About Us
Live Local Realty was formed in April 2013 by John Dinehart, Laurie Palmer, and Maria Blackmer. Combined, we have over 45 years of experience in selling real estate in Ionia County. In addition, we are all lifelong residents of the area. We were all raised here, graduated from Ionia High School and returned to raise our own families in Ionia. To say we know the area is an understatement!
In 2021, our Traverse City location was opened in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. With Kelly Leipprandt as the managing broker there, we look forward to growth and involvement in that market as well!
Live Local Realty was born on a dream of creating a small “boutique” real estate firm that gets back to the basics of real estate with an emphasis on personal interaction and care.

Strong knowledge of area
Creative and consistent marketing
Great customer service
Frequent community involvement
Group marketing available
IN ADDITION, WE WILL BE DONATING 3% OF EACH COMMISSION BACK TO A LOCAL CHARITY OF OUR CLIENTS’ CHOICE! THUS, OUR MOTTO:
Live Local, Sell Local, Give Local!
Our Team

Laurie Palmer
Real Estate Agent

John Dinehart
Real Estate Agent

Maria Blackmer
Real Estate Agent

Kelly Leipprandt
Real Estate Agent
Kelly is a licensed Real Estate Broker living and working in Michigan’s paradise! Between the beaches, wineries, restaurants, skiing and outdoor life, she and her family really are so fortunate to call Northern Michigan home!
Kelly, her husband Joel and their three children are deeply invested in the Traverse City community where they live, work and attend school through TCAPS. They love supporting the local economy and also volunteer regularly at their church.
Kelly has a deep passion for guiding her clients through the selling/buying process- from start to finish. She has a special way of connecting with them on a personal level, always modeling a “Client First” mentality. Kelly will never try to “sell” you anything that isn’t exactly right for you; thoughtful listening, sharp attention to detail and her great attitude will help you realize she’s representing you, as her client, well. Whether you’re looking for your forever home or your vacation get-away, give her a call today at 231.444.2013!

Brian Miller
Real Estate Agent

Kara Gelven
Real Estate Agent
Kara is our newest agent. She has been purchasing investment properties since 2016 and decided it was time to help others buy and sell their properties, weather it is their forever home, vacation home, or investment property.
Kara and her husband live in downtown Traverse City with their three young kids. They absolutely love downtown life and ease of walking to all the local beaches, parks, and restaurants.
In her free time, Kara enjoys stand up paddle boarding, searching for Petoskey stones on the shore of Lake Michigan, hiking the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and exploring all of Northern Michigan’s wineries and breweries. Kara is looking forward to helping you buy or sell you next dream property. Get in contact with Kara by emailing her at kara@livelocal-realty.com or calling 231.632.5448.

Conrad Campbell
Real Estate Agent

Doug Hansen
Real Estate Agent

Tim Swain
Real Estate Agent
I’m very excited to join the Live Local Realty Team. Their giving back to and involvement with the local community is near and dear to me and is one of the many reasons I chose to join their team. Outside of the 3 years spent serving in the U.S. Army, Ionia has been home for most of my life where I am currently residing with my wife Irma. Our son Tim is living and working out of state. In my spare time I enjoy officiating basketball and lacrosse and am an avid hunter.
It would be with great honor that you trust me with your future real estate needs. Being your single largest purchase in life this can be both stressful and enjoyable. Surrounded by our fantastic team, I will do my best to make it more enjoyable, and stress free as possible.
Feel free to contact me anytime, call or text 616-902-1530 Email: tswain@livelocal-realty.com

Rick Poole
Real Estate Agent

Heather Wolcott
Real Estate Agent
Work With Us
We’d love to help you buy or sell your next home. Don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re happy to help.