Northern Michigan Real Estate
Blue Lakes Real Estate Group
Get to Know the Team
The Area
From Downtown to the Shoreline
The Team
Advisors at Blue Lakes
Founder
Jennifer Hastings
In real estate since 1998, when she began buying and restoring old homes in Baltimore. She founded Blue Lakes after moving to Traverse City and is the Regional Partner for Key Realty in the Traverse City market.
Director of Operations, Senior Advisor
Brenna Russell
Born and raised in Traverse City, she runs the team's operations and works with buyers and sellers across the five-county Grand Traverse market.
Senior Advisor
Karen Lueck
A buyer's advocate known for strong negotiation, focused on getting her clients the best possible terms on the way in.
Advisor
Liz MacManus
Grew up in the area and brings local knowledge of its neighborhoods, with a reputation for organization and creative problem-solving through a transaction.
Senior Advisor
Christina Ballard-Dunklow
Years of experience and deep roots in the Traverse City area, working with everyone from first-time buyers to families settling into a forever home.
Advisor
Meagan Alexander
A Northern Michigan native and Associate Broker who also founded Forever North Boutique Vacation Rentals, so she reads a house as both a home and an investment.
Broker, Senior Advisor
Christine Stalsonburg
A licensed Broker with a homesteading background, at home evaluating acreage, outbuildings, water access, and land-use potential alongside the house itself.
Advisor
Melissa Brady
Co-owner of Sage Homes with her husband Tom, she builds custom homes across Northern Michigan and brings a builder's eye to every showing.
What the Team Does
Buying, Selling, and Financing
Buy a Home
Local agents who guide the whole search, from first showing through inspection and negotiation, to find the right home at the best price.
Trained and licensed local agents
Traverse City area specialists
Help finding the right home
Negotiating the best price
Sell Your Home
A proven plan for selling, from setting the price to marketing across the web and traditional media, matched to the right buyers.
Pricing strategy
Marketing across web and print
Matching your home to serious buyers
Support through closing
Finance Your Purchase
Introductions to sponsored local lenders who specialize in Traverse City area homes, so you know your number before you shop.
Pre-qualification
Guidance on loan programs
Competitive rates and low down payments
Local loan originators
Our Testomonials
Alex P. 
Traverse City
“We purchased a lake place outside of Traverse City late last year and could not have done it without Jennifer. Living in Tennessee made it difficult based on the speed at which things sell in that area. She was there every step of the way, and even helped us with a septic issue and some insurance challenges along the way.”
Peter T.
Traverse City
“We had an open house on a Saturday and ten offers well above the asking price by Sunday night. She arranged for a realtor to help us find a new home in Ohio and acted as our guardian angel through the whole process, all on an extremely tight schedule.”
Brian U.
Northern Michigan
“Jennifer and her team immediately saw the value in our unique home and had a vision for finding the right buyer. This was not a stick-a-sign-in-the-yard kind of property, and we were under contract in about 15 days.”
Bob L.
Traverse City
“Brenna helped my family find our first home. Her professionalism, knowledge, and human touch took so much of the intimidation factor out of the process. She will do anything for her clients and truly cares about them as people.”
Juli K.
Northern Michigan
“Karen always kept us up to date on the progress of our home purchase. Through some ups and downs, she always had our best interests at heart.”
Paul L.
Traverse City
“For three years we would reach out thinking we were ready to make the move, and each time Jennifer was helpful and offered suggestions on which areas would be the right investment. She treated us like we were the most important clients she had.”
Talk to Us About Buying, Selling, or Financing
