Ben Ancel (Bold North Real Estate)

Ben Ancel is the owner of Bold North Real Estate. 

Ancel also is active on social media, documenting his various real estate ventures in a compelling manner. 

But Ancel wasn’t always a Facebook staple.

In fact, it wasn’t until Bold North Real Estate was six months old that Ancel finally stepped into the digital sphere.  

“Everyone was telling me that you have to do social media,” he says as we sip coffee in a Coon Rapids Starbucks on a nippy Wednesday morning. 

So for the next two weeks, Ancel took out his phone and began sharing real estate insights. 

“I just wanted to see what would happen,” he recalls. 

A few weeks later, Ancel went to a networking event, and met his first fan.

“You’re everywhere,” that person told him. 

Ancel, a reserved and humble individual, was wowed by the effect his postings already had.  

“I was doing what I already had been doing, but based on that person’s response, I knew there was something powerful with social media,” he says. 

These days, it’s no secret that social media is a tool that can drastically revolutionize the trajectory of a business owner, to the extent that in 2025, a business that refuses to be present online may be setting itself up for extinction. 

“If done correctly, social media is the most genuine and authentic way to tell people who you are and what you do,” Ancel notes. 

For Ancel, he moves properties and orchestrates land deals.

Wielding the power of the proverbial pen, Ancel makes mundane market trends relevant and entertaining, distilling complex concepts into palatable tidbits of information. 

“What I enjoy is posting about deep statistical analysis,” he says, and in 2025, homebuyers and sellers alike can appreciate those analyses, especially in a market as tumultuous and nerve-wracking as the Twin Cities.  

For reference, suitable entry-level dwellings are quick to exit the real estate market.  

“Anything under $350,000 will sell almost immediately, if it’s in good condition,“ Ancel says. 

“That’s because there is a ton of demand and very little supply.”

Inversely, the luxury sector hasn’t been as affected by the challenges of the entry-level.

“Buyers at that level are not concerned with interest rates,” Ancel points out. 

“They’re more focused on election cycles.”

Donald Trump was elected almost a year ago, and things are always changing, but it should be noted that a great home is still a great home, and it will sell accordingly. 

Where there is ambiguity is with the properties in the middle, the unpredictable abyss that the proletarian can’t seem to get into, and the bourgeoisie casually disregard.  

We’re talking homes that ordinarily would be second homes, but in today’s unforgiving market have left homeowners with 2-3% interest rates mired in a state of uncertainty. 

“Price-wise, those homeowners might have to go up a quarter million dollars to get into their next home, and then on the interest rate, they could be going from 3% to 6%,” Ancel explains. 

“That’s a double whammy, so even if they want to, they can’t make that jump.”

Inflation. 

It’s a term that has been on the tip of nearly every tongue in America, a word so painfully synonymous with modern America that in a few months its very mention will likely elicit disdain. 

I mean, you can’t order an omelet for less than $15, and in real estate, first-time buyers aren’t able to enter the market.

“If you go up to Brainerd, for example, homes on the lake, they are moving because that demographic hasn’t been affected like everyone else,” Ancel says, reminding us of the inherent value that capital and assets have. 

You go inland though, and that trend is very different.

Away from the water, new builds are just sitting, more sedentary than an old man in a nursing home. 

“I’ve talked to cities like Crosslake. They want affordable housing, but getting there is difficult,” Ancel articulates. 

“There are not enough people selling their existing homes to fill the gap.”

Sage insights from a realtor and creative like Ancel, who deftly showcases a subject matter expertise few of his counterparts can rival. 

In that sense, Ancel’s peers aren’t necessarily trying to share their knowledge online.

From my vantage point, you’re more likely to see a trophy case of a realtor’s recent transactions than you are to obtain actionable advice. 

It’s a big reason why I like Ben. 

He doesn’t need to queue up a collage of the $400,000 homes he has sold to prove he knows what he’s talking about. 

Instead, he just talks about what he knows.

“There is a lot of surface level data that’s being posted online, but nothing more granular and nuanced,” he says, simultaneously offering a glimpse into the void he has so cleverly filled.  

“I often will see a statistic about Twin Cities real estate, and it encompasses the entire Twin Cities, but anyone who lives here can tell you there is a big difference between living in Wayzata, and living in Robbinsdale.”

Therefore, presenting data without accounting for all the different variables doesn’t benefit the end consumer.

On that point, I wish I could tell you what’s going on in real estate right now, but I can’t.

Moreover, I’m not even going to try. 

You will just have to go follow Ancel and trust that he knows what he’s talking about.

“I don’t actually like social media all that much,” he admits. 

“So if I’m going to spend time on the platform, I need to make sure that I’m bringing value to the people engaging with my content. That makes it worthwhile for everyone.”

Ancel has consistently delivered that pertinent information, which is an extension of who he is and how he conducts himself in his everyday dealings. 

“Consistency is key, but if I don’t have anything to say, I don’t post,” he says, and that is to be commended, particularly in a virtual world that has no shortage of self-anointed gurus and talking heads. 

“The integrity of what we do matters.” 

Adds Ancel:

“With my work, the expectation is a high-level, curated experience for my clients. If I don’t deliver that every single time, people are going to lose faith in what I am offering. It’s the same with social media. It’s hard to keep people’s attention, but if you’re leading with value, you have a better chance of succeeding.”

Thanks to his consistent efforts, Ancel has found there is a crossover between what happens online and in reality. 

“There are people who I have never met who already know me because of what I have posted online,” he says. 

“Over the years, it has happened more and more, and I have to tell you, it is flattering.”

He must be five-mile famous, I think to myself.

“You must be five-mile famous!” I then say, exercising little restraint when it comes to separating thought from speech. 

Ancel then laughs, humility accompanying his smile, but also appreciation.  

“They called me the selfie king for a while,” he says after absorbing my intended compliment. 

“I don’t necessarily like having my picture taken, but I force myself to do it, and it did wonders for people later recognizing me.”

Adds Ancel, who perhaps would rather be reading a newspaper than answering my questions:

“The more you can connect and bring people together, you are going to have compounded results from your efforts.”

Looking ahead, as AI continues to impose its will on smartphone users, subsequently making those same users less resourceful and more dependent on technology, it’s nice to know organic content will still exist, thanks to genuine individuals like the man seated across from me. 

“Everyone keeps saying that AI will save me so much time, but with my content, I’m not trying to save time,” Ancel says. 

“I’m trying to provide value. Social media is not something I am ready to outsource.”

And I hope he never does delegate the articulation of his thoughts to a robot. QS

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