RE/MAX Advantage Plus | Grand Rapids

Since the local RE/MAX Thousand Lakes office opened in 2003, Bob Ellies has been a top producer and an integral part of the company’s growth. His driving force is to provide excellent customer satisfaction. Bob’s ability to deliver everything clients are looking for time and time again is evidenced by the number of repeat customers who seek him out for all of their real estate needs. His prior work as a licensed appraiser and participation on the Itasca County Water Implementation Board add value for clients as well. He believes that clients also benefit from the incredible brand awareness and competitive advantages that come with the widely recognized RE/MAX name. Professional achievements include being part of the prestigious RE/MAX Hall of Fame Club, an international honor for continued outstanding sales achievement over a period of years. He also regularly attains another major international award, called the 100 Percent Club — an annual distinction recognizing high productivity. Ties to the area run deep. Itasca County was the annual family vacation destination during Bob's childhood. Then came the opportunity to move his own family to the area more than 20 years ago from southern Minnesota. An avid outdoorsman, Bob knows and appreciates the area hunting acreages, rivers, and lakes. In fact, Bob and his family volunteered for many years as Citizen Lake Monitors, measuring water clarity for Sand Lake. Bob is proud to have accomplished sales for a number of hard-to-sell properties by helping clients overcome buyer objections. His recommendations have produced results and turned them around to become desireable properties with an eye for appeal while reversing functional obsolescence, like removing a wall or adding a window to capture a view. “Enough about me,” Bob says. “Let’s talk about you and getting your needs met! For a positive real estate experience, let me put my experience to work for you!”

I'm Jorie Schaaf, and I serve as the Director of Business Development here at RE/MAX Advantage Plus. I’ve been in real estate for over six years, and throughout that time, I’ve found my passion in supporting agents and helping them grow businesses they’re proud of. I work closely with independent agents to identify where they want to go and build a clear, customized plan to get them there. Whether that means better systems, new marketing ideas, or just more support — I’m here to make sure they’re never doing this alone. Before this role, I was the Director of Operations at A Good Life Group, where I was lovingly called the “Executive Ninja.” That nickname stuck because I have a knack for making things run smoothly behind the scenes, while always keeping people at the center of what I do. One of my favorite things I get to do now is host Coffee & Contracts, a laid-back event where agents connect with each other and share strategies that actually move the needle. If you’re curious about what life could look like with the right support, I’d love to connect and explore the possibilities with you. Whether you’re a seasoned agent looking for a fresh edge or just curious about what RE/MAX Advantage Plus has to offer, I'm here to guide you — always with transparency, trust, and a little fun along the way.