Loving the 219 is a community lifestyle guide created by Liz Rytel-Mudroncik, a lifelong Lake County resident and Northwest Indiana Realtor. The site celebrates everything that makes Lake County a great place to live, visit, and explore. Planning a move to Lake County? Liz would love to help.
I didn't just stumble into real estate.
I grew up in it. From helping my parents manage rental properties as a kid to buying my first home near Wrigley Field straight out of college and later turning it into a profitable investment, real estate has always been in my DNA. I've personally bought and sold 6 properties, including two vacation rentals I've managed for 12+ years.
Not just your Realtor. A buyer, seller, investor, and landlord.
I'm not just your Realtor. I'm someone who has sat exactly where you're sitting. I know the excitement. I know the nerves. I know the sticker shock and the absolute relief of closing day. I've lived every side of this process, multiple times, and that experience walks into every transaction with me.
Before real estate, I spent 30+ years in marketing for global brands. That means when I list your home, I'm not just putting it on the MLS and hoping for the best. I'm positioning it strategically, pricing it intentionally, and marketing it like the asset it is.
I stay ahead of the curve with the latest tools in the industry, including AI-powered platforms that give my clients a real competitive edge. In fact, I'm one of a select group of AI-Certified Realtors in the country, bringing next-level technology to every buying and selling experience. When I negotiate, I negotiate from strength.
This site is my love letter to Lake County.
I created Lovingthe219 because I believe Lake County is one of the most underrated places to live in the Midwest. The small-town warmth. The big-city access to Chicago. The lakes, the trails, the festivals, the food. The neighborhoods that each have their own character and charm.
This is my living field journal, a curated guide to everything that makes the 219 feel like home. I share the real spots, the seasonal highlights, the insider tips you won't find on a generic relocation site. Because I don't just work here. I live here. My kids grew up here. I know which streets flood in spring, which pizza place wins the neighborhood debate, and where to watch the best sunsets over Cedar Lake.
"Big-brand strategy. Small-town warmth. Northwest Indiana's Realtor."
My mission is simple: get sellers top dollar, help buyers find real long-term value, and make sure every client feels confident, never pressured, from first conversation to closing day.