About Us

At Michigan Lifestyle Properties, we specialize in bringing together buyers and sellers of lifestyle properties throughout Michigan, including premier properties, Great Lake waterfront and other lake properties, country homes, small farms, log homes, horse properties, acreage and other recreational properties.

Based in the Lake Michigan resort town of South Haven, Michigan Lifestyle Properties and its agents represent properties throughout the state of Michigan. Michigan Lifestyle Properties is committed to serving sellers and buyers of properties that fulfill their dreams and support their lifestyles.

For sellers of Michigan lifestyle properties, we are committed to using creative and unique marketing methods in order to bring maximum exposure to the properties we’re privileged to represent.

We know that it takes more than a ‘For Sale’ sign and an MLS listing to attract buyers to exceptional Michigan properties. So we employ a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes extensive internet marketing, unique national and regional print advertising, direct mail and e-mail to a database of interested buyers, as well as social network marketing methods in order to reach as many likely buyers as possible.

For buyers, we offer a comprehensive knowledge of the wide variety of Michigan properties that draw people to Michigan. We are also committed to providing exceptional client service and operating according to high professional standards. The professionals below specialize in a wide variety of Michigan lifestyle properties in their local areas. They know the local history, understand the issues, have longstanding relationships, and devote the time and energy necessary to help their clients buy and sell the properties of their dreams.

Our team of professionals has a significant breadth of experience and expertise. Though our clients may work primarily with one member of our team, their needs are often served by other staff members who are consulted behind the scenes to serve our clients best interests. Feel free to contact any of us to discuss your real estate needs or questions. We look forward to serving you.

Ryan Johnson – Partner/Associate Broker

Cell: (269) 720-1345
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Ryan is a native of the Gull Lake community, in Richland, Michigan. He graduated from Colorado State University in 1999, with a Natural Resource degree in Commercial Recreation & Tourism. He started his real estate career 20 years ago, co-founding a Lansing-based real estate appraisal company where he actively appraised both residential and agricultural type properties, with an emphasis on partial interest, full narrative appraisals, for local units of government, government agencies, private landowners and conservation groups. Ryan is a licensed Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser & Real Estate Broker. He has been actively selling real estate since 2012. He partnered with founder David Kreager in 2020, with whom he is a partner in Gull Lake Realty & Michigan Lifestyle Properties. Ryan represents properties all over the State of Michigan, assisting buyers and sellers with a variety of property types including, residential, land & farm, lakefront and country estates. Ryan and his wife and 3 children currently live on Gull Lake.

Casey Alger, Realtor® 

Cell: (269) 492-5059
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Casey has been a realtor for 5 years and has helped many clients buy and sell properties all over SW Michigan. Before that, he had a successful 15-year career in Sales and Marketing. Casey was born and still resides in the Gull Lake area. He is an enthusiastic member of the community, serving as a Board Trustee on the Ascension Borgess Health Foundation, the Board President of the Kalamazoo Covenant Academy and the Director of Development and a Board member for the TKO Premier Soccer Club. Also, Casey honors his grandfather’s legacy by spearheading the annual Jim Gilmore Jr. Foundation Golf Outing, which raises money for nonprofit organizations in Kalamazoo. In his free time, Casey enjoys spending time with his family and friends, landscaping in his yard, golfing, being on the water, playing fantasy soccer & football, and cheering on Chelsea & Gotham City FC.

Kelley Blacken, ABR®, Realtor® 

Cell: (269) 806-4231
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Kelley is a native of Southwest Michigan. She graduated from Western Michigan University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree. After graduating, she began working in the multi-family rental industry as assistant manager for a 55+ apartment community. She owned & operated The Condominium & Apartment Guide for nearly 25 years, and was instrumental in making it the ‘go to’ source for rental housing information in the greater Kalamazoo & Battle Creek area.  She has been an active Realtor® with Gull Lake Realty since 2005, and enjoys working with buyers and sellers alike, helping them navigate through the process of transacting their real estate. While Kelley enjoys working with all types of lifestyle properties, her expertise is in waterfront, log and country homes. She enjoys introducing out-of-state people to all the great things to do & see in Southwest Michigan.  Kelley lives in the Delton community, with her husband Paul, and they have three grown children. When not busy selling lifestyle properties, you will likely find Kelley at the gym, volunteering at her church, working in her flower or vegetable gardens, or on the Pickle-ball court.

