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The Road to Georgetown

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The Road to Georgetown

John Bratton has definitely taken the road less traveled in his journey thus far and his future will no doubt be just as interesting and challenging. John has always been known for taking full responsibility for his life and his pursuit of happiness by invoking his own "code of living" both professionally and personally. Based on that ethos, Bratton Realty was born, nurtured and expanded; benefiting its clients, agents and the industry as a whole. The captivating story of how this once poor kid from a lower-lower income household on the Eastern Shore, Maryland made an impact on the business and local community of D.C. is a powerful testament that gives you insight into the mind of a small business owner in your immediate area.

Long before John, owner of Bratton Realty, opened the doors of his latest location at 1622 Wisconsin Ave. in Georgetown, he had a burning "Passion for Excellence" that motivated and guided his business and soul. Some people think that Bratton Realty choose Georgetown because the high price point, some think by happenstance, and some don’t know what the heck he was thinking! Well, it is so important to understand "the road to Georgetown" in order to appreciate why this small brokerage firm has become an important little part of the present and future of G-town.

John, a young, skinny kid from a poor Eastern Shore neighborhood known to his friends as "John Henry," had always dreamt of owning his own business. This was instilled in John due to the example of personal responsibility and service set by the Kennedy’s. John started his road to Georgetown by waking up at 4:00 AM to pick potatoes, strawberries and tomatoes during the summers and later as a young teen, shucking oysters and clams at a seafood plant. Finally, his big break... he became a camp counselor at an amazing "one of a kind" place called Camp Wright, where he worked with over a thousand kids and teenagers. This was a life changing experience for John because for the first time, he was paid to use his mind and not just his hands and back. After winning "The SPIRIT AWARD," the highest award ever given at the camp, he developed a passion for excellence and a burning desire to help others. This led to his being a Big Brother mentor for five different kids, headlining workshops and community events as the keynote speaker, and serving as a "life coach" for adults and seniors. This level of commitment to the community is still evident in John’s outreach to the Washington Metropolitan Community today.

Upon graduating from high school, John was told by the school’s guidance counselor not to waste his mother’s money trying to go to college and that he should instead enlist in the military. Despite the fact that no one else in John’s family had graduated from college and they had no money to pay for tuition, John replied, "how do you discourage any young disadvantage teen from seeking higher education regardless of their economics?" and set out to prove his counselor wrong. Five years later John graduated from Salisbury State University with a B.S. in Business Management and a minor in Military Science through the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC), through which he was commissioned as an Army Officer in the National Guard.

At the beginning of John’s 13-year career in higher education which concluded with position at George Washington University as the Director of Marketing, Admissions and Recruitment at the Columbian School of Arts & Science Masters and PhD Division, he was ordered to active duty to serve in Operation Dessert Storm. He led 146 soldiers as a Company Executive Officer for the 1229 Transportation Company which was responsible for hauling ammo, rations, water MASH UNITS and POWs throughout Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. During one of Bratton’s night missions, he promised himself that if he made it back home alive, he would immediately secure the American Dream of home ownership. Fighting in a war is a real wake-up call; it makes one truly realize what’s important in life and what one often takes for granted. This is evident by John’s first action taken when he returned to the States - he ran to a patch of green grass, dropped to his knees, and ran his fingers through the blades of grass. Next, John kept his promise to himself and purchased his first home in Laurel, Maryland. He also enrolled into a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) program. So, that’s how it all began... THE REAL ESTATE BUG!

Remember "John Henry," that poor skinny kid from Eastern Shore that dreamt to own a business in Georgetown? After spending the past 25 years dedicating his life to educating others - whether it was helping teens learn to lead a positive life, assisting adults explore the world of academics to increase their earning potential, or teaching soldiers leadership and survival skills ‐ John, in 2001, decided to start a new career in real estate. This latest career move has been a perfect fit. While others may boast about how many millions worth of property they have sold, Bratton Realty boasts about how many people in the community they have educated about the power of real estate, development and design. Knowledge and experience are the key to making successful real estate transactions. Therefore, keeping true to John’s "Passion for Excellence," he puts education and his commitment to his clients first.

The real estate bug is a powerful thing that goes by many names: home ownership, freedom, the American Dream. Whatever you call it, the effect is very personal; security, peace of mind, success, independence, or autonomy. Many people, new to the experience, rightfully ask themselves, "how will I ever understand all those documents?" and, "did I just sign my life away?" Followed by, "what if I loose my job or can’t pay the mortgage?" The next phase is ... "wow, this is really my home and I love it!" which then leads to constant decorating and remodeling. Then the final phase is... "do I sell my first home and trade up or do I keep it as an investment property and buy another home?" THE BUG BITES AGAIN... buying that first investment property. This is an altogether different type of natural high that is empowering and profound on many levels, whether serving as a landlord or better yet a developer. Bratton has experienced tremendous success in both of these areas of investing and this first-hand knowledge is the driving force behind his "Passion for Excellence" that helps Bratton Realty clients enjoy the same level of success through sound advice. Bratton has personally purchased and developed over a dozen properties in DC, MD, VA and WV in the past six years alone. He has been the official investor, designer, landscaper, developer, landlord, agent and broker for most of these projects.

The final stretch of "The Road to Georgetown" was paved with amazing clients and powered by John’s "code of living." Bratton Realty was very blessed to have launched its first year with a handful of very heterogeneous individuals who were captivated, enchanted and even inspired by John’s mission statement, motto and wealth of knowledge in all aspects of real estate. It was like a "grass roots movement" to support this young urban African-American business owner. The "word of mouth" and active campaigning that Bratton’s clients embarked upon after using his services was phenomenal. That handful of clients has since grown to over 200 clients in just a few years. After outgrowing the original office in Logan, John opened a second office in Georgetown at 1622 Wisconsin Ave. This was a dream come true for the owner and broker; success by his own definition, 25 years in the making. However, when asked what he was most proud of, John quickly stated "I am most proud of how many people from different backgrounds have opened their hearts and minds to a new small business owner that didn’t fit the traditional mold of an agent or broker. I am most proud of my clients who only cared about my abilities, my commitment to their needs and my personality. That attitude is what truly builds a great community!"

"THE ROAD TO GEORGETOWN WAS A TRIP WORTH TAKING"