Illinois 3-5-18

ILLINOIS EDITION

7 Deadly Sins of PERSONAL BRANDING 4 Ways Mentoring Up-and-Coming Employees Makes You a BETTER AGENT FEATURED AGENTS

SALLY LEONI NANCY McADAM JODI SAGIL COVER STORY

JONATHAN DARIN

How to MAKE YOUR COMMUTE PRODUCTIVE Top Agent Tips and Questions for CHOOSING YOUR LISTING AGENT

ILLINOIS EDITION

SALLY LEONI

JODI SAGIL

n the early 90s, Sally Leoni had a successful 7 career working for a national sales company, but once she had her twins, she decided she wanted a career change. “I was traveling a lot and wanted something that would allow me to be home more. had always been interested in real estate and t offered me the flexibility I was looking for. I started off doing it part time in 1996, but it quickly became my full time passion. I couldn’t be happier with my decision.”

advantage that Sally offers her Top Agent JodiAnother Sagil ofdistinct Coldwell Banker Resifinding Jod 19 skills.

23 clients herCharles, expert staging dential 15 Brokerage inisSt. Illinois has “I actually have c went above and it’s something I made a name afordegree herselfinasmerchandising, a real estate agent hoped or as who can be trusted put the at needs her estate only cl offer to toconsistently my listing clients no additional cost. I came into the real Nancy McAdam of her many clients first.

With an of unparalleled extremely have an assortment accessoriesbusiness on handinto1990 pre- with a diverse interna- k commitment to providing the highest level of our nerves pare my listings to be “photo” and “show” ready. While working tional background. and customer service available in photography the Chicagoland the home A professional company is always studying in several European and Asianbu market, she is used, continuing to reap the benefits attorne as first impressions are ofofcities the utmost pri- early career inour during her manageher customer-first philosophy. ries.

She’s g ority with a majority of buyers, ment who are visiting with Arthur Andersen consulting back.

But s the internet as their first step. (now Virtual staging, she gained a savvy Accenture), Jodi began her career in real estate back in I’ll never drone photography, postcards, open houses, bro- that would one daygo global perspective 1985, when she left her career in retail to begin but in shereal help Sally is now one ofJONATHAN the most respected ker tours, socialM media, and internet are lead presence her to top-producing DARIN and in SALLY working LEONI with builders NANCY cADAM JODI SAGIL success selling new construction plan on mo demand brokers working in the Greater Chicago all necessary components of myestate. comprehensive After 10 years running her own homes.

“I worked for builders for twenty years mend her to area. She specializes in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago marketing approach.” boutique real estate firm in Chicago, she and had a very successful career with them,” she says.

Then, and you won’t regret it.

I ncluding, Kildeer, Long Grove, Hawthorn Woods, Lake joined Jameson Sotheby’s in 2000 and the market turned sour and Jodi was forced to step back and Zurich, Barrington, and many of the surrounding areas.

When she isn’tnow working, Sally loves Associate traveling, socializing as Broker powerhouse brokerage her career. “I serves sat at home for six months, of andChicago Virtually a lifelong resident, Sally is acutely aware of the reassess and enjoying food and wine.

She also tries to spend asthen much Staying in touch with pa Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. decided that I really did love real estate. So I joined Coldwell to Jodi. “After their pur neighborhoods, schools, and community activities. Her time as possible with her husband, her 24 year old twins and Banker.” That was in 2004, and since then her business has analyses every six mon motto is “Who better to sell your neighborhood, than your her two year oldIronically, grandson.it“Family is ainterest huge part of life and wasn’t selling real abreast estate that initially grown by leaps and bounds, based in her large part oninreferrals of what theirled hom neighbor?” Sally is a consistent multimillion-dollar prothis business isNancy a balancing actfield between the two,after but settling I’ve into the a few years in Chicago.

“I wasso and repeat business from satisfied clients. past clients. I also use ducer since becoming licensed, and is also a President’s always loved a still challenge!” in management consulting and had a friend was studying But who my favorite way is Club Award winner, and a top office producer. for her real estate license, so I was helping her study,” says With almost 85% of her business based on these repeat and and see how theyNancy. have b Sally clients, is always looking towardher, thecertain and plansknew to the answers to many “When Ifuture, realized I has already referred Jodi makeshelping absolutely that their loyalty Sally is well known for providing an exceptional customer andgrow presence in questions her “I niche market, evenhouse more the just fromoffering buying my helping buy faithher in her isofrewarded. pride myself on the service I and When she’sfriends not workin experience to all of her clients. “I make it a point to person- provide.” people The the unsurpassed level of service she has built her replonger she is Because in business, wider the to referral spending time her fr houses.” shethe was about embark on helping herwith church alize the service so that it best fits each client’s individual netutation “For me thiswith is all she about building and the is cast.on.

