Traverse Lifestyle by Amy Couturier, MD

09/22/2026

🎉 **CLOSED: Warehouse MRKT** 🎉

Proud to have helped guide this commercial acquisition for my clients. From pitchbook to rent roll analysis, Phase I & 2 environmental review, SBA financing modeling, and offer negotiation — this deal came together through real teamwork and diligence.

I was honored to help structure a deal — including a second closing on Front Street — that sets them up for long-term, thoughtful ownership.

Grateful to be part of Northern Michigan’s growing commercial landscape and supporting local businesses through their next chapter! 🙌

09/02/2026

Last few weeks have been crazy but in the best of ways! ❤️

A special closing on Monday, a space we built with intention, loved every square footage and grew our business from the ground up. 109 E Front Unit 210 in the Hannah Lay building is sold. More to come for aevitas_medical 😎

I’ve learned and picked up great life lessons in real estate working with some of the top agents in our area the past few months. Patience, humility, advise but not overbear and squash and absorb drama when we can, people over pride. So far I’ve closed on waterfront, downtown condos and soon commercial space. So much knowledge gained and thankful to everyone in the industry for helping and answering all my questions and the family. And I just love that I’m still learning in this phase of my life.

And yes I do miss medicine and patients. But real estate fits right now. I find it interesting and I love working with people in the transitions of their lives or businesses. Both are special and grateful for the opportunity to try new things.

Been trying to soak up the kids, Sahana is 10 and just feels like she has grown a few years the past few months. I’ve learned so much about me as I parent her. We are different but compliment one another. Arya is 6 and shooting up in height. I’m trying to keep up cartwheeling with her. Soon to be 42 year old mom can only hope! 🤣 and my sweet Nikhil is funnier, still affectionate and that cute voice- only if I can bottle it up forever.

And now Spencer and I are in Greece, connecting and enjoying distraction free time together.

So grateful for it all and for my followers here. My little virtual family, a place I can connect, inspire and show gratitude.

Opa!

08/22/2026

Learning a lot from this guy. He doesn’t get enough credit. But dad has been teaching us about life, positive mindset and all things real estate. We painted houses, picked up checks from tenants and celebrated their lives. We learned how to buy creatively and what leveraging money means. We learned how to flip homes. He’s been here most of summer and it’s taking me back to these life lessons. Arya our 6 year old came to a showing today and she had excellent questions- how do Airbnbs work, why people rent other people’s houses and pros and cons of home ownership. 😆

Among the hosting and the busy summer, I have come full circle.

I’m enjoying this chapter of my life, loving my clients and have another closing today to celebrate!

People I love buying and making Northern Michigan a part of their lives makes me feel a bit more settled and at home here too. ❤️

08/18/2026

Verdict?

I’m enjoying it! There is so much to learn and personal growth happening. Excited to lean into it and focus on community and connection. More to come!

08/13/2026

08/11/2026

Northern Michigan doesn’t do bland. 🌶️ Fresh basil, coconut curry, and a little heat to warm you up Up North. Thai Cafe

08/09/2026

The STR tax strategy everyone should know about. 🏡📊

I hear it constantly, “I’m getting killed on W-2 taxes.”

This is why short-term rentals in Northern Michigan are such a powerful play for high-income earners — if you understand the rules (material participation, the 7-day/100-hour tests, cost segregation).

The hardest one is your first one. I use a cash on cash calculator with you, I identify the right investment that fits your budget and we make sure the rules allow you to short term rent. I provide what you need to show your CPA so you are one step ahead of them.

Not tax advice — always run your numbers with your CPA. But if you want to see what property types actually pencil out this way, that’s what I do all day. 📩

08/09/2026

Your student loans don’t have to be the reason you can’t buy a home Up North. 🏡

One of the biggest myths I hear from physicians relocating to Traverse City: “My DTI is too high, I’ll never qualify.”

Not necessarily true — and it’s one of the first things I walk clients through before we even start looking at homes.

Swipe through to see:
→ How lenders actually calculate DTI for physicians
→ Why IBR/PAYE student loan payments are treated differently
→ The DTI thresholds that matter for conventional vs. physician loan programs
→ What you can do *now* to improve your numbers before you apply

Relocating and crunching the numbers? Send me a DM — I work with lenders who specialize in physician financing and can point you in the right direction. 📩

08/04/2026

Northern Blooms Montessori, which operates an early childhood education center in the Commongrounds Cooperative building on Eighth Street, has proposed opening a new location at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center. Project partners say the center could help address the local childcare shortage in...

07/31/2026

First closing in the books! 🔑✨

So grateful for the clients who trusted me with this journey, and for everyone who’s cheered me on along the way. Here’s to many more! 🏡