Contact Us

Rick Schaefer is the founder of SearchHomesEZ.com. Rick’s experience in the real estate industry goes back to 1973 when he started selling homes in the St. Cloud, Minnesota market. Since then he has made his entire career solely in the many facets of the real estate industry, consistently helping many hundreds of clients purchase or sell their real estate properties.

Rick married his soulmate, Nancy in 1993. Their family is a “Brady Bunch” with 7 children combined and 16 grandchildren. Nancy has also been his business partner since then.

Rick has enjoyed owning a lake place on Leech Lake since 1977. Rick and Nancy permanently moved to their Walker, Leech Lake home in September 2008 with the idea of retiring. That only lasted about 2 years. Retirement just wasn’t active enough for Rick or Nancy, so they opened Walker Area Realty in January of 2011. They have been extremely blessed with great success. (Please peruse through their many references)

Shortly after opening Walker Area Realty Rick introduced askRICK.com as a real estate search website. The idea was to simplify a website, keep it easy to use and allow anyone to use it freely without ads, pop ups or the continuous prompting to extract a user’s contact information and the promise that no one would call to bother you just because you used the website. It introduced more filters, especially relating to vacation property searches such as Waterfront, Lake Name, Size of Lake, Lot Size, Length of Time Listed etc. They introduced the concept of being there to help users when and if a user requests help, but not before they requested it.

People have very much appreciated the ease and non-intrusive use of the askRICK.com website. SearchHomesEZ.com is the next improvement in providing that same service to the public. The name is more self-explanatory. The new design company is awesome and the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) company will make this site very prominent in the market. askRICK.com users will automatically be redirected to SearchHomesEZ.com for a pleasant surprise.

Thanks for hearing a bit of “Our Story”

Rick & Nancy

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Frank & Sandra James
    "We tried to sell our 4,000 square foot home in Walker by ourselves but with no luck. So, after investigating several realtors we made a wise decision and listed with Rick and Nancy. Come this spring, with the ice off the lake we were driving from Texas to Walker when Rick called to say we had not 1 but 2 offers. Selling and closing is always tense as little things always come up. It was a little tense, but Rick handled everything with ease and we went on to close on time…Rick and Nancy did a GREAT JOB for us!"
    Frank & Sandra James
    Austin, TX, Leech Lake
  • Doreen Cost
    "Rick and Nancy are awesome realtors! They are very helpful, keeping the client's wishes at the forefront. They first helped to find that 'just right' cabin and now, after five years, have sold it for me. Living in Canada, and a good 4 hour drive away, I didn't have to come down for any of the paperwork. All business was done over the phone or electronically! To top it off, Rick went the extra mile, taking care of some of the projects that needed to be completed at the cabin. You are in excellent hands with Rick and Nancy!"
    Doreen Cost
    Canada, Kabekona Lake
  • Peggy Fulton
    "It’s been a wonderful experience working with Rick and Nancy Schaefer in selling my lake home. The challenge was finding a buyer for a big house on a small lake. To my surprise they found 2 within a short time. Rick & Nancy have worked in this business for many years and it shows. They know the area and its people and work very hard to meet their client’s needs. I have worked with many realtors over the years and Rick and Nancy Schaefer are by far the best.

    Rick & Nancy, thank you so much for getting me to where I wanted to go and on time!"
    Peggy Fulton
    Paine Lake, Lake George, MN
  • Tom and Mary Jo Mahowald
    "My wife and I used Walker Area Realty to manage the recent sale of our Walker Bay townhome. The service and support provided by Rick and Nancy was nothing short of outstanding. They put together a strong marketing plan for our home and immediately went to work in facilitating showings of the property. Their communication with us as owners was professional and very timely. We particularly liked that Rick and Nancy gave us prior notice of every showing and provided prompt, written feedback from prospective buyers. We ended up receiving multiple offers on the property and they managed all the details to ensure a timely and smooth closing. Rick and Nancy have deep connections to the Leech Lake area and are real estate professionals in the truest sense. We highly recommend them for assistance in selling you home."
    Tom and Mary Jo Mahowald
    Arden Hills, MN, Leech Lake
  • The Martin Family
    "Rick was a God send for us. He searched high and low until he found the perfect home for our family. He was on time and never missed a beat. Never once did I feel like he was in it for the money. I felt like he was a part of our family and really fought for us. He is an amazing man and I would recommend him a million times over. He is professional and reliable. He is there for you and answers any questions and if he doesn't have the answers he will dig until he finds them.

