Grand Rapids Real Producers February 2022 Issue!

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GRAND RAPIDS

C O N N E C T I N G .

E L E VAT I N G .

I N S P I R I N G .

SPECIAL COUPLES ISSUE Photo by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

FEBRUARY 2022

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MEET THE

GRAND RAPIDS REAL PRODUCERS TEAM

Chris Csotty Publisher

Terra Csotty

April Shanne Subiera

Publisher

Phalesha Kyes

Relationship Manager

Jeanne Monillo

Publishing Assistant/ Reprints Specialist

Amanda Matkowski Editor/Writer

4 • February 2022

Robbyn Moore Writer

Chris Menezes Writer

Jacob Harr

Ad Strategist

harr Creative LLC Photographer

Erika Kruse

Event Coordinator

Dom Lombardo

West & Main Photography Photographer/Videographer

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS 04

06

08

Meet the Team

Preferred Partners

Publisher’s Note

10

16

20

Dynamic Duo: Chris & Laura Carr

Dynamic Duo: Cait & Justin Wisniewski

WAYA: We Ask, You Answer

24

28

32

Dynamic Duo: Tim & Danielle Miller

Partner Spotlight: Lauren & Brian Marcy, Grand Home Inspection

around

town

Around Town

If you are interested in contributing or nominating someone for a feature, please email us at terra.csotty@realproducersmag.com.

DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Grand Rapids Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 5

PREFERRED PARTNERS

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6 • February 2022

Chandler Inspections (616) 214-2176 Grand Home Inspection (616) 710-1796 www.grandhome inspection.com Locker Inspection Services Joshua Locker (616) 490-0512 lockerinspections.com Pillar To Post Home Inspectors Scott Docter (616) 250-6920 scottdocter.pillartopost.com/ Rhino Inspections (616) 490-0938 RhinoInspectionsmi.com HOME TECHNOLOGY Eco Smart Home Pros (231) 683-2127 ecosmarthomespros.com HOME WARRANTY Home Warranty of America Tiffany McDugle (281) 731-7231

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JUNK REMOVAL/ DEMOLITION We Cleanout Everything (877) 932-8922 MORTGAGE CrossCountry Mortgage Mike Milanowski (616) 481-6606 Independent Bank Pete Humphreys (616) 304-2009 Inlanta Mortgage Jonathan Arnold (616) 581-2374 www.inlanta.com Lake Michigan Credit Union Jake Williams (616) 265-3837 LMCU.org

INSURANCE AGENCY Crosby & Henry Insurance Tessa Misner (616) 325-2864 crosbyhenry.com

Lake Michigan Credit Union Zach Tebos (616) 234-6361 LMCU.org

Farm Bureau Insurance Ryan Loucks (616) 988-5072 Farmbureauinsurance.com

Prime Lending (616) 202-0101 Lo.PrimeLending.com/ GrandRapids

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation (616) 940-3000 lendingexcellence.com PAINTING D & M Painting (616) 965-5092 PHOTOGRAPHY Brian McDonald Photography (616) 209-8469 harr Creative (517) 974-7809 harrcreative.com West & Main Photography (810) 356-7876 RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT S & G Property Management (616) 719-0819 rentsg.com ROOFING Summit Point Roofing (616) 622-6343 www.summitpointroofing.com

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ROOFING/ RESTORATION Roof Maxx Jeff Antvelink (616) 334-3432 roofmaxx.com SECURITY SYSTEMS & MONITORING Millennium Security Systems (616) 258-6566

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TRANSACTION COORDINATOR Agent Concierge Services (616) 723-3290 VIDEO PRODUCTION/ DRONE SERVICES harr Creative (517) 974-7809 harrcreative.com

West & Main Photography (810) 356-7876 WELL/LAGOON/ SEPTIC INSPECTIONS Andersen Well & Septic Inspections (248) 318-3943

Grand Rapids Real Producers • 7

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Photography | Drone Photography & Video | Video Tours 3D Virtual Tours | Floor Plans | Virtual Staging

Brian McDonald | (616)209-8469 brian@brianmcdonaldphotography.com www.brianmcdonaldphotography.com

publisher’s

NOTE

Real Producers’ goal is to build stronger relationships in the real estate community. We do this by sharing the stories of different real estate professionals, nominated by their peers and leaders. We also gather to connect, network and build upon current relationships and create new ones!

