Real estate has changed a lot over the last few years. Technology, social media, online leads, AI tools—you name it, it’s all here. And while those things have their place, they’ve also distracted a lot of agents from the one thing that has always driven this business: real relationships.

I’ve built my business by knowing the northern suburbs, knowing the lakes, and actually talking to people. Not hiding behind a screen. Not chasing gimmicks. Just showing up and doing the work. And lately, I’ve felt a pull to get back to that.

So I’m making a shift.
More phone calls.
More door knocking.
More face-to-face conversations with the people who actually live here.

Here’s why.

1. Real Estate Is Still a Human Business

Algorithms don’t walk your property.
Websites don’t understand your shoreline.
Apps don’t know why you love your backyard at sunset.

Real estate is about people, families, timing, and circumstance. When I knock on a door or pick up the phone, I get to hear what matters most to people. Their plans. Their hopes. Their concerns. Their “somedays.”

You don’t get that through an online form.

2. People Want an Expert They Trust—Not Another Ad

The northern suburbs and lake-home markets are unique. The average online agent doesn’t understand water quality, setbacks, septic requirements, or shoreline restrictions.

But when I meet people in person, we get to talk about real issues:

• What their home might be worth in today’s market

• Whether it’s better to renovate or sell

• If their lake has strong long-term value

• What’s happening with the wave of lake-home inventory coming

• How to time a move without disrupting their life

When you talk face-to-face, people can feel your commitment. Your work ethic. Your local understanding.

That builds trust—real trust—not the surface-level kind that comes from a Facebook ad.

3. Most Agents Won’t Do It Anymore

Here’s the truth:
Most agents won’t knock a door. They wouldn’t dream of cold-calling. They only want easy leads, and they avoid the uncomfortable work that built this industry for decades.

And that’s exactly why I’m doing it.

Because the work no one wants to do is the work that sets you apart.

When you show up on someone's doorstep with genuine care—not a pitch—you stand out. When you call someone just to check in, not to pressure, that matters. And when you keep showing up consistently, people remember.

4. The Market Is Shifting, and Conversations Matter More Than Ever

Inventory is changing. Interest rates are changing. Buyer motivation is changing. Lake homes especially are entering a major transition over the next few years.

You can’t navigate a shifting market without good information, and good information comes from conversations—not from guessing online.

I want homeowners to feel supported, informed, and prepared. Whether they’re selling this year or five years from now, they should know their options and be able to make decisions confidently.

5. This Is What “Relationships Over Transactions” Really Means

Anyone can say they’re relationship-first. But if you’re not willing to show up on a porch in November or make a call at 8:30 in the evening when someone is stressed about their home—you’re not actually relationship-first.

I believe in meeting people where they are.
Serving without pressure.
Helping without asking for anything in return.
Being faithful with what I’ve been given.

Door to door.
Phone to phone.
Person to person.
That’s how you build a business that lasts.

Final Thoughts

So if you see me walking your neighborhood, stopping by your dock, or calling to check in—it’s because I genuinely care about this community. I care about the lakes, the people, the families, the future of these neighborhoods. And I want to be a resource you can rely on, whether you’re thinking about moving or just curious about what’s happening in the market.

Real estate is changing, but the fundamentals don’t.
Hard work matters.
Honesty matters.
Showing up matters.
Relationships matter.

And that’s exactly what I’m committed to.

Ornell Group Professional Footer

Tim Ornell | Real Luxury | Ornell Group Real Estate
Northern Suburbs Luxury & Waterfront Specialist
$200M+ Sold | 200+ Transactions
Real Luxury Division (Earned Through Luxury Sales Performance)
Institute for Luxury Home Marketing – GUILD Certified
[email protected] | ornellgroup.com

Content and insights provided by Ornell Group. Real estate services brokered by Real Broker. Luxury lake properties marketed through Ornell Group | Real Luxury. Select content enhanced and supported with AI-assisted tools used by our team. All market data, pricing, and property information subject to change.