Brett Bissett – Realtor®

Cell: (269) 377-4046
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Brett is a life-long resident of Barry County. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science while a member of the Wrestling team at Grand Valley State University in 2010. Brett spent a decade on the beaches of Gull and surrounding lakes as a crew leader for Banner Beachfront Equipment before turning to a career in residential construction in 2015. He has been a Licensed Residential Builder and owner of B2 Builders LLC since 2019. He continues work on area beachfronts through a dock business he runs with a partner. He and his wife, Maggie, reside in Hickory Corners with their three children: Lyla, Rowdy and Colt. As a builder and an avid outdoorsman, Brett is eager to help individuals secure their dream homes and/or properties!

Keith Buys – Realtor®

Cell: (616) 617-9533
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Keith enjoys a rural lifestyle with honey bees, a lavender farm, fruit trees, and a maple syrup operation.  With training in building log homes and lots of outdoor experience, his excitement for lifestyle properties and learning to homestead is contagious.  He loves helping you look for that perfect property that will answer your dreams and propel your vision forward.

Keith’s varied experience in business ownership from a Hardware Store, to Marketing Agency, to Technical Service company lends to a full range of understanding and evaluation skills that serve in marketing your property or in helping you to evaluate purchase opportunities.  With strong negotiation skills, a passion for excellent service and a love of the outdoors you are in good hands as you move through these important life decisions.

Will Howson – Associate Broker

Cell: (269) 615-5660
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Will Howson grew up on a smallholding of 20 acres in Woodnesborough, England. When most teenagers were playing video games he was outside cleaning out a chicken coup or being chased by a bull. The early experience helped inspire a love of animals & land. These days Will Howson’s favorite activities include exploring Gull Lake on a paddleboard or kayak, being active in the local business community, and volunteering time to charitable causes in Kalamazoo.

Will Howson loves southwest Michigan and all it has to offer! From a log cabin on a trout stream to a luxury home on Gull Lake to 10 acres of hunting land, there is something magical for everyone’s budget. Grab your slice of Pure Michigan, and live your freedom. Our office is strategically placed on Gull Lake, Michigan. One of the State’s finest all sports lakes with a yacht club, country club, public access, and multiple mariners. There are a variety of All Sports Lakes, public/private Golf Resorts, Country Homes, and Equine Properties.

Will Howson enjoys helping find the financial freedom that real estate investing can bring families. It can be one of the fastest ways to build wealth through equity and positive cash flow. It also an excellent hedge against inflation especially when combined with favorable financing terms. Will Howson has been actively renovating and managing residential rental properties since 2014. He has rental properties in Milwood, Eastwood, and West Douglas Neighborhoods. He can help landlords manage their portfolio and give access to my network of contractors to those who choose to self manage.

Let’s meet to get coffee and discuss real estate anytime. Reach me at 269 615 5660.

David S. Kreager – Partner/Associate Broker

Cell: (269) 352-1381
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David Kreager is a partner and managing broker of Michigan Lifestyle Properties, a full service real estate brokerage in southwest Michigan, which also does business as Gull Lake Realty.  He is a leader in the marketing of lifestyle properties in Michigan, including waterfront property, log and country homes, horse properties, golf course homes and condos, historic homes, and others.  The Michigan Lifestyle Properties websites, such as Michigan Lake Homes, Michigan Log Homes, Michigan Country Homes, and Michigan Horse Properties, are top-ranked in organic searches for a wide variety of search terms. David has 40 years of sales management, marketing and real estate development experience. The majority of his professional career was spent in the financial services industry, with American Express Financial Corporation.  He has represented properties for sale all over Michigan, and enjoys the creative process required by special and unique properties. David grew up in the Detroit area, attended Michigan State University, and lives with his wife on Lake Michigan, just north of South Haven.

Evan Kreager – Realtor®

Cell: (269) 217-0507
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With a passion that grows year after year for everything the coastline and countryside of southwest Michigan have to offer, and a desire to share that interest and help others reach their lifestyle goals and dreams, Evan is a natural fit to be your dedicated Realtor for buying and selling lifestyle properties in Berrien County and beyond.

After graduating from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Science Journalism, focusing primarily on the Great Lakes Watershed, Evan went back to school to study Brewing Technology. He spent the beginning of his professional career brewing beer in Ohio and Michigan, following product from farm to table, grain to glass, and meeting a lot of cool people along the way; fruit farmers, cattle farmers, hop growers, vintners, artists, musicians, chefs, maltsters, and distillers, just to name a few, all right here in southwest Michigan, utilizing the unique and wonderful resources that the area has to offer.