We look forward to seeing YOU at our next big event in April! Follow us on FB and IG to find out more about our April event and how to reserve your spot.

This month we are celebrating Couples in Real Estate!

Thank you to Jacob Harr from harr Creative for taking these photos and always doing such an amazing job!

We appreciate you.

A BIG thanks to our Preferred Partners! Because of them we are able to keep this magazine FREE to the top real estate agents in the area. Looking to add a vetted business to your vendor list? Check out our Preferred Partner section of the magazine to see our many amazing partners!

Chris & Terra Csotty/ Publishers linktr.ee/realproducers 248-506-6169/ 586-615-8749 chris.csotty@realproducersmag.com terra.csotty@realproducersmag.com 8 • February 2022

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dynamic duo

By Robbyn Moore Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

10 • February 2022

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CHRIS & LAURA

CARR A S H A R E D C E L E B R AT I O N O F PA R T N E R S H I P S U C C E S S

C

Chris and Laura Carr have been married for 20 years and have three children — Christian, Elizabeth and Caden — as well as a daughter-in-law named Kelsey. Together, they enjoy fishing, boating, hunting and time with their dog, Champ. Nearly five years ago, the couple also became partners in their professional life when they established the Carr Group within City2Shore Real Estate. Their fierce commitment to their clients and their focus on building lifelong, trusting relationships has been the key factor to their growing and thriving business.

When it comes to their success, they are modest about it and tend to fly under the radar. One of their favorite quotes that keeps them grounded is, “Work in silence and let your success be the noise.”

Chris and Laura aligned themselves with City2Shore because of the company’s revolutionary approach to real estate. Their franchise model, modern technology and progressive thinking provided the ideal environment for delivering top-notch service to clients and for mentoring associates.

While Chris is drawn to the numbers, Laura loves the details. The two feed off of each other’s strengths, and together, make a formidable team.

“Our balance is especially strong when we go to listing appointments,” Laura said. “I will create a vision, and Chris will add his knowledge about the mechanicals and structure of the home.”

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Chris praised Laura for her non-stop, hardcharging work ethic, and Laura said she admires Chris for his heartfelt and caring approach to clients, colleagues and partners. Combined, the pair shares core values, persistence, diligence and integrity. “Our differences and common contributions to the team is what make us work,” Chris said.

Together, Chris and Laura define success as making a positive difference in someone’s daily life and giving 100% every single day.

Amidst the challenging market post-2020, Chris and Laura creatively — and often, humbly — went the extra mile for their clients. “We exhausted every avenue to find the right home for our clients,” Laura recalled. “We went to neighborhoods and knocked on doors, sent out mailings to desired areas and picked up the phone to find leads.” The grit and mental toughness is shared as a couple with the ultimate goal to do whatever it takes to bring a deal together. “It’s a great feeling when we achieve a goal that a client never thought would happen,” Chris added. “We like to act creatively with a ‘boots on the ground’ focus.”

The couple regards their client relationships as the touchstone to their entire business and has made lifelong friends as a result of their commitment. “Keeping our clients informed, educated and

Grand Rapids Real Producers • 11

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close to us is our top priority,” Chris shared. “The trust that is given to us with their biggest investment is taken very seriously — it’s actually one of my favorite aspects of my job.” Laura agreed and stated, “Homebuying and selling is way more than just about the home: It’s understanding your clients’ needs and zeroing in on that by really listening and guiding them each step of the way.”

