The charities we love and support the most
One of the best parts of leading Busby Group is that we are one passionate group of women! And one of our biggest passions, and the biggest reason we are in real estate, is that at the end of the day, what we love most is helping people--all people. For each of us, this translates into some sort of charitable work. It is so easy to get caught up in the minutiae of the day, and helping others is the best way to step outside of that box and remember what is really important.
I am so proud of how passionately and openly our team gives back, and also the different causes each of us support. Take a look at what each team member had to say about their charity.
Ali
Park Community Church
The main “charity” I support is my church group. It’s Park Community/Near North, and I participate in several groups there. I am a helper in the Alpha Program, which meets every Tuesday evening. I also plan on competing in the Chicago 2020 Triathlon with Renew Chicago and Park Community.
Jane
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
I have supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the past few years and now that we have a baby girl of our own, my family supports St. Jude now more than ever. St. Jude works to battle and treat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases to children. These donations go toward the research of these diseases, plus it allows families who are going through this to never receive a bill for travel, housing, food or treatment. We donate to them multiple times each year, and there is no better feeling than getting a thank you card in the mail from a family or child that benefitted.
Julie
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center
An important charitable cause to me is abused and battered children. I used to volunteer at Becky’s House in San Diego (an undisclosed safe home for abused and battered children/women). I would grow a close connection with those children and made the commitment that I would always work to help support children in need. When I moved to Chicago, I wanted to find a similar organization. I was introduced to Chicago Children’s Advocacy (CCAC) and have been blown away by their services. I have served on the board and volunteered with CCAC throughout the years. This incredible organization supports abused children in Chicago. CCAC is a front-line responder in Chicago to reports of child sexual abuse. They also respond to reports of child physical abuse, witness to violence, and other serious maltreatment. Since opening their doors in 2001, they have served more than 38,000 children.
Kenya
Crime Stoppers
I am a big supporter of Crime Stoppers. My sister has worked for the foundation for a number of years and my brother in law is a police officer so I am very connected to the cause and creating a safer community for all of us. Apart from being a hotline that you can report tips to about a crime anonymously, Crime Stoppers also has other initiatives which include promoting awareness for child and sex trafficking as well as animal abuse and school safety. I have had the pleasure of volunteering at numerous events that serve these causes and am grateful to have such a wonderful foundation driving towards a better community!
Liza
Trio Animal Foundation
One of the organizations I love is Trio Animal Foundation. I’m a huge animal lover, and have always been a big dog person. This organization works with Animal Control to rehabilitate animals in need, and has a very successful adoption program. It’s really amazing what they do!
Maggie
Special Olympics
When I was in middle school, I started babysitting for a family friend with special needs. At the time, the little boy’s dad had mentioned that he would be braving the cold water of Lake Michigan to raise money for the Special Olympics, and suggested that I participate in the friends and family jump. As someone who played as many sports as one could imagine as a child, and basketball throughout college, hearing each athlete speak about their experience with the Special Olympics and the profound ways it had affected each of them that day was a life changing experience that I will never forget. Ever since, I have loved being involved with the athletes and community. Most recently, I also joined the Special Olympics Associate board and love the opportunity to give back!
Pamela
Anti-Cruelty Society
I support the Anti-Cruelty Society by donating and volunteering my time. I was raised with animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, hermit crabs, fish, a guinea pig and a family duck! So you can certainly say I am an animal lover! My current dog, a Dogue de Bordeaux named Rubie, was an owner surrender to the Anti-Cruelty Society and I was lucky to rescue her in 2013.
About the Anti-Cruelty Society:
The Anti-Cruelty Society has been on the forefront of animal welfare and humane education since it was founded in 1899. Its focus is to provide the following:
Compassionate care for any animal in need
An attempt to find a home for every healthy or rehabilitatable dog and cat
Intervention to prevent cruelty to animals
Community education on animal issues to inspire compassion and respect; and
Low or no cost spaying or neutering
Susan
Special Olympics
I am a proud supporter of the Special Olympics. My sister has been a Special Olympics athlete for over 30 years, my dad devotes a large amount of his time to coaching her team. I have seen firsthand the amazing benefits this organization provides to athletes and their families. To show my support, I put together a team to do the Polar Plunge here in Chicago every year. In the past five years we have raised almost $40,000 to support this amazing organization. I look forward to putting a team together again in March, and making it the best year yet!