“I have worked entire families finding homes to her community in a va purchase abusiness new building, decided to take exam as well. Soon, needs. I will hand hold from the start of a transaction to formaintaining Iworking build strong bonds with my clients each familyrelationships. member.

And many of my adult children’s sponsored her C while still in consulting, people at herarechurch beganbyasking he end. I’m very detail oriented and believe communica- friends by really listening to them and ensuring I do everything I can been are now buying homes, so I’m honored to help them with Dupage her to help them find houses and her boutique firm active was born. ion is key. Follow up is so important in this business and with to their help them reachpurchase,” their goals,she then I keep those relationships first home says. never leave my clients in the dark about anything. I’m going long afterWith the active transaction.

Sure you can do and that the “I love the support of Jameson Sotheby’s helphelping of her people admin-ac very upfront and honest, and I work hard to help my clients A slew through social media, but actually living and working in the of five-star reviews on Zillow.com are a testament to homes.

I have since I was istrative assistant, Nancy provides uniquely individualized service each their goals. I think they see and appreciate the effort thecommunity is something that can’t be beat.

I want them to see with people, and love the focused, authentic and knowledgeable service she provides. as an independent agent. She has developed a reputation for being ® , but as their friend and neighbor. put into my job, and that keeps them coming back to me Reads me not as glowing their Realtor oneonly such testimonial: “We and really lucked out throughout every experience is diffe extremely professional responsive the purchase I always say, ‘Experience is what will MOVE you!’” and recommending me to their friends and family, as well.” or sale process. One recent seller explained that, although having worked with many REALTORS® over the years, his experience with Nancy was the best. “I do my best to follow up with people and to make the transaction go as smoothly as possible,” she says. And given Phone 888-461-3930 | Fax 310-751-7068 her longtime love of Chicago and her deep community involvement, she provides sellers and buyers with unmatched insight.

NANCY M ADAM

CONTENTS

4) 7 DEADLY SINS OF PERSONAL BRANDING

17) HOW TO MAKE YOUR COMMUTE PRODUCTIVE

UP-AND-COMING EMPLOYEES MAKES YOU A BETTER AGENT

20) TOP AGENT TIPS AND QUESTIONS FOR CHOOSING YOUR LISTING AGENT

JONATHAN DARIN 13) 4 WAYS MENTORING

mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com

No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com.

For more information about Published in the U.S. To learn more about Sally Leoni, call 847-636-1725,

Jodi

please call 630 - 334 - 2763, email Jodi.Sagil@cb email sally.leoni@cbexchange.com or visit SallyLeoni.cbintouch.com or visit her at TheSagilTeam.com www.

www.

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and they don’t care for sudden changes in procedure or lifestyle. They also like activities they can start and finish.

Compliants are thinkers. They’re always wondering how things work.

They want practicality, logic, fairness and a systematic approach. When talking to thinkers give facts, documentation and data. They seek accuracy.

They’re motivated by standards of high quality, limited social interaction, detailed tasks and logical organization of information.

7 Deadly Sins of Personal Branding

some personality assessment tools can cost thousands of dollars, but at Corcoran Coaching, we’ve opted for a much more affordable offering: a free DIsC assessment. Just visit www.corcorancoaching.com/behavioralstyle. php and you’ll be guided through a quick questionnaire to learn your own What is a style ‘personal Just likeothers com- as sistently dominant andbrand’? how to read well. (across all marketing platforms), pany or product branding, it’s built around a well-defined brand can elevate agent recimaging and messaging that is designed to ognition and help to establish credibility Yes, understanding people, listening to their needs and wants and responding create a feeling. And in the case of personal and authority. However, when executed appropriately all takehow work But because realare estate is a people branding, it influences you and wantattention. others incorrectly, the effects lackluster at best, business, it’s simply a must.

And the better at it you become, the to feel about you. From your photos to other and harmful at worst. To help you better avoid living as an or broker. brandyou’ll images,make elements andagent even content, theI promise. pitfalls of personal branding, we’ve there is a lot that goes into creating your compiled a list of what we feel are the 7 unique brand.to Displayed Best of luck you! correctly and con- deadliest sins.

Copyright©, 2015 BubbaNO Mills.

All rights reserved.

DIFFERENTIATION Branding about being known forvicereal estate agent who expressed to us that Bubba Mills isis not co-owner and executive president of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching Inc. (www.corcorancoaching.com/programs, 800-957-8353), an in international your profession.

It’s about being known she was already well branded her area. consulting coaching that performance coaching and for being and different in yourcompany profession.

