There are different formats on how cities grow in size. The typical historic pattern or urban growth followed a concentric circle around denser areas. The city expanded around a central hub of economic activity where the most valuable properties were located. The closer each property was to the core, the higher its value. Large urban areas like New York and Chicago followed this pattern of growth early in their history.

Transit infrastructure affected urban growth patterns in the modern era. Through transportation hubs, cities grew in axial patterns following the implementation of train stations and other methods of mass transit. The effective movement of people and goods to and from the city center expanded the radius of what was considered urban areas. Residential and commercial projects developed along those transportation lines which resulted in increased property values on each transit hub.

The distribution of neighborhoods and suburbs in Washington, DC is an example of this type of axial urban growth. A network of horsecar trolleys started operating in 1962 with horsecars and were transformed to electric in 1888; the development of middle-class residential neighborhoods followed these lines that extended well into Virginia and Maryland. This above-ground system was finally dismantled in 1960. Bus lines and the subway partially replaced the historic above-ground lines but essentially continue to emphasize urban growth in an axial pattern.

Different from concentric or axial, sector growth is the pattern of urban expansion that follows individual developments. It is a combination of the axial pattern along with specific magnet projects. The growth happens outward from the city and concentrates uses by type. American development of zoned maps follows this pattern of growth, by type of use and shape of buildings. University campuses create sector growth by concentrating new uses, like higher education, and attracting students, professors, and staff to a clustered area. Demand of services and housing increases in sectors of the city heavily influenced by long-term and large developments.

American cities have followed a combination of growth patterns listed above. However, recently, there has been a reversal on urban growth. Historically cities grew outward buoyed by affordable land and accessible highways. In recent years, distant suburban developments burdened families with long commutes and the social cost of car dependency. The current market demands smaller homes near activity centers that result in new projects in more convenient locations to daily activities.

Innovative urban housing and production

Cities do not grow in an abstract manner. Their expansion materializes in the addition of buildings, infrastructure, and increased demand for services. So how does new housing happen?

Traditionally, new housing occurred as new buildings in empty land. A private developer would purchase undeveloped land on the outskirts of the city, normally the suburbs, and build single-family homes. Supported by highways, shopping malls, and the suburbanization of services, this type of housing development increased distances and emphasized a car-dependent culture. The units developed maximized size and value while creating homogeneous results of single-family homes. Lack of variety in design and construction is cheaper to design, build, and finance than heterogeneous housing. This development of housing growth excludes affordable units and limits the models of houses available for purchase. Because land near urban centers is becoming scarce, the availability of acreage to continue this type of housing growth is unsustainable from a social and economic perspective.

Aside from suburban and exurban growth, urban residential growth also happens with the replacement of existing units. In these areas, developers buy outdated older homes, demolish them, and build a new one from scratch. The tangible consequence of this type of project is the replacement of a smaller, affordable unit with a larger, more expensive one. The cost of buying a home in the same lot increases and the availability of new affordable housing is reduced. Current zoning and financial models encourage the replacement of single-family housing but discourage the conversion into multiple units on the same lot.

Aside from replacement of individual homes, new housing units are created through large-scale multistory projects. Due to the impact on established neighborhoods, this type of project requires coordination between city and developers. They tend to be located in high traffic corridors and result in the densification of a small area. Existing neighbors have little to no influence in the remediation measures that a high-impact project will have. The main benefit of large-scale residential projects is the potential to revitalize disinvested areas providing density to retail and services options on the ground floor, like a grocery store or a day care center.

 Aside from large-scale projects, another contributor of new housing can be found in the addition of middle-height housing projects. These types of developments, up to four stories, introduce middle density to neighborhoods. The visual and environmental impact of these projects is limited to the existing streetscape and contributes small-scale retail space on the ground floor, like restaurants and cafes.

An example of this type of middle-scale project can be seen in Petworth, a neighborhood in north-west Washington, DC. The main roads that traverse the neighborhood are converting existing townhouses while providing infill units. The new projects blend with the neighboring structures and allow for existing housing units to be preserved in the surrounding smaller streets. These types of projects are contributors to the local economy by providing ground floor commercial space to small business owners.

