Cathy DeLoach - Founding Partner

Cathy DeLoach, founding partner of The Mary & Cathy Team, has been working in real estate for Long and Foster in Northern Virginia since 2006.

It was no surprise when Cathy embarked on her career in real estate: The Besleys of Fairfax, Virginia have been selling real estate since the 1950’s. Her father was a general contractor and her mother renovated houses for resale. Cathy has a network of contractors ready to step in at any point to help sellers prepare their home for a quick and profitable sale.

With a lifetime of exposure to home building, remodeling and selling real estate, Cathy became the creative arm of The Mary & Cathy Team, forging renovation, remodeling and staging innovations that wow buyers and earn sellers higher profits.

Cathy, with partner Mary, decided initially to focus on their home neighborhood of Kings Park West. With almost 2,000 homes built in the 1970’s, the houses were overdue for updating to appeal to modern buyers. Cathy’s expertise in home prep and reasonable, cost effective remodeling helped the Team achieve award winning success throughout Northern Virginia. The Team has been listed as one of Washingtonian Magazine’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents every year since 2015. Now, Cathy leads a large team of real estate specialists who assist with client interaction, administrative duties, staging and more – the Property Sisters. Cathy also is a dedicated community supporter and initiates a multitude of local events that focus on improving the quality of life of residents.

Cathy and husband, Mike, bought a Regent in Kings Park West in 1999, where they raised their two children.

Wise words from Cathy: Sellers should seek an agent who personalizes a plan specific to their needs rather than one having a singular approach to selling real estate. “One size does NOT fit all!”

Mary Afton-Tarr - Buying/Selling Specialist

Mary Afton-Tarr, licensed real estate agent, has worked with our team since 2020 and loves to assist buyers and sellers with their real estate needs in Northern Virginia. She has an MS from the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, and a BS from Louisiana State University and worked for years as an infectious disease epidemiologist; this career revealed her passion for helping people during major changes in their lives, a passion she now brings to her real estate career.

With 19 years in a military family, Mary has moved countless times and understands the inherent stress and excitement associated with relocation, especially when that includes buying or selling a home. Whether you've lived in your house for 5 years or 50 years, she understands the challenges sellers face and works tirelessly to provide the guidance to meet or exceed their selling goals. When helping buyers find the perfect home despite challenges (older homes, limited inventory, smaller spaces, for example), she helps them explore what really matters in their new home, and what compromises can be made to attain these “must-haves.”

When she’s not working, you'll find Mary in the local community exploring new coffee shops, managing the swim team snack bar at meets, on the Peloton leaderboard, walking the dog around the lake, chauffeuring kids to practices, and enjoying some amazing travel destinations with her husband and kids.

Wise words from Mary: Make sure to explore and consider community in your home search. The neighborhoods of Northern Virginia offer many amazing, memorable experiences and adventures…lakes, trails, pools, and social groups! These things can truly enhance a homeowner’s experience after purchasing in a new area. As a seller, remind yourself that by making targeted improvements and upgrades to your house before going on the market, you'll position yourself for a better outcome. I'm here to help!

Kellie Quartana - Buying/Selling Specialist

Kellie Besley Quartana, licensed real estate agent, had an inside track to her position with The Mary & Cathy Team: She’s Cathy Besley DeLoach’s little sister!

Kellie started her career in real estate at age 16 as a part-time receptionist for RE/MAX. Business networking introduced her to future boss and business partner, Vince Keegan, an attorney with RGS Title. Kellie and Vince worked together for 21 years, eventually forming and running Hometown Title. Kellie has a lifetime of knowledge in transactional real estate law (commercial and residential), title insurance and general business operation.

In addition to her agent duties, Kellie handles a majority of the business operations for The Team including accounting, payroll, financial reports and tax accounting.

Wise words from Kellie: Listen to your gut but listen to your agent first! Keep your home as clutter-free as possible – you never know when you’re going to want or need to move and having too much stuff is one of the biggest stressors our sellers face.

Katie Bigbie - Buying/Selling Specialist & Home Prep Manager

Katie Bigbie, licensed real estate agent and home prep manager, has been part of The Property Sisters since 2023. Hailing from a small town in South Carolina, Katie spent her youth sketching house plans on graph paper and dreaming of global travel. After earning a degree in architecture from Clemson University, she joined a residential architecture firm in Charleston, SC, delving into luxury home design and builders' spec houses. When the housing market crisis hit, she shifted to renovation and interior design, discovering a passion that led her to an interior design and selections role for a luxury home builder in San Antonio. Katie thrives on building relationships with her clients, finding joy in helping them achieve their dreams and witnessing their satisfaction at the project's completion. Transitioning to real estate, Katie leverages her architectural and construction background to assist sellers in enhancing their property's marketability and guiding buyers in uncovering hidden potential in various home styles.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Katie adores traveling and the Clemson Tigers. She and her husband, John, embraced a two-year stint in Italy and explored over 14 ountries, even welcoming their dog, Bosco, during their time abroad. In 2022, Katie and her family settled into one of The Property Sister's properties, becoming fans of their work. Collaborating with such an exceptional team is a dream come true for Katie!