If specializes She stated,in“When I walk into a restaurant theallimplementation sound systems Real Estate Companies, Mortgage agents were the of same, howbusiness would your in into my community, people already know Companies and Small Businesses. Bubba Mills is a nationally recognized inspirational customers know who to choose? Lack of I’m a real estate agent.” And while that and education speaker, coach and mentor to the top real estate agents and mortgage differentiation is out by more far the #1 personal is a great start, it’s nowhere close to succompanies.

To find about Corcoran Consulting & Coaching, call 1-800-957-8353 We love to tell the story of a cessful branding. Let’s assume I walked or branding visit us at sin. www.CorcoranCoaching.com.

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into that restaurant and noticed her. But I also noticed two other agents in the same restaurant. Now, who do I choose? Which

‘brand’ stands out to me? What lets me know that one of them is uniquely positioned to serve my needs?

and they don’t care for sudden changes in procedure or lifestyle. They also NO FOCUS like activities they can start and finish.

In business, you can’t be all things to all side of your specific focus. That would be people. Many have and failed.

In or- always quite difficult.

It does mean over work. time Compliants are tried thinkers.

They’re wondering howthat, things der to have business and brand, doneacorrectly), you approach. will do moreWhen and They wanta successful practicality, logic, fairness(ifand systematic you must define yourfacts, ideal custommore ofand the data. exact They kind ofseek business you talking toclearly thinkers give documentation accuracy. er and how you will super-serve that cus- want, and conversely, even stop doing They’re motivated by standards of high quality, limited social interaction, tomer. In other words, declare and develop the kind of business you don’t want. And detailed tasks and focused, logical itorganization of information. a specialty.

By being does NOT that’s what a great brand is designed to mean that you stop doing all business outaccomplish.

some personality assessment tools can cost thousands of dollars, but at Corcoran Coaching, we’veNO opted for a much more affordable offering: a free AUTHENTICITY DIsC assessment. Just visit www.corcorancoaching.com/behavioralstyle.

Recognizable personal brands can be very You should be able to ‘breathe your brand’ php and you’ll be guided through a quick questionnaire to learn your own clever and memorable, but if your brand in everything that you do. This is importdominant andlast. how to read as well. isn’t ‘you’,style it won’t If you try toothers put ant not only for your customers, but perout a persona that is different from your haps most importantly for you. There is Yes, needs and wants responding ownunderstanding and the way you people, live yourlistening life, peo- to their a tremendous amount of and confidence that ple will take notice overwork time. and The attention. most comes knowing youisare who appropriately all take Butwith because realthat estate a people incredible it’s personal brands weaveAnd pro-theyou portray, that become, you have the business, simply a must. better at itandyou thehabits, better fessional and personal intoorone. inspiration, knowledge and expertise to living you’ll make asqualities an agent broker.

I promise.

Your brand becomes an extension of you. back it up.

Best of luck to you!

NO CONSISTENCY

You can have a2015 recognizable memocards, postcards, brochures, etc. Other peoCopyright©, Bubbaand Mills.

All rights reserved.

rable brand, but if you don’t display those ple don’t see them nearly as often, so don’t branding correctly consis- viceapply or compare your own habits and Bubba Millselements is co-owner andand executive president of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching Inc. (www.corcorancoaching.com/programs, 800-957-8353), an international tently across all of your marketing plat- exposure to theirs. Repetitiveness in marconsulting andyou coaching company in only performance coaching and forms, it does little good.

In orderthat to specializes keting is not a good thing, it’s essenthe implementation sound systems Real Estate Companies, Mortgage accomplish this taskofwell, youbusiness must step tialinto for retention.

Once you determine the Companies and Small Businesses. Bubba Mills is a nationally recognized inspirational back from your marketing and see it the overall messaging and look of your brand, and education speaker, coach and mentor to the top real estate agents and mortgage way others To do.find Youout seemore yourabout socialCorcoran media Consulting that look should continuecall across literally companies. & Coaching, 1-800-957-8353 every day. You see your business every marketing platform you touch. orchannels visit us at www.CorcoranCoaching.com.

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NO CONTENT The ultimate goal of personal branding is comfortable producing is the key to keeping to become known as an authority in your it simple. No one wants to be bogged down andchosen they niche. don’t That caremeans for sudden or lifestyle.

They also withprocedure producing content.

But on the flip side, that youchanges must in likedemonstrate activitiesthe they can start and finish. knowledge, expertise and/ no one knows how much you know until or experience to back up your position. you share it. Great content demonstrates your knowledge and how helps your customers Content that are best expresses youThey’re and your always Compliants thinkers. wondering things work. at the same time.

In addition, it serves anbrand could be as simple as a series of They want practicality, logic, fairness and a systematic approach. When other purpose with search engine optimizaphotos, quotes, e-books, video shorts, etc. talking to thinkers give facts, documentation and data. They seek accuracy.