Aside from multiunit residential projects, an innovative option to add new housing in the city is the creation of units within existing homes. Located in backyards, basements, and attics, these types of units do not require public participation and have little to no impact on the streetscape. Additional dwelling units contribute one or two extra units per lot by optimizing the use of land in low-density neighborhoods. They illustrate a private solution to the public housing deficit. The aesthetic impact of these types of housing is negligible to the urban environment. They do not provide retail fronts, but the spaces open the possibility for small businesses such as professional services to grow within residential neighborhoods. Detached accessory structures are ideal to use as a dwelling, an office, and small industries like a bicycle repair shop.

The creation of new housing types to satisfy the current housing deficit is dependent on the urban impact, the involvement of parties, and the capacity of each entity to contribute a local solution. The typology of units, the availability of services, and the relationship between private and public space is fundamental for the city to provide sustainable housing options in the long term.

Housing of the future

New housing typologies follow new family formats and a demanding economic reality. The future of housing must be created within layers of private and public space to create a supportive environment. The future of single-family homes is transforming from less single-family and more collaborative between neighbors. The home of the future is efficient and effective in its use of space and it welcomes residents in all stages of life. It sets the stage for individuals with different physical and cognitive abilities to engage in civic participation.

The future of housing is heterogeneous and a promoter of safe and affordable options. It includes more villages and additional dwelling units that foster collaboration and social support. With shared amenities and outdoor features, future units are beneficial for families of different economic and cultural backgrounds.

Communal use of outdoor spaces, shared parking, and proximity to transit provide privacy while contributing layers of semi-spaces. The future of housing promotes independent living, self-agency, and is accessible to public services.

The pandemic of 2020 reframed housing as shelter and emphasized a flexible approach to use of space – private and public. Home is, and will always be, the most significant space for individuals of belonging and safety. Innovative typologies are the most relevant measure in the future exploration of housing options to compensate for the current dehumanizing deficit.

The public realm, and how the private space reconnects to its surroundings, is the organizer of every other social dynamic. From education to access to healthcare, affordable housing results from a contributing relationship between all tangible and intangible factors of the built environment.

The future of housing must balance the effects of data that can anticipate social and cultural needs for space. From policy makers to architects, professionals and homeowners that influence the built environment have the capacity to contribute to affordable and sustainable housing.

The future of housing is today.

Despite all of this creativity, however, there’s one thing that hasn’t changed among agents selling homes — the overwhelming majority of lawn signs all look the same. Drive down any street and you’ll see dozens of rectangles hanging from frames in the front yards, declaring which homes are on the market. And while the colors and images might be different, these all end up indistinguishable from any other yard sign.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Real estate agents who want to think outside the box should reimagine how they are using signs. There is obviously a lot of variety and creativity in the kinds of signs that sellers use, but 99% of the time the format is still the ubiquitous 24×36 inch rectangle. It’s time to break out from the tyranny of this shape. Because while these may be easy to make and convenient to store, they don’t achieve the primary goal of getting noticed. This is where die-cut signs can play a vital role in helping agents differentiate themselves from their competitors.

This may sound expensive and complicated, but die-cut signs are actually pretty simple. Traditionally, purchasing signs required a minimum order that could be prohibitively expensive. So while having a cool lawn sign might be advantageous, there’s really no benefit for agents if they have to order 20 or 30 at a time. No one wants a garage full of strangely shaped signs! Thanks to advances in digital printing, it is now possible to order individual custom signs rather than bulk batches. That’s a game changer for agents who might only need one or two signs at a time.

The real advantage for agents is that they can customize signs for each property that they are selling. For example, a house that is perfect for a family with small children could feature a sign with a stick figure family, and a sign for a large estate-like house could be cut in the shape of a castle. There are literally no limits, not only on the graphic elements of the sign, but the shape of the sign itself. Even “basic” signs don’t have to be squares or rectangles. Agents can just as easily put up a circle or a triangle, which, while not particularly “out there” in terms of design, will certainly stand out from the crowd of generic signs in a particular neighborhood.

