Loretta Bush

COVER STORY

PHOTOS BY COURTNEY MOREHEAD PHOTOGRAPHY | STORY BY ZACHARY COHEN

Bulldog with Heart

“There is no place like Home Place Real Estate.”

For the past twenty years, Loretta Bush has solidified her standing as one of Central Oklahoma's go-to real estate agents and brokers. She began her career as an assistant in 2002, was licensed the following year, and founded the brokerage she now runs alongside her husband, Tom, in 2011. Home Place Real Estate’s success over the past decade is due in no small part to Loretta’s tenacity, care, and commitment to her craft.

Oklahoma Values

Loretta was born and raised in Latta, a small community near Ada. Her family wasn’t wealthy, but her parents were able to impart skills and wisdom that would last a lifetime — a strong work ethic, integrity, and commitment to getting the job done right.

“My mother used to say there is no such thing as a half-done job,” Loretta reflects. “When you start something, you finish it.”

After graduating high school, Loretta launched herself into the working world. She and her husband, Tom, started an insurance agency in Dallas, where she oversaw bookkeeping and administration. 

Finding Her Niche

Loretta’s career took a turn when the REALTOR® that represented her previously asked her to be her office manager. Loretta accepted, beginning her real estate journey in 2002.

“For two years, I learned a tremendous amount about real estate transactions and the marketing of properties and working with sales associates. I told Tom I thought I could sell real estate, and he said, ‘I know you can.’ With his encouragement, I studied and passed the state exam, and the rest is history. The first year I became a multimillion-dollar producer and have been ever since. Real estate became my calling,” Loretta reflects.

Over the following years, Loretta’s business continued to grow. In 2011, she founded Home Place Real Estate. She chose the name Home Place as a nod to her connection with Ada — her “home place.” 

“I scratched out a logo and ordered a few yard signs. I was the only REALTOR® at Home Place and had one listing,” Loretta continues. “With the help of previous customers and referrals from friends, we were soon off and running … [I started by myself and] now have a cadre of associates who have the same commitment to customer satisfaction.”

Home Place Real Estate

Today, Home Place Real Estate serves clients throughout central Oklahoma. Loretta has built a strong culture marked by care and collective goals. There is no drama at Home Place — only the desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

“The thing that makes our company different is the great spirit that exists in our office,” Loretta says.

Loretta has earned herself the nickname The Bulldog REALTOR® — a name originally coined by a fellow real estate agent many years ago. The nickname is a nod to Loretta’s tenacity, hard work, and drive.

“I am tenacious about finding the answers and getting the job done. There is no quit in this bulldog,” Loretta says proudly. “I love my clients. I’m here for them. I cherish that nickname.”

Loretta’s agents go through Bulldog Bootcamp, a training program intended to familiarize them with the challenges of a career in real estate. 

Leaving a Legacy

Loretta is proud to say real estate has become a family business, too. She works alongside her husband, Tom, the team’s marketing director. Her son, Heston, and daughter, Casie, are also active REALTORS®. Outside work, Loretta enjoys getting together with family and cooking.

After 20+ years in the business, Loretta has developed an impressive legacy. She hopes to be remembered for her honesty, loyalty, and tenacity. 

“I would like people to know how seriously we take the real estate business. We don't take shortcuts. Whether it's a small transaction or a million-dollar transaction, we give them the same attention. We want our reputation to be positive, and we work every day to keep it that way. When we are helping someone with a purchase or sale, we see it through from start to finish, and our desire is that it is a pleasant transaction for everyone. What’s most important to me is my care and concern for my family, my clients, and my friends.”