WAYNE BEALS
EXIT STRATEGY REALTY
What’s your favorite place in Chicago and why?
There are too many to name, but if I had to pick one, the Garfield Park Conservatory is my favorite. My family and I love the tropical feel on a cold winter day, visiting plants we’ve known their whole lives and, of course, the Axolotl and the huge koi pond. Plus, it’s free!
What is one tool you cannot live without in your professional life?
I love the app Zenlist. I use it to communicate with my buyer, generate leads and schedule tours. It’s really simplified the process of helping buyers find the perfect place.
GENIE BIRCH
GENIE BIRCH REALTY
What advice would you give Chicago REALTORS® for the year ahead?
I believe this is the year to be as knowledgeable as you can be. Believe in yourself. Love what you do. Be patient. Be strategic with your time and your money spending.
What Chicago Association of REALTORS® service or benefit do you think provides members with the most value?
Education, forms and advocacy.
SHEILA DANTZLER
JAMESON SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
In the year ahead, what are you most excited to work on with the Chicago Association of REALTORS®?
As the Public Policy Chair, I’m excited to explain in simple terms how the policies coming out of the city council, the county, the state and the federal government affect our members who work with consumers every day. As real estate advisors, it’s important that we are able to clearly articulate laws that affect real estate transactions and our clients.
https://connectmls-api.mredllc.com/oid/login
What Chicago Association of REALTORS® service or benefit do you think provides members with the most value?
The data in the MLS, Remine and many other tools are invaluable.
GASPAR FLORES JR.
SU FAMILIA REAL ESTATE INC.
In the year ahead, what are you most excited to work on with the Chicago Association of REALTORS®?
The REALTORS® Real Estate School offering additional classes in Spanish. We began with the Accredited Buyers Representative course, and I’m excited to see what else is offered.
What’s your favorite place in Chicago and why?
South Ledge at Montrose Harbor has beautiful views of downtown while also getting to take advantage of the lakefront.
HIPOLITO GARCIA
RATE
What’s your favorite place in Chicago and why?
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – specifically the butterfly exhibit. You sit in the room in tranquility while the butterflies land on you. It is peaceful.
What advice would you give Chicago REALTORS® for the year ahead?
Arm yourself with knowledge through self-development and get involved in the advocacy of your industry.
AMY HALL
CATON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE GROUP
What is one tool you cannot live without in your professional life?
My network. I have been intentional in cultivating not only a group of individuals who are best in their respective fields, but who are also the best humans. We respect and care for one another and serve each other when we need professional resources, support or guidance.
What Chicago Association of REALTORS® service or benefit do you think provides members with the most value?
Commercial Contracts Pro. I am amazed that more solo practitioners and small boutiques do not use this as their source for vetted documents that are ready to plug and play.
LINDA HATTAR
DL3 REALTY
What is one tool you cannot live without in your professional life?
I cannot live without Microsoft Suites.
What Chicago Association of REALTORS® service or benefit do you think provides members with the most value?
I think our committees provide the most value as they consist of individuals that are like-minded and dedicated to the growth and development of the industry.
MARKI LEMONS RYHAL
EXIT STRATEGY REALTY
What is one tool you cannot live without in your professional life?
Kajabi is my profitable business tool. It’s an all-in-one platform that helps diversify revenue streams with digital products and services like courses, online communities and coaching.
What advice would you give Chicago REALTORS® for the year ahead?
The ability to pivot due to a shift in mindset is necessary for sustainable success.
LUTALO McGEE
ANI REAL ESTATE
In the year ahead, what are you most excited to work on with the Chicago Association of REALTORS®?
I am excited about continuing the joint work of REALTORS® and appraisers to ensure that everyone is receiving a professional and reliable appraisal. Our responsibility is to advocate for our clients, and I can see no better way to do this than to push in this area.
What is one tool you cannot live without in your professional life?
Google Calendar. I live by it.
MICHELLE MILLS CLEMENT
CHICAGO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
What is one tool you cannot live without in your professional life?
My phone #TeamiPhone.
What’s your favorite place in Chicago and why?
Soldier Field is my favorite place in Chicago because Da Bears! While many want a new stadium, I love the nostalgia of Soldier Field, being on the lakefront, and feeling the fresh air, even in the coldest of days! I love the energy of walking into the stadium for a game or concert and have so many memories there.
MEGAN OSWALD
COLDWELL BANKER REALTY
In the year ahead, what are you most excited to work on with the Chicago Association of REALTORS®?