Choosing the type of content you’re most tion and attracting prospects online.

They’re motivated by standards of high quality, limited social interaction, detailed tasks and logicalNO organization of ACTION information.

CALL TO

You’re spending money to market across using other people’s money’. Your call some personality assessment tools can cost thousands of dollars, but at multiple platforms, so why not take the to action may change with different marCorcoran Coaching, opted for more affordable offering: keting channels or purposes, buta free you opportunity to extendwe’ve an invitation fora much DIsC Just with visityou? www.corcorancoaching.com/behavioralstyle. your assessment. prospects to engage It can should always, always have one. If you want people to do something, tell them a simple call be to action, such as ‘call me phpbeand you’ll guided through a quick questionnaire to learn your own you’d like them to do. That’s how you first’ or more ‘contact me others for a aswhat dominant stylespecific, and how to read well. free home staging assessment’ or ‘download my e-book and learn how to invest

move prospects one step closer to becoming customers.

Yes, understanding people, listening to their needs and wants and responding appropriately all take work attention. But because real estate is a people NOand FOLLOW-THROUGH business, it’s simply a must. And the better at it you become, the better with hundreds of agents, folWhyyou’ll is this included in branding, living make as an agentyou or may broker.munication I promise. ask? Because your brand is your bond. It’s low-through is at the top of the list when it comes to customer complaints. You don’t your handshake. When you say you’ll do Best of luck how to you! something, can people trust you if want to be that person. Putting an incredible you don’t follow through with your prom- message and image out there isn’t enough. must live up to those standards with ise? This is often elementMills. that people Copyright©, 2015theBubba All rightsYou reserved. forget altogether. And in fact, in our com- every customer, every transaction

Bubba Mills is co-owner and executive vice president of Corcoran Consulting and Coaching Inc. (www.corcorancoaching.com/programs, 800-957-8353), international ® Tonya Eberhart is the Branding Agent to Business Stars and founder ofan BrandFace , LLC. ® consulting andMichael coaching company that specializes in performance coaching Carr is America’s Top Selling Real Estate Auctioneer & BrandFace partner. and the implementation of they sound systems into Real Estatedesigned Companies, Mortgage Together, focusbusiness on personal branding and marketing to help real estate ® professionals become theBubba face of their & a star in their market. BrandFace Companies and Small Businesses.

Millsbusiness is a nationally recognized inspirational Real Estate Professionals is a book, speaking and and an exclusive and educationfor speaker, coach and mentor toprofessional the top real estateseries agents mortgage workshop for agents, and is currently active in 18 U.S. states, Canada and New Zealand. companies. To find out more about Corcoran Consulting & Coaching, call 1-800-957-8353 For more information, visit www.BrandFaceRealEstate.com. or visit us at www.CorcoranCoaching.com.

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JONATHAN DARIN Top Agent Magazine

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Jonathan Darin has quickly become a rising star in the industry, and was recently honored with the Coldwell Banker 30 under 30 award, which recognizes young agents for their sales achievements and their community involvement.

JONATHAN DARIN Although Jonathan Darin seems like he was destined to enter the real estate business, he initially pursued a different path. After getting a degree in business management, Jonathan decided to try his hand outside the family business, but nothing quite fit. In 2011, he approached his grandfather, who owns Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group, about starting a division focused exclusively on internet leads. “I managed that division for two years and quickly started turning a profit for the company. I finally decided I wanted to try my hand at sales and went into that full time in 2013.�

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Jonathan quickly became a rising star in the industry, and was recently honored with the Coldwell Banker 30 under 30 award, which recognizes young agents not only for their sales achievements, but their community involvement as well. As a Coldwell Banker 30 under 30 award winner, Jonathan serves as an ambassador for Coldwell Banker at events throughout the year.

In 2014, Jonathan started a team with one other agent, that now consists of four full time, full service agents who include John Benisek, Patrick Maier, and Stephanie Darin.

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The team dynamic allows them to serve a large geographical span, including Will, Cook and DuPage Counties.

Jonathan credits his team’s focus on communication and follow up as being key ingredients to their success. “It’s all about providing an exceptional customer experience for us, and that all starts with excellent communication. People expect a fast response time these days, and we give that to them.

We are constantly updating them, and when we have bad news, we don’t hide, we offer them solutions. Even if there’s no news, we Top Agent Magazine

keep the dialogue going, informing them about what we’re doing. Everyone on our team can handle every aspect of the real estate transaction, so no one is ever left out of the loop.”

Jonathan and his team are focused on creating clients for life and already have an impressive rate of repeat and referral business. “We work with a lot of first time homebuyers and we really take an educational approach with them. A lot of times their parents see the job we’ve done for their children and hire us when they want to downsize. It’s a great feelCopyright Top Agent Magazine 9

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ing to earn people’s trust.” Jonathan and his team maintain those relationships they build long after the active transaction.

