The First Acre was built on a simple but powerful belief: that homeownership can—and should—create value not just for individuals, but for entire communities.

I’m Brett Hooke, founder of The First Acre. My journey began with a Master’s degree in sociology, where I focused on public education and the deep, often overlooked connection between housing, opportunity, and community well-being. That work revealed how access to stable housing influences everything—from school funding and public services to generational wealth and neighborhood resilience.

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I saw firsthand how gentrification and poor public policy displaced the very people who kept our cities strong—nurses, teachers, service industry workers, small business owners. Those experiences shaped my commitment to building a more transparent, inclusive, and community-rooted approach to real estate.

But this mission isn’t only for first-time buyers or working families. It’s for anyone who believes that where we live—and how we invest in our surroundings—matters. Whether you're buying your first home, your next home, or expanding your portfolio, The First Acre is built to serve you with care, clarity, and purpose.

With a background in tech enablement and customer success at companies like Apple and Samsara, I bring the systems knowledge to simplify complex processes and the human-centered mindset to guide people at every step. I combine data, empathy, and innovation to make buying a home more than just a transaction—it’s a strategy for long-term success and shared impact.

At The First Acre, I don’t just help people find homes. I help them find ways to invest in the places they live—financially, emotionally, and socially.