Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Lotzof.
Jacqueline, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
For as long as I can remember I always loved homes. Growing up as a developer’s daughter meant that a lot of my childhood free time was spent exploring my father’s job sites. I loved learning about architectural details and construction techniques; the entire process of building a home fascinated me. I would daydream about how the family that was purchasing the property, would soon transform the vacant rooms into an inviting and joyful home. Those are great memories and I cherish those job site visits I shared with my father.
As is the case with so many ‘developer’ families, my father’s vocation also meant that he would often (with my mother’s buy-in) renovate, or build a new home for us. Often, this necessitated a move, and although we would remain in the same city, I would often find myself living in a different neighborhood, where I would put my inquisitive nature to work and soon discover every short-cut, and (from a child’s perspective) decide which streets had the most memorable and desirable features. Perhaps some children would find all those moves unsettling, but for me, they kept things exciting and new – an adventure was always on the horizon.
When it was time for me to begin a career, I naturally gravitated toward real estate and so, after becoming a real estate broker, I began working for a national commercial developer; The Alter Group. When the market took a downturn in 2009, I decided to leave the real estate behind and began to work in a sales and marketing role with a firm serving older adults. In 2013, I gave birth to my first child and after staying home nine months, I realized that I missed working outside the home. Although I enjoyed the sales and marketing position, in my heart I knew that I should pursue my passion for real estate, and become a residential broker.
I always seek out the best in class, and so selecting @properties as the place for me to do business was an easy choice. When I initially joined @properties, I also began a home remodeling company (JTL Brokerage & Construction) to assist my clients with updating their homes, but as my residential career began to thrive (and my family expanded with the birth of twins) I decided to devote my energies exclusively on brokerage; helping clients buy and sell their homes. My work enhances my life and makes each day unique and exciting (not that I don’t have an abundance of excitement at home with three little ones, my husband, and our family dog). I have never been happier and am very thankful for this chapter in my life.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Although I was a commercial broker for eight years prior to joining @properties, commercial and residential brokerage are very different worlds. Working on transactions totaling $200 million, provided me with plenty of deal-making experience, but beginning at @properties meant learning many new skills.
Moreover, I needed to prove to myself that I had what it took to create a meaningfully different experience for my clients, in an extremely saturated industry. Just as I started to establish myself, I found myself expecting my twins, but I was determined to not let that slow me down. In fact, in 2016 (when they were born) I exceeded my financial goal for the year, making it my most successful as a real estate broker!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with @Properties – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As a residential broker, I assist my clients with buying and selling property throughout Chicagoland. I work with a wide range of clients including first time homebuyers, clients looking to make the next move up, luxury home buyers, investors and those who are ready to downsize.
Among my unique talents, is my ability to truly understand what my clients’ desire; to not only listen to them but also to hear them. Also, at the risk of sounding cliché, I would help people buy and sell homes for free. I simply love helping my clients, friends, and family find their dream home or on the flipside sell their current home (often to purchase their next home). I dedicate myself to make sure my clients buy the right home for them – not the right home for my firm to make a larger commission.
My clients and I develop a collaborative relationship to achieve their financial goals and desired lifestyle. Also, because of my prior experience with residential development/remodeling and as a commercial broker, I bring a significant amount of industry knowledge to the table, that took many years to develop.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am very proud to announce that in 2018, my first team member will be joining me at @properties.
Establishing a team, which shares my values and approach to serving clients is one of my most important career goals and I am very excited about this new development. I can’t share all the details now, but they will soon be shared early in the new year!
Contact Info:
- Address: 607 Central Ave Highland Park, IL 60035
- Website: www.atproperties.com/jacquelinelotzof
- Phone: 8479178220
- Email: jlotzof@atproperties.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jacquelinelotzofrealestate
- Facebook: facebook.com/jacquelinelotzof
- Other: www.jacquelinelotzof.com
Image Credit:
Rachel Friedman Photography
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