For other couples considering going into business together, Chris and Laura advised finding a good balance of work and life. “As husband and wife, we can communicate on another level, and it’s easy to bring work home to continue discussions and strategies,” they both explained. “Therefore, it’s important to schedule time away to enjoy life outside of the office.”

As a couple, the two cannot envision a future without real estate. “We love what we do, so it

12 • February 2022

does not feel like work. Instead, it’s more of a mission,” Chris said. “Our past drives us to continue to be successful.” Laura agreed with Chris and added, “I really can’t ever see ourselves retired.

We love helping people, so why would we ever want to stop doing that?”

Chris said the most rewarding aspect of working together was spending time with his beautiful wife every day. Laura agreed with Chris and added, “For me, being able to work with my best friend, side by side, and communicate about so many transactions throughout the day is a priceless dream — especially when you love what you do and you love your spouse, too.”

The two would not want their careers any other way.

“I love being able to have the same focus and determination,” Laura said. “When we have a win, it’s a shared success that we get to celebrate together.”

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 15

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CAIT JUSTIN

Wisniewski

16 • February 2022

A Top-Producing Team Established at Home

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dynamic duo

By Robbyn Moore Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

Cait and Justin Wisniewski are a playful, hardworking couple who built their real estate business at 616 Realty through grit and determination, and with incredible support from friends and clients.

“We were not handed a book of business,” Cait recalled when they launched their team six years ago.

“At the beginning, we truly struggled financially, but we grew and learned together as a couple and established a solid referral-based business.”

When Cait first launched her career in 2015, Justin was by her side handling business taxes and home restoration advice. He officially joined Cait in 2020 after years of working in sales and operations for a European tech company. “For the better part of my life, I have owned rentals and flipped houses,” Justin shared. “Also, with my background in construction, I was accustomed to helping Cait and her clients with home repairs and various issues that needed to be addressed before buying or selling.

So, after years of assisting on the side, I decided to get my license, take on more clients and grow our real estate business as official partners.”

For years, Cait encouraged Justin to get his license. She believed that realproducersmag.com

her risk-taking skills and her drive for advancement, coupled with Justin’s in-depth knowledge on home repairs and renovations, could make them a powerful team — and she was correct. Together, they have established a top-producing, strictly referral-based business. “We do a lot of social media interaction and have a great reputation for stellar communications with our clients,” Cait said. “Beyond that, Justin’s passion for educating clients has garnered referrals based on trust and confidence in our work, and because of that, we’ve developed lifelong relationships with our clients.”

As a couple, the most rewarding aspect of working together is the flexibility of their schedules. “Being able to be around my family and be a part of their everyday lives is truly a gift,” Justin said. “I was able to spend the first year of my son’s life with him, which is something most fathers aren’t able to do. Thanks to our real estate careers, we are able to balance our professional and personal lives and carve out time that’s completely devoted to both.”

The duo has been married for eight years and have three children — Lillian, 10, Quinn, 2, and Rory 9, months old. “It sounds crazy, but as a family, we like to drive around and look at houses together,” Cait said with a laugh. When they’re not checking out the latest houses on the market, the family also enjoys going to the lake.

“Justin grew up with Lake Michigan in his backyard, so any free time we have, you will find us there,” Cait shared.

Cait and Justin’s personalities complement one another, which presents a unique offering to their clients. “I would say I’m always pushing us to be more and do more,” Cait said. Justin added, “And when things get overwhelming, I bring a calming sense to our lives. Cait looks to me for that positive reinforcement while motivating me to dig deeper into my goals.”

Together, they are both very social and enjoy meeting new people and creating value in other people’s lives.

“I would say we both have a sense of humor,” Justin explained. “But Cait is definitely the stronger communicator and organizer for our family while I like to work on home projects and cook, which is definitely essential to all aspects of our relationship!”

Cait agreed that cooking is one of Justin’s many strengths in the partnership, but she also admires his patience.