    Thank you Rick for all that you did for us."
    The Martin Family
    Walker, MN (Country Home)
  • Jim and Denise Karley
    "We couldn’t be happier with our newly purchased vacation home thanks to Rick! He was extremely responsive and had great suggestions on property to view based on our specific needs and wants. Rick knows the area very well, so he was able to focus in quickly, narrowing down the prospects and saving us time. He was always responsive to our calls… His advice on purchase negotiations was excellent and he kept us well informed every step of the way. We highly recommend Rick to anyone looking to buy. We sure appreciated all the good advice and personal service."
    Jim and Denise Karley
    Grand Forks, ND (Steamboat Lake)
  • Mike & Kathy Bergmann
    "Rick & Nancy,

    Just a note to thank you both for the outstanding service you provided Kathy and me in selling both our home and lot on Lake May. I am amazed at your ability to match property with potential buyers. It seems that most of the people that you showed our house to were truly interested in it. We were most surprised and pleased to have three potential buyers in such a short time.

    Your honesty in establishing a price for the property was much appreciated and your price point proved to be right on the mark. Once again, thank you for the great service from start to finish in the sale of our properties."
    Mike & Kathy Bergmann
    Lake Peppin, MN (Lake May)
  • Richard and Roxy Palmberg
    "Anyone can sell a house, but Rick and Nancy do more than that. After a year of not having even one person look at our property, we changed to Walker Area Realty and had a wonderful response in just days… They go that extra mile to make your experience a pleasant one. If anyone wants to sell or buy a home Rick and Nancy are the ones to go with. They have integrity, honesty and really represent their clients to the utmost. We have been more than satisfied... and you can’t say that in most sales today.

    Thank You Rick and Nancy… the Palmberg’s"
    Richard and Roxy Palmberg
    Sun City, AZ, (11th Crow Wing Lake)
  • Dave and Kirsten Clark
    "My husband and I bought a lake home through Rick Schaefer a year ago and really had a great experience… Rick quickly figured out what type of home we were looking for and immediately starting searching for the perfect home for us… We had to leave town for a week and while we were gone, Rick found the perfect home for us. He took over a hundred pictures for us so we could get a really good idea of the home since we couldn't physically see it and Rick knew we would love the home and didn't want us to miss out on the opportunity to put an offer in. We are so happy he did that, because we made an offer and it worked! We absolutely love our home and if it hadn't been for Rick's quick action, we would not be here now.

    Thanks Rick!"
    Dave and Kirsten Clark
    LaCrosse WI, (Leech Lake)
  • Doug and Deb Winter
    "This letter is written to recognize and recommend the outstanding service, professionalism, and most importantly, the expertise of Rick and Nancy Schaefer of Walker Area Realty as real estate professionals:

