ILLINOIS 10-4-21

ILLINOIS EDITION

HOW TO CUT DOWN ON DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS

CREATIVE WAYS TO SAY THANK YOU

AND UP YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

FEATURED AGENTS

HALINA JOZEFIAK ROSEMARIE BAKKA LIZ LASSNER

CONNECT BEYOND REAL ESTATE

FOLLOW THESE 8 DATING RULES To Ensure You Match Your Client With The Perfect Home For Them

TO ATTRACT FUTURE CLIENTS

COVER STORY

CARIE HOLZL

ILLINOIS EDITION

LIZ LASSNER HALINA JOZEFIAK ROSEMARIE BAKKA

Liz c becau 7 25 cente servin to ma Liz’s start in real estate began with the nation support of two formative mentorships. a rob Charlotte Newberger, a friend of the famBut i ily and a legend of Chicago real estate, hyper saw Liz’s potential to become a great tom c agent and encouraged her to explore the consi industry. Liz’s Aunt Susan, an entrepreto ma neur, was always a role model for Liz, on to and encouraged her to follow her dreams. sites, CARIE HOLZL HALINA JOZEFIAK ROSEMARIE LIZ LASSNER “Thanks to them, and others, IBAKKA feel very out to a real estate age there’s thing Rosemarie learned innectasthe grateful,” Liz Ifsays.

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Today, Liz is astanding REALTOR and broker with @properties CONTENTS social services and County and the in the company’s East Lincoln Park office in Chicago and, estate, Liz w and remaining a real valued reso Whether she’sas aworking with a first-time transactions in 20 “There’s different story behind home thatin ® Chicago Association of REALTORS Topevery Producer, 4) FOLLOW THESE 8 20) HOW TO CUT thering skills that p million yeargoesdownsizing on the market,”or she explains. people $9.1 clients“Some even the transact buyers, or sellers who are she has amassed $100 million in sales.

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Liz about mya divorce. clients, and I take her clients is unparalleled.

Theher foundation Liz is committed to taking herofservice toemotions whereverandshe her community.

So there are a lot different stakesbe helpful WITH THE PERFECT HOME YOUR PRODUCTIVITY to them, really needs an of Halina’s business is “Irooted inOurintegrity ing reviews to un involved. job istotoany listen to themunderstand and take is needed. follow my clients neighborhood or on their FOR THEMand transparency. some of their burden as navigatewant through community that works forthat them,” Lizthey says. don’t to just sell a house; She understands this In today’s competitive market, with countless agents to choose from, you 17 22 want a REALTOR® with Liz’s knowledge and integrity by your side.

24) CREATIVE WAYS is one of the biggest decisions her clients to find a house they truly love.

CARIE HOLZL 14) CONNECT BEYOND TO SAY THANK YOU those changes. I’m very passionate about taking

goodLiz care Clients recognize asofa people.” strong advocate whom they can clientsprothat they will know will make, and trust she’s to offering to committed help them navigate the intricatemy transaction REAL ESTATE TO ATTRACT Rosemarie has trait been caring for her clients’ needs cess.

“The most important that a broker can master into the right home becau them the highest level of service, oftenworkwalk since 1998, balancing and is having strong listening skills, coupled withmotherhood remaining FUTURE CLIENTS while raising children.feel She gained real away,” she explai it right going the extracurious mileabout to ensure thatfourtheir clients’ needs and wants throughout any estate experience working for Coldwell Banker approach, paired with her aim to goals are met. purchase With close to Liz two decades or sale.” explains, in the market, NRT and John Greene“Anyone Realtor part-time, focusbuying or selling, needs a and good advisor transaction to help interpret of residential real estate experience the as enjoyable and st ing her efforts in Bolingbrook & Naperville. andabove analyzeand theWhen market thempossible, to she support Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax to 310-734-1440 shewith moved tofor Yorkville, sold makcomthat’s helped her build dedication go beyond toandhelp mercial realToestate Real Estate in ing the right decision.” that with end, Inland Liz’s service to her mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com work of and referral cl clients achieveclients their dreams, contindowntown did not workShe full repeat time doesn’t stop atshe theAurora. close ofShe a transaction. likes No portion of this issueues may be in to anycheck manner the publisher.

Top Agent Magazine and la toreproduced be a highly sought-after agent in consent the sold houses to parents inwhatsoever personallywithout to seeprior what kind of of additional help is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top shearea. can provide and what questions she helped can answer.