“He keeps me grounded and balanced, which in turn, aids in my ability to multitask and coordinate so many different aspects of our lives,” she said.

The couple admitted that they are truly obsessed with homes and agreed that they will always be involved in real estate throughout their lives.

“We currently own a Heritage Hill home that was built in 1895,” Justin said. “We are bringing it back to life and can’t wait for our next project after this one is completed.”

Given their status and expertise, Cait and Justin advised other couples looking to get into business together to be patient and encouraging, and to realize each other’s strengths. Justin added, “Cait taught me to take the risk, and I would encourage others to do the same. Don’t wait to start your dream because you won’t ever look back and be disappointed.”

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 19

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What is your morning routine? waya WE ASK, YOU ANSWER My morning routine takes after the book “The Miracle Morning”

by Hal Elrod. I start every morning with SAVERS: silence, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading and scribing. After, I then take time for myself and prospect from 8-10 a.m. Then at 10 a.m., I call my assistant and go over all of our deals and what we will be working on today since we don’t see each other every day. Then from there … showings, appointments. By claiming my morning, I am able to claim my day.

KENDRA HAVEMEIER — BELLABAY REALTY GRAND RAPIDS NORTH

I get up early and walk to Starbucks while listening to a devotion on the way there and a business podcast on the way back. It’s my 4-for-1 hack.

Exercise, coffee, devotion, business education.

RYAN OGLE — BLU HOUSE PROPERTIES

I’m usually up by 5 a.m. to begin my day with some coffee and with a bit of time to plan my day, along with journaling. I usually start my daily workout at 6 a.m. to get energized and ready to tackle my day! By 8 a.m., I have showered and I’m getting my kids to school on my way to the office. Oh, and by this time, I’ve drank a lot of coffee!

ANGELA WORTH — BELLABAY REALTY

Drink one cup of coffee, read morning devotionals, make breakfast for the kids, run three to five miles, then more coffee.

Drinking coffee, feeding my farm animals, organizing computer work and emails!

GINGER BAXTER — KELLER WILLIAMS GRAND RAPIDS NORTH

Checking new listings. Prepping the day.

INGRID ANASTASIU — ANASTASIU HOMES KELLER WILLIAMS GRAND RAPIDS EAST

Get up, get coffee, get to work!

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MICAH CHILDRESS — FIVE STAR REAL ESTATE

Wake up, make breakfast for the family, workout and/or walk with my hubby, listen to Headway or DarrenDaily while getting ready and then do a Zoom call with my team every morning at 8:45 a.m.

I wake up and immediately clear any urgent notifications or emails. I then load up on coffee and get the kids ready and off to school. My wife and I then head to the gym.

ANDY SMITH — FIVE STAR REAL ESTATE

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20 • February 2022

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SAVERS: Silence, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading, scribing.

DREW DENHAM — KEY REALTY

Every morning I wake up and either workout at home or take a boxing class. Then I get to wake my daughters up for school, get them ready and take them to school. After that, I head into the office and start my work day!

MEGAN TEFFT — CENTURY 21 AFFILIATED

My morning routine is pretty boring. It starts with shutting off the alarm and lying in bed for another ten minutes before rolling out and taking a shower to wake up and embrace the day.

Once I have my morning coffee, I’m ready to take on the day and start working!

Get the kids to school, get a smoothie, make it into the office by 8:30 a.m., go through emails and call new contacts ASAP. MICHAEL SMALLEGAN — KELLER WILLIAMS GRAND RAPIDS

Wake up, feed the animals, try to get some exercise — this only happens on some days — then shower and check emails while I eat breakfast.

RACHEL MABIE — DREAM HOME TEAM BELLABAY REALTY

It varies day to day. The only constant during the school year is dropping the kids off at school.

EMMY JANDERNOA — AGENT CONCIERGE SERVICES

STEVEN DONLEY — ECO SMART HOME PROS

Help my family get off to school and work, then workout before I begin my work day.