Mary Hovland - Founding Partner (Retired)

Mary Hovland, (retired) founding partner of The Mary & Cathy Team, worked in real estate for Long and Foster in Northern Virginia from 2005 to 2020. Over those years, Mary and Cathy grew the partnership to award winning levels, including a spot as one of Washingtonian Magazine’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents every year since 2015.

Diane O’Neill is the graphic designer for The Mary and Cathy Team, and also assists with print and web marketing. Additionally, she helps coordinate the project management of home preparation. Diane studied Communication Design at NOVA and George Washington University, and worked 30 years as a graphic designer for government contractors. In 2018, she transitioned into a freelance design career, with George Mason University as her primary client.

As a Kings Park West resident since 2005, Diane had always admired The Mary & Cathy Team’s community involvement in the neighborhood. She even contacted them when she and her husband briefly contemplated selling their home and leaving the neighborhood. (They decided to stay for their kids who were involved in a variety of school activities with lots of neighborhood friends). In 2019, the Team broadcast a need for stagers to help during a busy time so Diane decided to try something new and different:  She became a Property Sister Stager. Diane found the work to be challenging but rewarding as their hard work resulted in amazing transformations and quick sales.

Diane has lived in Northern Virginia since third grade. She and her twin sister attended school in the trailers that still exist behind Burke School. She and her husband, Kevin Huff, have two very busy and sporty teens who attend Robinson Secondary School.

Wise words from Diane: The Mary & Cathy Team’s outreach in our neighborhood is inspiring. The caring approach we take with the hugely important process of buying or selling a home is also inspirational. I admire our design aesthetics and incredible work ethic. I am thrilled to be a part of this team of dedicated and fun women!

Stage Hands

Tammy Talbott is also a staging manager with The Mary & Cathy Team, joining the Property Sisters in 2016. Originally from Swanton, Vermont, Tammy also lived in Quebec, Canada and Chazy, New York before moving to Northern Virginia in 1985. Tammy is a retired civil servant, with a 34-year career in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She lives in Kings Park West with her husband, Mike; they have two daughters, Hayley, 23 and Hannah, 21.

Tammy looks for staging inspiration on Pinterest and HGTV, and follows several DIY bloggers. She also has a booth at an antique mall in Strasburg and enjoys “upcycling” furniture and other décor. An animal lover, Tammy also volunteers at Homeward Trails Adoption Center.

Wise words from Tammy: Shop smart and economically for home accessories at Target, Kirkland, HomeGoods and HomeSense.

Catherine Freeman is a stager with The Mary & Cathy Team, becoming a Property Sister in 2016 as an adjunct career to her catering business. A native Virginian, Catherine came to the D.C. area in 1982 to study Philosophy at Mount Vernon College and George Mason University. She realized that her true passion was food, and enrolled in the Culinary School of Washington in 1985.

After completing her education, Catherine became a chef and caterer for a great variety of customers and business. She opened the Giant Gourmet Kitchen in Annandale in 1988, doing catering on the side. In 1990, she began catering full-time: “My catering business handles business receptions, cocktail parties, open houses, broker's opens, dinner parties, and personal chef duties. Catering in DC area has given me the opportunity to cook for some high powered and fascinating people.”

Catherine now balances her time between catering and staging, both processes of creativity, planning, customer service and transformation. She also handles some of the catering for The Team’s many community social events. Catherine and her husband, who is also a chef, have lived in Kings Park West since 2007. Their two children are talented cooks and lovers of food.

Wise words from Catherine: As Brilliat Savarin said, tell me what you eat and I'll tell you who you are.

Autumn Riley - Interior Design

Autumn Riley is a residential interior designer who holds a B.A. in Interior Design and has worked with multiple luxury design firms in both Nashville and Northern Virginia.  In 2019, she began sharing her passion, knowledge, and experience with clients through her own firm, Autumn Interiors.  

Autumn has admired the Mary and Cathy team for many years and is excited that she can now be a part of making their home improvement magic happen. Having moved into a KPW Prince model with her young family in 2014, she has personal insight into the challenges of maximizing functionality and aesthetics in an older home.   Whether helping select a fresh color story, suggesting updated fixtures and finishes, or adapting kitchen and bath layouts, she enjoys the opportunity to revitalize the homes to meet the needs of today's lifestyles.  

Wise words from Autumn: I am so excited to share my passion, knowledge and experience with clients through my firm and as a part of The Mary & Cathy Team.