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After practically twenty years at a big-box brokerage, Sarah Leonard took the reins as crew lead and broker-owner at Legacy Properties. The distinction between a franchise and an indie? Entry.
“Being independent means there are no layers of corporate red tape,” Leonard mentioned. “Our clients and agents have direct access to decision-makers, which ensures fast responses, flexible solutions and exceptional service.”
As well as, Leonard relishes the flexibility to supply “a customized expertise to each consumer. We’re not certain by company guidelines, which implies we are able to concentrate on what really issues — constructing relationships and serving our local people.
“We live and work here, so we deeply understand the market and the unique needs of our clients.”
Learn how Leonard and her crew are setting the usual for excellence of their Chicagoland market with cutting-edge strategies, unparalleled consumer service and group advocacy.
Title: Sarah Leonard
Title: Crew lead, proprietor, dealer
Expertise: 19 years
Location: Chicago, Illinois metro space
Brokerage title: Legacy Properties, A Sarah Leonard Firm
Rankings: fifth
Crew measurement: 12
Transaction sides: 373 YTD
Gross sales quantity: $151,120,860 YTD
How did you get your begin in actual property?
I obtained began on the age of 21, getting licensed on my birthday, and it’s been an unbelievable journey ever since. Actual property has at all times been part of my life. Rising up, my household moved each 4 to 5 years, with my dad and mom designing and constructing the properties we lived in with their very own palms. Being immersed in that course of gave me an early appreciation for the actual property world.
In highschool, I obtained a good nearer look when my mother labored on the [local] Affiliation of Realtors. I helped her host occasions, which gave me firsthand perception into what a Realtor’s life was like. From that time ahead, I knew this was the trail I wished to observe.
I spent 19 years on the identical brokerage, gaining invaluable expertise and studying what works and what doesn’t work at these big-box brokerages. This brings me present with beginning my very own brokerage, Legacy Properties, A Sarah Leonard Firm.
What do you would like extra individuals knew about working in actual property?
Working in actual property is commonly misunderstood as a glamorous job full of exhibiting stunning properties and shutting offers, however there’s a lot extra to it. Success is constructed on belief, relationships and real look after purchasers, because it’s not nearly gross sales however serving to individuals navigate a number of the most vital selections of their lives.
The hours are unpredictable, with brokers typically working evenings, weekends and even holidays to accommodate purchasers’ schedules. It’s a multifaceted function the place you put on many hats, performing as a negotiator, marketer, problem-solver, counselor and challenge supervisor — no two days are ever the identical.
Steady studying is important, as market traits, authorized updates and new instruments consistently evolve. Whereas the trade may be profitable, it takes time, constant effort and upfront funding to construct a profitable enterprise.
Teamwork can also be important, as brokers collaborate with lenders, inspectors, attorneys, appraisers and colleagues to make sure easy transactions. Lastly, the emotional facet of actual property can’t be overstated — shopping for or promoting a house is deeply private, and brokers typically function mediators, advisors and emotional anchors for his or her purchasers.
What are 5 belongings you’d like readers to learn about you and your brokerage?
The large-box brokerage mannequin typically prioritizes income and progress over relationships and the consumer expertise. I wished to create one thing totally different, the place the main target is on really serving purchasers. That imaginative and prescient turned a actuality with the Sarah Leonard Crew.
At this time, we’re a gaggle of 12 full-time brokers, divided into itemizing and purchaser specialists, so every consumer will get the good thing about a devoted professional. Because the crew chief, itemizing agent and proprietor of the corporate, I take immense delight within the unbelievable professionals I work alongside and the distinctive service we offer to our purchasers.
Shopping for or promoting a house is likely one of the largest selections an individual could make, and my crew’s mission is to take the heavy lifting off our purchasers’ shoulders. We’ve constructed sturdy partnerships with trusted professionals, together with dwelling inspectors, attorneys, appraisers, lenders, stagers, photographers and shifting firms. Each one in all these relationships is rigorously chosen to make sure they meet our excessive requirements, serving to to make the method as seamless and stress-free as attainable.
Our aim is to make each consumer really feel like they’re our solely consumer, delivering the customized consideration they deserve all through the journey.
What’s your high tip for freshly licensed brokers?
Be clear about the place you need to go. A number of brokers get into this trade for the liberty and wealth alternative but would not have an finish vacation spot in thoughts. While you don’t have an finish vacation spot in thoughts, it’s simple to get distracted and be unproductive along with your day by day actions, which takes you additional away from the tip results of what you’re searching for.
I like to recommend discovering the suitable group and mentors that can provide help to obtain the life-style and objectives which are vital to you and why you selected actual property.
What’s one factor you would like each agent knew?
Actual property is an infinite sport. It’s essential take a look at each interplay exercise and see the long-term advantages of it. That is an trade the place one transaction can flip into a number of transactions when you deal with it appropriately. And doc it nicely.
Use the industries, instruments and assets to assist your life be simpler and discover your group that can provide help to obtain the long-term objectives you’re searching for.