From $135K to $2MM, and everything in between
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Part of the wonder of the season for me is the opportunity to look back and give thanks for all the wonderful people and experiences from the past 365 days--and there was so much goodness this past year! We added new team members, our families grew, and we exceeded every goal we set out for ourselves.
For me and the rest of the team though, our business and outward success come from a place inside. It’s a drive to help others and to not just exceed goals, but instead exceed expectations. Yes we have a deep set and innate desire to succeed, but more than anything else, it is our desire to help Chicagoans--ALL Chicagoans. While some teams focus on the luxury sector or first time buyers, we don’t look at the playing field this way. Our view is where can we be of service? And let me tell you, that leads to one diverse portfolio! This year alone we worked on a $135,000 condo up to a $2M single family home--and everything in between! We worked as far west as Oak Park/Park Ridge, as far north as Edgewater and as far south as South Loop. And really, we enjoyed every minute of it.
One story I always think about that reflects our mentality, is from clients who initially bought a $1MM property with me. We got it for almost $500K off list price, so I think I was on a little bit of a pedestal in their minds! After their purchase, I got a call that their son was looking for a place, so next I helped him find a $400K condo in a multiple bid situation. Later, the family needed to sell the grandmother’s $40K property outside the city and they wanted our help. We were able to sell it in record time and at a record price for the tier. This meant a lot to me, as we were able to help every generation in this family and we were truly hands on for every transaction for this family creating a rewarding outcome for each family member.
I share this story not to toot my own horn (this is actually my worst nightmare!), but to try to shed some light on how differently we see this industry than most. We see ourselves as facilitators of change. As my mom always used to say, attitude is everything! On that note, I asked the team to share what we are most thankful for this year, and this is always one of my favorite blog posts!
Ali:
I am thankful to have found the Busby Group at Compass where we support each other in a competitive market. I am also thankful for my family and friends who keep me positive and true to who I am.
Jane:
I am thankful for my amazing and supportive family. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them, and I feel so blessed to have them in my life as my biggest supporters!
Julie:
Where do I begin? I have a lot to be thankful for this year! I am so thankful for my family and this precious time to watch my girls grow. I am also beyond thankful for the BRG team. We are so lucky to have each other! We have created a supportive and collaborative team, which is hard to find in this industry. Plus, by growing our team, I have been able to have more of a work-life balance for the first time in my 18 year career!
Kenya:
I am thankful for everyone and everything that makes up my life! I am beyond grateful to have a loving and supportive husband, three little fur babies and a house that we’ve turned into a home. Having our family close by and being able to spend time with them is special after all the moving around we have done.
Liza:
I’m most thankful for my family. We just welcomed our son, Cody, into the world and he is a perfect, happy and healthy little boy. His big sister, Mila, is so sweet with him. It really doesn’t get any better than this!
Maggie:
I’m thankful for being in good health, and my family all being able to spend the holidays together!
Pamela:
I'm thankful for my loving and supportive friends and family. I so blessed to have such amazing people in my life!
Susan:
I am thankful that this year I get to spend the holidays with my entire family and close friends. It’s been a number of years since we have all been able to be together for the holidays. I am looking forward to catching up and eating all of the holiday goodies!
So here’s to what matters the most: time spent with family and friends in celebration of a great 2019!
Is the West Loop market in a bubble?
What is it about the West Loop? I mean I know what it is, but it is truly amazing how so many people can have so much love for a small Chicago neighborhood. The city’s best restaurants, gorgeous historical loft-style architecture, and now some of the world’s best companies all within just a few square blocks. I get it. The West Loop is all around cool.