There’s no one single magic bullet that will make real estate agents successful. As we all know, there are hundreds of factors that separate the top producers from the rest of the pack. But one thing that great agents do is always think creatively about how to maximize value for the homes they are selling. Taking a creative approach to signage may give you a key advantage over your competitors and increase the perceived value of your customer’s home.

If there are two words that aptly describe Mike Bernier, they would be tenacity and determination. Today, as co-owner and president of Realty Group, Bernier enjoys the rewards of a life of hard work and overcoming monumental hardships and setbacks. Through it all, he has persevered, holding close those things he values most in life: his family, his friends, his community, and the amazing people he works with.

“I guess if I could sum it all up in a few words I’d say the moral of my story is that it’s been one with virtually no opportunities and many challenges,” he says. “I was my dad’s youngest of six kids from three different wives. I grew up in a family that struggled financially. It’s not like I ever missed a meal, but times were very tough for a low-income family. For example, for many years there was no heat in the upper level of our house where I slept.”

I guess if I could sum it all up in a few words I’d say the moral of my story is that it’s been one with virtually no opportunities and many challenges.”

In fact, the home where Bernier grew up was built in the late 1800s and, as he describes it, was the bare basics. He also recalls how much his father hated his job, which led to him being a rather distant, almost absentee parent for a significant amount of Bernier’s childhood. On top of this, both parents suffered from their own personal demons.

“Both my parents were alcoholics,” Bernier says. “I think my mom suffered from undiagnosed depression. So, growing up in that dynamic, with my assortment of half-brothers and sisters was a real challenge. I had a lot of trouble developing socially.”

This difficulty manifested itself in serious problems once he began kindergarten. In fact, teachers were so concerned they began testing him for learning disabilities and other possible causes. And, because children can be cruel, Bernier drew an inordinate amount of teasing and sometimes brutal bullying all the way to high school.

“I experienced a lot of isolation and a lot of fear,” he says. “And the fear made it even harder for me to fully engage in school, and subsequently I did very poorly.”

While school life was nearly unbearable, by the time he was 14, Bernier had already obtained his first job.

“I wanted to make some extra money,” he says. “The vehicles my parents had were really old and rusted out, and I was hoping to make enough money to one day buy my own car. But what I found out right away was I didn’t like working. I could barely hold a job for more than six months.”

Upon reflection, Bernier realizes that his father’s attitude toward his own job had probably influenced him more than he realized. But things seem to change when in the 10th grade a gentleman from a local real estate firm came to talk to the students about career opportunities.

“I slept through 90 percent of his presentation,” Bernier admits, “But I never forgot him. And, later in life he was my first manager when I got into real estate.”

BEATING THE 9 TO 5

But that day was still far in the future. After barely graduating high school, Bernier had no real hopes for his future. With no desire to go to college and no clear vision of the career that would suit him, he worked for a while delivering auto parts. He had essentially resigned himself to the fact that he would go through life working menial jobs that he hated. Before long, that all changed.

“I guess I was about 20,” says Bernier. “The girl I was dating had advance placement and went to college to become a paralegal, where she did very well. She was working at a law firm in downtown St. Paul and the attorneys she worked with were saying things to her like, ‘Hey, why are you with that guy? Your boyfriend is a loser working at a dead-end job.’

“That was the last straw for me,” he continues. “I hated working. I hated my place in life, but never thought I could do any better. This is when I decided to get a different kind of job.”

That’s when he found an ad in the newspaper for jobs at a nearby real estate company. Still living at home, Bernier was able to walk the few blocks to the realty office.

“The manager turned out to be the one who had visited my class in the 10th grade,” he says. “After just a half-hour talking with this guy, I was enrolled in real estate classes starting the next Monday.”

The guy who had struggled through school, completed the real estate course in three weeks and within one month had his first client.

“We got to the closing table and the buyer broke down in tears,” Bernier recalls. “I thought I’d done something wrong. I asked, ‘Are you OK?’ But he just smiled and said, ‘I never thought I’d be able to buy a house again. I lost one in foreclosure 10 years ago. Now, here I am, a homeowner again, and you were such a big part of this. I didn’t think I could do it, but you made me believe I could.’

