Makers & Growers

Be sure to plan your weekends around Maple Lake's Makers and Growers Market. Stop by from 10:30-3:30pm as they take over Birch Avenue South once a month to showcase what over 40 amazing vendors, food trucks and artisans have to offer. From specialty bread makers to paper quilling, their vendors are masters at their crafts. Stop by for lunch or a pit stop from shopping and enjoy food trucks from around the area They'll also have local musicians strutting their stuff while you shop local artists or take a break under the canopies.

Visit https://www.maplelakemakersandgrowers.com for 2023 dates and more information.

STEVE BRUGGEMAN Broker/Owner, REALTOR®, CRS, GRI

Steve, owner/broker of Oak Realty, joined his father in the family business in 1986. In 2000, he took over the company and today is the backbone of what he says is the “best team of Realtors® around.” He says Oak separates itself from others by an unmatched strength in niche marketing. “We have a limited number of agents that are specialists in an area they truly love, many have spent most or all of their lives living in the Greater Annandale Area.”

He is proud of Oak’s strong philosophy of quality customer service, and the focus the company maintains on accurately understanding client needs and working together as a team. Paying attention to detail and getting the right information is the key to building successful personal relationships with clients and finding them the right property, he says.

Steve moved to Annandale at the age of 11, and grew up on Pleasant Lake where he resides today with his wife Kelly. They enjoy time spent with their two boys and their families including two grandchildren. He is a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoys traveling with his family.

He is a past president of the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Pleasant Lake Association. He says the best parts of his job have been taking over the family business, showing others the area and lakes, and enjoying the atmosphere created by the people who work at Oak.

Steve specializes in investment properties and high-end vacation homes, and says he is a big believer in the Greater Annandale Area, “It’s a great place to invest in.” He is also known for his extensive market knowledge and his unmatched devotion to clients.

Steve has been designated a Super Real Estate Agent in 2014, 2015 and 2019. Steve was also named one of the ‘Best Real Estate Professionals’ from Minnesota Monthly since 2018.

DEAN HOGLUND Associate Broker, REALTOR®

A lifetime resident of the Hasty, Silver Creek, Monticello, Maple Lake and Annandale areas, Dean’s career background has spanned a variety of positions in real estate sales, land and business development. He has owned a number of small businesses and also three real estate companies. Dean has extensive experience as a real estate agent and got his Broker’s license in 1992. Before joining Oak Realty as an Associate Broker, he owned and operated Lake Country Properties and Real Estate in Maple Lake, Emily and Outing. Dean’s focus is to make certain his buyers and sellers are completely satisfied with the transaction and assures them he has their best interest in mind. Dean currently operates Oak Realty’s Maple Lake office. Dean and his wife Bonnie live on Pleasant Lake in Annandale. They are blessed with three children and seven grandchildren.

working with people in a professional and respectful manner.

He was part owner of local appraisal company Dagner & Associates in Annandale, which gave Gary a knowledge of local real estate by observing both active and sold sides of the market. He is also experienced in the distressed property market (short sales and foreclosures). For the past 25 years he has been an active, full time agent in real estate.

Gary is a well rounded agent dealing with first time home buyers on up to high end real estate. He says he loves to see the smiles on his clients faces when they close on their home purchase. Gary has in-depth knowledge of purchasing habits, current trends, pricing structure and home values within the Annandale area.

Gary and his wife Hollie reside in Clearwater with their three children and enjoys being active in their busy lives. He is an avid golfer, and enjoys gardening and vacationing in his spare time.

GARY DAGNER REALTOR ®, GRI

Gary has been with Oak Realty since 1996, and has lived in the Annandale area most of his life. He followed his father’s footsteps into the real estate and appraisal business with Dagner & Associates in 1988 and also with Oak Realty in 1997. No other agent, besides Steve, has been with Oak Realty as long.

An Annandale High School graduate, Gary attended school in Iowa and later worked in the golf industries in the Annandale area and Phoenix, AZ, where he says he gained experience

CARLA SUNDBLAD REALTOR ®, GRI

Oak Realty welcomed Carla to their sales team in April of 2007. Carla has been a resident of the Annandale area since 1987 having lived in parts of California and North Dakota before settling in the French Lake countryside where she and her husband, a lifelong resident of the area, raised two sons, Jake and Philip.

Carla received a bachelors degree in social work from Gustavus Adolphus College and worked for many years as a social worker for Wright County, in addition to several other health care related positions.

Familiar with the greater Annandale area and it’s people, she is excited to have the opportunity to introduce new individuals, couples and families to the area and all it has to offer. There is nothing more satisfying to her than to present a new home owner the keys to their new home and welcoming new residents to the area.

