Baird & Warner Lincoln Park

Going into my first day, I was extremely excited to get started with Baird & Warner as a new broker. I had a strong interest in real estate since high school, so I was eager to see if it would be everything I expected. Like most newcomers experience, I didn’t know anyone within the office yet. It could have been an intimidating environment; however, it was quite the opposite. After walking into the office, I was immediately greeted by friendly staff and agents that were excited to see a new face. I headed into a one-on-one meeting with Diana who got me set up with all of my Baird & Warner accounts (email, MLS, etc.). She also gave a quick rundown of what the next few days would be like for me.  

Luckily, the day I started was the day of David’s weekly meeting, so and I was able to sit in on it and learn valuable tips as a broker. The topic was, “How to properly price a home”. While classes like this one may sound appropriate for only new agents, it’s great for all experience levels. Those who may be in need of a refresher or simply want to stay on top of their game can participate; and they did. David did a great job of not only making these classes fully informational, but interactive with those involved.

While getting to know the MLS, a fellow agent in the office showed me shortcuts and some of his favorite tools. He showed me how he utilized them for his current clients and how he found their perfect property. I’m big with hands-on learning, so being able to go through the process step-by-step, rather than reading a manual, was a huge help.

Overall, week one was what I expected. When beginning a career in any field, there will be times when you’re on “information overload”. There can be so much to remember within a short amount of time, but this office was able to feed me what I needed to know while still allowing me to feel comfortable. This could be the start of a very rewarding career.

When I first started my journey in real estate, I believe I had the same mentality as most:

“I’ll absorb as much information as possible during my education. By the time I complete the instructional months, I will know exactly what company I will want to join. Then, they will guide me seamlessly into my career.”  While this may sound like the ultimate scenario, it’s not where most people find themselves after the completion of their Real Estate courses. In my experience, even with the dozens of letters and phone calls from recruiters, I wasn’t getting any closer to my decision. Where was I going to hang my license?

In the beginning, I knew I didn’t want to join a giant company where I would be considered as a number rather than an individual. I wanted a company that would understand my personality and the way that I do my work. A few more weeks of searching went by with no success until I received an email from David Bailey at Baird & Warner-Lincoln Park. I knew the Baird & Warner name well and noticed their signs throughout the city and suburbs. Though it didn’t seem like the intimate, tight-knit company I initially wanted, I didn’t have much to lose, so I gave it a go.

Immediately upon sitting down with David, I felt what it was that I was looking for. He didn’t try to sell me on anything; he simply gave me facts about the wonderful company I am proud to be a part of. He was kind and direct, and he gave me time to consider my decision. He arranged a meeting with Diana, the assistant managing broker, and myself so I could meet another team member and learn more about company culture. Diana surpassed my expectations, and I knew that she, like David, was one of the most down to earth people I had ever met. It did not take long for me to realize how lucky I would be to have two easy-going, professional, and helpful individuals guide me through this process. It became clear that Baird & Warner, though large and successful, was in fact the intimate company I was looking for all along.

Needless to say, Diana and David made my decision of Baird & Warner in Lincoln Park an easy choice. Since then, I have been reminded every day that I made the right choice by the amazing office I get to work in, the passionate people I get to work with, and the tremendous knowledge I have gained through the interactive and fulfilling training sessions provided by the company. I am looking forward to learning more under the guidance of David and Diana and the rest of the remarkable Baird & Warner team!