08/30/2026
Sometimes, it's amazing where one conversation can lead.
Back in the spring of 2021, I was hosting an open house in Clarkston when I met Brandon and Alyssa Motzel. They were relocating to the area to begin their medical residency programs and entrusted me with helping them find a place to call home.
Together, we found a wonderful home in Goodrich.
Over the next several years, that house became so much more than an address. It became the place where Brandon and Alyssa completed their residency programs, grew as physicians, welcomed children into their family, and built the foundation for the next chapter of their lives.
Shortly after closing, Brandon introduced me to his friend, Dr. Jace Bauer.
Jace was beginning his orthopedic surgery residency at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital, while his wife, Amanda, continued her career as a nurse. Together, we found them a home in Grand Blanc where they established their careers, grew their family, and created memories they'll carry with them forever.
This summer, Brandon and Alyssa called me again—this time to help them sell their home as they begin life after residency.
Then, just a few months later, Jace and Amanda did the same after Jace accepted an incredible opportunity with the prestigious Seattle Spine Institute.
As I reflected on these two closings, I realized they weren't really about buying and selling homes.
They were about relationships.
One conversation at an open house led to helping two incredible healthcare families buy homes. Years later, I had the privilege of helping both families sell those same homes as they stepped into exciting new chapters of life and career.
For me, the greatest compliment isn't closing another transaction. It's when someone trusts you enough to refer a friend—and years later, both families trust you again when it's time for the next move.
Brandon and Alyssa, thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey—not once, but twice.
Jace and Amanda, thank you for placing that same trust in me. Congratulations on this exciting opportunity in Seattle. Wishing you all the best as you begin this next chapter.
To all four of you, thank you for the work you do caring for others. It has been an honor to play a small role in your family's journey. See less