Carla proudly calls herself a retired Hockey Mom, in her spare time enjoys camping with her friends and family, and being active in her community. She enjoys working on various crafts including knitting & sewing.

AMY MCNELLIS REALTOR ®, GRI

Amy joined the Oak Realty team of realtors in the Spring of 2009. Raised on Lake Sylvia and familiar with the Heart of the Lakes area, Amy has a passion for the lake life in Annandale and surrounding communities.

She has a drive to help people discover the beauty of the lakes area and the expertise to help them find the right lake house, cabin, cottage, or home to fit their needs.

Amy worked in the mortgage and advertising fields before getting her real estate license. She enjoys the quick changes and challenges of the real estate industry, as well as the helpful, team atmosphere in the office.

“Buying and selling can be stressful, and I strive to have an open ear to answer any questions and prepare a buyer or seller on how the process generally goes to make it as smooth as possible.” in Office Administration. She worked with a financial advisor prior to nearly ten years in the mortgage lending field, during which she also worked for Lake Country Properties in Maple Lake. Tiffini joined the growing staff at Oak Realty in 2007, continuing to assist buyers and sellers with their real estate needs.

Amy currently resides in Rockford with her fur babies. In her spare time she enjoys listing to music, playing pool or cribbage, and just having fun! Spending time with friends and family and being at her parents’ home on Lake Sylvia are her favorite ways to relax. She loves all of the seasons that Minnesota has to offer, but like a true Annandale native, the 4th of July is one of her favorite times of year!

She and husband Marty, a Maple Lake elementary teacher and coach, currently live outside Maple Lake with their two daughters, Ella and Alexandra. In her spare time she enjoys scrap-booking, photography, golfing, sports and spending time with family and friends.

MEGAN JONES REALTOR ®

Born and raised in Fairhaven, and a Kimball Area Schools graduate, Megan has absolutely added a wealth of positivity and energy to the Oak Realty team since joining us in the Spring of 2020.

She continued her studies at MN State University – Mankato and found herself back home. Like many in our office, she missed the place she calls home.

JENNA POTTER REALTOR ®, GRI, CRS

A native of Becker, MN, Jenna is excited about the experience she has gained since starting with Oak Realty in 2012. She is a 2005 graduate of Becker High School and a 2008 Cum Laude graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Since getting in to Real Estate Jenna has gained a great amount of experience helping first-time home buyers looking for that special place to call home, move-up buyers, and vacation property seekers looking for that "home" away from home.

Jenna is grateful for the wonderful people she has met and looks forward to helping new clients while retaining relationships with past ones. She prides herself in her care for others and dedication to do whatever it takes to make her client happy. She continues to challenge herself by taking on new roles and designations within the REALTOR® sector. She has become a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and earned the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation, both of which recognize professional accomplishments in both experience and education.

Sales and customer service is rich in Megan’s work background. She has gained vast experience managing and working in the food and health industries. Today, the most important part of her career is to provide excellent service to buyers and sellers in order to earn their trust, referrals and repeat business. Clients appreciate Megan’s flexibility, patience, low pressure sales and the ability to listen and hear what her client’s wants and needs are.

Megan and her family’s favorite time of the year is fall in the Heart of the Lakes, “Annandale provides the best trick-or-treating down Main Street, my child loves the candy and I love how safe it is!” They also look forward to ice fishing on Clearwater Lake and visiting Pleasant Lake beaches in the Summer. Megan currently resides in Kingston with her daughter Lillian and husband, Kody. They plan to move to Annandale in the near future.

TIFFINI KIEBEL REALTOR ®

Tiffini grew up in Maple Lake. She attended Concordia College - Moorhead where she completed a degree in Business with a minor

Jenna and her husband Derek reside on Rice Lake in Clearwater with their three children Jaylyn, Axel, Dallas and Savannah. In addition to being an active participant in the Becker Chamber of Commerce, Monticello Rotary Club and local athletic leagues, Jenna enjoys spending time with her family and friends that all reside close by.

AMY SPIELMANN REALTOR ®

Amy Spielmann and her family moved to the area in 2014 to her husband’s hometown, Annandale. They reside on Bass Lake and are fond of lake life anytime of the year. As a mom of four and wife, she knows the meaning of time management and organization.

Thanks to her previous journey as a dental hygienist, she is used to helping people through nervous situations and making sure they always leave with a smile. Amy has been an active member of the Heart of the Lakes and is excited to be turning that community focus toward real estate. With a passion for service in the Annandale area, she is ready to help with your home buying and selling needs. As a proud member of the Oak Realty family, Amy carries the values of hard work, integrity, and outstanding client service into everything she does.