Another area in which Jonathan and his team excel is in the marketing of their listings. “We do everything everyone else does, but I would say our social media marketing is really what sets us apart. We use targeted ads so we expose the listings to the most likely buyers, and that’s been quite successful. We’re constantly looking to take our marketing to the next level and Top Agent Magazine

are currently working on some innovative new ideas.”

Jonathan and his team are actively involved in their community, and Jonathan is particularly passionate about raising money for the Special Olympics. His office also recently sponsored an Adopt a Pet Event, that helped 28 dogs and several cats find forever homes.

When he isn’t working, Jonathan enjoys seeing live music, and spending time with his wife, family and friends. He also unwinds playing softball, golfing and traveling.

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Jonathan would like to continue expanding his priority. “I truly love what I do. Helping people team, but keeping the level of personal service through what is often the biggest financial decithat they’ve built their reputation on is their main sion they make in their lives is very rewarding.”

To learn more about Jonathan Darin call (708) 473- 5241, email Jonathan@HomesbyJDT.com or visit JDHomeSource.com and facebook.com/jdarinteam www.

www.

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4 Ways Mentoring Up-and-Coming Employees Makes You a Better Agent In the world of real estate, there are always new agents joining the ranks. Even if you’ve been practicing for just a few short years, you’ve likely learned your fair share of lesson along the way. As an agent, much of your working philosophy is derived from first-hand experience and your work on the ground. This means that new agents are less prepared for the inevitable curveballs of the industry. That’s where you come in.

While mentorship is often pitched as a relationship that solely benefits the mentee, there is actually plenty to be gained from becoming a mentor. After all, personal growth goes hand-in-hand with professional growth, and becoming a mentor asks agents to thoughtTop Agent Magazine

fully explore and demonstrate their own ideologies, practices, and rationale. With that in mind, take a look at some of the benefits of mentorship below, and you’ll get a sense of why counseling new agents can be a boon to your own business.

Teaching lessons to others reinforces your own professional values.

Showing the ropes to young agents is a great way to brush-up on your foundational skills.

Verbalizing and demonstrating processes, or walking through the rationale behind negotiation tactics—all cause mentors to think through their established practices and outline in detail why they’ve chosen this route over an

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alternative. This helps older agents fine-tune their routines, while getting back in touch with the critical thinking that went into constructing those habits.

Mentorships allows you to see the big picture.

surely sharpen your ability as the head of a team. What’s more, you’ll be building skills of empathy, understanding, teaching, and constructive criticism. Working on those skills will better your practice and your ability to lead in your office.

After a lengthy industry tenure, it’s not uncommon for battle-worn agents to lose some steam and begin to burn out. By devoting some time to mentoring up-and-coming agents, you’ll get back in touch with your early days, remembering the excitement, the trials, and the hard lessons gleaned. Spending time with the next generation of real estate professionals can reinvigorate your practice, as seeing the business from the eyes of an eager amateur can inject energy into your working life.

You’ll benefit from seeing things from a new perspective.

Just as working with young agents can help you remember your career’s big picture, you may also benefit from working alongside someone with a new perspective. Young agents bring a different set of skills and awareness to their work, and established agents can benefit from a fresh take. If technology isn’t your strong suit, or you’re interested in tapping the Millennial homebuyer market, working with a younger agent is an excellent way to see through fresh eyes.

Mentoring young agents makes you a better leader.

As a mentor, you’ll often direct the flow of your professional relationship—figuring out which issues to tackle, making an agenda, and imparting lessons in a clear way. These are all characteristics of a leader, and acting in a position of authority as mentor can 14

While some may balk at the time commitment or energy required to take on a mentee or two, you might consider it an act of ongoing education or professional development. While your mentee will undoubtedly benefit from access to your expertise, there’s certainly much to be gained from taking the time to cultivate tomorrow’s real estate leaders.

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SALLY LEONI In the early 90s, Sally Leoni had a successful career working for a national sales company, but once she had her twins, she decided she wanted a career change. “I was traveling a lot and wanted something that would allow me to be home more.

I had always been interested in real estate and it offered me the flexibility I was looking for. I started off doing it part time in 1996, but it quickly became my full time passion. I couldn’t be happier with my decision.”

Sally is now one of the most respected and in demand brokers working in the Greater Chicago area. She specializes in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago including, Kildeer, Long Grove, Hawthorn Woods, Lake Zurich, Barrington, and many of the surrounding areas.