“In that moment, I felt like I’d found my place. I was hooked.”

That was nearly a quarter of a century ago. And while things definitely looked up for Bernier, that wasn’t the end of his struggles.

ANGER MANAGEMENT

His was an exceptional start, but Bernier was never satisfied, so was always going the extra mile and pushing himself to excel. Now that he’d found his niche, this new agent was putting in the hard work that it takes to build an incredible career.

“My first year, I think I did nine transactions, and one of those was buying my own home,” he says with pride. “Two others were the selling of my parents’ home and helping them buy another one. Their dream had always been to live in Brainerd, and I was so happy to help make that happen for them. I was starting to feel pretty good about myself. I felt successful and as though I’d really found my place in the world.”

I was starting to feel pretty good about myself. I felt successful and as though I’d really found my place in the world.”

That was all about to come crashing down. “Five months after I moved my parents, my mom called to tell me she was diagnosed with terminal cancer,” says Bernier. “Nine months later, she passed away. My dad didn’t want to stay in Brainerd, so I helped him sell that home and moved him back here and found him another place.”

Sadly, nine months after losing his mother, Bernier also lost his father. It was piling up on him, the culmination of years of bullying, bad breaks and the final crushing blow – losing both parents at such a young age. Bernier was becoming very angry. His response to that was to physically bulk up and hit the gym.

“The next few years of my life, I was amping up my real estate career, but this anger was driving me to be ultra-competitive in a very unhealthy way.”

While the results looked good on paper (by years three and four Bernier was making $150,000-$250,000 a year) what it was doing to him emotionally and personally is a different story.

“I was still only about 25 years old,” he says. “I was making crazy money and I was filled with this burning anger. This led me to do some pretty stupid things.”

Hitting the party scene regularly, Bernier says, “I took out my anger on a lot of people. It’s not like I was out looking for trouble, but I was quick to respond if it was there.”

This led to run-ins with the law and putting himself in some very dangerous situations. He might have gradually let maturity and better judgement guide him if it hadn’t been for the looming recession that was just around the corner.

“By 2007, my income had dropped to a level that couldn’t sustain our lifestyle,” he recalls.

After his father passed, Bernier’s then-wife had knocked on the door of his old family home and convinced the new owners to sell it back to them. Four years later, Bernier built her a “dream home,” something he was terribly proud to be able to offer her.

With the crash, Bernier lost not just one but both homes.

“Real estate was my only sense of identity and it looked like it was all going away,” he says. “So, on a whim we decided to move to San Diego, California and three weeks later we were there.”

Relocating did not however mean leaving his demons behind. Shortly after the move, Bernier had a brutal experience as a direct result of his inability to deal with his anger.

“I was out at a bar and three guys attacked me,” he says. “It was a vicious fight where nobody escaped injury. It was pretty ugly. I realized that my anger was completely out of control.”

Bernier took a unique approach by taking up competitive boxing, where he says he felt he could channel his anger. It certainly helped direct his uncontained anger into a safer and more productive area, but he also discovered another arena where he could shine.

“My focus shifted for the next few years,” he says. “I was still selling a home or two here and there, but my primary focus was on building myself as a fighter. In 2010, my family finally persuaded me to move back home to Minnesota.”

Although he continued for a while with his boxing career, Bernier gradually made his way back into the Minnesota real estate market.

THE ROAD BACK

As Bernier redirected his efforts back toward the business he had come to love, there was a change in how he approached it. No longer just for the love of helping people, he felt driven. Pushing himself, he was working virtually round the clock.

“It wasn’t necessarily a healthy thing,” he admits. “I was working 12-13 hours a day, every day, burning myself out.”

His relentless drive soon had him ranked in the top 50 Real Estate Agents in Minnesota. His goal was to be number 30, and then 29, and so on. He was already closing more than 70 transactions a year, and if he’d stayed the course would have easily been closing more than 100. But his life was about to change again.