Evan can help you buy or sell your real property, no matter what stage of life you find yourself. Whether it’s your first real estate transaction or you’re a well-seasoned investor, a home on a vineyard or a luxury lake home, Evan can do it all and is eager to help you find what it is you’re looking for.

When Evan isn’t busy selling real estate, you’re likely to find him in one of a few places: The kitchen, where he’s likely working on a new recipe or fermentation project, or tasting through any number of delicious foods or beverages; with friends and family, enjoying the beach or a hike, live music or bonfire; or travelling – whether that be within the mitten-shaped border of the Great Lakes state, hiking through parts of Appalachia or the American southwest, or exploring outside the boundaries of the U.S.

Whether it be a waterfront vacation home, a log cabin in the country, a wooded recreational property, a commercial property, or a hop farm, Evan would love to help you achieve your real estate goals and dreams.

Callie Rainey – GRI®, Realtor®

Cell: (417) 225-0239
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Callie Rainey is bringing her vibrant energy and marketing expertise to the West Michigan real estate market. As a former anchor and reporter, Callie has gathered a deep-rooted understanding for the area, as well as communication and social media skills that will undoubtedly catch the eyes of prospective buyers. From growing up in the Ozark Mountains to living on one of West Michigan’s most desirable lakes, Callie can resonate with what buyers are looking for. Contact her today to see how she can assist you.

Emily Wilke – Realtor®

Cell: (269) 615-4572
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Emily, is a Michigan native, raised on Grosse Ile. She has been working on real estate transactions throughout Southwest MI since 2006. Her expertise spans negotiations, legal document review, and creative problem solving, always prioritizing client satisfaction. She takes time to get to know her clients, whether you are buying or selling a home or property, she will make sure your real estate transaction is easy and enjoyable.

Emily has a passion for land conservation which blossomed from childhood adventures building forts, to assisting in the conservation of 7,000+ acres in southwest Michigan. Armed with a B.S. from Calvin College and an M.S. from the University of Michigan, Emily brings robust academic grounding to her pursuits. Emily worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service both in Colorado and at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge before starting a 15 year career with the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. Committed to community service, she serves on multiple nonprofit boards. Emily, along with her husband Brook and three children, calls a small farm in Barry County home. When she is not driving her kids around, she enjoys reading, baking, and going for long walks with her dog.

Amy Wilke – Realtor®

Cell: (269) 823-4155
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Amy is a Richland native, and growing up on Gull Lake has manifested a true passion for everything lake life has to offer. She has enjoyed water sports since childhood and took up wake surfing 5 years ago where she immediately fell in love with riding the waves. “It’s a truly unique experience” says Amy. She enjoys kayaking and paddle boarding with her rescue dog Baylie and continues to support both domestic and wildlife animal rescues, donating a portion of her sales to “Hope 4 Wildlife” as well as “Animal Rescue Project” where she has volunteered in previous years. Lake properties are where her heart is as she continues to enjoy lake living as a resident on private Indian Lake.

Amy has been in Real Estate since 2014 and takes pride in her work, as well as the friendships she has cultivated with clients over the years. She is dedicated to helping her clients maneuver through their home buying and selling needs with the help of a great network of Lenders, Title Companies and Home Inspectors that she has been building since starting in Real Estate. This helps ensure her clients a seamless transaction.

From secluded riverfront properties as far north as Walkerville on the beautiful Pere Marquette River to the coast of Lake Michigan, Amy has a large range she covers. Having a family cabin with 80 acres of hunting property just south of Traverse City has given her knowledge well beyond just Kalamazoo.

Having studied Business and Marketing gives Amy a competitive edge when it comes to marketing your listings and negotiating your purchase.

Rebecca Zwar – Admin & Marketing Support

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Rebecca lives in Southwest Michigan, near the Lake Michigan shoreline. She and her family have a passion for Michigan’s great outdoors, and they enjoy it all, from the woods to the water. Prior to joining Michigan Lifestyle Properties, Rebecca ran an online marketing agency, specializing in real estate, and spent eight years in property management. Her background and experience give her the experience to serve the Michigan Lifestyle Properties team as the point person for marketing and administrative activities.