It also has a very rags-to-riches Cinderella story history. Fifteen years ago, the West Loop had next to no residential housing and was the hub of the city’s meatpacking industry (thus all of the historical loft-style architecture!). Once the restaurants started flooding in, lots of Chicago’s food-loving folk started buying property and it pretty much snowballed from there. The growth has been intense for the West Loop, and I talk to people constantly about this tiny micro-market and what lays ahead.
I definitely know the West Loop market, but not like my good friend Christine Lutz, whom I met at Coldwell Banker years ago. Christine is a real estate expert, having worked in the industry for 30 years and closed $1.6 billion in sales all across the country. Christine currently works at On Collaborative, a full-service national development marketing and sales firm integrated with Coldwell Banker branded operations. Many of Christine’s developments have been in the West Loop, including 1400 W Monroe, which will deliver in 2020. I asked Christine to tell us about what is going on with the West Loop market now, and what she anticipates for the future:
Where are we with the West Loop market--the beginning, middle or end of a bubble?
The West Loop market has neutralized a bit from where it was a few years ago. Right now we are approaching the winter market with well over 20% additional inventory than what we had last year. Deals have also declined. As of the end of Q3, here are a few specific stats:
Active units: 124
Pending units: 37
Closed units in last 12 months: 330
Average days on market: 56
56 new construction projects:
Office: 25
Hotel: 7
Rental: 17
Condo: 7
The West Loop is very constrained area with bounds south of Lake, west of Halsted, east of Ogden and north of 290. Because it is such a small footprint, there is a finite amount of competition so as of now we don’t see a bubble for the West Loop.
What does the future look like for the West Loop market?
One of the biggest reasons there aren’t more deals happening in the West Loop has to do with zoning. Currently, the city has a very high mark in place for affordable housing that new construction has to hit in order to be approved. Basically, if a new residential building is approved, a certain percent of the units must be devoted to affordable housing. The requirements are so high that many developers are unable to work in the area. The issue will get resolved, but as of now, zoning is a big deterrent to residential new construction in the West Loop.
On the flip side, I also anticipate an additional flood of interest in the area given all of the new companies moving into office space. All of the suburban companies will have a good amount of employees looking for housing closer to the office. Right now, there isn’t enough new construction to keep up with that demand.
What advice should buyers keep in mind?
A few things. First, if you are looking for a deal, be prepared to do some work. Next, prepare to buy before you start shopping around because when you find the property you want, you will need to jump right away.
What advice should sellers keep in mind?
Buyers in this market are very picky, so if you want to sell your property, you must make the improvements that buyers want.
Thank you for your time, Christine! We appreciate it as always.
Our favorite fall activities in Chicago
I never want to live in a world without October! The changing leaves, cozy weather and fun fall activities make October such a magical month, am I right? We just got back from our annual apple picking trip and had the best time! My girls loved picking apples, and of course the apple cider doughnuts! I asked the rest of the team what their favorite fall traditions are, and created a quick roundup. Take a peek!
Ali:
My favorite Fall activity is the 15k Hot Chocolate Run because you get tons of free chocolate and the swag sweatshirt they give out is warm for winter running. I also like cooking with Fall vegetables…butternut squash soup, pumpkin pancakes and eggplant lasagna. So yummy.
Jane:
I love visiting the farmers markets in all the different neighborhoods of Chicago! I do this all summer as well, but visiting them in the fall is my favorite. It’s prime time for the best apples, squash and a warm cup of cider!
Julie:
We love going to an apple orchard as a family. We usually try a different one every year, as every one has something different to offer. One of our favorites is All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock. We love this one as it has over 30 activities for the kiddos including a corn maze, petting zoo, pony rides, zip line, magic shows, pig races, bouncy houses, and big slides (to name a few).
Another family favorite is going to the Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest. This is always great as they have rides, corn mazes, fall foods and more – PLUS, you get to see the animals all on the same day (plus it’s a quicker ride than going to an apple orchard). We are members of the zoo, so we get free parking and discounted tickets for the rides. This is a great Chicago tradition and something easy to do even for an afternoon after school!