In the wake of the recession, Bernier had been focusing his exploding business on bank-owned properties, but with the dawn of 2013 that particular market was drying up. By the end of that year he realized he needed to regroup and refocus his efforts. That’s when he approached his future partner and friend, Long Doan.

“Long and I had both been focusing our business on bank-owned properties, Long on the listing side and me on generating buyer leads,” says Bernier. “We both decided that instead of going our separate ways we’d form what we call a traditional real estate brokerage. But we had a unique model in mind, one that we created from concept.”

In April 2014, the new and improved version of Realty Group was born.

“Before, all I could think about was getting to number one,” says Bernier. “But, once Long and I became partners a huge change came over me. I no longer was focused just on myself and my success, I was thinking, ‘What can I do to help every agent in this brokerage?’ It was no longer about me being number one, but how do I help those new agents who are struggling with just a few transactions a year build their business. My whole focus, and in a sense, my life changed. It’s almost as if by redirecting my energy and focus I was able to realign myself.”

Ironically, over the last few years fueled with this new mindset, Bernier’s success has skyrocketed rather than plunged. But he doesn’t want to talk about his individual success, but rather that of the brokerage and those who make up that very successful business.

“Realty Group has become the fifth largest residential real estate company in Minnesota,” he says with justified pride. “We have roughly 490 real estate professionals now, grown from the original eight. We now own multiple businesses and we are national real estate coaches with Club Wealth. The opportunities that have presented themselves with my change of attitude is nothing short of miraculous.

It’s completely changed me. My happiness, how I engage with people and my relationships have all improved incredibly. That, in a nutshell, is the moral of my story.”

“It’s completely changed me. My happiness, how I engage with people and my relationships have all improved incredibly. That, in a nutshell, is the moral of my story. It’s not just, ‘Hey I had it rough.” It comes down to when you truly start contributing to other people’s lives; that’s when you grow your own.

Bernier no longer struggles with anger issues, but rather appreciates the success. He’s enjoyed overcoming obstacles in the past, and today looks only to the future with a positive and generous attitude.

“Today, my whole mission is helping create agents who have better lives and, through sustainable systems, can enjoy longevity in their career.”

She was just 19 years old when she purchased her first home. Beyond being a symbol of independence and maturity, the experience prompted Shannon Everett to rethink her whole life plan.

“It’s all about the experience,” says Bray, co-owner and broker of Engel & Völkers Minneapolis. “Who doesn’t enjoy being treated to unsurpassed, red carpet service?”

Founded by Christian Völkers in 1977, this boutique-style concept quickly grew, earning a distinguished reputation throughout Europe for delivering high-end services to an exclusive clientele. Today they are recognized worldwide for their singularly unique culture of exclusivity, competence and passion. These core values are shared by thousands of dedicated professionals and serve as the driving force behind the growth and success of this sophisticated brand.

It’s immediately apparent that this is one brokerage with a completely new approach. Even the proprietary terminology underscores the focus on service. For example, offices are identified as shops, subtly inviting people to leisurely browse. You won’t find any “agents” here either, and there’s a very good reason why.

“We might be the only group of licensed real estate professionals who actually take immense pride in the fact that we advise our clients as opposed to selling them something,” says Bray. “I like to say that we don’t ‘agent’ our clients, but ‘advise’ them instead. It’s not a tangible thing we sell, but the feeling that people get when working with one of our advisors. Not only is it replicable, but it’s worth talking about.”

As 50/50 partners Bray and Bacigalupo, since opening their first shop in the Twin Cities in 2015, have continued to grow and expand to the three locations they now operate. “Ultimately, what drove Lindsay and I to buy the franchise and bring Engel & Völkers to our region was for the sole purpose of bringing a luxury experience, no matter what the price point might be. Our clients will attest that they enjoy a white-glove, VIP experience regardless of the size or market value of the property.”

LOCAL ROOTS

Born in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Geoffrey Bray has fond memories of the small community of Spearfish but considers Minnetonka, Minnesota his hometown.