Virtually a lifelong resident, Sally is acutely aware of the neighborhoods, schools, and community activities. Her motto is “Who better to sell your neighborhood, than your neighbor?” Sally is a consistent multimillion-dollar producer since becoming licensed, and is also a President’s Club Award winner, and a top office producer.

Sally is well known for providing an exceptional customer experience to all of her clients. “I make it a point to personalize the service so that it best fits each client’s individual needs. I will hand hold from the start of a transaction to the end. I’m very detail oriented and believe communication is key. Follow up is so important in this business and I never leave my clients in the dark about anything. I’m very upfront and honest, and I work hard to help my clients reach their goals. I think they see and appreciate the effort I put into my job, and that keeps them coming back to me and recommending me to their friends and family, as well.”

Another distinct advantage that Sally offers her clients is her expert staging skills. “I actually have a degree in merchandising, and it’s something I offer to my listing clients at no additional cost. I have an assortment of accessories on hand to prepare my listings to be “photo” and “show” ready.

A professional photography company is always used, as first impressions are of the utmost priority with a majority of buyers, who are visiting the internet as their first step. Virtual staging, drone photography, postcards, open houses, broker tours, social media, and internet presence are all necessary components of my comprehensive marketing approach.”

When she isn’t working, Sally loves traveling, socializing and enjoying food and wine. She also tries to spend as much time as possible with her husband, her 24 year old twins and her two year old grandson. “Family is a huge part of life and this business is a balancing act between the two, but I’ve always loved a challenge!”

Sally is always looking toward the future, and has plans to grow her presence in her niche market, offering even more people the unsurpassed level of service she has built her reputation on. “For me this business is all about building and maintaining relationships. I build strong bonds with my clients by really listening to them and ensuring I do everything I can to help them reach their goals, then I keep those relationships going long after the active transaction. Sure you can do that through social media, but actually living and working in the community is something that can’t be beat. I want them to see me not only as their Realtor®, but as their friend and neighbor.

I always say, ‘Experience is what will MOVE you!’”

To learn more about Sally Leoni, call 847- 636- 1725, email sally.leoni@cbexchange.com or visit SallyLeoni.cbintouch.com www.

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How to Make Your Commute Productive The highest caliber business owners and entrepreneurs utilize every minute of their day.

Though this may be a lofty goal, there are certainly ways to make our daily routines more efficient and productive. Consider the morning and evening commute—time blocks that are accounted for every day. For some of us, daily commutes may mean a lengthy drive through gridlock traffic, or perhaps just a quick fifteen-minute crosstown excursion. However short or long your commute may be, there are ways to maximize this component of your daily routine and reap the rewards.

With that in mind, take a look at some ideas below to inject some energy and productivity into your daily commute.

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Listen to the latest industry-centric podcasts or audiobooks Whether you drive, bike, walk, or take public transportation, a commute is the perfect time to tune into an industry-oriented podcast or audiobook as a way of building your skills or getting into the zone for the day. Instead of letting your commute time be passive, you can process insights from leading industry professionals, or develop your skillset on a topic you haven’t yet made time for. Perhaps you’d like to develop your social media presence, or maybe you’d like to tap into the millennial homebuyer market—whatever the case may be, there is audio material out there suited to your interests. What’s more, podcasts are free and easy to incorporate on your smartphone or

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tablet, and there are ample audiobook subscription services out there that make regular listenership cost effective.

Create a mental to-do list to get a head-start on your day, or to prepare for tomorrow Getting your thoughts in order with a straightforward to-do list can help you dive in once you make it to your desk, or serve as a conclusive mental routine to end your work day.

If you drive to and from work and don’t have your hands free, don’t fret. Speaking your to-do list aloud can help you detangle your thoughts and tasks by vocalizing them. You can also try breaking down your to-do list by verbalizing the day’s goals, the week’s goals, and the month’s goals as a way of structuring priorities. If your commute is hands-free, you can incorporate a variety of apps that serve as custom-made todo lists that’ll organizationally map your duties for the day. In either case, use your commute window to identify and name the tasks ahead of you, and you’ll be able to hit the ground running when the time comes to perform.

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Tend to your personal commitments and planning A productive commute can boost your professional performance, but it can also serve your personal growth and out-of-the-office responsibilities, as well. Perhaps you can think out and plan your meals for the week so that you don’t come home burnt out and with nothing in mind for dinner. Maybe you check in with a relative or partner and catch up for a spare twenty minutes.

Not only does this eliminate a few items off of your personal to-do list, it can actually give you a more focused mind at the office. If your personal life is in good order, you’ll be able to devote your full attention to work tasks.

As the old saying goes, there are only so many hours in a day. If you added up all the minutes spent commuting around town, how many hours would amount? Though the trek to and from the office is an engrained part of professional life, it doesn’t have to be a drag. Account for those spare commute windows in productive ways, and in only a month you’ll have devoted a significant portion of your time to bettering yourself as a person and a professional.

