RAFAEL ALVARADO, SHIELD REAL ESTATE
What is your favorite CAR member perk or benefit, and why?
Safety has always been a big concern for me. FOREWARN is one of my favorite membership perks. This app has helped me identify and verify callers to better prepare myself and reduce personal risks.
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
The most used app on my phone is Google Maps. It helps me navigate areas I am not familiar with and, most importantly, it helps measure time. I can better prepare myself from the very beginning, minimize my stress and enjoy the ride.
SONIA ANAYA, AMERICA REAL ESTATE INC.
What are you most excited to work on with CAR in the year ahead?
Sharing the importance of investing in our industry and staying on top of everything related to our industry.
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
Homesnap
GASPAR FLORES, JR., SU FAMILIA REAL ESTATE, INC.
If you could only share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Treat everyone and everything you work with like it’s the only thing you are working on.
What is your favorite Chicago attraction?
Our lake. The south ledge of Montrose Beach has some of the best views.
ANTJE GEHRKE, A.R.E. PARTNERS
If you could only share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Make your bed. Don’t ask why, just do it.
What is your favorite Chicago attraction?
Is a restaurant an attraction? Because, if so, the food scene is the most compelling, after the lakefront.
AMY HALL, CATON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE GROUP
If you could only share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Embrace focus and discipline as the foundational backbone of your business. Yes, being a real estate professional allows for a certain amount of flexibility, but if you don’t treat it like a business, you will not reap the benefits of being a business owner.
What is your favorite Chicago attraction?
My long-standing, favorite attraction in Chicago is the Art Institute, though it is now tied with the immersive art experiences offered by Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago.
TONY HARDY, KELLER WILLIAMS ONECHICAGO
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
Real Property Resource Commercial. The access to information at our fingertips is phenomenal. It’s a great resource.
What are you most excited to work on with CAR in the year ahead
The new strategic plan. Guiding our members through the challenges and opportunities at this time is exciting.
LYLE HARLOW, KALE REALTY
If you could only share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Never stop learning!
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
OneNote.
DRUSSY HERNANDEZ, COLDWELL BANKER REALTY
What is your favorite CAR member perk or benefit, and why?
Advocacy. We need to be heard by the policymakers who make decisions that impact our business every day. Their action can have a direct effect on how our buyers and sellers can make transactions happen.
What is your favorite Chicago attraction?
There is nothing like the Chicago skyline. The view as you drive north on the Dan Ryan is breathtaking. I also love the Bean.
KIM KERBIS, @PROPERTIES | CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
If you could only share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Play the long game: Chicago is a small town, and your reputation is everything.
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
Well, favorite is a stretch, but I do rely on Park Chicago all the time!
JOHN C. KMIECIK, CENTURY 21 AFFILIATED
What are you most excited to work on with CAR in the year ahead?
Having served in various REALTOR® leadership positions previously, I’m honored and excited to be working with various generations of REALTOR® volunteers who offer a remarkably astute and progressive view of our industry.
What is your favorite Chicago attraction?
My favorite Chicago “attraction” is the variety of great restaurants throughout the city and suburbs. I love a good and simple meal at a local neighborhood restaurant, with staff members who truly appreciate our patronage.
MARKI LEMONS RYHAL, EXIT STRATEGY REALTY
What are you most excited to work on with CAR in the year ahead?
I am most excited to chair The 77, our Diversity Committee. The 77 will allow me to learn more about our members and the 77 communities that make up our wonderful city.
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
My current favorite is Canva. Canva can be used for lead generation because you can create lead magnets, websites and update videos & photos while on the go or sitting at your desk.
NICK LIBERT, EXIT STRATEGY REALTY
What is your favorite CAR member perk or benefit, and why?
The free education provided through CAR is stellar, as well as the ongoing opportunity to earn industry designations and expand your knowledge base in order to provide more value to your clients.
What is your favorite Chicago attraction?
I use the Chicago lakefront path regularly to jog, bike, walk and meditate as well as reconnect. It replenishes the soul!
DWIGHT MARROQUIN, NEIGHBORHOOD LOANS
If you could only share one piece of advice with a REALTOR®, what would it be?
Build a trusted team and surround yourself with experts, members and the 77 communities that make up our wonderful city.
What is your favorite Chicago attraction?
Wrigley Field.
LUTALO McGEE, ANI REAL ESTATE
What is your favorite CAR member perk or benefit, and why?
My favorite benefit has quickly become our Legal Library. For us practitioners that hail from small or mid-size firms, this resource was timely and needed.
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
Google Calendar. I would forget to breathe if it wasn’t scheduled.
MICHELLE MILLS CLEMENT, CHICAGO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
What is your favorite CAR member perk or benefit, and why?
Our events! We have an amazing in-house events team that executes every event at a level like no other. I love the opportunity to mix and mingle with members during our events and programs. There’s something available for everyone, and these events are curated with you in mind. Join us!
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
Audible. I’m not a big reader, but I love to listen when I’m on the go, gardening or doing chores around the house. It’s a special treat when the author reads their book!
AYOUB RABAH, COLDWELL BANKER REALTY
If you could only share one piece of advice with a fellow REALTOR®, what would it be?
Embrace the Code of Ethics without compromise.
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
MileIQ.
TRACEY ROYAL, COLDWELL BANKER REALTY
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
Evernote is my favorite phone app both personally and professionally. Evernote allows me to make notes of things and recall information quickly no matter where I am or what I’m doing.
What are you most excited to work on with CAR in the year ahead?
In the year ahead, I am excited to help build upon our current president’s mission to encourage more participation and involvement of the membership and to demonstrate that Chicago REALTORS® provides so much value.
ERIK SCHWAB, CORCORAN URBAN REAL ESTATE
What are you most excited to work on with CAR in the year ahead?
To continue the great work CAR does to advocate and support our members, especially in member education.
What is your favorite phone app, either personally or professionally?
It would have to be the MLB app to help me keep track of the Cubs!
VICKY SILVANO, COMPASS
What is your favorite CAR member perk or benefit, and why?
The educational and networking events! It encompasses all different subject matters and includes all communities across our industry.
What is your favorite Chicago attraction?
I love Museum Park!
ERIKA VILLEGAS, RE/MAX IN THE VILLAGE
What are you most excited to work on with CAR in the year ahead?
I am excited to work closely with such a diverse group of professionals and the all-women executive team!
What is your favorite Chicago attraction?
Museum of Science and Industry.
SARAH WARE, WARE REALTY GROUP
What is your favorite CAR member perk or benefit, and why?
Office Depot member discount. I still have a lot of printing sometimes. The discounts on copies are crazy, and it saves me ink.
What is your favorite Chicago attraction?
The Lakefront Trail – on the south side.