Homes. I was completely focused and genuinely enjoying my career as a REALTOR.

 

However, at the same time, my personal life was shifting. I previously had two boys, Austin and Tucker, and then got married in 2013. Our daughter, Harper was born in 2017. Our marriage seemingly had no issues, but unexpectedly and rapidly, everything began to fall apart. We tried desperately to work things out, but the end was unavoidable, and ultimately the divorce took me by surprise.

 

Looking back, it may have been a blessing in disguise. I became deeply motivated to be the most passionate and productive entrepreneur I could be, driven by the responsibility of providing my children with the best life possible. Once my marriage ended, I found clarity and focus. Today, my ex-wife and I are on great terms, and that peace helped set the stage for growth. My background in construction, my experience as an investor, and a settled personal life allowed my business to reach its full potential.

 

These days, I enjoy cooking, boating in the summer, and I’m a big sports fan, namely the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears. I’m also an avid tennis fanatic. Most of all, I love spending time with my kids, Austin, Tucker, and Harper. My little girl is my princess, and I’ll admit without shame that I love spoiling her.

 

When clients work with me, they gain the advantage of real, hands-on expertise. I’ve spent most of my life in construction, so when I walk into a home, I don’t just see how it looks, I see what it needs, have an idea what it will cost to rehab, and whether those improvements make financial sense. That perspective allows me to give honest guidance about a property’s true value and its potential. As an investor myself, I evaluate every home the way I would if I were buying it, carefully analyzing return on investment, resale potential, and long-term value. 

 

I also pride myself on being accessible and responsive, making it a priority to answer calls and messages promptly. I take my fiduciary responsibility seriously and always act to protect my clients’ best interests. For buyers, I focus on reducing unnecessary expenses while identifying strategic opportunities to add value, helping them choose homes logically rather than emotionally. For sellers, I know how to position a property to achieve the highest possible price, including recommending smart cosmetic updates. I work with trusted contractors who can handle these improvements efficiently, making the process seamless.

 

With gratitude,

 

Matt Garrison