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Top Agent Magazine

NANCY McADAM Nancy McAdam came into the real estate business in 1990 with a diverse international background. While working and studying in several European and Asian cities during her early career in management consulting with Arthur Andersen (now Accenture), she gained a savvy global perspective that would one day lead her to top-producing success in real estate. After 10 years running her own boutique real estate firm in Chicago, she joined Jameson Sotheby’s in 2000 and now serves as Broker Associate of Chicago powerhouse brokerage Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty.

Ironically, it wasn’t her interest in selling real estate that initially led Nancy into the field a few years after settling in Chicago. “I was still in management consulting and had a friend who was studying for her real estate license, so I was helping her study,” says Nancy.

“When helping her, I realized I already knew the answers to many of the questions just from buying my house and helping friends buy houses.” Because she was about to embark on helping her church purchase a new building, she decided to take the exam as well. Soon, while still working in consulting, people at her church began asking her to help them find houses and her boutique firm was born.

With the support of Jameson Sotheby’s and the help of her administrative assistant, Nancy provides uniquely individualized service as an independent agent. She has developed a reputation for being extremely professional and responsive throughout the purchase or sale process. One recent seller explained that, although having worked with many REALTORS® over the years, his experience with Nancy was the best. “I do my best to follow up with people and to make the transaction go as smoothly as possible,” she says. And given her longtime love of Chicago and her deep community involvement, she provides sellers and buyers with unmatched insight.

“I serve nearly all Chicago neighborhoods including the South Loop, Millennium Park, Lake Shore East, Streeterville, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lakeview, Roscoe Village, Ukranian Village and even the suburbs,” says Nancy.

“I enjoy helping find something that works for people,” she adds. It’s a welcome challenge for her to locate a property that meets nearly every need on a client’s wish list, no matter how difficult that may appear. Her patience, in fact, is among the invaluable services she provides. Purchasing a new home, especially an urban luxury home, takes time, but Nancy is prepared for this inevitability. “Some clients apologize for taking so long, but I say, ‘It really doesn’t matter how long it takes; the goal is to find what works for you!’”

Nancy enjoys getting to know and help both buyers and sellers, ensuring easy transactions that meet their timing and price needs.

For sellers, beyond the robust, global syndicated marketing she offers through Sotheby’s, Nancy provides professional photography; targeted email marketing; social media marketing; professional brochures and postcards; and print and online advertising on several upscale national, global and Chicago Area publications. Given her love of travel, Nancy also maintains a network of Sotheby’s agents she has met face-to-face when traveling anywhere from Arizona to Asia. Not too long ago, for instance, she connected a Chicago client with a Phoenix agent for help selling a home there.

Nancy is excited for new things to come in real estate and appreciates how the industry constantly changes. “In addition to continuing what I’m doing with past clients and resale and purchase clients, I would like to do some development work,” she says, explaining that Jameson Sotheby’s is involved with several new condo projects. For several years, Nancy has been a top producer with Jameson Sotheby’s and hopes to reach the top 1% for 2018. But no matter how far she may go, service always comes first. “People are busy with their normal lives,” says Nancy. “Adding a real estate transaction can feel like just more work to do. I like offloading as much as I can for my clients; it should be easy and fun for them, not burdensome or cumbersome.”

To learn more about Nancy McAdam,

visit jamesonsir.com/our-team/mcadam-nancy or go to Facebook, email nmcadam@jamesonsir.com or call 312.339.9460.

https://www.facebook.com/NancyMcAdamRealEstate/

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Top Agent Tips and Questions for Choosing Your Listing Agent Now that you’ve decided to sell, it’s time to select the professional to help you market your property. Before meeting with agents, however, consider Top Agent Magazine’s tips for preparing yourself. Frist, ask yourself what kind of relationship you’d like to have with your listing agent. Are you seeking a casual, personable relationship and the latest marketing tools or are you interested in a more formal, traditional relationship and approach to marketing techniques? Next, populate your list of agents by attending open houses and asking for recommendations from recent buyers and sellers.

Finally, schedule your meetings at your home, where you’ll be able to gauge the chemistry between you and each agent.

During your meetings, expect any Top Agent to ask you several questions, but also consider discussing the following: 20

Top Agent Magazine

Will you please describe your sales experience and local network?

Ask your Top Agent to describe recent listings and sales of homes comparable to your own. Ask about the sellers’ priorities, the original list price, market time and number of offers. Top Agents will also describe how well they are connected with other REALTORS® in the region as well as their contacts with relocation companies, local corporations and chambers of commerce.

Be sure to ask about each agent’s knowledge of how your market has changed over time and what has influenced change.

