Getting to Know Russ, Joe, and Janel - Your West Bloomfield Lake MI Realtors
Joe Bertera, Russ Ravary and Janel Bertera-Barter
Hi! I am Russ Ravary. I grew up downriver in Allen Park. My education was like most of Michigan people, I applied for an in state college.
Working to pay my way through college I worked at a variety of jobs to pay the bills. Some of them were pouring basement walls (lots of digging), instructor at Vic Tanny's, landscaping (more digging), working at General Motors Ypsilanti Hydromatic Transmission Plant, and as a copy machine salesperson at Royal Business Machines.
After going to Michigan State University for two years I decided to enjoy life and backpacked around Europe with some friends (back then it was Europe on $10 a day).
In order to finish paying for college on my own, I joined the military and served as a parachute packer for the Special Forces and an infantryman with the 82nd Airborne for 4 years.
While in the military I took night classes and graduated with a BA in Business from a small southern college.
I met a Southern gal while in the military.
We married and for a few years we lived in a hundred year old home on her father's tobacco farm. I learned how to prime tobacco, raised a couple crops of watermelons on my own. Just think I could have been a gentlemen farmer raising tobacco but things turned out differently.
Fortunately my life took a great turn when I met my wife Marianne twenty-one years ago.
She slowed me down, settled me down, and gave me a purpose in life. She was just diagnosed with breast cancer at the time. We went through the battles of cancer and life together trying to put a positive light on what is handed to us while enjoying life with family and friends.
Sadly Marianne lost her battle with breast cancer in 2010. She was a great Italian lady, who loved to cook, and take care of people. She touched everybody with her kindness and her sweet likable personality. I was lucky to have shared my life with her for twenty one years.
We raised Ryan to be a good young man. Like most parents we have tried to give Ryan more than we had. We sent him to Catholic Central, watching him play football and then to MSU. He started out of college working at Sears Chicago headquarters as an analyst and moved to Grand Rapids to join Meijers in logistics..
8 years later I married Patti a college sweet heart. We have a houseful now with 2 grandkids and her daughter that was being physically abused by her husband. We rescued her and the kids out of the situation so at 60 years old we are running around after the grandkids. Life is good!
What matters most to you is that I have nineteen years of experience in the real estate and mortgage field. Being a full time real estate agent has given me the knowledge to solve problems that may arise in your move. After all I want to make your next move easier
I have worked with Chase Manhattan Bank helping mortgage brokers structure loans and submit them the right way. I have closed over $100,000,000 of loans in that period and helped many people into homes.
I have negotiated some good prices for homes and helped quite a few first time home buyers get their first home. But I am also proud that I have stopped some sales by getting a good inspector, and helped people take a step back when the house they wanted to buy was overpriced. I am the one that will give you the information, the comparables that you can make a sound decision.
My philosophy is be honest to people, give people good service, to charge a little less than your competitor because you will get more referrals and loyal customers. It all comes around to you. Over the years quite a few of my clients have become more than clients they have become friends. I hope that I can earn your trust and friendship. If you are looking for a good real estate agent give me a call today.
I grew up in Livonia, MI and went to Clarenceville High School, originally from the Pittsburgh, PA area, our family of 6 moved to Michigan when I was 5 years old for my Dad to work in the auto industry. I attended Eastern Michigan University and have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration concentrated in Accounting.
I worked in a CPA firm for the first 3 years out of college, then moved onto Controller of company for another 10 years. I decided it was time for a change and had always been involved in Real Estate part time with my sister Janel Barber who had already been a Realtor for over a decade.
I have been a Full Time Realtor for close to 20 years now and I love helping people buy and sell homes and I love that I get to work everyday with my Sister and Family. For the past 25 years I have resided in Novi on the shores of Walled Lake and have been a boat owner for more than 25 years, if you are looking for an Oakland County Lakes Area Realtor I have the experience and knowledge you are looking for when it comes to Lake Living.
I work diligently for my clients no matter what price range they are buying or selling a home. I have sold homes for as little as $5,000 and up to $2,000,000, all clients receive the same service and respect.
All my clients end up feeling like family during the buying or selling process and I hope they feel the same way so we can continue a friendship for a long time.
I am always available by email, text, or phone and try to respond to every person quickly. Let our family help your family with any of your professional real estate needs or questions!
With a real estate license since 1999 and over two decades of experience as a full-time agent, I have had the pleasure of serving the community with dedication and expertise.
I live in Livonia, where I've resided since 1977, and have been happily married since 1986. Family is my top priority; I have two grown daughters and six wonderful grandchildren, with a seventh on the way.
Three of my grandkids play hockey, a sport I thoroughly enjoy watching. I joined my current brokerage in 2001 and have built lasting relationships with both clients and colleagues.
Outside of work, I volunteer for local food banks, assisting with deliveries to help those in need, and cherish the opportunity to enjoy camping and the great outdoors.
Hosting Sunday dinners and holiday gatherings for my extended family, including three siblings, their spouses, nieces, and nephews, is a cherished tradition that keeps us all connected.
Call us today at 248-310-6239
