At Aspire North REALTORS®, strong leadership comes from passionate professionals who are dedicated not only to the real estate industry, but also to the communities they serve. One of those leaders is Blake Burns, Reverse Mentor for the Aspire North REALTORS® Board of Directors.
Blake is a real estate agent with Five Star Real Estate in Traverse City and is currently completing his first year as a licensed REALTOR®. While he may be newer to the sales side of the industry, his experience in and around real estate spans nearly 15 years. From carpentry and pressure washing to property management, Blake has built a deep understanding of homes, properties, and the hard work that goes into serving clients.
His journey into real estate came after a major life shift. Following years of physical labor and athletics, Blake learned he was born with congenital spinal stenosis and degenerative disc issues affecting both his neck and lower back. Encouraged by his neurologist to step away from physically demanding work, he revisited a path he had first explored in his early twenties: real estate. This time, he approached it with more life experience, perspective, and determination.
“Very happy to have made the jump and excited to continue on my new path in this exciting industry,” Blake shared.
After just one year with Aspire North REALTORS®, Blake stepped into a leadership role on the Board of Directors. What inspired him most was the opportunity to contribute to positive change within the local real estate industry. He is especially passionate about collaborating with fellow board members to ensure thoughtful decisions are made that positively impact local REALTORS® and the communities they serve.
Blake brings a unique perspective to the board through his diverse life experiences. A former action sports athlete and touring musician, he has traveled extensively and experienced a wide range of cultures and communities. Those experiences have helped shape his open-minded approach and his ability to see situations from multiple perspectives.
Professionally, Blake is seeing exciting growth trends in Northern Michigan, particularly around Williamsburg and the Flintfields Horse Park area, where buyers are increasingly seeking homes close to the internationally recognized equestrian show grounds.
Outside of work, Blake embraces Northern Michigan’s outdoor lifestyle to the fullest. He enjoys surfing, snowboarding, golfing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and spending time on the water. He also plays and records music, continuing a creative passion that has remained an important part of his life.
When asked about his favorite local spot, Blake admitted it was nearly impossible to choose just one in a region as beautiful as Northern Michigan. Still, he gave a nod to Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club, describing it as hard to beat, especially when finishing a round of golf as the sun sets over Lake Michigan.
Blake believes Aspire North REALTORS® plays an essential role in the community by providing education, mentorship, networking opportunities, and support for REALTORS® throughout the region. He credits the association and its members for creating a welcoming and collaborative environment that has already made a meaningful impact on his career.
As he continues serving on the board, Blake hopes to make as much positive impact as possible while helping navigate the exciting changes happening throughout the real estate industry.
For those just starting their real estate journey, Blake offers simple but powerful advice:
“Don’t take things personally and keep focused on your goals. One step at a time. Small progress is still progress. Just believe in yourself and do the work.”
With his energy, perspective, and passion for both people and the outdoors, Blake Burns is a valuable part of the Aspire North REALTORS® leadership team and an exciting voice for the future of the industry in Northern Michigan.
