In the heart of central and southern Illinois, a two-person real estate team is quietly redefining what it means to serve a community. Barry Schulhofer and Renae Hardt, the force behind the Land Home and Farm Group at Strano & Associates, call themselves “Small Community Experts,” and their approach reflects the deep roots and shared values that brought them together.

Barry grew up in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, the youngest of four, raised on a small farm where childhood was measured in outdoor adventures, sports, and a connection to the land. “I grew up on a small farm and spent most days playing outside, hunting, fishing, and playing sports,” he recalls. His path led him far from home, serving 23 years in the United States Air Force across 13 different assignments before retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. That service instilled in him a commitment to people and integrity that would later shape his real estate career.

Renae, by contrast, grew up in Carlinville, Illinois, the oldest of five children in a traditional family. She describes herself as a born leader and teacher, shaped by a life of guiding others. After college, she taught English and History at Belleville West, , and built a successful entrepreneurial career in direct sales. “Everything I am today is integral to my past and is the reason I feel I am successful in guiding clients through the home buying and selling process.” Renae says.

Their paths converged when Renae was licensed in 2021 and met Barry, who had been in real estate since 2016. Barry had transitioned from a role as a defense contractor at Scott Air Force Base, seeking a career where he could continue serving others but outside a cubicle. He describes a pivotal moment in southern Illinois: “I was burnt out sitting in a cubical. One day I was sitting in a deer blind and prayed that God would give me guidance as to what I needed to do. He answered my prayer a couple of months later when I received a call from a real estate company asking if I was interested in becoming one of their agents.”

Renae saw an opportunity to turn her lifelong interest in homes, design, and community into a real estate career. “Jumping to a career in real estate fit perfectly in my wheelhouse. After building my own custom home and with my natural life-long interest in community and family, I knew it was time to start my career in real estate,” she explains. 

Together, their shared values and complementary experiences made forming a team a natural decision. Barry and Renae focus on trust over volume, helping families, landowners, first-time buyers, and investors navigate some of life’s biggest decisions. “We don’t measure success by volume. We measure it by trust,” Barry says. Renae adds, “We are unique in that we do a lot more traveling than most agents. We’ve dubbed ourselves ‘small community experts’ because we both have spent so much time and gotten to know the nuances of various communities in the area.” Their reach extends primarily across Macoupin, Montgomery, Bond, and Fayette counties, where they have become known for personalized attention and a deep understanding of each community’s character.

Their approach reflects both their pasts and their personalities. Barry’s military background provides discipline and steadiness under pressure: “My past shaped me through service, discipline, and perspective. When you’ve deployed, moved your family across the globe, and led teams under pressure, you learn quickly that trust and character aren’t optional.They’re everything.” Renae draws on her teaching and entrepreneurial experience to educate clients and build relationships. “I have a passion for helping others succeed and reach for their dreams. My goal is simply to serve others by meeting their real estate needs,” she says.

Outside of work, both bring the same energy to their families and personal passions. Barry enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and tailgating for the St. Louis Battlehawks. Renae is a travel enthusiast who enjoys epic road trips and exploring the world whenever possible. Together, they balance rural expertise with a real world perspective.

Looking ahead, the Land Home and Farm Group is focused on continued growth and service. Barry’s goal is to sell 50+ properties in 2026, while Renae measures success by impact, not numbers: “Whether that means I sell $3 million annually or $30 million annually, as long as I’m doing that and doing it to the best of my ability, it’ll be a win.”

For Barry and Renae, real estate is more than transactions — it’s about relationships, trust, and being a part of their clients’ stories. As Barry puts it, “Transitioning into real estate wasn’t about changing careers. It was about continuing to serve - just in a different uniform.”