Janis Hartley feels strongly that real estate is a “connection” business, not a “sales” business. An award-winning Realtor with Compass, she focuses on building long-term relationships with clients. Understanding their goals, needs, wants, wishes and dreams, and guiding them through the process, is her super-power.  “I tell my clients, if I stay in charge of the process and you stay in charge of the decisions, we will be successful.”

A resident of Walworth County for more than 40 years, she raised her family in the Lake Geneva and Southeast Wisconsin areas she sells.  Over the years, she has lived in six different communities.

Known for her area expertise, attention to detail, dedication, follow-through and ability to close deals, she has built a business upon repeat clients and referrals over the past 21 years. In 2024, an indisputably challenging market, she had the second-most successful year of her career with upwards of $39+ million in sales.

A myriad of experiences led Hartley to real estate. She did post-graduate work in medieval literature, taught at Marquette University while a PhD student, worked as a flight attendant, wrote middle school and high school writing textbooks and owned a clothing business. All experiences that demanded patience, connection, attention to detail, and the ability to listen well—skills she applies to real estate. Although she handles more than 45 transactions annually, she makes each client feel as if they are the only one.

Featured among RealTrends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals the past three years, she holds the designations of Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Guild Member, Certified Residential Specialist and Accredited Buyers Representative.

After many years of dreaming about it, in May 2024, she finally took her adult children and their families to Provence, France, and it was a complete joy.