Rooted in Northern Michigan Since 1993

Some businesses are built from an idea. Others are built from years of experience, strong relationships, and a genuine commitment to the communities they serve. Cardinal Real Estate is built on all three. Debbie began her real estate career in 1988 in New Baltimore, Michigan, where she quickly developed a passion for helping people navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives. In 1990, Debbie made the move north to Onaway, Michigan, bringing her knowledge, experience, and dedication to real estate with her. After working with a real estate franchise from 1990–1993, she took the next step and opened Cardinal Real Estate in 1993. From the very beginning, Debbie’s vision was simple: provide first-class service to her clients, customers, and community. Over the years, Cardinal Real Estate has grown through that commitment, built on relationships, trust, local knowledge, and the belief that every buyer and seller deserves to feel valued throughout the entire process. More than three decades later, that same vision continues to shape Cardinal. Five years ago, our paths came together, and what began as working alongside one another quickly became a seamless partnership. Over the last five years, Debbie and I have worked together as a team, complementing each other’s strengths, sharing ideas, learning from one another, and building a working relationship rooted in trust. We have navigated the fast pace and ever-changing nature of real estate side by side, always keeping our clients and their goals at the center of what we do. What makes our partnership special is the balance between experience and new perspective. Debbie brings decades of hands-on real estate knowledge, local expertise, and a deep understanding of the people and communities she has served throughout her career. I bring a fresh perspective, modern marketing ideas, creativity, and a passion for finding new ways to showcase properties and connect them with the right people. Together, those strengths allow us to offer something truly unique: the experience of yesterday combined with the vision of tomorrow. As Cardinal Real Estate continues into its next chapter, our goal remains the same one Debbie established when she opened the doors in 1993 — to provide first-class service and genuinely care about the people we have the privilege of serving. Real estate is more than buying and selling property. It is about people, places, memories, investments, new beginnings, and finding the place that feels like home. After more than 30 years of Cardinal Real Estate and five years of working side by side, we are excited to continue building on what has already been created while bringing a fresh energy and vision to the future. The name may have a long history, but our story is still being written. And we are proud to be writing the next chapter together.

Over the past three decades, Cardinal has grown into one of Northern Michigan's most trusted independent brokerages. We've helped hundreds of families buy and sell homes across Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Montmorency, and Otsego counties — from lakefront retreats to year-round family homes tucked into the woods.

Today, Cardinal is led by Principal Broker Lexus Horton, who carries forward the same philosophy Debbie built the company on: that every real estate transaction should feel personal, purposeful, and exciting. She believes clients deserve an agent who is genuinely invested in their outcome.