“I was about 8-years-old when we moved,” says the charismatic REALTOR, “and I instantly fell in love with everything about Minnetonka, especially the people. I know ‘Minnesota Nice’ is a term that’s casually bandied about, but for me it’s a perfect description of the people here. I really love our community, and except for the few years while I was attending college, I’ve never left.

“When my wife Jessica and I started our own family, we agreed that we wanted our children to have the same wonderful experience growing up here,” he adds. “I’ve traveled many places throughout my adult life, and although admittedly the winter can be a little tough sometimes, it’s impossible to find better people.”

“We might be the only group of licensed real estate professionals who actually take immense pride in the fact that we advise our clients as opposed to selling them something.”

An exceptional athlete, Bray attended college on a baseball scholarship. Studying kinesiology, his aspirations were to eventually work in some capacity that would help other athletes improve their bodies and performance. Graduating magnum cum laude from Concordia University-St. Paul, Bray went to work for Velocity Sports Performance.

“We trained athletes of all ages,” he says, “and I got into the sales side of the company selling training packages. Our clientele was extremely diverse. At one end of the spectrum we trained 8-year-old kids wishing to boost their baseball skills and at the other end, 20-something collegians preparing for NFL tryouts. So, it was a full gamut.”

With an apparent affinity for sales, Bray also worked for a short while as a sales representative for a surgical device company. “That was really quite fascinating,” he notes. “I actually got to be in the operating room with surgeons as they performed various procedures using devices our company sold.”

CHANGE THE WORLD COMPLEX

Part of Bray’s charm lies in his disarming, self-deprecating humor. Far from the arrogance that so many highly successful people seem to adopt, Bray remains true to his earnest and unaffected Minnesota roots, achieving that often elusive balance between confidence and humility. When explaining how his career path veered from the sports arena to real estate, he’s both candid and droll.

“My transition into real estate really came from this 25-year-old’s ‘complex’ convincing me that I could radically change the industry for the better,” he says with a grin. “I had just bought my first house and the transaction was terrible. The entire experience was very stressful and left me with a bitter taste. I just didn’t feel that it needed to be that way and was determined I could do better.”

Unfortunately, his timing couldn’t have been worse. It was late 2006 on the eve of one of the industry’s most devastating debacles. Harrowing though it may have been however, Bray has no regrets.

“I wouldn’t trade when I started, and what I experienced, for anything,” he says. “While various established, seasoned professionals were going through some of the hardest times of their career, I was blissfully unaware. I had nothing to compare it to. The way the market was then was my first experience as a real estate professional so for me, it just was what it was.”

In retrospect it was obviously trial by fire, jumping in as multitudes were fleeing. Having not only survived but actually coming out the other side with a flourishing business and a “fireproof ” work ethic, Bray feels grateful that he hadn’t launched his real estate career any earlier.

“Maybe if I had entered real estate a couple of years earlier the drastic change might have been discouraging. Getting a new listing wasn’t difficult because everyone wanted to sell, but the market was so saturated, so every sale was a challenge. Fast forward nine years and the situation has done a 180-there are plenty of eager buyers but very small inventory. In the decade that I’ve been doing this, I’ve seen a couple very different markets, but they each present their own challenges. At the end of the day, the strong survive. Those who are willing to work are the ones who make it through.”

“Keep your eye on the prize,” is a familiar adage, and one that Bray embraces. Bray’s “prize” has always been to ensure his clients have an experience that is the antithesis of what his own was. Rather than basing his success on the number of transactions or his bank balance, Bray’s yardstick has always been the overall customer experience.

“I’d never put much thought into becoming an agent or someone who ‘sold’ homes,” he clarifies. “My decision to get into real estate was not a financial one. My goal was to make sure that my clients would never have the kind of experience I went through. In fact, I wanted to be known for providing the best experience. Nothing to do with price points. Nothing to do with how much or how little they pay me, but at the end of the day they’re happy with the experience.”

A NEW EXPERIENCE

Engel & Völkers currently operates a global network of over 9,000 real estate advisors in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Völkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and tools; multiple platforms for mobile, social and web; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.

