Category: Getting Started in Real Estate

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What Goes Into a Day in the Life of a Chicago Real Estate Broker?

What Goes Into a Day in the Life of a Chicago Real Estate Broker?

One of the best things about a career in real estate is that no two days are exactly alike. With that being said, the most successful real estate brokers have a very intentional approach to each and every day — and put a structure in place that allows them to make the most of each day, while still allowing for flexibility. 

A “Typical” Day In Chicago Real Estate

An active real estate broker is a true entrepreneur — which means wearing many different hats. On any given day, brokers at Baird & Warner – Lincoln Park might spend time on any number of activities. Generally, the most important pieces of a broker’s day center around two core areas:

  • Generating and facilitating new relationships
  • Servicing existing business opportunities
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This Real Estate Life S2: E4- Jason Finn

We’re not bluffing when we say that Jason Finn has a proven track record of success in real estate. A poker aficionado (that’s 2 this season if you’re keeping track), Jason leverages his poker face and ability to stay calm under pressure to navigate contract negotiations, often winning the hand for his clients. With a background in consulting, Jason has always been solution-oriented and takes that approach to every transaction. And he know *a little something* about technology and SEO too…so many skills that benefit his clients on both sides of the transaction. We are excited to share the man with “a passion for compassion” with you…and wait until you hear how he turned a casino into his remote office!

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Lincoln Park Agent Spotlight: John Lyons

John Lyons, Baurd & Warner Lincoln Park

John Lyons is known as one of Chicago’s most trusted real estate agents. As a broker, he is passionate about always continuing to learn and find new ways to improve his business and provide a better experience for his clients. And for John, the support he gets from Baird & Warner Lincoln Park helps him to do all that and more.  

John got started in real estate after losing a corporate sales job, which forced him to think differently about his career options.

“That failure made me realize what I didn’t like, and pushed me towards entrepreneurship,” John says. “I was just burnt out and tired, and I realized I didn’t want to work for anybody anymore, particularly a middle manager.” 

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This Real Estate Life ep 13: How to develop a successful business in a new city with Dan Asher

This week, we spoke with Dan Asher to learn how he built and continues to build his successful real estate business, starting over in a brand new city! Dan spent 15+ years building successful real estate and home building businesses in St. Louis. Last year, he and his family chose to finally pursue a dream to move to Chicago and sell real estate in our great city. He’s been here less than a year and is already crushing it, leveraging old strategies and adopting new ones. If you feel stagnant, or are new to the biz and want to learn how Dan has been growing his business with little to no existing local network, take a listen…I know you will find lots of great gems in this episode. (and check out his Instagram for some great video content! @danasher_realestate) 

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This Real Estate Life ep 12: Becoming a local expert and mastering the data with John Irwin

It’s time for another episode of the BWLP podcast, “This Real Estate Life”!


This week’s guest, John Irwin, tells us why becoming a local expert and mastering the data can help you succeed through any challenge the real estate market faces. John shares how he built his career focused on high-end homes within a local market, and how he has leveraged his exceptional understanding of the data and market to create trust and ensure confidence in his clients that he is, without a doubt, THE best broker for the job. Listen in to learn how John got his start, why the data matters, and for a few of his predictions of what is to come for Chicago real estate! Spoiler Alert: It may include boats.

Listen below!

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This Real Estate Life ep 11: How to cultivate a service-oriented business with Marc Dumas

This week, we spoke with Marc Dumas to learn how to cultivate a service-oriented real estate business. Marc is an active member of several communities and organizations, both locally and nationally. Supporting others is not just his mission, it’s his way of life, as he truly lives to give! Marc has shown other Realtors that you can build a successful business through involvement with various communities that you are passionate about. While the business success is never his goal, it’s a natural byproduct of his dedication to his organizations and the meaningful relationships he builds while pursuing his passions. Leading with his heart always, Marc is an inspiration!

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This Real Estate Life ep 10: How To Be A Leader in Your Business – Lessons from David Bailey

This week was a very special one, as we had the privilege of interviewing our very own Designated Managing Broker, David Bailey. With over 15 years of real estate experience, and a lifetime of influence and learning as the son of a Broker Owner on the east coast, David has served as a resource, ally, advisor, and compassionate leader for his team of 170+ realtors and staff at his Lincoln Park office. In our conversation, David shared his real estate background, as well as his perspective on what it takes to be successful in real estate and how he approaches his position to best support his agents with their businesses. Many of our agents claim David > Google…want to find out why? Take a listen to the interview and give him a call to learn more about how he and the Baird & Warner Lincoln Park office can help you launch your real estate career, and/or take your business to the next level where you desire and deserve to be!

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Is a Chicago Real Estate Career Right For You?

Is a Career In Real Estate Going to be the Right Fit for You?

“Is a career in real estate going to be the right fit for me?”

As the Designated Managing Broker for Baird & Warner – Lincoln Park, I get this question a lot — both from people who are considering real estate as their first career, and people who are looking to transition from another field. 

Residential real estate is a career that exemplifies the old adage, “you get from it what you put into it.” There is no one right way to be a successful real estate broker, and all kinds of people will be able to achieve incredible things in this field. It doesn’t matter whether you’re introverted or outgoing, or whether or not you already have a large professional sphere in place. Whatever point you’re starting from, there are opportunities for you to learn and grow, as long as you commit to training and developing a plan that will allow you to work toward your goals.

I believe in an individualized approach that encourages every broker to maximize his or her own natural style, strengths, and opportunities with my support and the support of our office as a whole. It is important that we formulate a custom business plan for each broker, and provide support that is ongoing and constantly evolving as the broker’s career path and goals change.

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Finding the Right Fit: What Questions Should You Ask the Recruiting or Managing Broker?

What Questions Should You Ask the Recruiting or Managing Broker?

As you move forward in your career in real estate, finding the right office will be one of the most important factors in determining your future success. Because no two real estate offices are the same, it’s extremely important that you do your homework on the front end to find the environment that will be a great fit.

One of the biggest steps in choosing the right office to launch your Chicago real estate career is to sit down for an interview with the office’s Recruiting or Managing Broker. This interview can be an opportunity to learn more about the things that matter most to you — including office culture and values, training and coaching opportunities, management and support structure, technology, and more. 

In my view, these discussions should be far more collaborative than most traditional job interviews. As a Designated Managing Broker who regularly speaks with potential new real estate brokers, I do want to make sure that you’ll be a good fit in the office. But just as importantly, this interview is about making sure this setting will be a good fit for you. 

It is extremely important to find the right environment that will help drive your success for years to come. I know this is a big decision. That’s why, at Baird & Warner Lincoln Park, we encourage you to be as systematic and thorough as possible when looking for the right office. 

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