Meet The Team

Andrey Sokurec

Founder and
Chief Executive Officer

Alex Delendik

Co-Founder and
Chief Operating Officer

Gwen Gierke

Human Resources Leader

Max Korsukov

Chief Digital Officer

Jareth Martinez

General Manager,
Minneapolis Branch

Elena Tsvirova

Vice President of Finance, Partner

Eugene Volovik

Director of Business Development

Kim Gambill

Senior Home Sales Advisor

Sunil Bawa

Senior Home Sales Advisor

DiAnn Tilden

Senior Home Sales Advisor

Eric Hopf

Home Sales Advisor

Andrew O'Neil

Home Sales Advisor

Bianca Lozano

Customer Experience Manager

Tatyana Butkova

Senior Transaction Coordinator

Aksana Sokurec

Disposition Manager

Randi McDonald

Senior Disposition Manager

Danielle Martinez

Disposition Manager

Jane Reynolds

Receptionist

Desiree Mae Ticar

Client Intake Specialist

Devon Walton

Retail Sales Account Executive

Kim Gambill

Senior Home Sales Advisor

Kim has over 20 years of Real Estate experience & truly understands that transition & moving can be such a stressful time! She strives to assist sellers & their families with the highest level of service possible. Each story is unique, & each family has different needs. Everyone deserves dignity, respect, sensitivity, & exceptional customer service!

Learn More About Kim

What customers are saying:

I had a great experience with this company. I was fortunate to work with Kim Gambill and could not have had an easier process. She was very professional and responsive to all my needs. I was able to do a quick close and the best part was they bought as is.

— Stacy E.

August 2021

Sunil Bawa

Senior Home Sales Advisor

Sunil has over 25 years of direct experience in real estate and banking. He has personally purchased, renovated and sold over 50 houses in the Twin Cities market. He has also worked for numerous banks as a senior lender. A native of India, he came to the US to attend Macalester College. He currently lives in Saint Paul with his wife and three children.Learn More About Sunil

What customers are saying:

We had the best experience in selling our home direct with no hassles and no surprises – just facts and smooth closing with excellent support led by our senior buyer, Mr. Sunil Bawa.

— Raja L.

August 2021

DiAnn Tilden

Senior Home Sales Advisor

DiAnn has over 25 years of real estate experience, including working as a general contractor building lake homes in Wisconsin. Her first career as a Registered Nurse has instilled in her a caring and compassionate nature. Selling a home is a big decision and she encourages people to review all of their options and take the time they need to make the choice that is right for them. Her motto is to treat people as she would want to be treated.

Learn More About DiAnn

What customers are saying:

DiAnn is professional, kind, understanding , not pushy… DiAnn made home selling very very simple. She took care of everything, housing inspector, closing cost, unwanted items removed, paying off existing mortgage…Thank you for a smooth transition.

— Kathy K.

July 2021

Fonda Broekhius

Home Sales Advisor

Fonda was a Registered Nurse working in the Emergency Department and Public Health fields for over 35 years, and made the transition to buying vacant property, renovating and breathing new life into them starting in 2009. Knowing that every seller situation and every home is unique, she strives to meet clients where they are and to help them through what is often a very difficult and stressful time in their lives.

Learn More About Fonda

What customers are saying:

We really felt the joy. No issues, no cleaning, and we left items we no longer wanted. Doesn’t get any easier. And we received a beautiful watercolored -type framed picture of our home from them. Thank you Fonda and Homestead Road!!

— Deb B.

September 2021

Eric Hopf

Home Sales Advisor

Eric has spent over 20 years in real estate including investing/flipping homes, developer of new construction homes, licensed Realtor, portfolio manager. He strives to provide personalized attention to each client and their unique situation with compassion, respect and expertise. His goal is to make selling your home as stress free as possible.

Learn More About Eric

What customers are saying:

…We were able to make a seamless transition from a condo to an assisted living facility because Eric Hopf, the purchasing agent for Homestead Road, ushered us through the extremely simple process for selling our condo. He allowed us to quickly get the cash from the sale that we needed to make the deposit at the assisted living facility.

— Ed W.

September 2021

Eugene Volovik

Home Sales Advisor

Eugene has close to 20 years of experience in real estate finance and risk assessment as a mortgage underwriter he has a unique ability to assess the situation and to properly structure the deal that benefits all parties. He genuinely loves meeting new people and prides himself on really getting to know each of his customers. “Serving people better!” has become his slogan when dealing with clients.

Learn More About Eugene

What customers are saying:

Eugene was always there to answer any questions and explained the process thoroughly. We never felt pressured or pushed during the transaction. Eugene was a great help.

— Barb R.