Locally, Bray and Bacigalupo continue to seek and implement the very latest in technology to assist their growing stable of advisors who in turn strive to continuously elevate the world-class experience for their clients.

One of the most spectacular and innovative additions to the downtown location is their Virtual Reality Theater. A first-of-its-kind offering in the Minnesota real estate market, the new VR theater welcomes clients to use Oculus Rift goggles to view any home listing in 3D that has been photographed using VR technology. The 110-inch theater screen allows a viewer’s friends and family members to immersively view listings through the eyes of the individual wearing the goggles simultaneously.

“We are absolutely thrilled to open our new VR theater, which is the perfect opportunity to combine technology with one-on-one service,” says Bray. “Virtual reality offers real estate professionals the opportunity to uplevel client experiences in previously unimaginable ways. Be it around the corner or around the world, viewers can step into a listing simply by putting on the VR goggles. The immersive viewing experience has the potential to be truly game-changing for the real estate industry, and we’re proud to be on the cutting edge of technology and innovation that allows us to better service our clients.”

Maximizing the use of the latest in communication/ marketing technology, Bray also hosts his own lively and very informative podcast “Bray Chats” which is available on ITunes. Featuring an impressive list of interesting guests, Bray’s popular podcast embraces his own philosophy of facing challenges head on.

“Adversity is overcome by tenacity, and many of the people we speak with share the ability to overcome many obstacles to get to their ultimate achievements,” he says of his program.

From their online presence to their strategic partnerships and the basics that continue to prove their effectiveness, Engel & Völkers Minneapolis continues to raise the bar in the way properties are sold and bought, in the unmistakable experiences they provide to clients, and in the tools and support offered to their advisors to make achieving their dreams possible.

“I felt a little bit like a lost soul,” she confesses, her easy smile belying any trace of distress. Regardless, it was a feeling that was short-lived. “I quickly identified what I didn’t want. I knew a desk job, having someone micromanage me was definitely not for me. But, I knew I love working with people.”

Inspired by this epiphany, Freeland immediately quit her recruiting job and headed to the nearest Barnes and Noble where she purchased materials that would help her narrow down her career search.

“It was still pre-worldwide web,” she explains, “so my research had to be done ‘old-school.’ I sat on my parent’s patio thumbing through a book about careers. It offered a very intriguing description of a real estate career, including such notable points as: endless earning potential and tons of flexibility. To me it sounded like a win-win opportunity. Best of all, it was a career that virtually guarantees plenty of interaction with all types of people and the opportunity to help them navigate the process of making one of the most important purchases of their life.”

To further cement her positive feelings about this possible career choice, Freeland called her good friend (and soon to be business partner) Sara Schulman to get her thoughts. “Sara was just as clueless regarding career options,” says Freeland. “When I explained everything, I had been reading she was just as enthusiastic as me.”

THE PATH TO SUCCESS

Now that she had found the perfect path, Freeland was ready to go. But first things first. Wanting to be as prepared as possible Freeland reached out to another of her many friends. “This was a good friend from college and he set me up with a woman by the name of Issy Gale,” she says. “Mind you, this woman has been in the business for over 50 years. She’s so vivacious, so full of life and has such a passion for real estate that it was just contagious.”

Freeland and Schulman didn’t waste any time getting licensed, all the while under the tutelage of their new mentor. “Thankfully Issy really took us under her wing,” says Freeland. “At the time she owned a small real estate firm and she really showed us the real ropes of real estate. What you learn in class is just the basics. To really go out there and pound the pavement, connect with the client and understand what you do day-to-day it’s crucial to have a mentor. And Issy really guided us for quite a few years.”

Having always been something of a Type A personality, striving to be the best at everything she does, it’s not surprising that during this mentorship, both Freeland and Schulman also received their mortgage licenses. To be sure, this is not common and certainly not a requirement, but both women felt the additional knowledge would not only strengthen their expertise but benefit their clients as well.

“Coming forward, we didn’t continue in that direction,” says Freeland, “but it was an excellent learning experience. It has proven immensely beneficial to fully understand what it takes to generate a loan and all the complexities of that aspect of real estate. Besides, we feel the more you know, the better you can serve your clients.”