Working with the public to create a better understanding of what REALTORS® do and how we work to build up our communities. Also continuing to work alongside our officials on advocating and protecting homeowners’ rights.
What Chicago Association of REALTORS® service or benefit do you think provides members with the most value?
Coffee with your GAD. On the second Tuesday of the month, we host a virtual meeting on legislative issues affecting our real estate market. It is a great way to keep your clients up to date on what’s affecting them.
DEANOUS REID
F.J. WILLIAMS REALTY, LLC
What’s your favorite place in Chicago and why?
The River North area is my favorite place in Chicago. The architecture there is a great mix of past and modern history.
What advice would you give Chicago REALTORS® for the year ahead?
Invest in yourself with education and pay attention to what is going on in our industry so you can see when you need to pivot.
RACHEL SCHEID
@PROPERTIES | CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
What is one tool you cannot live without in your professional life?
My Outlook Calendar! Is it a tool or is it a lifeline?!
What Chicago Association of REALTORS® service or benefit do you think provides members with the most value?
The Foundation! We offer educational scholarships and resources to REALTORS® looking to increase their education and experience. In addition to that, we fundraise throughout the year to offer grants and sponsorships to Chicago area charities who focus on the housing needs of our community members!
ERIK SCHWAB
CORCORAN URBAN REAL ESTATE
In the year ahead, what are you most excited to work on with the Chicago Association of REALTORS®?
Continuing to protect the industry for our members and to protect private property rights.
What’s your favorite place in Chicago and why?
A boat on the river, because it is the best place to see the architecture of the city both old and new.
VICKY SILVANO
REAL BROKER LLC
What’s your favorite place in Chicago and why?
I think Museum Campus is the best place in Chicago! It’s where I bring my clients from out of the country or state to showcase the beauty of Chicago.
What Chicago Association of REALTORS® service or benefit do you think provides members with the most value?
Education and networking! The Chicago Association of REALTORS® offers a variety of educational courses that cater to all types of brokers, from the newbies to the experienced! The association also organizes spectacular events where members can learn and network with each other.
STACI SLATTERY
NORTH CLYBOURN GROUP, INC.
What’s your favorite place in Chicago and why?
There are so many favorites that it’s hard to name one but if pressed, I’m loving Douglass Park and Union Park these days.
What advice would you give Chicago REALTORS® for the year ahead?
Stay focused. Do the work and don’t be distracted. Be confident and proud of the work you do for your clients and your communities.
ERIKA VILLEGAS
RE/MAX IN THE VILLAGE
What’s your favorite place in Chicago and why?
I love the lakefront and all of our public parks. They are a place to relax, enjoy a picnic, take my kids to play and enjoy the outdoors all year round!
What advice would you give Chicago REALTORS® for the year ahead?
Attend our free events, take a class to learn something new, be prepared to explain the changes to your clients and give back to your community!
SARAH WARE
WARE REALTY GROUP
What is one tool you cannot live without in your professional life?
One tool I cannot live without in my professional life is perplexity.ai. It helps me quickly access and synthesize complex information, allowing me to stay informed and make data-driven decisions, whether I’m navigating real estate markets or working on certification processes.
What’s your favorite place in Chicago and why?
My favorite place in Chicago is the South Shore neighborhood. It’s not only where I live and work, but it’s also a vibrant community with rich history and culture. I love how it blends the beauty of the lakefront with a strong sense of community.
MICHAEL WILLIAMSON
SPERRYCGA ELLERMAN BROKERAGE
What is one tool you cannot live without in your professional life?
As someone who is constantly on the go with clients and projects around the world, my phone is the one device that can keep me connected to everything. It allows me to stay in touch with clients and family, answer emails, access CRE tools, spreadsheets, databases and calendars.
What Chicago Association of REALTORS® service or benefit do you think provides members with the most value?
The Chicago Association of REALTORS® does an incredible job keeping its members informed and connected. It opens the doors for members to access local industry leaders, industry tools, education, public officials and ensuring your voice is heard.
AMY WU
KELLER WILLIAMS SUCCESS REALTY
What is one tool you cannot live without in your professional life?
If I had to pick one, it’d be my calendar because it guides everything that I do day-to-day. A close second would be Google Maps because I’d very likely be stranded without GPS.
What Chicago Association of REALTORS® service or benefit do you think provides members with the most value?
There are too many to name. From our classes to forms & contracts to networking events to relevant market data, there are benefits galore. I strongly believe that you get what you put into something, so be sure to explore all of the association’s benefits and attend the networking events to connect with new colleagues.