The Ride of Her Life

After graduating with a Marketing degree from Arizona State University, Janelle was already determined on a career in real estate. She says, “My parents have always had real estate investments, so I would say that’s probably where the spark came from. When I was in college in 2005, I babysat for a family and the father was a real estate agent and was very successful and very busy at that time in the market. He asked me to work in his office and that is where I was able to see the ins and outs of the day-to-day real estate grind. I was fascinated and loved it.”

Initially beginning her profession as a part-time, commercial real-estate operator, developing and managing shopping centers, Janelle eventually found her center in residential real estate. She shares, “In 2019, my daughter went into Kindergarten and I decided I was ready to make real estate a full-time career.” Soon thereafter Janelle joined the prestigious Russ Lyon Sotheby’s group, thanks to the industry leader in horse property sales and close friend, Josie Pakula. “I joined the Russ Lyon Family in 2020 and that was the best year I had on record, more than double what I did in my best year in the 13 years I have had my license. As 2021 comes to a close, I have doubled 2020 volume and transactions once again,” smiles Janelle.

Being the wife of a horse trainer with her own passion for horses, Janelle is acutely aware of what people need in an equestrian property, making her a key part of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s Elite Equestrian Team. An Arizona Native having lived throughout the state, Janelle possesses an endless amount of working knowledge regarding the various locations, markets, and emerging real-estate trends in and around the state.

When it comes to marketing, Janelle harnesses the name, recognition, and tools that come along with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s name. She uses these to attract a robust and high-quality rollout for each of her listings. Her services, however, do not stop at the end of a sale. She goes the extra mile to stay in touch with her clients even after she has made the sale, through multiple monthly mailings, including informative mailers with staycation tips and hiking guides. 

In 2020 itself, Janelle received the Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty Chairman’s Board recognition for the Pinnacle Peak office, and was named a Winner of the Scottsdale Association of Realtors – 40 Under 40; in 2021 for her splendid contributions. 

Putting Family First

Janelle and her husband have lived in the same community since they met 15 years ago. She says, “I love and cherish the fact that our community, as teenagers and young adults, is now the community of the next generation.” When she’s not working, Janelle leads an active family life, often spending time at horse shows with her husband. Other times her children, Logan and Layla, keep her occupied as an excited spectator at their football games, swim meets, and cheer competitions. At least once a year, Janelle and her family pack their bags and escape on mini-vacations to the pristine beaches of Mexico. She smiles, “We are busy and live life to the fullest and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Even through Covid, Janelle enjoyed her time off from the regular hustle and bustle of life to cherish her neighborhood and community. The walks and hikes, the kids riding their bikes and horses, and generally being outside, brought back memories of simpler times.