BIRTH OF A BUSINESS

The next few years the two women worked with Gale at her small brokerage and even worked at a few other larger firms. “I can’t say I ever had a negative experience at any of the real estate companies,” says Freeland. “But then finally in 2007, Sara and I recognized that there was going to be a decline in the real estate market. It hadn’t hit yet, but we had enough information to have a true pulse on the market. We also noticed that the rates of many real estate agents were increasing.”

Cognizant of the impending changes, Freeland stayed up all night writing a business plan and researching the real costs of being a broker and how that might help her clients.

“So, in November of 2007 Sara and I got our broker’s licenses and opened Avenue Realty,” she says. “It was driven by our desire to put more dollars and cents into our clients. We just knew that we had the passion.”

Sparked with this drive and passion, the partners launched a business with a unique model. “We aren’t extravagant,” says Freeland. “We currently have just two other agents that work with us, and don’t even have plans to be the biggest. We’re looking to be the best.”

“We are 110 percent client-driven,” she continues. “All of our business is solely referral. Client satisfaction is the core of our business plan. We strive to be open and honest and to give them information. It’s not our job to make decisions for them, but rather help them to make their own educated decisions. People often say, ‘oh, you’re in sales,’ but I honestly do not feel that way. I’m not in sales I feel that I’m in customer service.”

Forging three decades of real estate experience, Freeland and Schulman have successfully bought and sold millions of dollars of Twin Cities real estate. Avenue Realty is the culmination of their passion, dedication and continuous training, but above all client satisfaction remains their top credo. In fact, they clearly outline their core values and goals:

AVENUE REALTY CORE VALUES:

1. Complete client satisfaction
2. Simple, smooth and stress-free transactions
3. Staying on the cusp of latest trends, technology & market forecasts
4. Honesty and integrity
5. Always available to help

Furthermore, Avenue Realty’s team approach to real estate allows one of their professional real estate agents to always be available for client consultation and needs. Whether a first-time homebuyer in Minneapolis, a seller wanting to list a home in Hopkins, or an investor wanting to purchase a foreclosure home, Avenue Realty has the experience, flexibility and concern to help.

CLIENT CONFIDENCE

Over the years Freeland has assisted hundreds of clients from virtually every walk of life in finding their dream home. She speaks fondly of all of them, but naturally there are always a few that stand out.

“I was helping a wonderful young couple find a home to start their family,” she says. “They were in a competitive area and price point, but I had found them the home – along with 17 other buyers. Before stepping foot out of the home, I got on the horn with the listing agent who turned out to not only be a good friend, but a sorority sister from Alpha Phi at the University of Minnesota. I expressed the strength and motivation of my clients to be the next homeowners to love this home. Lo and behold, we were not the strongest offer, but still selected because the listing agent knew I got deals done. At that successful closing my clients brought me a gift of a homemade candle they said was ‘made with love.’ I love it but only burn on special occasions.”

MOTHER REAL ESTATE

While obviously passionate about her work, there is a certain little seven-year-old boy who completely owns Freeland’s heart. “Max is the light of my life,” she says with a glowing face. “I’m a single mom and I wake up every morning and set my intentions for the day. My intentions are to be a good mother, be a good provider and be kind to myself. When you are kind to you, you’re kinder to others.”

A “jeans and cowboy boots” kind of gal, Freeland enjoys anything outdoors: kayaking, hiking or just a stroll with Max through the park. But she doesn’t have to look far for the smoothly comfort of nature. Perched on the shores of a beautiful lake, Freeland confides to doing some of her best thinking and work with her laptop on her back porch.

And while she insists on downplaying her many talents, Freeland’s real estate success has even landed her on HGTV where she says, “I had a wonderful time working with producer Colleen Snyder and show host, David Romstead.”

In a moment of quiet reflection Freeland shares her feelings about her life and work. “Sometimes I can’t believe how fortunate I really am,” she says. “I have such a wonderful, full life. I have a wonderful family close by, my darling Max and all my clients who seem to be as close as family. Who could ask for more?”