    As the owner of a unique lake property, I recognize the differences between excellent, average, and mediocre performance. From my experience with Rick and Nancy, they demonstrated excellent customer focus and service, excellent market knowledge, an amazing work ethic, and genuine personal and professional integrity. I highly recommend Rick and Nancy for your consideration as your real estate professional."
    Doug and Deb Winter
    Maple Grove, MN, Leech Lake
  • Cara Ruff
    "We are so grateful to Rick Schaefer and his expertise in helping us to negotiate and purchase the Camp Fish property. As a non-profit, many factors came in to play and Rick skillfully assisted us in working with the sellers to make our dream a reality. Throughout the process Rick offered ideas, took the time to listen and learn about our company and to connect us with others. Not only was Rick a consummate professional, but he really applied a personal touch and went the extra mile in assisting us to be successful in a new community. We now have one of the most beautiful properties in Minnesota and are primed to assist people in living their best lives. Many thanks to Rick Schaefer and his wife Nancy. They are genuine professionals I recommend doing business with!"
    Cara Ruff
    Executive Director of Independent Lifestyles, Sauk Rapids, MN (Camp Fish, Long Lake)
  • Dale & Eileen Bode
    "After interviewing four realty firms, we made the decision to list with Rick & Nancy Schaefer of Walker Area Realty. During our initial meeting, we felt a comfort and confidence in their knowledge, experience, and reputation in the area. Rick and Nancy mapped out the sale process for us in a way we could easily understand… they kept us updated with upcoming showings and, in many cases, personally prepped the cabin for the showing as our primary home is three hours away. Feedback from the showings was quick and helpful in understanding what prospective buyers were thinking.

    When our first offer came in, Rick helped us clearly understand the details and represented our interests through the negotiation process. But, Rick and Nancy weren’t done yet. They helped us sell the boats, boatlift, and all the furnishings of the lake home which was clearly “above and beyond” the role of a realtor, but they did it without question. They kept us in the loop throughout the closing process and we could not be happier with the outcome.

    We take no hesitation in recommending Rick and Nancy Schaefer of Walker Area Realty for your Northern Minnesota real estate needs. Their professionalism and comprehensive service was much appreciated."
    Dale & Eileen Bode
    Akeley, MN (11th Crow Wing Lake)
  • David and Kay Bangerter
    "Dear Rick & Nancy,

    After our first meeting with you and Nancy, we knew we had the “right” real estate agent. We saw no need to go to any other agent to list our home on beautiful Leech Lake in Walker and our 160 acre farm in Hubbard County. In three weeks, you sold our home and shortly after that you sold our farm. We were so pleased as we worked with you and Nancy and felt very comfortable with your diligence, your perseverance, your professionalism, and your integrity. You went above and beyond in taking care of matters that it made it much easier for us to move. Best wishes for a successful year and again thank you for your patience. We will always recommend your services to your community and beyond."
    David and Kay Bangerter
    Bemidji, MN (Leech Lake)
  • Pam Demmers
    "When I was interested in exploring lake cabins, I put out a request online. Rick was the only Realtor that responded. He not only responded but set up an appointment within hours of my first contact with him. Rick’s knowledge of and experience in real estate is tremendous. I ended up purchasing a lake home through Rick and he made the process simple. I would recommend Rick to anyone who is considering purchasing a home. You will be impressed."
    Pam Demmers
    Grand Forks, ND (Lake George)
  • Mrs Sarah (Sally) Wulfekuhler
    "Dear Rick & Nancy,

    I want you to know I mean every word I’ve written here…

    If you are looking for the right Realtor to help you either buy or sell a house, I strongly suggest the Schaefers of Walker Area Realty. Rick & Nancy are highly qualified agents and make an excellent choice. They certainly were for me! They are long time Realtors with an up to date knowledge of today’s market. Rick & Nancy are honest, reliable people with a genuine interest in their clients. They listen and address all your questions and provide guidance and helpful suggestions. It is my sincere opinion that they are the best choice for a Realtor…I am grateful they were mine.

    With sincere appreciation and thanks"
    Mrs Sarah (Sally) Wulfekuhler
    (Kabekona Lake), Laporte, MN
  • Tony and Sandy Fiacchino
    "When looking for a real estate professional, “Ask Rick”! Rick and Nancy Schaefer are true professionals, who care about the people they work with, know the market and more importantly took the time and patience to find the “perfect property” for us!...We have found them to be some of the most honest, thorough and down to earth folks that we have had a pleasure to meet and conduct business. We trust Rick and Nancy’s keen and in-depth knowledge of the area and available properties. Thank you for your diligence, your knowledge, your professionalism. If you’re looking for the special piece of property or home - we strongly recommend that you go no further than Rick and Nancy Schaefer…"
    Tony and Sandy Fiacchino
    Wheaton, IL (Kabekona Lake)
  • Brad and Angela Arndt
    "Rick and Nancy,