Liza:
With kiddos, a fall festival is a must: we usually hit a few, like the pumpkin fest at Wrigley/Gallagher Way, trick-or-treating at the shops on Southport, and Lincoln Square’s Apple Fest. We also love farmers markets this time of year. We always visit the Lincoln Park market to get a basket of apples, and then make a “picnic” at home with apples and caramel sauce... and s’mores toasted in our fireplace!
Maggie:
My favorite fall activities are making s’mores by a bonfire, and walking around Lincoln Park. The tree lined streets are so pretty when the leaves start to change!
Pamela:
I love going to the Green City and the Logan Square farmer’s markets for fall treats!
Susan:
My favorite fall tradition is visiting Edwards Apple Orchard with my family. We pick apples, stock up on apple cider donuts, and finish our trip with a visit to the cellar for a slice of apple pie with cheese—yes cheese. It’s amazing!
Three reasons why you shouldn’t wait for the spring market
For some buyers and sellers around the country, the fall and winter are like a giant, months-long waiting room for the spring market. They hunker down, biding their time for when the market starts heading up in March. People, this is a giant, months-long mistake! For both buyers and sellers, this is a waste of precious time and opportunity.
I see it happen every year. Every holiday season I end up negotiating relocation deals for families who have to move to Chicago for work. And every year the deal is one of the easiest and fastest. This isn’t a coincidence. Today I’m sharing three reasons why you shouldn’t wait for the spring market for both buyers and sellers. Listen up!
Buyers:
You know what you’re getting: There’s no telling where rates will be this spring and right now they are low, low low!
Less competition: Not all of Chicagoland’s buyers will heed my advice and shop around during the fall and winter, so there will inevitably be less competition. Less competition for you manifests in a number of positive ways, most importantly is that there is less likelihood of a multiple offer situation--which drives down price and stress.
More room to negotiate: With less buyers to choose from, sellers may be more willing to negotiate to make a deal work. For example, during the spring market, a home sale contingency might weaken an offer. In the winter, with potentially fewer offers on the table, sellers may try harder to make it work.
Sellers:
Election year drama: One of the biggest effects of an election on the real estate market is that it tends to make the spring market shorter and weaker. Political uncertainty is almost always a negative when it comes to the real estate market, so there is no sense in waiting!
Motivated/serious buyers: Anyone spending their holidays looking for a home is a motivated buyer, so you waste less time with look-a-loos, and cut straight to the chase! Remember: it only takes ONE buyer.
Less inventory: Again, not every Chicagoan is going to listen to me about not waiting, so there will be fewer listings on the market--which means less competition! Always a good thing.
I really do believe that there is tons of missed opportunity every fall and winter. If the timing makes sense for you and your situation, I highly encourage you to take advantage of the quieter months.
Thinking of selling? Add this to your consideration set
One of my favorite parts of real estate is that every year brings with it a new market. Whereas last year we couldn’t satisfy the demand for fixer uppers, this year it’s a totally different ballgame. This year’s buyer wants their own HGTV perfect home. They don’t want projects, or DIY anything. They want a home they can move into and enjoy. Maybe the uncertainty of the market is what is driving buyer’s aversion to uncertainty?
For sellers this is a very tall order. With rumors swirling around about a potential recession, the stakes for sellers get even higher. The tougher the market, the smaller the margin for error. Compass wanted to figure out a way to help sellers offer a superior product, without creating logistical and financial nightmares. The result is called Compass Concierge, and I think it is absolutely brilliant.
In a nutshell, any seller working with a Compass broker can have Compass front the cost for a remodel, painting, deep cleaning--really whatever it takes to make the home look its best. When you close on your home, Compass is paid back dollar for dollar. That’s it!
Potential Compass Concierge services include:
Deep-cleaning
Cosmetic renovations
Decluttering/staging
Landscaping
Interior + exterior painting staging
Roofing repair
Water/heating/electrical work
Plumbing repair
A major renovation!
