Chris and Jody had lived on their lake home for many years. It was the backdrop to countless family moments, weekend gatherings, and peaceful mornings overlooking the water. But as their kids grew up, moved to a different part of the metro, and started families of their own, priorities changed. They wanted to be present for the everyday moments — school pickups, birthday dinners, little league games, and all the things that matter most when grandkids enter the picture. The long drive back and forth made it clear: it was time to move closer.
Like many long-time lake homeowners, they knew selling wasn’t something to take lightly. This wasn’t a typical home. This was a place filled with memories, and they wanted someone who would treat the process with care, not someone doing real estate part-time or as a favor. They wanted someone who understood lakefront living, the rules, the buyers, the strategy, and the emotional weight behind a move like this.
From our very first meeting, we talked about their purpose. Why now. Why this move mattered. They weren’t just selling a lake home — they were stepping into a new chapter of life focused on family.
During the process, Chris shared something that stuck with me. He said that working with me felt different from any experience they had before in real estate. They said the process never felt transactional or rushed. It felt human. They appreciated that I took time to understand their goals, walked through every detail, and approached their sale with genuine care. In their testimonial, they mentioned that every step felt supported and intentional — that the strategy wasn’t just about selling a house, but helping them transition to what was best for their family. They said they felt the honesty, the communication, and the commitment to doing things the right way.
That’s what I believe in. I’m a Christian man who approaches this business through service, integrity, and hard work. When someone trusts me with their lake home, it’s not a small responsibility. I treat it with the respect it deserves.
Their Buyer Avatar
Before listing, we identified exactly who the ideal buyer would be. In their case, it was a family or couple who valued lake life, privacy, and long-term potential. Someone who wanted mornings on the water, space for gatherings, and a property they could make their own over time. This profile shaped everything — staging choices, photography angles, the narrative we built around the home, and the platforms we used to reach the right audience.
Strategic Updates and Design Vision
We made a few targeted updates to ensure the home connected with the buyer avatar. This included brightening key living spaces, simplifying decor to highlight the lake views, updating light fixtures, and improving outdoor presentation to showcase the shoreline. Trends right now in the northern suburbs lean toward airy, natural-light interiors and clean lake-facing lines — so we leaned into that look.
The Creative Marketing Strategy
Lake homes require a completely different strategy than standard listings. For Chris and Jody, we built a marketing plan focused on lifestyle, exposure, and the technical clarity lake buyers demand.
Our approach included:
• Professional lakefront photography emphasizing water views
• Drone footage showing shoreline, orientation, and privacy
• Interior staging designed around the lake, not the walls
• A lifestyle-driven video showcasing the feeling of living there
• Highly targeted online ads reaching lake-interested buyers across the metro
• Direct outreach to my network of lakefront buyers, agents, and builders
• A pre-market campaign to build anticipation
• A custom property guide detailing lake data, watershed rules, and future potential
The result was more qualified showings, more interest, and buyers who understood the value of the property before they even stepped inside.
The Outcome
The right buyer came forward — someone who connected with the home exactly the way Chris and Jody had hoped. The sale closed smoothly and successfully. More importantly, Chris and Jody moved closer to the people who matter most: their kids and grandkids.
What sellers like Chris and Jody want to see
• A realtor who listens and understands their goals
• Someone who knows the lakes, rules, and buyer psychology
• A full-time professional, not a casual friend doing real estate on the side
• A clear plan backed by lakefront experience
• Creative vision to present the home at its best
• A targeted buyer profile, not generic marketing
• Honest communication rooted in service and integrity
• Someone fully committed to lakefront real estate
Here is the Youtube Video Testimonial to view
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVhBLCwtiYY
If you're thinking about selling your lake home — whether on Bald Eagle, White Bear Lake, Lake Owasso, Centerville Lake, Lake Reshanau, or anywhere in the northern suburbs — I’d be honored to help you prepare for your next chapter, just like I did for Chris and Jody.
ORNELL GROUP REAL ESTATE | TIM ORNELL
Northern Suburbs Luxury & Waterfront Specialist
Real Brokerage | Luxury Division
Institute for Luxury Home Marketing – GUILD Certified
$200M+ Sold | 200+ Transactions
[email protected] | ornellgroup.com
Content provided by Ornell Group Real Estate. Brokered by Real Broker. Select content enhanced with AI-assisted tools. Market data subject to change.