October 2021

Brooke Alstrup

Home Sales Advisor

Brooke was born and raised in the Twin Cities and attended the University of Minnesota focusing on Environmental Education. For several years after graduating, she shared her knowledge and enthusiasm for the environment with K-12 students and their families, then set her sights on a career in real estate. Brooke now has over 17 years experience in real estate as well as numerous advanced designations that include SRES (senior real estate specialist), ePRO (technology-based) and MRP (military relocation professional). With this experience along with a passion for building relationships with clients, Brooke uses her nurturing, patient demeanor to not only guide homesellers, but more importantly make them feel at ease and comfortable. She has a particular passion for helping senior citizens and their loved ones. On the personal side, Brooke is a true outdoor enthusiast who loves doing literally anything outside including mountain biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking to name a few.

Learn More About Brooke

What customers are saying:

My husband and I just sold his fathers house, we where very impressed with the whole experience from the start,… they took care of everything with out any real problems [and the] closing was awesome well prepared sign and go. Thank you homestead road will recommend to everyone.

— Dawn L.

June 2021

Rachel Laurent

Client Coordinator

As client coordinator, Rachel works closely with our Twin Cities area homeowner customers to primarily keep them informed throughout the process so there are no surprises. Born in Texas, she graduated from the University of Central Arkansas where she earned a degree in Psychology, later relocating to the Twin Cities area in 2019. Having been in client facing roles for over four years, Rachel seeks to make every customer interaction and communication meaningful and positively impactful. She truly strives to make every customer feel special so they have a great experience with Homestead Road from start to finish. In her spare time, Rachel has a passion for listening to true crime podcasts or reading books from her favorite authors which include Ann Rule, Nicholas Sparks and Agatha Christie.

Tatyana Butkova

Senior Transaction Coordinator

Tatyana is a Senior Transaction Coordinator at Homestead Road. Since discovering in 2018 the exciting world of Real Estate, she continues learning new ways to navigate it. At Homestead Road she is putting together all the pieces of the puzzle associated with the closing process to guarantee a stress-free and successful closing experience based on the seller’s timeline. Tatyana’s passion for supporting the local art community led her to engage local artists to create painting of homes. These paintings are the ones presented as a gift to the sellers at the closing table.

Andrew O'Neil

Inside Sales Manager

Bianca Lozano

Client Intake Specialist

Jane Reynolds

Receptionist

Chad Wiech

General Manager - Minneapolis - St. Paul Branch

Chad brings extensive real estate, finance skills and experience to his role as General Manager of the Minneapolis-St. Paul brand of Homestead Road. Chad is a Real Estate Investment Specialist currently licensed as a Real Estate Broker, Certified General Appraiser as well as Insurance Agent. In recent years, he served on the Executive Board of Directors for Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate. Before finding a strong interest and passion for real estate, Chad was a Vice President, Securities Broker and Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley. Early in his career after graduating with a Business Administration degree from the University of Minnesota, being an entrepreneur at heart Chad founded and successfully led his own outdoor powersports manufacturing and distribution company until he accepted a buyout offer he couldn’t refuse. Chad lives in Burnsville, MN and likes to stay active riding mountain bikes, snowmobiles, motorcycles and personal watercraft in his free time.

Andrew O'Neil

Home Sales Advisor

Andy is a seasoned Acquisition Manager at Homestead Road with over 3.5 years of dedicated service. Before venturing into the real estate world, Andy spent 15 years in the restaurant business, looking for a change in career path that offered better opportunities and a more positive work culture. With an impressive track record of selling 93 houses in the last 2 years, Andy is a passionate professional who thrives on making a tangible impact in the lives of homeowners.

Andrey Sokurec

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Andrey Sokurec, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Homestead Road, a tech enable company and a leading purchaser of single-family residential properties with operations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida. Since 2007 the company has helped more than 2,000 homeowners sell their homes simply and stress-freely. Homestead Road’s competitive advantage is its ability to provide selling homeowners quick access to cash while allowing them to avoid the stresses of the complicated and tedious traditional home selling process. With Homestead Road, sellers also enjoy freedom from pricing, market risk, needing to pay for real estate commissions, and managing home improvement projects. After acquiring a property, HomesteadRoad makes necessary improvements and markets the property at a price typically attractive to first-time home buyers. Homestead Road has been recognized as the fastest growing Company by INC 5000 five years in a row.
Mr. Sokurec is an active member of YPO and served on their board as the Membership Officer of YPO Twin Cities. Mr.Sokurec earned a Master's Degree in Finance and Accounting with distinction "Red Diploma" from Belarus State Economic University in Europe. He continued his education at Harvard Business School and graduated from the OPM (Owner President Management). Mr. Sokurec is a Best-selling author of “TotalFinancial awakening.”

Alex Delendik

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Alex Delendik is a co-founder of Homestead Road where he oversees Operations including buying houses, restoring them, and homesteading new occupants. He is a native of Belarus, formerly of the U.S.S.R. Aspiring to a career in international business, he studied engineering and economics, then worked in risk management for an Austrian bank. He came to the U.S. to expand his horizons, eventually leveraging his educational and banking background to partner with Andrey Sokurec in launching Homestead Road.