What I really love about the program is that while you may have the money to redo your bathroom, Compass is taking your risk out of the equation. It’s a win-win!
When does Compass Concierge make sense?
So now I know you’re wondering when I think using Compass Concierge makes the most sense. First, it’s totally a case-by-case basis, so if this is intriguing, definitely give me a call. But, a few rules of thumb: if you have kids, I totally understand that renovations might not be in the cards. But that aside, if you have cherry cabinets for example, I would definitely get them painted. If you have bold colored walls, those should be painted in neutral tones. Basically I think paint can make a huge difference in modernizing a space, and it is almost always worth it!
How does the potential economic slowdown factor in?
The other thing on everyone’s minds is when this economic slowdown will hit, and how bad it will be. In my humble opinion, we are actually due for a natural slow down--yes, due! The real estate market is cyclical, going up for six years and then down for six years. We have been on an upward trajectory for nine years! So, it’s time for a more neutral marketplace, which I am actually looking forward to, if I’m honest. We have tight, effective lending regulations in place and all of the necessary safeguards to ensure this is a fluid, natural process.
Coming up with innovative ways to work with the market of the day is what gets me up in the morning. Everything is workable, you just have to get a little creative!
Sellers: The one thing you have to do right now!
Are you thinking of selling your home this spring? I know that spring feels like a lifetime away, but there is actually one thing you should do in the next few weeks, trust me! The answer is exterior photos of your home. By taking exterior photos now we are able to capitalize on all of the gorgeous green leaves still left in the trees, green grass and flowers in your landscaping.
Trust me when I say that this extra step is so worth it and really does make a huge difference in the overall presentation of your home when it comes time to sell. Come spring time, buyers are daydreaming about warmer weather and what their home will look like with a bit of blue sky and sun. Most sellers don’t think this far in advance, so your home will look that much better than the competition!
Below is a quick list of the checklist we use whenever we take exterior photos of a home.
Color is your friend: You know me, usually we are anti-color when it comes to interiors (think white, black, gray, cream), but when it comes to exteriors, pops are color are what we are after. Since most outdoor spaces in Chicago are decks and other monochromatic structures, pops of color breathe life into the space. Add color with outdoor throw pillows and/or potted flowers. Our favorite color to carry throughout the exterior shots is green because it gives a fresh, vibrant feel to any space.
With furniture, it’s all or nothing: If you have a full set of outdoor furniture, make sure it is clean and crisp. If you don’t have a full set of furniture and the space looks sparse, we would actually recommend shooting the space empty so that we can virtually stage instead. Our exterior virtually staging has improved a lot recently and looks great. It’s worth this extra step because outdoor spaces are one of the most sought after features.
Open umbrellas: This is a very simple one, but if you have an outdoor umbrella, make sure it is open. With this simple trick, you add another dimension to the space (plus color!), instead of closing it off.
Lawn care a day or two before: Mow grass and trim hedges a day or two prior to the shoot. Simple, but makes a big difference.
Use water!: One of my favorite tricks to freshen up an old wood deck is to run a hose over the wood just before shooting to darken it up.
And lastly, one thing to check off your worry list is the weather on the day of the shoot. I actually sometimes prefer to shoot with an overcast sky because we can then lighten it up with editing to create a perfect blue sky. So whether it’s real or manufactured, either way you get your perfect sunny day!
If you are thinking of selling this spring, now is really the very best time to take these photos. Summer flowers are still in full bloom, the weather is great, and the leaves are still green. Give me or anyone on the team a call and we can have a photographer out to your house in just a day or two!
Happy one year with BG, Maggie!
I simultaneously feel like it has been 10 years with Maggie on the team, and also can’t believe it’s been a whole year already! Maggie is such an amazing addition to our team. She has great original ideas, and with Maggie, you always know you are getting the truth. Here’s to many more years of success, Mags!
You have only ever worked in real estate! How did you know it was your passion?
