About Janel
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, I moved to Michigan when I was just nine years old, settling in Livonia, where I’ve lived ever since. I graduated from Clarenceville High School in 1986 and went on to study medical assisting at Oakland Community College. But ultimately, I found my true passion in real estate, where I've been helping both buyers and sellers since becoming licensed in 1999. Working with an equal mix of clients each year has allowed me to form lasting relationships and friendships, as I get to know each family personally. My business has been built on repeat clients and word-of-mouth referrals, a testament to the trust and satisfaction of those I serve.
Family is a top Priority with my folks living next door to me and grown daughters and 6 wonderful grandchildren, with a seventh on the way, living very close.
Three of my Grandchildren play hockey, a sport I thoroughly enjoy watching. Outside of work I volunteer for local feed banks assisting with deliveries to help those in need and cherish the opportunity to enjoy camping and the great outdoors. Hosting Sunday dinners and holiday gatherings for my extended family, including three siblings, their spouses, nieces, and nephews, is a cherished tradition that keeps us all connected.
I am always available, whether for a quick phone call, email, or text—even after traditional business hours. Being a night owl means I’m ready to answer those important questions that often arise in the evening. My office is located in Plymouth, Michigan, and I’ve been with my current brokerage since 2001. Let our Family Help your Family.
About Joe
I grew up in Livonia, MI and went to Clarenceville High School, originally from the Pittsburgh, PA area, our family of 6 moved to Michigan when I was 5 years old for my Dad to work in the auto industry. I attended Eastern Michigan University and have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration concentrated in Accounting. I worked in a CPA firm for the first 3 years out of college, then moved onto Controller of company for another 10 years. I decided it was time for a change and had always been involved in Real Estate part time with my sister Janel Barber who had already been a Realtor for over a decade. I have been a Realtor for over 15 years now and I love helping people buy and sell homes and I love that I get to work everyday with my Sister and Family. For the past 25 years I have resided in Novi on the shores of Walled Lake and have been a boat owner for more than 25 years, if you are looking for an Oakland County Lakes Area Realtor I have the experience and knowledge you are looking for when it comes to Lake Living.
I work diligently for my clients no matter what price range they are buying or selling a home. I have sold homes for as little as $5,000 and up to $1,000,000, all clients receive the same service and respect.
All my clients end up feeling like family during the buying or selling process and I hope they feel the same way so we can continue a friendship for a long time.
I am always available by email, text, or phone and try to respond to every person quickly. Let our Family help your Family with any of your Professional Real Estate needs or questions!
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About Russ
I am a big believer in Karma and giving back. With 20 years of real estate experience I know it is just not about selling a house. It's about helping my clients get the best house for the money. When we leave this earth there is nothing but dust and an empty shell of who we were. It is our kids and how we made this world a little better place that remains. No we won't be a footnote in the history of the world, but it is the little things you do for others. Little things like treating people like you want to be treated. Helping others that really need the help. Volunteering or giving money to a causes are all good things. Even simple things like volunteering at your kids school, church, or giving blood. My causes are making kids happy and of course cancer. I lost a great lady to breast cancer so I know first hand how horrible cancer is. I used to do cardboard boat races for cancer on White Lake but Covid put an end to that.
As I say I'm just a regular guy. You couldn't pick me out of a football stadium. I'm an uncle, brother, dad, grandfather, and friend. I'm not rich nor am I poor. Not perfect in any way, I make mistakes just like everybody else. I put my pants on the same way as everybody else. Just an average person that is good at his job. I enjoy the real estate business and love working with buyers and sellers.
I grew up downriver in Allen Park. My education was like most of Michigan people, I applied for an in state college. Working to pay my way through college I worked at a variety of jobs to pay the bills. Some of them were pouring basement walls (lots of digging), instructor at Vic Tanny's, landscaping (more digging), working at General Motors Ypsilanti Hydromatic Transmission Plant, and as a copy machine salesperson at Royal Business Machines.
After going to Michigan State University for two years I decided to enjoy life and backpacked around Europe with some friends (back then it was Europe on $10 a day). In order to finish paying for college on my own, I joined the military and served as a parachute packer for the Special Forces and an infantryman with the 82nd Airborne for 4 years. While in the military I took night classes and graduated with a BA in Business from a small southern college. I met a Southern gal while in the military. We married and for a few years we lived in a hundred year old home on her fathers tobacco farm. I learned how to prime tobacco, raised a couple crops of watermelons on my own. Just think I could have been a gentlemen farmer raising tobacco but things turned out differently.
Fortunately my life took a great turn when I met my wife Marianne back in 1989. She slowed me down, settled me down, and gave me a purpose in life. She was just diagnosed with breast cancer at the time. We went through the battles of cancer and life together trying to put a positive light on what is handed to us while enjoying life with family and friends. Sadly Marianne lost her battle with breast cancer in 2010 after a 21 year fight. She was a great Italian lady, who loved to cook, and take care of people. She touched everybody with her kindness and her sweet likable personality. I was lucky to have shared my life with her for twenty one years. We raised Ryan to be a good young man. Like most parents we have tried to give Ryan more than we had. We sent him to Catholic Central, watching him play football and then to MSU. Now he is living in Grand Rapids and working at Meijers as an analyst.
I have landed on my feet and currently single. I have taken Hurricane supplies to Florida, hosted Toys for Tots events, bell ring for the Salvation army and volunteer at North Star Reach Camp, Methodist home for foster kids, and veterans shelters. I try to volunteer as much as I can. Just my way of giving back of all the good things I have received in life.
What matters most to you is that I have twenty one years of experience in the real estate field. I know our local Metro Detroit real estate market and have lots of experience in lake homes and regular homes all over metro Detroit. I am a good negotiator and have negotiated some great prices for homes. I helped quite a few first time home buyers get their first home. But I am also proud that I have stopped some sales by getting a good inspector, and helped people take a step back when the house they wanted to buy was overpriced. I am the one that will give you the information, the comparables so that you can make a sound financial decision when buying or selling your next home.
I know how to market your home when you sell. I use all the latest internet tools to get your home the maximum exposure it deserve. More exposure on the internet, means more buyers coming to see it, and more people putting in an offer on your home. My goal whether you are buying or selling is to help you keep more money in your pocket and in your bank account.
My philosophy is be honest to people, give people good service, to charge a little less than my competitors because I will get more referrals and loyal customers. It all comes around to you. Over the years quite a few of my clients have become more than clients they have become friends. I hope that I can earn your trust and friendship.
Russ Ravary
Sometimes the best lake homes sell in less than a week. Click the button below to get the newest lake listings so you do not miss out on the great deals.
The Bertera-Ravary Team - One of the Best Metro Detroit real estate teams
(248) 310-6239 YesMyRealtor@gmail.com (248)320-6840
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If you are looking for a good lake realtor to help you find the best deals on a lake home. We know the local lakes and can save you lots of time and help you when buying a SE Michigan lake home.
Check out some great information on of few awesome lakes located in Oakland County Loon Lake Sales wat , Durfee Lake , Island Lake Bloomfield Township Michigan , or Bitten Lake
Not only are those lakes great but check out some of the homes on Ackerman lake by click on the link below...
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