Shechildren their and their Illinois Agent Magazine cannotChicago, be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. enjoys continuing to foster the relationships she makes Find out To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. homes as well. If my clients wa through personal interactions over coffee or lunch. “I’m Published in the U.S. Connect For Halina, thealways key to success size happy to meet in up. business My clients know theyor canbuy reach a bigger house, t or email out tolong-term me at any time.” is p rests on building relationships come back to me, which

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Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker –

Follow These 8 Dating Rules to Ensure You Match Your Client with the Perfect Home for Them When you think a bit more about it, the ultimate goal of a real estate agent serving a client is really to match them up with the perfect house for them, almost the way a matchmaker tries to find two people that will fit well together as a couple. When people are looking for a house, they often treat the process as a quest for “the one” house that will fulfill their dreams of living in the house of their dreams. Don’t be fooled. It is always a search for “the one”, at least when it comes to helping a couple or family find a home.

When you look at your client’s search for a home in this manner, then you might begin to notice some pretty obvious similarities

between shopping for a home today and online dating. In this day and age most people live a substantial part entire lives online. People socialize with their friends on Facebook, they meet potential friends in forums and online communities, and we now even search for our perfect mate online. Shopping for a home also happens to usually start online. When they begin this search, make no mistake; they are looking for the “one.” These people then turn to you, the REALTOR® to play matchmaker for them. It is your job to wade through the pool of eligible homes (bachelors) and sort through all the ones that are too expensive, too nerdy, not cute enough, not smart enough, etc. until you find the “one.”

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It makes sense then to consult the tried and true practices in matchmaking that help those professionals find the right people for each other, and see if any of them could also apply for matching your clients with their dream home. You’ll find that these 8 dating rules may just show you the secret to matching your clients with the perfect home.

back to the store if you’re not happy with your new home. It’s best to first help your client get prequalified. This is a tangible step that shows they are ready to move on to a new home. You want to make sure they are completely over their love affair with their previous home. You can even ask them for a sign or proof that they’re ready to move on.

Who Is In and Not In Your Client’s League? Know Your Client’s Price Range:

Be Genuine, Not Superficial

When a person is looking for a mate, it is a waste of time for them to even consider those potential mates that are clearly out of their league. These people won’t even stop to give them the time of day.

In the world of real estate the idea is the same. There is no point showing your clients houses that they can’t afford and will simply lust after without having any real chance of purchasing the house. It is your job to keep your client ground in reality, and help them be realistic in terms of price when choosing their next home.

When trying to manage the many pitfalls of online dating, on inevitably goes on a date where the other person looks nothing like their picture online. That can be just as big of a problem when looking for a house. When clients show you a particular house they want to visit, ask them to name something about the house that they like other than the aesthetics. This way you can see if they are simply infatuated with the way the house looks in those pictures, or if there is a deeper interest in the home that could become a deeper connection between your client and the house.

Never Let Your Client’s First Impression of a Home Rule Their Decisions

Make Sure Your Client is Ready to Move On From Their Last Dream Home You’re job is also to make sure that your client is truly ready to move on from their previous home. This is a long term commitment, and they need to be absolutely sure they actually want to buy a new house. You can’t simply take the receipt

When your client first sees a house they have already been lusting after in their mind, they’re often so excited to finally be looking at it, especially if it does in fact look as good as it did in the pictures.

Make sure to encourage them to take some time before making such a big com-

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mitment, and don’t let their excitement push them into making a rash decision. It is your job to keep them grounded in reality. Push for your clients to do an inspection to make sure the house isn’t hiding any dark secrets. Sometimes the most charming facade can hide tons of slime and deadly mold.

Follow Your Heart (or Gut) People often laugh at and ridicule the idea of love at first sight, but when it comes to homes, the phenomenon can certainly happen. Your client may just find their perfect dream home at the very first place you take them. If you have a client that does insist this is the case, then you don’t want to try and rationalize with them or talk them out of their decision. You do, however, want to make sure you are watching out for their interest and make sure your clients take all the necessary precautions before they jump in headfirst.

See What Other People See in The Home – Do They See What Your Client Sees?

