Gretta Volkenstein
Founder and Lead Agent
Gretta leads pricing, positioning, marketing and negotiation, staying directly involved from the first strategy conversation through closing.
GRETTA V GROUP | SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
A boutique real estate team led by Gretta Volkenstein, combining personal strategy with expanded marketing, technology and private market reach.

GRETTA VOLKENSTEIN
Founder and Lead AgentMEET GRETTA
I want every client to feel informed, represented and genuinely cared for.
Gretta Volkenstein grew up around home builders, investors and people who understood that real estate could change a family’s future. With help from her parents, she purchased her first investment home at age 12 for $19,000.
Her family has deep roots in St. Joseph and Stevensville. Gretta grew up between California and Southwest Michigan, then lived in Chicago and Germany before returning to St. Joseph. Those experiences gave her a personal understanding of relocation, belonging and the many different ways a home can shape a life.
She graduated with honors from Indiana University with a degree in Business Administration focused on Marketing and Public Relations, and later studied Social Work at Andrews University. Her experience as an investor, landlord and renovator includes rental properties, a century old farmhouse, a mid century home in Germany, new construction and an international family investment property in Aruba.
Gretta built her business through relationships, repeat clients and referrals. She continues to evolve the way homes are represented, integrating professional staging, photography, film, floor plans, three dimensional tours, social media, targeted advertising, digital tools and direct outreach. The goal is never technology for its own sake. It is clearer positioning, wider reach and a better client experience.
Outside of real estate, Gretta is a mother to Finn and Will, a traveler, a volunteer and a founder of Berrien County Strong Community in Action. She enjoys time with family, Lake Michigan and the communities she is proud to represent.
GRETTA V GROUP
Gretta leads the group’s strategy and stays directly involved in her clients’ transactions. Andrea also works with her own buyers and sellers, while Joel contributes local knowledge and investment insight. Together, our team has significant experience supporting relocation buyers and sellers, including moves coordinated through relocation companies.
Founder and Lead Agent
Gretta leads pricing, positioning, marketing and negotiation, staying directly involved from the first strategy conversation through closing.
Licensed Agent and Client Services Manager
Andrea is an experienced licensed agent working with buyers and sellers throughout Southwest Michigan. As client services manager, she also coordinates communication, documentation, deadlines and the details that keep a transaction moving.
Licensed Agent and Real Estate Investment Consultant
Joel brings experienced local perspective and practical investment insight, supporting showings, closings and long term real estate decisions.
RECOGNITION
FOR SELLERS
THE GRETTA APPROACH
PositioningPresentationReachNegotiationEvery listing begins with the audience, the story and the market position. From staging and pricing to photography, film and direct buyer outreach, each decision works toward the same goal: creating confidence and momentum.
BOUTIQUE SERVICE. EXPANDED REACH.

Part of Compass International Holdings
Gretta V Group combines direct, local guidance with the technology, marketing reach, referral relationships and global connections of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate and the broader Compass network.
When appropriate and at the seller’s direction, a home can be introduced through private and premarket channels before its public MLS launch. This can help test positioning, gather feedback and build buyer interest while preparation is still underway.
Buyers can be matched with private, coming soon and off market opportunities shared across the network. The team can also contact agents and property owners directly when the right home is not publicly listed.
Private marketing is not right for every property and may limit exposure during that phase. Gretta explains the advantages and tradeoffs before recommending a strategy.
BUY WITH CONTEXT
Understand the shoreline, neighborhoods, property types and tradeoffs before the right home appears.
Plan your searchCHICAGO TO THE LAKESHORE
Guidance for relocation, second homes and investment from someone who understands both sides of the move.
Start the conversationTHE LAKESHORE
Local perspective across Southwest Michigan, from Lake Michigan to inland lakes, riverfront homes and country properties.
Serving St. Joseph, Stevensville, New Buffalo, Harbert, Union Pier, Lakeside, Sawyer, Three Oaks, Buchanan, Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs, Coloma, Watervliet, Bridgman and South Haven.