When Amy isn’t making home ownership dreams come true for her clients, she enjoys spending time with her husband Eric and children; Abby, Will, Clare, Wyatt and puppy Otis. They love fishing the area’s lakes, hiking, camping, swimming, playing board games and taking in all the colors during the fall, her favorite time of the year.

Angie Boyer

Office & Marketing Manager

In 1986 Don’s son Steve joined the business. Opportunities to own lakeshore property were abundant in those days. Lake homes and cabins in the area ranged from $40,000$100,000 and real estate companies literally held the keys to their front doors. The Sunday Star Tribune was widely-agreed to be the resource for new listings, and buyers often came through our office door with that ad in hand, eager to look at property.

JOHN

PIPPERT REALTOR ®

Oak Realty welcomed John to their team of realtors in the fall of 2022. As a longtime resident of Locke Lake, John is eager to work with buyers and sellers and assist in their real estate journey. He will work tirelessly to meet his client’s needs and be a calming knowledgeable guide throughout the sometimes chaotic buying and selling process.

John and his wife Lori have spent many summer days on the lake with their three children. Whether it be boating or fishing year-round, Locke Lake has been where he and his family has many fond memories. He is past president and current board member of the Locke Lake Home Owner’s Association and enjoys being a part of many lake activities. When the weather cools, John spends his free time hunting with his lab Ruby, and being outdoors.

John recognizes and values the trust his clients place in him and will strive every day to exceed their expectations. He truly loves the area he has lived and raised his family in and wants to assist his clients in making right decision for their own family. “I want to make sure you feel supported and that you have a trusted advisor by your side”.

Angie joined Oak Realty in its Annandale Office in June 2009. She grew up in Annandale on Clearwater Lake and is raising her family in her hometown she loves dearly and the place her family has called home their entire lives. Angie holds an AAS Degree in Advertising Design from Minnesota School of Business and a Diploma in Graphic Design from Minneapolis Business College. She helps keep all of Oak on the leading edge of technology, she shares fresh ideas in marketing and advertising, and keeps our busy office running smoothly. Angie also manages lakeshore vacation rentals through the Oak Realty office. She enjoys working with such a close-knit group, and for a hometown company where there is opportunity to give back to the community she loves. In her spare time, Angie treasures spending time with her family, her husband Shawn, daughter Justice and son Chance, labs Sarge and Jackson, being active in her children’s activities and relaxing at her parents’ lake home. When presented with a moment of free time, they retreat to their land in South Dakota on Big Stone Lake. “I also enjoy going on motorcycle rides, traveling and camping.” She loves the changing of seasons and the array of colors the Heart of the Lakes displays year-round.

Our History

Oak Realty was founded in 1974 when Don Bruggeman purchased Daryl Gunnarson Realty, and changed the name to Oak Realty after its location on Oak Avenue, Annandale’s charmed Main Street. Our red and white leaf was born and along with it, a tradition of providing quality real estate service in the Heart of the Lakes area.

We expanded into the 90’s and outgrew the office on Main Street. In 1996 Oak built a new office with more space and visibility on Highway 55. Steve purchased the business in 2000, and soon after the Internet began to change the industry in profound ways. By 2001 we had our first web site and the fat MLS books were collecting dust in the corner. Oak Realty acquired Lake Country Properties in neighboring Maple Lake in 2007, our local presence expanded to two offices, and our staff grew again. In 2019 we celebrated a milestone, 45 years in business. The anniversary also marked a new beginning. Though excited about where perseverance and hard work has brought the company in its early years, we’re even more excited about what lies ahead.

Our approach to business has changed greatly due to the shift in how buyers and sellers can obtain information. Over the years, however, the true relationship between agent and client hasn’t changed. Since our founding over 49 years ago, our success has been carried by our ability to build long-lasting relationships. Relationships based on honesty, respect and fair business practices. We love taking our customers for a drive through the area and educating them on the various lakes, neighborhoods and their histories. While the majority of today’s buyers (and sellers) have done research online before speaking to an agent, many are quick to realize there is a lot to learn about this area, and a visit with a local expert is a great place to start.

We are proud to be an innovative company. We enjoy seeking new solutions to bring into our business and have continued to do so as we grow and change. We want tools that help us do our job better and more efficiently, and systems that help you buy or sell property with greater confidence. While no one can predict the future, it seems almost a certainty that the Heart of the Lakes will continue to retain its warm character and draw new people to its lakes and countryside. For those that its lifestyle appeals to, (frankly, we wonder how it couldn’t) our friendship and services will be there.