Write down three things I’m grateful for, write out a page of positive affirmations and drink coffee.

PHIL REINARTZ — REINARTZ AGENCY GOOSEHEAD INSURANCE

KEVIN KROONDYK — GREENRIDGE REALTY

Do you want to answer our question of the month and be featured in an upcoming issue?

Email terra.csotty@realproducersmag.com to ask about participating.

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 21

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Miller TIM & DANIELLE

Working Together To Share Their Passion in Real Estate

24 • February 2022

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dynamic duo

By Amanda Matkowski Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

Before Tim and Danielle got married, Danielle’s mother was the first to suggest real estate to the couple.

Although they discussed what life would be like if they were both agents, Tim and Danielle were caught up in wedding planning and their individual jobs, so their dreams were placed on hold until after they got married.

Tim dove into real estate first in the summer of 2016. Prior to obtaining his real estate license, he was a dining manager at a high-end retirement community where he loved connecting with the residents and hearing their stories. “I knew that I wanted to work for myself one day, and once I met Danielle and heard her passion for the housing industry, real estate seemed like the perfect avenue for me to build my business and help people at the same time,” he shared.

Once Tim established himself in the field, Danielle left her salaried position and joined him full time in 2019.

She had previously worked in the marketing department for a brokerage and was in administration at an interior design studio, both of which were valuable experiences that contributed to the couple’s success in real estate.

“I essentially use my communication and marketing skills to build up our clientele and play an administrative role once we start working together,” Danielle explained.

With a passion for the housing industry and for helping people, it was inevitable that Tim and Danielle Miller would team up together in real estate. “We truly spend most of our time together, which has only made our relationship and business stronger,” Danielle said. “It’s also so fun to share the same passions. We both get so excited for our clients, motivate each other to reach our goals and communicate very well with one another in business and in everyday life.”

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Now working together for two years, Tim and Danielle have formed The Millers team brokered by Steve Volkers Group. “We are able to provide twice the expertise and also showcase our individual skills to connect with our clients in different ways,” they both said. As a couple, they generated $7.5 million in sales

Grand Rapids Real Producers • 25

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volume in 2021 and have a combined career volume of $22 million — over $13 million of which was obtained since Danielle teamed up with Tim. Although Tim and Danielle are both goal-oriented and motivated to succeed, their differences complement each other as they strive to offer the best service for their clients. “While Tim typically runs the transactions and is a very skilled negotiator, I usually connect with our clients on a more personal level,” Danielle explained.

Tim added, “Our skills are different, but when we work together, I believe we truly provide a great service.”

When asked about their favorite part of being a real estate agent, the duo pointed to different aspects of the homebuying process. For Tim, it’s the initial meeting with clients.

“I love sitting down over coffee with new clients and getting to know them and their stories,” he shared. As for Danielle, she loves informing clients that their offers have been accepted.

“The market has been competitive for a number of years now, so when we are able to get one under contract for our clients, it’s often very rewarding and emotional. It warms my heart that we are able to assist people with such an emotional and life-changing investment,” she said.

Tim and Danielle admit that, because of their shared love of real estate, it can sometimes be a challenge to separate work from their personal lives.

“Time apart to recharge really makes us better when we come together,” Danielle said. For other couples who are looking to form a business, Tim recommends setting aside one day a week to spend time with each other outside of work. “It is important to learn and understand each other’s strengths and encourage each other along the way,” he said.

26 • February 2022

Outside of real estate, the couple enjoys hiking with their two huskies — Maya and Rorie — and spending time with family and friends. Tim loves listening to country music and golfing with friends in his free time whereas Danielle likes to read memoirs. They are also currently in the adoption process and would love to welcome a child or two into their home.

The couple’s absolute favorite pastime, however, is to take their boat to Grand Haven. “The boat is my happy

place. It is a great place to read, think and enjoy the sunshine,” Danielle said. They both stated that they want boating to be a part of their lives forever and have dreams of living on it for a while with their family.