Gwen Gierke

Human Resources Leader

Gwen is a highly talented and hard-working human resources executive with broad strengths and experience including talent acquisition, talent and leader development, staffing, compensation and benefits as well as general HR best practices and processes. She has held progressive roles in a variety of industries at both small and large companies which include Supervalu, RBC Dain Rauscher, US Bank, Fallon Advertising Agency, and Geraty Investments. Along with this broad experience, Gwen holds her Masters Degree in Industrial Relations from Carlson School of Management.

Max Korsukov

Chief Digital Officer

Max is a passionate and talented software developer who brings over 15 years of software development experience. With expertise in a variety of programming languages and technologies, he brings broad, global experience from working in a variety of industries that include oil, thermal generation, mobile telecom, as well as banking to name a few. In his most recent prior role at Verify Brand Software (part of OPTEL Group), Max was responsible for product design, development and support architecture for multiple platforms that were successfully designed, tested and implemented for all new projects.

Jareth Martinez

General Manager

After serving in the U.S. military, as a UH-60M helicopter pilot, Jareth obtained an MBA from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business. Jareth has vast experience in different aspects of the real estate sales and investing environment. He has his broker's real estate license as well as his qualified builders license. This along with his growth through progressive roles within the company enables him to build a sustainable portfolio and acquisition process for Homestead Road. Jareth lives with his wife and 5 kids in Eden Prairie, MN, and enjoys golfing any chance he gets between kid’s activities and sporting events.

Elena Tsvirova

Vice President of Finance, Partner

Mrs. Tsvirova is known for her analytical prowess, goal-oriented drive, energetic approach, and keen attention to detail. Originally from Russia, she moved to the United States to pursue better opportunities for herself and her family. Before her relocation, Elena held a supervisory role in the accounting department of a top electric utility in St. Peterburg, Russia. During her tenure, she worked closely with external CPAs and auditors, including Ernst & Young and KPMG. She was responsible for preparing financial statements according to both Russian and International Accounting Standards (IAS).
Mrs. Tcvirova holds a Master's in Accounting and Finance from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Russia

Eugene Volovik

Director of Business Development

Eugene is an accomplished real estate professional with a keen eye for identifying emerging trends and opportunities in the industry. With over 20 years of experience in the real estate sector, Eugene has developed a deep understanding of market dynamics and a track record of success in driving business growth.

As the Director of Business Development at Homestead Road, Eugene plays a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategic vision and driving its expansion into new markets. Leveraging his extensive industry knowledge, Eugene strives to identify and pursue innovative business opportunities, establish strategic partnerships, and develop cutting-edge solutions to meet the company’s evolving needs.

Learn More About Eugene

Kim Gambill

Senior Home Sales Advisor

Sunil Bawa

Senior Home Sales Advisor

DiAnn Tilden

Senior Home Sales Advisor

Eric Hopf

Home Sales Advisor

Eric hsas spent over 20 years in real estate including investing/flipping homes, developer of new construction homes, licensed Realtor, portfolio manager. He strives to provide personalized attention to each client and their unique situation with compassion, respect and expertise. His goal is to make selling your home as stress free as possible.

Bianca Lozano

Customer Experience Manager

Before joining Homestead Road, Bianca worked for 4 years in the financial services industry. With an interest in real estate and passion for customer service, in her role at Homestead Road she truly enjoys connecting with people as she assists them. She has a reputation for always going the extra mile as she listens with empathy and respect. Originally from New Mexico, in her spare time she likes to play basketball and volleyball for relaxation.

Tatyana Butkova

Senior Transaction Coordinator

Aksana Sokurec

Disposition Manager

Aksana Sokurec is a seasoned real estate expert with an outstanding track record, having successfully sold over $100 million worth of real estate since 2008. Her journey into real estate began after a rewarding career as a financial analyst in a large bank, where she decided to follow her passion for real estate and design by joining Homestead Road.
Aksana, with a master's degree in Finance, excels in evaluating investment opportunities and navigating complex real estate transactions as an Associate Broker licensed in Minnesota and Florida. She is dedicated to professional growth, as demonstrated by her prestigious designations, including Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) and Certified Negotiation Expert (RENE). In her free time, Aksana enjoys a variety of interests such as tennis, cooking, hiking, biking, and travel, showcasing her vibrant zest for life.

Randi McDonald

Senior Disposition Manager

As the Senior Disposition Manager at Homestead Road, Randi focuses on improving department processes, training new hires, and being a liaison between the Disposition Department and the rest of the company. Randi's real estate journey began in 2014. She achieved various awards at her previous company for her sales performance. Since joining Homestead Road in 2021, Randi has sold over $58M in sales volume and counting. Randi currently holds her real estate license in MN & WI, as well as her Broker license in MN. When Randi isn't selling real estate she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, attending concerts and sporting events, and exploring local and global cuisines.