EXPERIENCE THAT TRAVELS
SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN REAL ESTATE FAQ
These are the questions that shape smart real estate decisions along the Southwest Michigan lakeshore.
Ask Gretta a specific questionGretta V Group serves buyers and sellers in St. Joseph, Stevensville, New Buffalo, Harbert, Union Pier, Lakeside, Three Oaks, Buchanan, Coloma, Watervliet, Benton Harbor, Sawyer, Berrien Springs, Bridgman and South Haven. Our experience includes Lake Michigan waterfront, inland lake and riverfront properties, Lake Chapin, country homes and acreage across Southwest Michigan.
Gretta studies recent sales, current competition, price per square foot, condition, location, buyer demand and appraisal factors. She explains the tradeoffs behind each pricing option, then monitors showing activity, online engagement, buyer feedback and new comparable sales so the strategy can respond to the market.
Each plan is tailored to the property. Services may include staging guidance, professional photography, drone photography and video, cinematic video, floor plans, three dimensional tours, a dedicated property presentation, print materials, social media, paid digital advertising, agent outreach, private market exposure, open houses and direct buyer outreach.
Gretta Volkenstein is the founder and lead agent. Andrea Graham is a licensed agent and client services manager. Joel Kruggel is a licensed agent and real estate investment consultant. Gretta leads the strategy and remains directly involved, while Andrea and Joel provide additional support and expertise when it benefits the client.
Yes. When it fits the seller’s goals, Gretta V Group can use private and premarket channels available through the broader Compass network before a public MLS launch. This can help test positioning, gather feedback and build early interest. Private marketing is optional and can limit exposure during that phase, so Gretta explains the tradeoffs before recommending it.
Luxury and waterfront buyers evaluate details that ordinary marketing often misses. Gretta builds the story around setting, frontage, access, views, improvements, privacy, architecture and lifestyle. The presentation is paired with precise pricing, strong visual assets and targeted exposure to local, Chicago, second home and referral audiences.
Beginning several weeks or months before listing creates more options. Gretta can help prioritize repairs, staging, paint, landscaping, contractor work and photography timing. The goal is to spend where it improves presentation or buyer confidence and avoid work that is unlikely to produce a return.
Gretta tracks showings, feedback, online views, days on market, competing listings, price changes and recent sales. Sellers receive clear updates and recommendations based on what buyers are doing. If the response is weaker than expected, Gretta explains whether presentation, positioning, price or market conditions need attention.
Yes. Our team has significant experience with relocation clients, both buyers and sellers. We help buyers compare communities and coordinate a move to Southwest Michigan, and guide sellers through preparation, marketing and closing. When a relocation company is involved, we coordinate required reports, documentation, deadlines and transaction updates.
Yes. Gretta regularly helps Chicago area clients compare lakeshore communities, travel times, property types, waterfront options, local services and year round use. She can structure a focused search and provide local context before a buyer commits to a community or property.
Start with local zoning, permit rules, association restrictions, rental history, seasonal demand, insurance, financing, utilities and realistic operating costs. Gretta helps buyers evaluate the property and location, coordinate due diligence and identify questions for the appropriate local, legal, tax and lending professionals.
Yes. Gretta’s experience includes historic homes, farmhouse restorations, renovation projects, custom construction, vacant land and acreage. She helps clients evaluate condition, improvements, contractor considerations, resale position and the practical steps that differ from a standard home purchase or sale.
Gretta coordinates the details from contract to closing, including inspections, contingencies, earnest money, appraisal, title, financing, included personal property, settlement statements and closing logistics. She communicates clearly, anticipates deadlines and helps clients make informed decisions when an issue appears.
Yes. A private home review is a useful first step even when your timing is uncertain. Gretta reviews the property, relevant comparable sales, current competition and the features that shape buyer demand. The conversation can stay exploratory until you are ready to make a decision.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR PLANS
Selling, buying, relocating or exploring an investment? Share your goals. For sellers, Gretta can provide a personal review of your home’s value and position in today’s market.