One of our favorite things is getting to know people and making new friends.  This is how we became involved in Real Estate.  This is a business where we can help people realize their most important lifetime dreams.  Our Business Philosophy is “To go the extra mile for our clients and always work in their best interest whether it is listing or purchasing a home or business or simply answering questions or making recommendations.”

Like many transplants from downstate, we fell in love with Benzie County.  On a crisp cold white winter evening as we were on our way to Traverse City,  we came up over the Benzonia Hill and caught the twilight view and the twinkling lights of the Village of Beulah and Crystal Lake.  At the time, we did not realize that our destiny was in this quiet cozy little town. 

Later that year in June of 1970, a friend named Justus Smith insisted that we come and take a look at a little restaurant in downtown Beulah.  We did and we were hooked – the rest is history.

We borrowed $4,000 and purchased the little restaurant known as the Sail Inn in Beulah.   We were considered NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, complete with family – Kristi, 3 years old, and Toni, 1 year old. 

We went on in 1974 to build the new Sail Inn Restaurant centrally located on US31 in Benzonia.   Then over the years , purchased and remodeled three other favorite area restaurants – The Main Sail and The Wharfside in Frankfort and The Brookside in Beulah.  We sold the Sail Inn Restaurant in 2003 and went on to become your Benzie County Realtors. 

And of course, our family is now all grown up and gone.   Kristi Dye Johnson is now the director of nursing at Paul Oliver Hospital.   She and her husband Joe Johnson have two grown children – their son, Taylor, and their daughter, Leah and son in Law Carlton who are parents to our two adorable great-grandchildren, Kaid and Kainen. Our daughter, Toni Dye and Jeff Pownall are parents to our awesome grandson Jacksen and are operator owners of Slabtown Burgers in Traverse City. 

What we have loved best over the years is the people.  Customers and clients became our dearest friends and our employees a part of our family.  To this day, it continues to be a pleasure to work in and contribute to our community where ever we can.  Northwest Michigan is our home and we love our life here.  Now, I believe that we would be considered the OLD TIMERS – but that’s ok. 

Give us a call or email with your questions.  Or, better yet, stop in to see us.  Our new office – DYE REAL ESTATE – is located at 244 S Benzie Blvd in Beulah – right next to the Post Office