Danielle Martinez

Disposition Manager

Danielle Martinez, a dynamic disposition manager at Homestead Road, recently transitioned from a successful nursing career while maintaining an active broker license to pursue her passion for real estate. Intrigued by the dynamic challenges, the opportunity to work closely with people, and the diversity of tasks, Danielle has embraced her role wholeheartedly. Drawing from hands-on experience in flipping homes and managing multiple rental properties, she brings a unique blend of expertise to her position. Despite the demands of managing five children, Danielle finds joy in exploring new restaurants, attending concerts, enjoying cabin getaways, and indulging her love for travel.

Jane Reynolds

Receptionist

Jane’s voice is often the first you will hear on the phone when you call Homestead Road. With almost 20 years of reception work in the healthcare industry, she is kind, patient and people-oriented and is driven to provide red carpet customer service in her role. A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Jane graduated in communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jane is a die-hard Badgers and Packers fan and considers Badger games her Fall hobby. Her other interests include travel, concerts, community theater and her cats, Lily and Cleo.

Desiree Mae Ticar

Lead manager

Devon Walton

Retail Sales Account Executive

With an impressive 23-year tenure in the real estate industry, Devon Walton is a highly accomplished Realtor who has guided numerous individuals on their journey to finding their perfect property. From assisting first-time homebuyers to working with savvy investors, Devon's expertise spans a wide range of real estate transactions, including new construction, rehabilitation projects, foreclosures, and cozy cabins.
Devon's passion for real estate is evident in every interaction he has with his clients. He believes that real estate is not just a transaction; it's an exciting and personal experience. With a genuine love for his work, Devon relishes every minute spent engaging in conversations about people's dreams and aspirations, knowing that he has the knowledge and ability to help turn those dreams into reality.
Devon's extensive background enables him to expertly navigate the intricacies of the real estate market, keeping him up-to-date on the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges. Whether you're a first-time buyer looking for a starter home or an experienced investor seeking lucrative opportunities, Devon has the skills and insights to guide you through the process easily.
Devon Walton's commitment to his clients is unwavering, and his approach is centered on connecting people with properties daily. By leveraging his vast experience, market knowledge, and exceptional customer service, he ensures that each client receives personalized attention and tailored solutions to meet their unique needs.
When you choose Devon Walton as your Realtor, you can rest assured that you're in capable hands. His track record of helping hundreds of individuals achieve their real estate goals speaks volumes about his dedication, professionalism, and ability to deliver results.
Discover the joy of working with a Realtor who truly enjoys his work. Contact Devon Walton today to embark on your exciting real estate journey.

Getting-To-Know-Your-Home-Sales-Advisor-Header

Kim Gambill

Senior Home Sales Advisor

Ambitious and nurturing mom of four, Kim Gambill is a star of our Minnesota acquisitions department. She is professional, caring, and always ready to answer all of her clients’ questions. Kim makes the whole transaction of selling a house a smooth experience, and her tremendous help and guidance has been a great asset to the company.

How long have you been with Homestead Road and what do you do?

I am a Senior Home Sales Advisor. My job is to go out, meet with sellers, and perform evaluations. I’ve been with Homestead Road since 2018.

What led you to choose to work for Homestead Road?

I was previously co-owner in a company with a similar model. After I had my fourth son, operating an entire business was too much. After researching Homestead Road, I found that they really, truly lined up with my values, and I would still be in a position to form client relationships similar to those I had grown to love without having to do all of the work myself. It just made sense to join the team.

How long have you been doing real estate and what led you to choose real estate as a profession? What did you do prior to real estate?

I started my real estate career in 1999 and, like many others, I did get out for a brief period back in 2008. After the market began to recover, I got back in and have worked in many lanes of real estate since. However, I really love working with sellers. As a mom of four boys, I chose real estate mainly for the flexibility it could provide. Prior to real estate, I was always in sales or a customer service role, so moving into the industry was a natural fit for me.

What aspect of your job gives you the most positive energy?

Collaboration with my team and the relationships I get to build working with people who are looking for help. It’s really not about houses, it’s about the people.

What 2–3 words might your past customers use to describe working with you?

They would say that I’m very patient and compassionate.

Can you share a memorable customer story or situation that touched you or reassured you of your passion for helping customers?

I had a seller who was a recent widow with two properties. She needed to sell the properties quickly so that she could adopt a 13-year-old girl and purchase an appropriate home for them. These properties happened to be in a rural area of Minnesota that most acquisitions companies don’t serve, but we do. I spent a couple of hours with this woman learning about her story and really felt compelled to help her make this happen. She accepted our offer on the first property. After closing quickly, she decided to do it again with the second property because it was such a success. Now she’s a mother and feels like her life has meaning again.

How does it make you feel when your customers provide positive feedback after working with you?

For me, it confirms that if you focus on what you love over focusing on success - success will come.

What are some of your favorite hobbies to do outside of work?