It’s a bit of a circuitous route actually! I double majored in communication and business in college, and shortly after graduating, I ran a successful marketing campaign for a well-known restaurant. It wasn’t until a friend reached out trying to recruit me into real estate that I gave it a thought. I have always had a passion for Chicago’s architecture, but this is when I realized that I found my niche!
What is your favorite part of working in real estate?
I love constantly meeting new people, hearing their stories and helping people through a sometimes difficult time in life--it feels good!
What does your typical day entail?
Typical day… HA! One of the reasons I enjoy real estate is that each day is something new!
What is your favorite part of working at BG?
How close we are as a team, hands down. I think we are one of the most collaborative teams in the city. I like that we hold each other accountable, but we are also all great friends outside of work!
What was your big ah-ha moment on the team this year?
I would say my ah-ha moment was realizing that many of my friends and family are more able to buy than they think! With interest rates being so low, you can own a home for the same amount as you currently pay in rent!
What are you most excited about in the coming year?
I am very excited to start a home search of my own! The tough part will be narrowing down which neighborhood to live in!
You know Chicago architecture inside and out. What is your favorite:
Building: This is a tough one, so I am going to choose two! The first would be Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Ave. I love the Victorian Gothic exterior and the ornate medieval detail of the interior. The other would have to be S.R. Crown Hall. This building was done by my favorite architect, Mies Van Der Rohe, and I love the simplicity and openness.
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park! I love being walking distance to the beach and all the amazing restaurants the neighborhood has to offer.
Street: Lake Shore Drive--you are surrounded by spectacular views!
LIGHTNING ROUND FROM THE TEAM:
Jane:
What is you favorite part of working with Maggie? I love how much of a “yes” person she is. She is always willing to do what she can to help anyone on the team as well as her clients and uses creative solutions to make it happen.
What is one funny thing Maggie's clients don't know about her? She may kill me for saying this but – she still goes to her pediatrician! (I don’t blame her!)
One word to describe Maggie: Fun!
Julie:
What is your favorite part of working with Maggie? Having a millennial’s perspective as millennials are the biggest buying group at this time.
What is one funny thing Maggie's clients don't know about her? She eats Caesar Salad every single day and almost every single meal, including breakfast!
One word to describe Maggie: Unfiltered. #nofilter
Kenya:
What is your favorite part of working with Maggie? She’s always up for the challenge! No matter what it is, she’s always on it!
What is one funny thing Maggie's clients don't know about her? She still goes to her pediatrician.
One word to describe Maggie: Entertaining!
Liza:
What is your favorite part of working with Maggie? Her sense of humor! Even through a situation like having her car get towed (because the no parking sign was hidden in a bush!), she can easily crack a joke and not get discouraged.
What is one funny thing Maggie's clients don't know about her? She can fit a LOT in her car! I’ve seen tables and chairs for staging, boxes of office supplies, and tall lamps that seem to grow as she pulls them out of her back seat. Maggie does a ton of behind the scenes work for her clients, and having that magical car helps!
One word to describe Maggie: Can I pick three? Fun, helpful, and sweet. 😊
Pamela:
What is your favorite part of working with Maggie? She is always very helpful and available to lend a hand.
What is one funny thing Maggie's clients don't know about her? She attends the Renaissance Faire and dresses the part!
One word to describe Maggie: Straight forward
The BG team expands: Please welcome Ali Rozina!
Here we go again...the BG team is expanding once more! Honestly, there’s really nothing I love more than welcoming a new powerhouse broker to our team. What it means is new ideas, collaboration, and of course more hands on deck to help serve our ever-growing client base.
I kind of feel like I “won” Ali because she was recruited by several of the city’s best brokerages, and for good reason. Ali has experience, integrity, but most of all she is an amazing person. Filled with wisdom beyond her years, and a great attitude. With Ali on our team, I feel like we are truly unstoppable, and I am so grateful she chose us. Welcome to the team, Ali! Find more information about Ali’s background here.
What did you do before starting in real estate?
