TJ Shimek

The Mitten Real Estate Group

5 Years of Experience

(78)

$29M

Total Sales Last Year

Years of Experience

199

Recent TransactionsTransactions from the last 3 years

$326.3K

Average Price Point

Service Areas

Acme, MI Cedar, MI Empire, MI Honor, MI Lake Ann, MI Rapid City, MI Traverse City, MI Williamsburg, MI

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About TJ Shimek

Born and raised in Leelanau County, I am acutely familiar with the area and super excited about Real Estate and the challenges that each transaction presents. I love learning and figuring out solutions and, above all, I love putting a smile on a client's face. Real Estate can be fun and it is important to help others see the light at the end of the tunnel during a challenging or stressful situation. It is also a blast to help first time home buyers fulfill their dream of owning that first house. The cool thing about northern Michigan is there are so many different areas to explore and pieces of property to fulfill people's dreams. I am not scared to tell someone if I don't have all the answers to their questions and you can guarantee I will dig in and follow up. I was born on a farm to Tom and Linda Shimek. You can grab some of the best sweetcorn in Leelanau county from our farm stand on M72 in the summertime. I graduated from Glen Lake Community Schools and then went on to be a 5-time All-American student-athlete at Aquinas College in Track and Field. Following college, I headed west to explore acting in Hollywood before returning to Northern Michigan a year later. From 2009-2020, I was the chief operating officer and a key player in nurturing a small tent company in Traverse City to become a national leader in the tent manufacturing and experiential marketing industry. Under my leadership and in partnership with others, we transformed a 3-person, $1M company to one that is now 70+ employees, worth more than $14M today. Each fall/winter, I enjoy coaching the Glen Lake 8th grade boys' basketball team. In the summer, you can find me on Lime Lake, where my late grandfather, Larry Stachnik sold and developed real estate in the 1980s. Me along with my wife, Christina, and our two small children, Contessa and Leonardo, live on the edge of our family farm. I am a long-time steward of the community. Whether it's cultivating the youth's aptitude for athletics or meeting the unique needs of diverse real estate clients, I AM committed to fostering a bright future for Northern Michigan so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Specialties

Sellers
Buyers
Residential Property

Awards

2025
TOP AGENT
Empire, MI
2025
TOP AGENT
Traverse City, MI
2025
TOP AGENT
Cedar, MI

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TJ Shimek's Reviews & Ratings

78 Reviews

(5/5)

Note: Reviews may include other agents on their team

What clients say about this agent....

Responsive
Professional
Knowledgeable
Communicative
Outstanding
Trustworthy
Hard working
Attentive
Available Remotely
Great for new buyers

Susinhartman1

Review for Member: Susinhartman1

October 17, 2025

Local Knowledge

Process Expertise

Responsiveness

Negotiation skills

ZillowVERIFIED

TJ and his team were fantastic to work with. They have lots of contacts snd resources in the area who we were able to call on to help get our house in shape to put on the market. I highly recommend Team Shimek if you are looking to sell or buy!

Michellelazar26

Review for Member: Michellelazar26

July 20, 2025

Local Knowledge

Process Expertise

Responsiveness

Negotiation skills

ZillowVERIFIED

We had the absolute pleasure of working with TJ to both sell a home and purchase a new home and we cannot recommend him enough! From start to finish, he went above and beyond to ensure our family had a smooth and successful experience. What really stood out was his in-depth knowledge of the market aEUR" TJ knew exactly what to look for and how to guide us through every step. Communication was always clear and timely, and he was so patient, answering every question we had (no matter how small) and never rushing us into a decision. TJ was always honest and transparent, which is so rare in this industry. We never felt pressured, and he truly listened to our needs and preferences. On top of that, his personality made the entire process so enjoyable! He is approachable, easy to talk to, and made everything feel less stressful. If you want a realtor who is hardworking, trustworthy, and a pleasure to work with, look no further than TJ and Team Shimek. I'm so thankful for their help, and I will absolutely be recommending them to anyone in need of real estate services!

Thk72

Review for Member: Thk72

June 30, 2025

Local Knowledge

Process Expertise

Responsiveness

Negotiation skills

ZillowVERIFIED

Friendly, responsive. Answered all my questions promptly. Smooth sailing on the sale. Helpful in finding all the folks we needed to take care of the non real estate jobs.

Pjones Fs

Review for Member: Pjones Fs

June 16, 2025

Local Knowledge

Process Expertise

Responsiveness

Negotiation skills

ZillowVERIFIED

I bought my first house, and years later, sold my first house with TJ Shimek Real Estate. I can say from both ends of the process, TJ and his team were GREAT! Trustworthy, responsive, knowledgeable - everything I was hoping for. I was especially impressed with the video and photography services they offered in selling our house. Thanks again!

Westrick Brian

Review for Member: Westrick Brian

June 15, 2025

Local Knowledge

Process Expertise

Responsiveness

Negotiation skills

ZillowVERIFIED

We were on a tight timeline to move out of our rental, and TJ immediately put us at ease. He hit the ground running, exploring every option and keeping us constantly in the loop. He's incredibly knowledgeable, quick to respond, and always available to answer questions or offer guidance. He got us into homes quickly, which was so important given our situation. Even though we needed to move fast, we never felt pressured to make a decision. TJ genuinely wanted us to find a home wed love aEUR" and that made all the difference. On top of that, hes just a great guy: down to earth, personable, and easy to work with. If youre buying or selling a home in the area, I HIGHLY recommend TJ.