I love to play with my 8-year-old and entertain his friends. Spending time on the lake with friends is one of my favorite things to do along with reading when I get some quiet time.

What’s a fun fact about you that others may not know?

My nickname used to be "gumby" because I'm very flexible!

If you were stuck on a deserted island and you could only choose 1 food to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

The one food item I’d need on a deserted island would be bananas!

Where is your favorite place you’ve visited and where is a place you haven’t visited that you’d like to?

I love Sedona, AZ is my favorite. One day I would like to go back to Seoul Korea, which is where I was born, to visit!

Sunil Bawa

Senior Home Sales Advisor

Sunil Bawa has been in the real estate environment since college, coming to Homestead Road when he wanted to join a professional acquisition firm that understood the business like he did. His knowledge and passion for real estate are well-loved here on the Homestead Road team. Over the years, Sunil has engaged in many heartwarming experiences with customers. We were eager to sit down with him to hear about his time here and what drove him to where he is now.

How long have you been with Homestead Road and what do you do?

I am a Senior Home Sales Advisor. I’m the guy that goes out on appointments when people call and have a house to sell, to sit down and explain the process to them. I’ve been with Homestead Road since 2016.

What led you to choose to work for Homestead Road?

I used to own my own business doing property acquisition for many, many years. I started in the early 2000s and had bought and sold over 50 houses when the market crashed in 2008. At this time, I decided to team up with a bigger organization, and Homestead Road was the biggest in the area.
I was determined to work with someone who was entrenched in the business because it is a difficult one to be in. Few understand the risk, the ins and outs of construction, and everything involved with renovations and remodeling. Homestead Road was clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the industry.

How long have you been doing real estate and what led you to choose real estate as a profession? What did you do prior to real estate?

I’ve been in the real estate environment since graduating college. I studied and read lots of real estate investing books as a teenager and always wanted to have my own company.
Prior to owning my own acquisition company, I was a banker for many years. I was first exposed to the real estate environment through business banking and commercial loans before I decided to make it a full-time profession. I did that in the early 2000s and now have the same independence and flexibility with Homestead Road.

What aspect of your job gives you the most positive energy?

I would say it’s really meeting new people and listening to their stories. A lot of the people who call us have lived in their homes for many years and have an emotional attachment to their properties.
They want the property to be left in the hands of somebody who is going to take care of it, and they are eager to come back and see it finished a lot of the time, which is another high point for me. We invite the neighbors over and have a big celebration. It’s fun.

What 2–3 words might your past customers use to describe working with you?

Responsive, professional, transparent.

Can you share a memorable customer story or situation that touched you or reassured you of your passion for helping customers?

A year and a half ago or so, we had a customer who really reminded me of my mom. My mom had passed about a year before that, and this lady was about the same age and living alone in her home. She felt the same way and we just had an instant connection. Now, all this time later, we still keep in touch and say hello every once in a while. That was pretty cool, to be like, “Hey, it’s Mom!”

How does it make you feel when your customers provide positive feedback after working with you?

Oh, it feels great. Nothing better than that because then you really feel like you’ve accomplished something. It feels awesome.

What are some of your favorite hobbies to do outside of work?

I play percussion in an Irish Band called Irish Diplomacy. We are the house band at Finnegan's Brew Pub in downtown Minneapolis and play every Thursday night! Would love to see ya'll down there!

What’s a fun fact about you that others may not know?

I'm an avid collector of exotic and unique instruments from around the globe.

If you were stuck on a Deserted Island and you could only choose 1 food to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Indian Butter Chicken

Where is your favorite place you’ve visited and where is a place you haven’t visited that you’d like to?

Puerto Rico is my favorite place I’ve ever been. One day I’d love to see Paris!

DiAnn Tilden

Senior Home Sales Advisor

DiAnn Tilden has been working in real estate for 26 years, with three of those years dedicated to her managing role at Homestead Road. Prior to working in real estate, DiAnn worked as a nurse. Her nurturing spirit translates well in handling the often emotional “as is” sales process.
We asked DiAnn to share a little bit about her path to Homestead Road and just what she does here.

How long have you been with Homestead Road, and what do you do?

I’ve been with Homestead Road since 2017. My title is Senior Home Sales Advisor, but in many ways, my role is to act as an advocate for the seller. When a seller contacts us, I’m the one who goes out and sits down with them to evaluate the property and find out what their goals are.
It is my responsibility to be up-front with the sellers who take the time to call us. If, after a lengthy discussion with them, it does not seem as though we would be a good fit based on their needs and goals, I will advise them of that and help guide them in the right direction.
If my offer is accepted, I keep in touch for the entire sales process and do whatever is within our means to accommodate the seller’s needs.

What led you to choose to work for Homestead Road?

At the time I discovered Homestead Road, I was working for a number of real estate investors.
I was invited to attend a one-day real estate seminar by Andrey Sokurec and was so impressed with him that I signed up for an in-depth weekend seminar. Afterward, I reached out to Andrey for an interview, and luckily, he hired me.