Have you come to the conclusion that your clients are being blinded by all of the twinkling windows and crystal clear water glistening in the backyard pool, and can’t see that the house they’ve fallen in love with is really just a dirty animal (maybe a pig) dressed up in nice clothes and lipstick. Ask your client if they would be willing to look at the house again with

their close friends, family, and anyone else they trust for a second opinion there to see it with them. If the house really is a dud, they’ll be able to see past any personal bias your client might have to the truth. They will be able to help your client see through the shining facade

Celebrate the Happy Union!

When a couple gets married they tend to throw a big party and celebrate their union. The same goes for the closing.

Your clients have just essentially married the house of their dreams, and now it’s time to rejoice. Congratulate them on their new union. Show your support for their new homeowner status by going to their housewarming party.

Help Your Clients Maintain Their Dream Home & Ensure a Lifetime of Happiness You can’t just disappear after the transaction is finished. Become their realtor for life by showing your clients how to maintain their dream home. Act as their resource for other professionals they may need to maintain the house such as handymen, plumbers, electricians, etc. Show them how to keep up with home maintenance so they don’t ignore problems that surface and end up with a much larger issue than they started with. Help them make sure their dream home lasts so they can live happily ever after in their home for a lifetime.

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CARIE HOLZL

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Top Agent Carie Holzl is a Broker and head of Holzl Homes, powered by Keller Williams Realty Inspire, where she leads an elite team to assist clients throughout the Fox Valley and the surrounding areas.

A longtime resident of the Fox Valley area, Carie Holzl took an interest in real estate soon after graduating from college. Inspired by the process of buying her first home, she earned her license and delved into commercial real estate, but once she acquired her first investment property, she decided to make the transition into residential real estate—and she’s loved it ever since.

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Today, Carie is a Broker and head of Holzl Homes, powered by Keller Williams Realty Inspire, where she leads an elite team to assist clients throughout the Fox Valley and the surrounding areas. Ranked in the top 1% of Realtors in the Fox Valley, she has cultivated a boutique workflow catered to the direct needs of each buyer or seller. “Our team is a well-oiled machine,” Top Agent Magazine

she says. “We believe strongly that if a deal isn’t a win-win, then it’s a no-go. From start to finish, we put our clients above all else; it’s about what’s best for them.”

When listing a property, Carie empowers her clients via a consultative approach.

Leveraging her in-house stager and Top Agent Magazine

marketing manager, she helps her sellers fully prepare their home for the market and broadcasts her listings over a variety of resources, from targeted social media campaigns to her own online newsletter. In the meantime, she also utilizes her extensive professional sphere to generate even more buzz around her properties, leading up to Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

“Our team is a well-oiled machine,” Carie says.

“We believe strongly that if a deal isn’t a win-win, then it’s a no-go. From start to finish, we put our clients above all else; it’s about what’s best for them.” their unique “First-Look Open House” strategy. But most importantly, Carie and her team live on the cutting edge of the industry, diving into the data and developing innovative strategies to give their sellers an added advantage. “The only thing constant is change,” she says. “I want to disrupt the market and find new Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

ways to ensure we’re serving our clients in the absolute best manner.”

Elsewhere, Carie is just as attentive with her buyers, drawing from her decades of experience to guide them to the right home for their best interests. Moreover, she remains in touch long after the closing Top Agent Magazine

through regular check-ins, holiday giveaways, and different client events—all to ensure her clients are fully informed on the state of the market and thriving in their community. Over the years, she has earned a fantastic reputation throughout Illinois, with the majority of her volume coming from repeat clients or referrals.

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Outside her career, Carie is deeply involved in her community. On top of hosting giveaways to promote local businesses, she has launched the Holzl Homes Gives Back Initiative, wherein her team supports charities throughout the region on a monthly basis. When she’s not with clients or giving back, Carie enjoys Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

attending youth sporting events with her twins, spending time outdoors, or taking care of the latest addition to her family: a yellow lab puppy.

Going forward, Carie has exciting plans for the future. Having closed on over 100 transactions in 2020 alone, she intends on growing her team while scaling the

standards of service that have truly set her apart. “We play to win. Every day, our team is looking to grow and go deeper for our clients. After all, buying or selling a home is the largest financial transaction most people experience. Just knowing my clients are in excellent hands and getting the best possible service gives me great joy.”

To learn more about Carie Holzl, email Carieholzl@kw.com, visit holzlhomes.com or call 630-277-0569 www.

