About me
A resident of Sarasota, Florida, since 2002, Cathy Rustin’s familiarity with and connection to the area fuel her drive to help clients profit from everything the region has to offer: stunning beaches, boating, fine dining, shopping, eco-adventures, and more. Before founding First Light Real Estate in 2022, Cathy ranked within the top 2% of all agents at her prior brokerage and had achieved its Hall of Fame and Titan Club awards. Cathy is a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, a member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing’s Million Dollar Guild, and a Residential Construction Certified agent — making her an authoritative source on Gulf Coast luxury real estate. She ranks in the top 5% of Realtors® in Sarasota County.
Cathy knows there are innumerable factors to consider when buying or selling a home and takes a hands-on approach with her clients, making the process as simple and stress-free as possible. She bought her first home at 22 and has gone on to build two luxury homes from the ground up — one is at Isleworth in Windermere, and the second sits on the waterfront in Sarasota. Having lived in a range of properties from starter apartments to luxury homes, Cathy has an appreciation for the magic of residential real estate at all price points. Though she specializes in luxury real estate, she serves a diverse clientele with diverse goals.
A summa-cum laude graduate from the University of Georgia in advertising and marketing with more than 35 years of experience as a commercial printing broker, Cathy brings an entrepreneurial spirit to her work. Indeed, her leadership, professionalism, and ambition earned her both Rookie of the Year and Gold Circle awards for achieving over $5 million in sales volume during her first year as a full-time agent, and she’s only trended upward from there. Cathy’s optimism, integrity, and ingenuity have also earned her a superb reputation with clients, colleagues, and community members alike.
Along with real estate, Cathy is passionate about giving back to the community and serves on the board of the Florida Winefest, which donates all proceeds to local children’s charities, and the board of advisors of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. She also just completed a six-year term on the administrative board of Pines of Sarasota. In her free time, she enjoys being with her friends and family, including her two children, whom she raised in Sarasota. She also enjoys boating and bicycling in this beautiful area.