How long have you been doing real estate, and what led you to choose real estate as a profession? What did you do prior to real estate?

In 1994, I built a lake home. I loved the process of building so much that I went on to build about ten others on speculation. After the market changed, I got my real estate license and spent five years working at a company which negotiated short sales for homeowners facing foreclosure. My role was to meet with the homeowner and gather the information required from the lender and to counsel the homeowner through such an emotional and lengthy process.
Prior to working in real estate, I worked as a nurse. I left nursing primarily because of a strike, but I loved everything about the job. Both nursing and acquisition management at Homestead Road require the same nurturing spirit, thoughtful counselling, and active listening.

What aspect of your job gives you the most positive energy?

I love sitting down with people and hearing their stories. Even though many of the stories are sad, I love relating to them and extending as much support as I can.
In the end, when we are closing the house, they’re always so very appreciative, and that’s really the positive for me. Seeing that they really have felt the joy.

What 2–3 words might your past customers use to describe working with you?

Honest. Caring. Good Communicator.

Can you share a memorable customer story or situation that touched you or reassured you of your passion for helping customers?

There was a mom and her daughter who had flown down from Arizona sadly to put the son and his wife into rehab. They were at the point where they couldn’t manage and needed the property sold.
When the two came to Minnesota, they had no idea how they were going to go about selling the property or who they were going to call for that. It was fortunate that they saw one of our vehicles bearing the “Feel the Joy” motto. Mom’s name happened to be Joy, so she felt like that was a sign.
They called and I went to their hotel a couple of times. We wrote the offer and then closed the sale within a week. When I read the review afterwards, the daughter raved about how easy and simple of an experience it was, how grateful they were, and that I had actually offered more than they’d expected.

How does it make you feel when your customers provide positive feedback after working with you?

Good. Really good. I always walk away from a transaction feeling like we did the right thing and we really helped these people.

What are some of your favorite hobbies to do outside of work?

Gardening, biking, walking, boating, traveling, walking on the beach and picking shells while traveling, trying new restaurants, feeding the birds, working on craft projects, beading/painting /creating unique signs, and spending time playing games with friends.

What’s a fun fact about you that others may not know?

I went through a 4-year college on a basketball scholarship!

If you were stuck on a Deserted Island and you could only choose 1 food to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Any Asian cuisine!

Where is your favorite place you’ve visited and where is a place you haven’t visited that you’d like to?

Greece was my favorite place I’ve been so far and one day I would love to visit Croatia where my Grandparents are from!

Fonda Broekhius

Home Sales Advisor

How long have you been with Homestead Road and what do you do?

I’ve been with Homestead Road since 2017 and I am a Home Sales Advisor.

What led you to choose to work for Homestead Road?

Andrey, the CEO of Homestead Road, approached me back in 2017 and asked me to help him and become part of the team to work with homeowners interested in selling their homes! He quickly became a mentor to me, and we’ve developed a great relationship over the years.

How long have you been doing real estate and what led you to choose real estate as a profession? What did you do prior to real estate?

I’ve been in real estate for over 10 years. Actually, I was a nurse for many years before getting into real estate. In 2009, following the market crash of 2008, I bought a duplex and rehabbed it to resell or rent out. Every year after that I’ve bought one foreclosed or vacant property to rehabilitate and restore to its glory! So, you could say I was a nurse as well as a house flipper!

What aspect of your job gives you the most positive energy?

Whenever I can connect with a homeowner looking to sell their house and assist with solving their needs or concerns so they can move forward in their journey.

What 2-3 words might your past customers use to describe working with you?

Honest, Accepting, and Accommodating.

Can you share a memorable customer story or situation that touched you or reassured you of your passion for helping customers?

Over the years I’ve seen many circumstances and heard many stories from clients. I’ve proudly been able to help them along their journey. Anytime I help someone going through a difficult circumstance or situation I feel touched and reassured of my passion. Regardless of the circumstances the homeowner was facing, all of them have touched me in some way. I highly value all of my clients and I aim to make a personal connection no matter the situation.

How does it make you feel when your customers provide positive feedback after working with you?

I feel good! It’s reassuring to hear that the people I work with are having a positive experience!

What are some of your favorite hobbies to do outside of work?

I enjoy boating, walking outside, and interior design.

What’s a fun fact about you that others may not know?

I didn’t have an indoor bathroom until after the age of 7! My family had an outhouse growing up as we lived on a farm so it’s a reminder of the simple luxuries in life.

If you were stuck on a Deserted Island and you could only choose 1 food to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Cheesecake!

Where is your favorite place you’ve visited and where is a place you haven’t visited that you’d like to?

My favorite place I’ve been able to visit is Puerta Vallarta, Mexico and one day I’d love to make it to London, England.