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CONNECT BEYOND

REAL ESTATE

to Attract Future Clients What kind of content are you sharing on your blog, website, and social media? Does most of it have something to do with buying or selling a home? While sharing the latest market information or tips on how to qualify for a mortgage, or when someone should buy or sell is important and demonstrates your value as a REALTOR®, it shouldn’t be the only subject you cover. If you only focus on real estate, you’ll be missing the chance to connect with future clients that might not be ready to move just yet. By sharing a lot

of industry-heavy content, you are only going to appeal to those who are currently in the market rather than a broad base of potential clients.

To pull in those other future clients you want to provide fresh, interesting content that will appeal to those possible future clients that aren’t quite ready to move yet. However, you also want to still tie this content back into your business goals.

So, how do you share content that will speak to a wider audience, but also still be relevant to your business?

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Talk About Your Philanthropic Activities

The philanthropic work you do to support your community says a great deal about who you are as a person. Many people will be attracted to working with you because of the charitable works you are involved with. While you may be hesitant to share these efforts because you feel it may come across as bragging, you also need to remember that sharing information about the charitable organizations you support will actually help those organizations. Many of them have small marketing budgets, so any free exposure you can give them helps to promote their cause.

In fact, they want and need you to promote them.

And you can promote them without coming across as a braggart. Focus your content entirely on the organization. Talk about why you support them, how they help the community, and how others can also get involved. This turns what could have been bragging into something that benefits everyone. n

Your Local Community

We humans are connected to each other through our community – our local sports teams, parks, churches, schools, and much more. What better way is there to connect with people in your community than to talk about your community? Demonstrate that you are an expert on your community, and bring that community to your followers. Share information about a local event; perhaps even share the actual event through live-stream video. Interview city officials to get the low-down on the latest development project. Share information with your followers about things they didn’t know about their community. Consult with local historians or the historical society to share interesting information about your community that your followers will want to read. You could even turn it into a series of podcasts or videos. n

Use Your Creativity to Connect

Find creative ways to engage your followers on the topic of real estate. Try engaging your followers in an interactive project such as posting photos of interesting front doors. Doors are the entry point into our homes as well as our private lives. The way we adorn our front door can give someone a sense of our style and personality. Ask followers to submit photos and choose one to post each Friday. Make sure to watermark each photo with your logo at the bottom and include an inspirational quote that ties back to the importance of home. You could also ask your followers to provide a little story or caption to go along with the photo that tells something about them and their home. These kinds of projects are interesting and unique, and clearly connect back to your business. n

Share Your Hobbies

Are you an adrenalin junkie who has bungee jumped from some of the tallest bridges in the world? Are you a foodie that grows your own organic vegetables and fruit? Do you have a Top Agent Magazine

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secret passion for photography? Everyone has hobbies that they enjoy outside of work. When you look past the surface people become quite interesting. People also happen to find interesting people interesting, and tend to remember people based on their distinctive traits. We humans love discovering a person’s behind the scenes story, the mind behind the face. While you don’t want to talk too much about yourself, sharing pieces of your personal life and things that interest you can be a great way to connect with followers. By sharing interesting facts about your life, you will find that many followers will feel a strong, personal connection to you based on your hobbies and personal interests. n

Divulge Interesting Experiences

This is somewhat similar to the idea of sharing your hobbies. Sharing some of your more interesting personal experiences such as a fateful conversation with a stranger or an exciting adventure you had while in another country can be a great way to connect with followers as long as it also relates to some kind of life or business lesson. Talk about experiences you’ve had with clients or purchasing your own home. Experiences that relate to your business are great ways to connect with future clients in a manner that goes beyond the world of business. n

What and Who Inspires You

No matter what you’ve chosen to spend your life doing, you didn’t get there alone. You may have had a mentor that made a special impact on your life or someone already in the business that you looked up to and who perhaps inspired you to get into real estate. You may have found inspiration through a love of architecture or design. People want to know why others do the things they do. Sharing who or what influences you in your personal and business life is a great way to connect with followers. Recognizing that you didn’t get to where you are now by yourself shows humility, and talking about those people that had an influence on you shows others that you stay connected to the world and people around you.

Connecting with potential clients is something that is essential to any REALTOR’S® business. If you’re doing the work to create interesting blog posts and make those connections, you want to make sure that you’re sharing the right kind of content to draw in those future clients. It takes a lot more than simply providing the latest market news. To get the most out of what you share, you need to provide a wide array of interesting content

that will draw in a broad range of followers.