You’ll learn a lot by listening to agents’ opinions.

How will you market the property? Each

Top Agent has a unique set of online or local marketing tools at his or her disposal. Some use lead-generation applications and nearly ever luxury agent take advantage of video. Even video marketing tools vary from agent-to-agent, however.

You’ll get to decide if you prefer an agent with higher-end video production and 3D Matterport tours or an agent with more intimate techniques featuring walk-and-talk style video tours.

What factors influence your list-price recommendation? Before an-

swering this question, most Top Agents will have several questions for you, including whether you’re more focused on a faster sale or a higher list price.

They’ll also educate you on how best to balance both market time and list price relative to sales histories your area.

Now that you’ve seen the home, what repairs or improvements do you recommend before listing? You’ll learn a lot by listening to agents’

opinions on your home’s sale potential with or without some improvements.

Most Top Agents will also recommend a full professional inspection prior to listing to avoid surprises during buyer inspection.

How will you help with staging? Some Top Agents will pay for part or

all of the staging costs. At a minimum, however, a Top Agent will have a staging professional or two in their partner network. While they’re at it, they may provide referrals for carpet cleaning, painting, gardening and other minor finishing touches.

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What attributes of the property will you want to highlight? Each Top

Agent will have a somewhat different answer to this question, but that’s a good thing! Even if you have your own ideas about your home’s greatest attributes, you’ll glean insight into the current market by considering different agents’ opinions. In learning their views, you may even change your mind about your home’s most marketable features!

What is your approach to Open Houses? How many agent-only Open

Houses will your Top Agent want to host? How many truly Open Houses?

Some Top Agents may even reveal a “swankier” approach to the Open House – such as an evening cocktail party or by-invitation “open” hours to which buyers visit along with the agent representing them.

Who will be our primary point(s) of contact from your office? This

important question will help you understand the scope of your agent’s practice. You’ll get to see if your agent runs a robust team with many hands on deck or if he or she works by close, one-on-one contact with each client.

Either approach is wonderful; you get to decide what suits you.

Now, let’s list!

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JODI SAGIL Top Agent Jodi Sagil of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in St. Charles, Illinois has made a name for herself as a real estate agent who can be trusted to consistently put the needs of her many clients first. With an unparalleled commitment to providing the highest level of customer service available in the Chicagoland market, she is continuing to reap the benefits of her customer-first philosophy.

Jodi began her career in real estate back in 1985, when she left her career in retail to begin working with builders selling new construction homes. “I worked for builders for twenty years and had a very successful career with them,” she says. Then, the market turned sour and Jodi was forced to step back and reassess her career. “I sat at home for six months, and then decided that I really did love real estate. So I joined Coldwell Banker.” That was in 2004, and since then her business has grown by leaps and bounds, based in large part on referrals and repeat business from satisfied clients.

With almost 85% of her business based on these repeat and referred clients, Jodi makes absolutely certain that their loyalty and faith in her is rewarded. “I pride myself on the service I provide.” The longer she is in business, the wider the referral net is cast. “I have worked with entire families finding homes for each family member. And many of my adult children’s friends are now buying homes, so I’m honored to help them with their first home purchase,” she says.

A slew of five-star reviews on Zillow.com are a testament to the focused, authentic and knowledgeable service she provides.

Reads one such glowing testimonial: “We really lucked out

finding Jodi, she was absolutely perfect. She went above and beyond anything we could have hoped or asked for. She catered to us like we were her only clients and her top priority. She was extremely knowledgeable and very quick to ease our nerves when we started to get frustrated with the home buying process. She answered us before our attorneys and anyone else about our inquiries. She’s got a great personality and is very laid back. But she will fight for you and protect you.

I’ll never go to anyone else if need be in the future but she helped us find our perfect home we don’t plan on moving. I will without a doubt recommend her to anyone and everyone. Go with Jodi and you won’t regret it. I promise.”

Staying in touch with past clients is of paramount importance to Jodi. “After their purchase I send out comparative market analyses every six months on their house so they can keep abreast of what their home is worth. I send out magazines to past clients. I also use social media avenues to stay in touch.

But my favorite way is a random phone call just to check in and see how they have been.”

When she’s not working, Jodi enjoys travel, relaxing and spending time with her friends and family. She also gives back to her community in a variety of ways, including charities that are sponsored by her Coldwell Banker office. She has also been active with Dupage Habitat for Humanity and PADS. “I love helping people achieve their dreams” says Jodi. “I love homes. I have since I was a little girl. I honestly enjoy working with people, and love the fact that every day is a new day, and every experience is different. I truly love my job.”

For more information about Jodi Sagil,

please call 630 - 334 - 2763, email Jodi.Sagil@cbexchange.com or visit her at TheSagilTeam.com www.

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