Eric Hopf

Home Sales Advisor

How long have you been with Homestead Road and what do you do?

I've been with HSR for almost 2.5 years, and I am a Home Sales Advisor which means I strive to provide personalized attention to each client and their unique situation with compassion, respect and expertise. My goal is to make selling your home as stress free as possible.

What led you to choose to work for Homestead Road?

This company is focused on and cares more about helping people, many of whom are dealing with very difficult and stressful situations, than simply making a profit flipping homes. From top to bottom the goal of helping people is very clear.

How long have you been doing real estate and what led you to choose real estate as a profession? What did you do prior to real estate?

I've been involved with various aspects of real estate for over 20 years, almost right out of college. Growing up, my family moved over 10 times by the time I was in high school, and I was always eager to go to the showings and help decide which one was going to be our next home. I've also always been very interested in the design of homes and drawing floor plans for my dream home.

What aspect of your job gives you the most positive energy?

The feedback from my clients expressing the relief and diminishing stress I was able to provide for them in often complicated and emotional situations.

What 2-3 words might your past customers use to describe working with you?

Empathetic, professional, respectful.

Can you share a memorable customer story or situation that touched you or reassured you of your passion for helping customers?

One of my client's homes had been in the family for over 50 years and their parents had recently passed away. The home was in disarray and needed a lot of work which was extremely overwhelming for the siblings that were now tasked with figuring out what to do with the home. It was rightfully so a very emotional aspect of their lives since they had grown up in the house and there was an abundance of sentimental value. They appreciated the fact that I was sincere in hearing and understanding their story and trying to do whatever I could to alleviate their stress and provide a personalized solution for them. Their "happy tears" and words of gratitude at the closing made an impact on me and reinforced why I love this job.

How does it make you feel when your customers provide positive feedback after working with you?

There is nothing more uplifting than hearing the positive feedback from clients whose lives I've been able to make a small impact on by guiding them through a difficult and emotional process. It reinvigorates me to continue to do so for as many people as I can.

What are some of your favorite hobbies to do outside of work?

Spending time with my wife, 8-year-old son and 4-year-old Golden Retriever. Cabin trips, golfing, playing poker with my friends and watching shows about restoring/modifying cars or the physics behind how the universe works.

What’s a fun fact about you that others may not know?

If I didn't get into real estate, I would have liked to have become either a theoretical Astrophysicist or a designer/builder of resto-mod cars from the 1950 and 60s.

If you were stuck on a Deserted Island and you could only choose 1 food to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Anything involving breakfast food...sandwich or burrito with eggs, cheese, bacon, or sausage and hashbrowns.

Where is your favorite place you’ve visited and where is a place you haven’t visited that you’d like to?

I backpacked through Europe for a few weeks after college and Venice was the most amazing city I have ever experienced. A bucket list location would be either Fiji or New Zealand.

Eugene Volovik

Home Sales Advisor

How long have you been with Homestead Road and what do you do?

I have been here since 2016. I initially joined as an Acquisition manager but recently more of my focus has been directed towards developing the proprietary software for our company that should solidify our position in the national arena as a go to for home selling needs.

What led you to choose to work for Homestead Road?

After spending over a dozen years working for major banks as an Underwriter and lending officer the owner of Homestead Road, Andrey, approached me because he felt I had a good future with his company. So far, he has been right.

How long have you been doing real estate and what led you to choose real estate as a profession? What did you do prior to real estate?

I have been in real estate in one shape or another since 2001. I ended up in real estate by accident, my friend went to an interview and decided the job was not for him but recommended it to me. I went in and aced the interview, giving me my first real estate gig.

What aspect of your job gives you the most positive energy?

Working with people, experiencing their stories, and helping. I also enjoy finding creative solutions for all situations.

What 2-3 words might your past customers use to describe working with you?

Professionalism, Quality, and Responsiveness according to my google reviews, but I think I have enough experience to advise and find solutions in addition to positivity and being nonjudgmental. My main goal is to help my clients.

Can you share a memorable customer story or situation that touched you or reassured you of your passion for helping customers?

I was working with a US Army disabled veteran who was in a difficult circumstance and used the last of his money to get to the closing table. His mortgage lender was hounding him for extra documents that he did not have in order to approve his veteran’s loan. The man was fearful he would end up homeless and his financing wouldn’t go through. I looked at what they were asking and realized the things that were being asked are not a requirement for that type of loan. I called up the lender and we got the loan pushed through. I was thrilled we could resolve the issue; we were able to give him a couple of gift cards, so he was able to get into his new place and eat dinner with his loved ones. It gave me an opportunity to use skills I had acquired over my career and make a difference in people’s lives.

How does it make you feel when your customers provide positive feedback after working with you?

It is the best feeling; I love giving valuable service to our clients.

What are some of your favorite hobbies to do outside of work?

I love to travel; my goal is to visit as many countries as I can and to experience life in many different places with different types of people.