Providing the right kind of content can make all the difference when it comes to connecting with future clients and building the right kind of relationship with them right from the start. Connecting through your website or social media and sharing more than just real estate advice will help you build confidence and trust with future clients before you even meet them.

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HALINA JOZEFIAK

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HALINA JOZEFIAK

Whether she’s working with first-time buyers, or sellers who are downsizing or relocating, Halina Jozefiak’s devotion to her clients is unparalleled. The foundation of Halina’s business is rooted in integrity and transparency. She understands that this is one of the biggest decisions her clients will make, and she’s committed to offering them the highest level of service, often going the extra mile to ensure that their goals are met. With close to two decades of residential real estate experience and the dedication to go above and beyond to help clients achieve their dreams, she continues to be a highly sought-after agent in the Chicago, Illinois area.

For Halina, the key to success in business rests on building long-term relationships 18

and remaining a valued resource to her clients even after the transaction is over.

“I don’t treat people like numbers. I care about my clients, and I take my time to really understand their needs and desires. I don’t want to just sell a house; I want them to find a house they truly love. I always tell my clients that they will know when they walk into the right home because they will feel it right away,” she explains. It’s this approach, paired with her aim to make each transaction as enjoyable and stress-free as possible, that’s helped her build a wide network of repeat and referral clients. “I’ve sold houses to parents and later on I’ve helped their children and their friends buy homes as well. If my clients want to downsize or buy a bigger house, they always come back to me, which is probably the Top Agent Magazine

best compliment a real estate agent can receive.”

Born in Poland, Halina relocated to the United States in 1993. “When I first got here, I had to learn how to speak English and work really hard in order to achieve the success I have today. I was fortunate to find my true calling when I obtained my real estate license and became an agent. I don’t like this job—I love it. Most of the time I forget that I’m even working,” she says. Her relentless work ethic earned her the RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award in 2019.

Outside of work Halina plays an active role in her community. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors and the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce. She also donates to the local Children’s Hospital and to a program that provides food for seniors. “Because of my work I don’t have a lot of free time for volunteering, but I like to help people in small ways whenever I can.”

In the future, Halina plans to continue growing her business and help as many people as possible reach their real estate goals. “I love people and I love houses. I’m passionate about helping people find that special place they can call home, and I hope to continue doing that for many more years to come.”

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To learn more about Halina Jozefiak, email hjozefiakhomes@gmail.com or call (630) 709 – 3393.

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How to Cut Down on Digital Distractions

and Up Your Productivity As a real estate professional, staying tethered to your phone and computer are likely par for the course. When your office is on-the-go and you’re fielding round-the-clock questions from clients, it’s only natural that you’ll be drawn to your phone for professional updates. From refreshing your inbox and engaging with clients on social media, to drafting email blasts and coordinating with colleagues by text message— 20

it can feel impossible to untangle yourself from the worldwide web.

As a professional, you may not be able to withdraw from the digital world completely, but there are a few techniques you can use to limit your extraneous digital distractions and streamline the time you spend online. After all, it’s entirely common to faithfully begin one task and then

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get unexpectedly drawn down the digital rabbit hole. To save yourself time and virtual burnout, here are a few ways to unplug, recharge, and make the most of your time online and off.

Focus on one digital task at a time.

While multi-tasking may seem like a sound approach to productivity, this method usually results in surface-level progress across a few tasks, rather than reaching the finish line on any.

Instead of opening multiple tabs and trying to do it all at once, hone in on one digital task at a time. Have emails to return? Allocate an hour to work exclusively on this to-do list item. Need to post a new blog entry? Pencil in a dedicated half hour. If you focus on one task a time and exclusively devote your energy and productivity to it for a set period, you’ll make a far bigger dent in your list of duties for the day.

Give yourself a curfew.

In the real estate business, the hours may seem never-ending, but if you don’t want to slow your productivity with fatigue, you’ve got to set some boundaries. Try setting up a digital curfew for yourself and put your phone away after a certain hour. Devote an hour or two before bedtime to time away from your computer and your phone—read a book, prep your lunch for the next day, or try a round of mindful meditation. Carve out space and time to disconnect from your technology and stick to the habit. By morning, you’ll be refreshed and ready to dive back in.

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Mute social media notifications and create dedicated check-in times instead.