Before I began my career in real estate, I wanted to be the next Erin Andrews. When I quickly discovered that ESPN wasn’t going to hire me right out of college, I went into advertising and worked as a Planner in print, TV and radio media. I then crossed over to the sales side, working for MTV Networks and the San Francisco Giants. After ultimately moving back to Chicago and searching for an apartment for myself, I crossed paths with an old college friend who had started his own Real Estate company in Chicago. He put the full court press on me to consider foraying my sales and marketing skills into real estate, and I found my true passion and career path. Seven years later and I haven’t looked back.
You started your real estate career in the luxury rental market, and you blew up immediately! What do you think is the secret to your success?
I think the secret to my success is passion, and leading with my heart. Real estate is a very fast-paced industry, and it’s easy to lose sight of how important this decision is to your clients. It’s their home, the space in which they cook dinner, make memories, dream and unwind. It’s a true expression of who they are so the little details like natural sunlight, open kitchen concept, and even an outdoor space for a chair to sit and enjoy nature are so important to making them feel at home. I never want to lose sight of those little details that mean so much.
What is your favorite part of working in real estate?
My favorite part of working in real estate is finding the perfect match! I love the look on my clients’ faces when we walk into a home and you just get that feeling of “this is the one!” The search is over and I got to play matchmaker.
What does your typical day entail?
I wake up every day with a positive attitude and ready to take on what lies ahead. I usually take my rescue dog, Yogi, for a nice long walk and then I do an hour of yoga at Zen Yoga Garage. It’s such a great way to wake up the body and find your center before tackling the todo list.
Afternoons are usually booked with showings and being out on the field. At night I love to cook and try out new recipes from scratch. I try to practice piano once a day and then hang with my dog and answer emails at night. On the weekends I am often at open houses and on tours, but I also love to travel and go to church. Staying active keeps the blood flowing.
You are a hot commodity and were recruited by several teams! What drew you to BG?
I fell in love with Julie’s positive attitude and energy. I can tell that she is passionate about what she does, and so is the entire BRG team. I love working with a strong group of women that can balance work, family and fun because they are all so important. They have a system set up for success when you triumph, and support when you fall--therefore you cannot fail.
What was your big ah-ha moment in your real estate career thus far?
I had a past client write a review and say how genuine and sincere I was in a very “involved” real estate transaction. There were some major hurdles to overcome, but truth and sincerity will prevail when you have someone’s best interest at heart. I have carried that with me throughout my career and will continue to do so in the years to come.
What are you most excited about in the coming year?
Starting with Compass and BG! The possibilities are truly endless!
Where do you live in Chicago, and what is your favorite neighborhood?
I just moved to West Town after living in many neighborhoods over the years including Lincoln Park, Old Town, Gold Coast, Streeterville, West Loop and Near West (hey, I’m a Realtor and I tend to get real estate envy). My favorites have changed over the years but I appreciate parks and restaurants and Lincoln Park has both. I have been recently exploring up-and-coming neighborhoods like Avondale and North Center so you may catch me there in the near future!
LIGHTNING ROUND:
You are a crazy amazing athlete, what is your favorite:
Workout - Kayla Itsines BBG! It’s an app that gives you three, 28 minute workouts a week. It’s perfect for the hardworking diva that doesn’t have much time.
Gym in Chicago - West Loop Athletic Club, Zen Yoga Garage, Soul Cycle.
Best workout tip! Balance! I like to work out a ton, but I also listen to my body. I do lots of different workouts like run, bike, swim, play volleyball and do tons of yoga. But if my body needs a rest, I’m also good at the sport of doing nothing for a day or two to let my muscles recover.
What is your biggest athletic accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment athletically was the half Ironman. I trained 6 days a week for 8 months to conquer a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run. Two weeks before the event I pulled my calf, but knew I had to push myself to participate. It was a tough race, but I made it to the finish line nonetheless.Through the 6 hours it took me to complete, I said to myself, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t...either way, you’re right.” I knew I could ;)
The BG team expands: Please welcome Susan Panozzo!