What’s a fun fact about you that others may not know?

I wanted to become a professional poker player when I was younger, and I really enjoy cooking.

If you were stuck on a Deserted Island and you could only choose 1 food to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Anything would get old if eaten every day, but as a food group I would have to go with sushi (doesn’t seem to get old for me and has quite a variety of ingredients).

Where is your favorite place you’ve visited and where is a place you haven’t visited that you’d like to?

I love Colombia – it is an amazing country with lots of culture and great people. I love visiting there. As far as where I want to go – top of the list would be Australia and pretty much all of Asia with Japan, Singapore, and China because I am fascinated with that culture. Unfortunately, 20+ hour flights currently make it hard to get there. But I am hoping someday!

Brooke Alstrup

Home Sales Advisor

Brooke Alstrup joined the Homestead Road Minneapolis team this past year. Certified through NAR Academy’s Realtor University, Brooke’s vast industry expertise is joined with a real estate marketing and technology designation and specialization in working with senior homeowners.

How long have you been with Homestead Road and what do you do?

I started working with Homestead Road in July 2021 as an Acquisition Manager. My job is to meet with homeowners, listen to their stories, and help them evaluate whether or not we are a good fit for purchasing their home. If we are a good fit, then I guide them through the process of selling their home as-is with compassion and as little stress as possible.

What led you to choose to work for Homestead Road?

Before I joined the team, I had a successful, relationship-driven business focused on educating my clients through each step of their home-buying or -selling journey. However, working independently as a Realtor demanded my time 24/7, and I found myself with no life outside of work. When I started to look at other options, I found the Acquisition Manager position with Homestead Road would allow me to build those relationships without having to work around the clock. It was a win-win!

How long have you been doing real estate and what led you to choose real estate as a profession? What did you do prior to real estate?

I have been a Realtor for 17 years. Prior to getting my real estate license, I worked in environmental education for Three Rivers Park District.

What aspect of your job gives you the most positive energy?

Alleviating stress for homeowners. I often work with families who have lost a loved one or who are experiencing serious health issues. Being able to show them compassion and help take away some of the stress in their situation is the best part of my job.

What 2–3 words might your past customers use to describe working with you?

Professional, Honest, Knowledgeable.

Can you share a memorable customer story or situation that touched you or reassured you of your passion for helping customers?

One of my clients started to cry at the closing, gave me the biggest hug, and said, “Thank you.”

How does it make you feel when your customers provide positive feedback after working with you?

It feels fantastic to know they recognize my hard work and have been touched by my compassion.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Hiking, fishing, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, boating, and playing outside with my family.

What’s a fun fact about you that others may not know?

I love games. I enjoy them and I’m good at them!

If you were stuck on a deserted island and you could only choose one food to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Fish!

Where is your favorite place you’ve visited and where is a place you haven’t visited that you’d like to?

I don’t have just one favorite, but if I had to pick one, then Maui. There are a million more places I want to explore with my family. We have a list.

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We invite you to check out our new Feel the Joy Magazine, a Homestead Road publication created to share helpful, inspiring and fun content to our community of friends. This magazine publishes quarterly and features a variety of content intended to bring you and your family health and happiness.

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Meet The Team

Andrey Sokurec

Alex Delendik

Gwen Gierke

Max Korsukov

Jareth Martinez

Elena Tsvirova

Eugene Volovik

Kim Gambill

Sunil Bawa

DiAnn Tilden

Eric Hopf

Andrew O'Neil

Bianca Lozano

Tatyana Butkova

Aksana Sokurec

Randi McDonald

Danielle Martinez

Jane Reynolds

Desiree Mae Ticar

Devon Walton

Kim Gambill

What customers are saying:

Sunil Bawa

What customers are saying:

DiAnn Tilden

What customers are saying:

Fonda Broekhius

What customers are saying:

Eric Hopf

What customers are saying:

Eugene Volovik

What customers are saying:

Brooke Alstrup

What customers are saying:

Rachel Laurent

Tatyana Butkova

Andrew O'Neil

Bianca Lozano

Jane Reynolds

Chad Wiech

Andrew O'Neil

Andrey Sokurec

Alex Delendik

Gwen Gierke

Max Korsukov

Jareth Martinez

Elena Tsvirova

Eugene Volovik

Kim Gambill

Sunil Bawa

DiAnn Tilden

Eric Hopf

Bianca Lozano

Tatyana Butkova

Aksana Sokurec

Randi McDonald

Danielle Martinez

Jane Reynolds

Desiree Mae Ticar

Devon Walton

Kim Gambill

Sunil Bawa

DiAnn Tilden

Fonda Broekhius

Eric Hopf

Eugene Volovik

Brooke Alstrup

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Introducing Feel The Joy Magazine

inspiring and fun content

Delicious Recipes

Important Home Selling Information

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Feel The Joy Magazine

We make selling your home easy!

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Introducing
Feel The Joy
Magazine