    We just wanted to take a minute to say thank you for all your efforts on the property you recently assisted us in selling. Prior to working with you, we had the property on the market for a long time with no results. At our initial meeting, you indicated you would find us the right buyer for our unique piece of property and helped us with a strategy to market the property. What really sets you apart from the competition is your communication and follow through. You follow-up promptly and always return phone calls. You kept us apprised of all your efforts along the way. Those seem like small details, however, we feel they made the difference in selling our property within the time frame you expected in our initial meeting.

    Thank you for all your assistance!!"
    Brad and Angela Arndt
    Walker, MN (Leech Lake)
  • Dean and Penny Krueger
    "Rick impressed us from the very first telephone call we made to him... he sent his contact information to our email address within five minutes of that phone call. The day we spent with Rick looking at properties around Leech Lake started with a cup of coffee. Rick told us about himself and mentioned that he would be showing us "the good, the bad, and the ugly." He was sincerely interested in assisting us with finding our dream property with no sales pressure. If you are looking for your dream place, we are confident that Rick can help you find it! He found ours!"
    Dean and Penny Krueger
    Moorhead, MN (Leech Lake)
  • Mary Kirchner
    "Engaging Rick Schaefer as our real estate agent was the best decision we made when it was time to sell our lake home on beautiful Lake Kabekona. Rick was available and efficient, always following through on details, always providing valuable information (but not too much to cloud the issues), and always maintaining a polite, cheerful and enthusiastic demeanor. He projected a gentle air of confidence, seeming to never doubt that he would find the right buyer, at the right price, at precisely the right moment.

    Rick and his wife Nancy are caring, reliable business people in whom we felt we could place our trust in a time of stress. Together their skills provided streamlined, up to date, professional expertise without pressure. It is a pleasure to recommend their services to your community and beyond."
    Mary Kirchner
    Punta Gorda, Florida (Kabekona Lake)
  • Chris and Ann Anderson
    "My wife and I have been searching for many years for our dream lake property. Very fortunately we were introduced to Rick and Nancy Schaefer. They helped us navigate through a complex purchase that included a bank owned component. Rick from the moment we met was very professional, straight forward and was a great communicator. What we admired most was his professionalism and his patience with questions we had about such an important decision. Rick and Nancy made their time available for various trips to the property and worked with contractors, banks and others needed to get the job done. They made the real estate process more understandable and the trust that came from their approach and style was a very good fit for us. We believe Rick and Nancy as our real estate team was nothing short of a blessing to go along with this incredible next chapter of lake place memories for our family. Anyone anytime is welcome to call me for a detailed referral. Rick has my information."
    Chris and Ann Anderson
    Maple Grove, MN
  • Dan & Lynn Brennan
    "When Lynn & I decided to buy a cabin in the Walker area, our first step was to contact Rick & Nancy Schaefer to discuss the possibilities. I have known Rick for over 40 years, dating back to some former transaction we did in the St. Cloud market. As such, I was very familiar with Rick’s knowledge & experience in the real estate business.

    We contacted Rick & Nancy and described our wants & needs regarding a cabin. As good as Rick had been, he has become even better as he has gotten older & more experienced. Together he & Nancy have gained extensive knowledge of the Walker area. They patiently listened to us so they could match us with a property we would love. It took them one week to find the property we would buy. They worked diligently & professionally to negotiate the deal & guide us through the process to closing. We are very grateful to Rick & Nancy for everything they did for us in buying our new lake place quickly, smoothly & efficiently. We definitely made the right choice in selecting the team of Rick & Nancy. Our Thanks to both of them."
    Dan & Lynn Brennan
    Minneapolis, MN (Leech Lake)