The BG team is expanding, and it is the best news ever! A huge part of the BG brand is a desire to push the envelope when it comes to client service. One aspect of continually realizing that goal is to not only expand our skills, but also the team itself. As our dreams get bigger, so does the team!
Susan Panozzo joining the team is a huge step forward in offering the best to our clients. Susan joins with tons of real estate experience, particularly in the luxury rental market since she managed one of the biggest portfolios of luxury rentals in the city. Aside from that, she is generally amazing. An incredibly hard worker, Susan managed a multi-million dollar fashion brand while still in college, and went on to climb the corporate ladder in record time before making the switch to real estate. Her “get it done” mentality is what initially drew me to her, but it’s her work ethic and personality that really made us all fall in love!
To celebrate Susan’s entry to the team, we put together a fun Q&A since she’s such an interesting and knowledgeable lady. Welcome to the team, Susan! We are SO lucky to have you (and so are you, clients)! Find more information about Susan’s background here.
You are quite the overachiever, having run a multi-million dollar clothing brand while still in college! Where do you find your drive to succeed?
I am innately a very hard worker, and happiest when busy! I was working part-time while going to college and slowly worked my way up. I was somehow able to balance both and by the time I graduated college, I worked my way up to store manager.
Can you share a little bit about what it took to run a huge brand at such a young age?
Being adaptable in high stress situations definitely helped me work my way up the corporate ladder at such a young age. I managed a staff of 80+ employees, so I was constantly learning how to work with different personalities and communication styles. I find myself leaning on these skills all the time in real estate because no two clients are the same.
What parallels do you see between fashion and real estate?
Retail management and real estate actually have a lot of parallels. They are both customer service-focused industries where the main goal is to make your customer’s experience the best it can be. And as an added bonus, I was already used to being busy with work on nights and weekends!
What fueled your desire to make the switch from fashion to real estate?
After eight years in retail management, I found myself continually thinking about real estate, but I wasn’t sure how to get started. As a first step, I started with rentals and immediately fell in love with the industry! I got my license just a couple months later--it just felt natural!
What is your favorite part of working in real estate?
Making buyers and sellers happy is the absolute best feeling. I also love when a referral comes from a past client because it means they trust me. There is truly no better compliment!
What is your favorite part of working at BG?
The dynamic between the team members is incredibly unique, and not something that every team can achieve. We constantly put our heads together to help each other succeed and come up with new ways to make our clients happy. We all have different skill sets and specialties that are a huge bonus to our clients.
What is a typical day like for you?
No two days in real estate are the same, and my entire day can change in the blink of an eye. Ideally though, I try to get a workout in the early morning. Next I devote an hour or two to answering emails and calls. From there, the biggest chunk of my day is devoted to taking clients out to see homes, monitor an inspection, or attend a closing. By the end of the day, hopefully I end up meeting friends or clients for dinner at a new spot!
What are you most excited about in the coming year?
Much success with the BG team!
LIGHTNING ROUND!
You are super adventurous! What has been your favorite vacation/adventure so far?
Vietnam has been my favorite adventure so far. I was lucky enough to travel throughout the country with two of my best friends. We did everything from ride motorbikes through the crowded streets of Ho Chi Minh City to taking a relaxing 2 day cruise through Ha Long Bay. The food, culture, and people were amazing. Italy is by far my favorite vacation spot. I have family there and recently was able to meet them! It was a great experience.
Favorite Chicago neighborhood
My hood--West Loop! It is so much more than just “Restaurant Row” now, and has become a very livable neighborhood. I love trying new restaurants, and West Loop is the mecca for that. I’m also a huge Chicago Sports fan, so being close to the United Center is also a plus.
Favorite neighborhood for shopping:
West Town--there are some great boutiques on Chicago Avenue.
Favorite fashion brand
It’s hard to choose, but Free People, Anthropologie, Zara, and Vici are my brand go-to’s. I also try to shop locally at boutiques as much as possible.
Favorite restaurant
La Scarola in River West. There’s something so homey and comforting about the vibe, and the food is always phenomenal.