MEET OUR TEAM
MERREL HATTINK
Merrel Hattink has worked in real estate for over 27 years. She began her real estate career in Atlanta, Georgia, where she joined Dorsey Alston, REALTORS®. In partnership with her daughter, Merrel successfully manages Hattink Homes, a small real estate sales team under the Dorsey Alston, REALTORS® umbrella. In 2022, Merrel founded Cashiers Valley Real Estate, a boutique real estate brokerage in North Carolina. She is a native of Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia, where she earned a degree in economics and was a member of Phi Mu sorority.
In addition to selling real estate, Merrel is a committed volunteer. She has served on the Board of the Atlanta Chapter of the Colonial Dames from 2014-2019. She has also chaired the fundraising galas for the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Fernbank Science Museum and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Merrel has served as a volunteer for the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Women’s Shelter, Junior League of Atlanta, Northside Methodist Church, current Board Member of the Boys and Girl’s Club of the Plateau, Lonesome Valley Architectural Review Committee, Country Club of Sapphire Valley House Committee and the 2019 CCSV Cares fundraising event among others.
Merrel is married to Willem Hattink, and together they have three children – Dr. Cantey Dogan, married to Bahadir Dogan, and is an OB/GYN at Piedmont OB/GYN in Atlanta; Willem Hattink, married to Melanie Hattink, is the controller for a Commercial Real Estate Company in Thomasville, Georgia; and Frances Hattink, a partner in Hattink Homes in Atlanta. She and Willem are active members of the Piedmont Driving Club, Lonesome Valley, Country Club of Sapphire Valley and Northside Methodist Church.
In her spare time, Merrel is an avid bridge player and has taught bridge students the game of bridge over the last 7 years. She also loves hiking, traveling, pickle ball, tennis and croquet.
FRANCES HATTINK
As a born and raised Atlanta native, Frances has built a community throughout the city with arms and legs in multiple facets of its culture. Frances has had the opportunity to live in many different neighborhoods throughout her life in Atlanta giving her a well-rounded background of all that Atlanta has to offer. Growing up with a mother in the industry, Frances’ passion and knowledge of the world of real estate has been embedded in her from a young age.
Following her education at The Lovett School, Frances graduated from Presbyterian College Cume Laude in 2016 with a Bachelors degree in English with a Minor in Business Administration. Frances exercised her ability to effectively communicate throughout her college career and developed her skills in writing, presenting and understanding the needs of others. Refining these skills will give her the advantage as your agent to represent you in any real estate transaction effectively.
Frances joined her mother, Merrel Hattink, a seasoned agent of more than 25 years and recipient of the Phoenix Award, at Dorsey Alston, REALTORS®. Frances’ young energy and motivation seamlessly accompany her mother’s expertise in providing their clients with the most well-rounded experience possible. Their clients rest assured that Frances and Merrel’s teamwork, commitment and dedication to client satisfaction will provide them with the undivided attention necessary to ensure each real estate transaction is as smooth as possible
In addition to real estate, Frances received her degree in interior design at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Frances looks forward to bringing her expertise in real estate and her keen eye for renovation and design to our team.
