Tina is a West Michigan native with deep roots in the community. She grew up in a tiny town called Walkerville, where her family owned a farm and her graduating class consisted of only 13 students. This close-knit upbringing taught her the importance of personal connections, a skill that now defines her approach to real estate.
“When I say tiny town, there were 13 kids in my graduating class. So the people I grew up with were like my brothers and sisters to me because it was such a small town. Everybody knew everybody,” Tina recalls.
Tina’s journey into real estate was a natural progression from her extensive background in business and construction. She started out working for her partner’s building company, where she gained invaluable knowledge about the industry from the ground up. This experience sparked her entrepreneurial spirit, leading her to buy and renovate houses on her own.
“I had a building background, so I started out running my partner’s business. I learned a ton about real estate that way, and then I’ve always been an entrepreneur, so I would pick up a house here or there and do my own thing,” she says.
This passion for real estate and design led her to open multiple businesses, including a catering company that evolved into a restaurant she owned for 18 years and a beauty shop she ran for two decades. Her diverse business background has given her a unique understanding of customer service and the ability to find creative solutions to complex problems.
“My businesses were always customer-based, and I feel like that has helped me a lot,” Tina explains. “I just want to see if I can do it. I like figuring it out.”
With three years of experience as a real estate agent in West Michigan, Tina brings a unique combination of skills to the table. Her background in construction allows her to see beyond the surface of a home, spotting potential issues and opportunities that others might miss. She’s also a natural problem solver who loves the challenge of finding a way to make a deal work, even when it seems impossible.
When working with first-time homebuyers, Tina makes it her mission to educate them. “I really try to make sure it’s a good, solid house, and I want to make them aware if it’s going to need a new roof in five years or if the big stuff is taken care of,” she says. “While I’m with them, I’m trying to teach them the entire time I’m there.”
For sellers, she’s an expert at pointing out a home’s best features and offering advice on how to make improvements that will attract buyers. She has a wide network of contractors and professionals she can recommend to help sellers get their homes ready for the market.
Outside of her work, Tina’s life is filled with projects and community involvement. She loves gardening, cooking, and tackling home renovations. “My husband never knows if he’s going to come home to a wall torn out,” she jokes. “You just don’t know.”
Her commitment to her community is also a huge part of who she is. She has a soft spot for animals and kids and is actively involved with various local shelters and charities. She’s been a long-time supporter of the local dog shelter, and she’s passionate about helping organizations like the Ronald McDonald House and those that support veterans.
When asked what drew her to 616 Realty, Tina says she was looking for a brokerage that felt more personal than a large, corporate firm. “I didn’t want to do the whole big corporate situation,” she says. “I wanted it to be more like the way I had always done business.”
Ultimately, she found a perfect fit with the team at 616 Realty, where she felt a strong connection and a shared philosophy.
“I like Scot’s laid-back approach, but I also love the way Scot encourages people,” she shares. “Scot is always very encouraging, and that is helpful.”