When it comes to real estate, the duo agrees that they were meant to team up in business and share their enthusiasm with clients. “We run on coffee, real estate and love,” Danielle joked before adding, “Honestly, we truly are better together.”

@realproducers

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 27

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partner spotlight

By Amanda Matkowski Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

Lauren & Brian

MARCY

GRAND HOME INSPECTION Welcome to the Grand Life Just two weeks shy of their wedding in 2015, Brian and Lauren Marcy established Grand Home Inspection.

“I must have been delirious during the wedding planning because I agreed to let Brian leave his stable engineering career with something like $2,500 in the bank,” Lauren said, laughing.

“However, it taught us the most important lesson: Pursue what brings you joy and purpose, and everything else will fall into place.”

Since then, Grand Home Inspection has become West Michigan’s fastest growing inspection business. Their team has grown to six people, and they are currently seeking more talent to add to the group. “Every day, we seek to up the bar in the inspection industry,” Brian said. “For us, that’s through building a team of top talent who can provide unparalleled customer service.” Due to their focus on customer service, Grand Home Inspection has doubled their business year over year for the past three years.

clients, the Marcys are also invested in the success of their real estate partners. They enjoy gifting business books, leading classes, and encouraging their partners to take risks and pursue big, ambitious goals.

The husband-and-wife team agree that, although many other similar businesses also provide good inspections, they do not place importance on building relationships with their clients and therefore lack the same principles that guide Grand Home Inspection. In addition to their

“We know a successful agent needs a reliable team on their side,” Lauren said. “We have seen, time and time again, an agent convert from seeing us as the necessary evil to partnering with us at the eleventh hour to help put together a winning offer. A good inspector really can be the difference

28 • February 2022

when it comes to closing a deal or earning a repeat client or referral.”

Along with supporting clients and agents, Brian and Lauren credit their team and everyone’s defined roles within the business as factors that contribute to their excellent customer service. “Clarity is what sets our business apart,” Brian said.

“We’ve found that we can provide the best service possible when our team focuses on their primary strengths and isn’t forced to perform bad-fit tasks. As a result, our team is happier and our service is exponentially better.” @realproducers

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as we grow, our ability to help others grows.

When it comes to their business, Brian and Lauren believe that it has become increasingly personal as they strive for outstanding customer service. “It’s no longer to do your best inspection or to negotiate the best deals. People want to be a part of something more meaningful,” Brian said. Lauren added, “The biggest joy we get as business owners is pouring into our team and helping them achieve their goals. If you find the right people, you can achieve anything.”

Their willingness to adapt to changing market conditions has also helped their real estate partners to succeed. “We see the 10-day inspection period as a thing of the past, and we adapted our business model to meet that expectation,” the couple said.

“We have committed to providing sameday or next-day inspections so buyers have more options than waiving or hoping they can get an offer accepted within a 10-day window.” Grand Home Inspection was also

one of the first inspection services in the area to provide online scheduling.

Although Brian and Lauren agree that they love seeing clients succeed in their goals, the most rewarding aspect of working together is being able to appreciate what the other person has accomplished professionally.

“We truly are the yin and yang and align perfectly together,” Brian said.

Lauren added, “When you understand each other on a deep level, you can help each other achieve your version of individual and collective success.”

Family time is incredibly important to the Marcys, and they enjoy quality moments with their two daughters — Zara, 4, and Frankie, 2. “We live on a small private lake, so we spend a lot of time on the water and at the neighborhood beach,” Brian shared.

In 2020, the family spent an entire month in Playa del Carmen, Mexico,

realproducersmag.com

and is looking forward to visiting the area again this winter. “Frankie was only 3 months old the first time, so I’m excited to see her splashing in the waves and creating her own fun. This time, she’ll be old enough to accompany Zara on our morning walks to the bakery, which was one of our favorite rituals during our last stay,” Brian recalled.