Instead of taking a reactionary approach to social media—waiting for the dings and pings that lure you back to your screen—try muting some of your social media alerts and instead dedicate three timed windows per day to check-in on your timelines and engagement. If you’re constantly interrupted at unexpected intervals when someone likes a post or leaves a comment, your whole workflow can be derailed. Instead, unchain yourself from the instant gratification of responding to every buzz and beep your phone emits. Systematize your professional social media life and you’ll stay organized and on task.

Keep your inbox organized.

While it may take some time and effort to create a sorting system for your email inbox, it can go a long way to limiting distractions and stress. Create folders and an organizational flow and every communication will have a place and a priority.

That way, when you open up your inbox and have to go digging for old emails or exchanges with past clients, you won’t have to waste time sorting or feel overwhelmed by the clutter. If everything has its place, you’ll have an unobstructed, streamlined canvass to conduct business from.

Digital distractions don’t have to derail your day or sap your productivity. Email, internet, social media—all are tools to be commanded. With the right planning, understanding, and consistent execution, you’ll be able to wield the power of each without the downside of distraction.

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ROSEMARIE BAKKA

If there’s one thing Rosemarie Bakka has learned in her 23 years as a real estate agent it’s that the job is less about the property and more about the people, and the key to delivering quality service is understanding each client’s specific needs.

“There’s a different story behind every home that goes on the market,” she explains. “Some people are relocating because of work, others are downsizing because of health issues or financial strain, while someone else may be going through a divorce.

So there are a lot of different emotions and stakes involved. Our job is to listen to them and take on some of their burden as they navigate through those changes. I’m very passionate about taking good care of people.”

as a real estate agent until she joined Keller Williams Infinity in Naperville, where she learned to be purposeful (E-to-P—entrepreneur to purposeful) and follow The Millionaire Real Estate Agent models written by Gary Keller. Serving clients in Kendall County and the Chicagoland area, she closed 44 transactions in 2020 and is on pace this year, with $9.1 million year-to-date in sales volume. An impressive 65-70 percent of that business comes from repeat clients and referrals. Her hometown is Yorkville, and she is very passionate about assisting the people in her community. One need only look at her glowing reviews to understand what keeps those clients

Rosemarie has been caring for her clients’ needs since 1998, balancing work and motherhood while raising four children. She gained real estate experience working for Coldwell Banker NRT and John Greene Realtor part-time, focusing her efforts in Bolingbrook & Naperville.

When she moved to Yorkville, she sold commercial real estate with Inland Real Estate in downtown Aurora. She did not work full time 22

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coming back. Many clients express gratitude for the kindness with which she delivers her service; moreover, they praise her process, which brought them top dollar for their home. One happy seller put it like this: “Rosemarie was a pleasure to work with and have as our realtor. She went above and beyond and showed us the best way to sell our home….The listing pictures were outstanding, and Rosemarie staged our home to make it look immaculate.”

For sellers, those results are the product of an efficient system that begins with de-cluttering, cleaning and staging the home, and Rosemarie has a trusted network of professionals that help her get a home into listing shape fast. Once the home is prepped, she takes the high-quality photographs that will be used to market the home online and through her private network of agents and buyers.

When she’s not working, Rosemarie gives back some of her time to the community. She’s involved in the Yorkville Chamber of Commerce and sponsors The New Teacher Breakfast and the annual Yorkville Chamber Golf outing. She’s also part of the Yorkville Junior Women’s Club and volunteers as a Spanish translator for Operation Santa, which gives out Christmas gifts to local children. She volunteers as the commentator for the annual Fourth of July foot races for children, and her real estate team holds yearly client appreciation events such as the Back to School Block Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Thanksgiving Dessert Giveaway and Fall Painting Parties.

Rosemarie loves spending time with her husband and their active 8-year old daughter, and attending events in the city with her three older children. She’s also an avid flower gardener and a gym enthusiast.

What should you expect from the Rosemarie Bakka Team in the near future? She wants to continue building her team and plans to add a buyer’s agent soon. “We’ve taken our time in terms of growth. It was important to get our systems in place to ensure a consistent and exceptional experience for all of our clients. I take great pride in serving this community.

My clients mean the world to me.”

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Contact Rosemarie at 630-421-3883 or email rosemariebakka@kw.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 23

Creative Ways to Say Thank You

Most top real estate agents find ways to welcome their clients to their new home. A common theme is a bottle of wine and some wine glasses for that first post-threshold toast, or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up that empty living space until the furniture arrives.

