Bernie Schaffer

Bernie came to Michigan from Austria in 1983 to teach skiing in Boyne Highlands. In 1989 he became a Realtor and a few years later started his own company, Schaffer Real Estate. The goal always was to provide the best service possible and Sotheby's International Realty was the natural choice to accomplish that. For years Bernie traveled the world which gave him invaluable insight into foreign cultures. He speaks German fluently. After 31 years of selling real estate in Harbor Springs, he is very knowledgeable of the local market and is known for his ability to match the perfect property to potential buyers and produce the results his clients expect. He lives on Lake Michigan with his wife, renowned artist Elizabeth Pollie. For the last seven years he has been a Director of the Emmet Board of Realtors and before that he served on the Grievance Committee for many years.

'We cannot thank you enough for selling our cottage on Lower Shore Drive. You were a pleasure to work with and made the whole process feel easy. From start to finish you brought a calm professionalism and an in-depth knowledge of the Harbor Springs real estate marketplace. Your advice regarding the price at which to list the home was clearly well reasoned. It was meaningfully higher (+15%) than that recommended by the other firm; and we still encountered a bidding contest for the home. Seeing it eventually sell for close to 20% more than our listing price. It sold for 43% greater than the price recommended by the other Harbor Springs real estate firm, and in less than a month. So glad we worked together!' Walter Harris