The Marcys are energized by what is to come as their business continues to expand. “As we grow, our ability to help others grows,” the couple said. “We’re on a mission to build something special so we can serve others as they pursue their dreams of homeownership, business growth or whatever their big, wild goals may be.

It’s what we live for.”

For more information about Grand Home Inspection, visit grandhomeinspection.com.

Grand Rapids Real Producers • 29

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Insuring from the house to the lives that make a home.

From home to life insurance we have you covered Ryan Loucks Farm Bureau Agency 616.988.5072

30 • February 2022

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 31

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around

town

Jamecia Hill from Keller Williams — Grand Rapids East & Relationship Manager Phalesha Kyes

Ann Huizen from 5 Star Real Estate Leaders — Grandville & Relationship Manager Phalesha Kyes

Photo by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

Alexia Hipsher-Hoffman from Bellabay Realty & Relationship Manager Phalesha Kyes

Photo by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

32 • February 2022

Barbara Rinck from Keller Williams — Grandville & Relationship Manager Phalesha Kyes

Jamecia Hill from Keller Williams — Grand Rapids East & Relationship Manager Phalesha Kyes

Amanda Volkers from City2Shore Real Estate — Prestige Home Group & Relationship Manager Phalesha Kyes

Photo by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

@realproducers

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Welcome Abby Lininger from Drake Financial Group to Grand Rapids Real Producers!

Welcome to Grand Rapids Real Producers Brian McDonald

Welcome new partner Steven Donley with Eco Smart Home Pros!

Arija Wilcom from Keller Williams — Grand Rapids East & Relationship Manager Phalesha Kyes

Welcome to Grand Rapids Real Producers Steve Dutcher with Rhino Home Inspections!

Photo by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

realproducersmag.com

Dawn Broene from BP Realty — Grandville & Relationship Manager Phalesha Kyes

Photo by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

Photo by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

Grand Rapids Real Producers • 33

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healthy living

By Shauna Osborne

F E B R UA RY I S FO R

HEALTHY

HE RTS!

February is American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, responsible for more than one in four deaths annually. While this statistic is dire, heart disease can be prevented – and even reversed – with healthy choices regarding diet, exercise, and maintaining health conditions. Doctors’ time-tested advice of controlling blood pressure and cholesterol still holds true; however, these less conventional techniques can be used cooperatively to help make hearts healthier and stronger.

Get Enough Sleep. Getting enough good-quality

sleep has innumerable benefits, from aiding in weight loss to improving memory. Studies have shown a marked increase in heart disease in those who sleep less than six hours per night, as sleeping too little can disrupt underlying health conditions and biological processes. Experts say seven to nine hours of sleep is ideal for heart health. And, consistency is key; maintaining a reliable sleep schedule regulates the body's internal clock and can help you fall asleep and wake more easily.

34 • February 2022

Drink Some Java. The probable benefits of regular coffee consumption are pretty compelling. For example, caffeine, especially derived by drinking filtered, black coffee, boosts energy levels, which can help sharpen mental acuity and enhance mood, and lowers inflammation levels, which are a precursor to many concerning health conditions.

Interestingly, habitual coffee drinking has been linked to lower levels of cardiovascular disease, particularly in women.

Floss. This seemingly inconsequential chore our

parents and dentists nag over can play a surprising role in heart health. Beyond just improving smiles, flossing daily reduces inflammation and improves gum health, which, in turn, prevents the introduction of harmful bacteria into the bloodstream.

Healthy gums are directly correlated to a slower progression of plaque buildup on artery walls.

Don’t Forget to Laugh. As the old saying goes, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Laughter has many emotional and physical benefits, including reducing stress, easing pain and depression symptoms, and boosting our immune system. It also has been shown to expand blood vessels by more than 20 percent, allowing for markedly better circulation and blood flow in the heart.

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Grand Rapids Real Producers • 35

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36 • February 2022

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