But are you truly being as creative as you can with your appreciation? Here are some innovative gift ideas that will truly keep you front of mind with your valued customers and assure their gratitude and repeat business, not to mention a slew of referrals.

1. How about a streaming video device, like a Roku

or Amazon Fire Stick? There’s a good chance your clients will not have their cable service up and running for a few days, and this is an excellent way for them to enjoy their television before they get that connection going. Bundle it up in a basket with some DVD’s for the kids, and don’t forget all necessary cables.

2. Matching bathrobes and Bath kits: Fleece or ter-

rycloth bathrobes and a basket filled with highend his and her body scrubs, bubble bath and other luxurious pampering items can make the first night in a new home feel like a check-in at a fabulous resort and make the memory of that first night one to cherish. Again, don’t forget the kids!

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3. Arrange a catered meal from a local vendor. As-

certain in advance dietary preferences and restrictions, and have a wonderful, healthy meal delivered on move-in night. To complete the magic, provide brand new plates, silverware and glassware to serve it all on.

4. For homes with swimming pools or Jacuzzis, a

stack of fluffy pool towels is always appreciated and will be used by family and friends for years to come. Additionally, acrylic stemware for celebrating safely can be provided alongside them.

5. If it’s winter time and the home has a fireplace, make sure there’s plenty of wood to burn. Some fireplace accessories and a log holder will certainly make your clients appreciate you on every chilly night to come.

So when it comes to gifting your buyers, the trick is to be creative. A bottle of wine lasts one night, and the flowers wilt in a few days. Try coming up with something a little more creative that will remain with your clients in their day-to-day lives and remind them of you consistently. The little bit extra you spend to show your gratitude can reap huge dividends when it comes time for your client to purchase a second home or refer a friend.

Top Agent Magazine

LIZ LASSNER In today’s competitive market, with countless agents to choose from, you want a REALTOR® with Liz’s knowledge and integrity by your side.

Liz’s start in real estate began with the support of two formative mentorships.

Charlotte Newberger, a friend of the family and a legend of Chicago real estate, saw Liz’s potential to become a great agent and encouraged her to explore the industry. Liz’s Aunt Susan, an entrepreneur, was always a role model for Liz, and encouraged her to follow her dreams.

“Thanks to them, and others, I feel very grateful,” Liz says. “I wouldn’t be where I am without a network of close friends and colleagues to guide me every step of the way.”

Today, Liz is a REALTOR® and broker with @properties in the company’s East Lincoln Park office in Chicago and, as a Chicago Association of REALTORS® Top Producer, she has amassed $100 million in sales. Currently, the primary source of her business is derived from repeat and referral clients. With her brand, “People Before Property,” Liz is committed to taking her service to wherever she is needed. “I follow my clients to any neighborhood or community that works for them,” Liz says.

Clients recognize Liz as a strong advocate whom they can trust to help them navigate the intricate transaction process. “The most important trait that a broker can master is having strong listening skills, coupled with remaining curious about clients’ needs and wants throughout any purchase or sale.” Liz explains, “Anyone in the market, buying or selling, needs a good advisor to help interpret and analyze the market with and for them to support making the right decision.” To that end, Liz’s service to her clients doesn’t stop at the close of a transaction. She likes to check in personally to see what kind of additional help she can provide and what questions she can answer. She enjoys continuing to foster the relationships she makes through personal interactions over coffee or lunch. “I’m always happy to meet up. My clients know they can reach out to me at any time.”

Top Agent Magazine

Liz chose @properties as her brokerage because she saw an alignment of core values centering on relationships when it comes to serving clients. To that end, when it comes to marketing, Liz harnesses @properties’ nationally recognized presence to engage a robust digital rollout for each listing.

But in Chicago, a city of neighborhoods, hyper-local markets require additional, custom considerations for each property. Liz considers a number of effective approaches to marketing, which may include posting on top agent and other pocket/pre-market sites, posting in social media and reaching out to other top producers directly to connect the right buyer with their dream home.

As a REALTOR® who cares about her community, Liz has been involved in charities over the years that support social services and education. Before starting her career in real estate, Liz worked in the not-for-profit sector, furthering skills that prepared and informed her approach to the real estate industry. Looking to the future, Liz wants to continue providing her brand of concierge level service. Liz concludes, “As long as my clients feel that I can be helpful to them, I’m available.”

Find out more at lizlassner.com.

Connect with Liz at 773-343-1403 or email at Liz@LizLassner.com www.

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