Whether or not it’s refining your corporation mannequin, mastering new applied sciences, or discovering methods to capitalize on the subsequent market surge, Inman Join New York will put together you to take daring steps ahead. The Subsequent Chapter is about to start. Be a part of it. Be a part of us and hundreds of actual property leaders Jan. 22-24, 2025.
After almost 20 years at a big-box brokerage, Sarah Leonard took the reins as crew lead and broker-owner at Legacy Properties. The distinction between a franchise and an indie? Entry.
“Being independent means there are no layers of corporate red tape,” Leonard mentioned. “Our clients and agents have direct access to decision-makers, which ensures fast responses, flexible solutions and exceptional service.”
As well as, Leonard relishes the flexibility to supply “a personalised expertise to each consumer. We’re not certain by company guidelines, which implies we will deal with what actually issues — constructing relationships and serving our local people.
“We live and work here, so we deeply understand the market and the unique needs of our clients.”
Learn how Leonard and her crew are setting the usual for excellence of their Chicagoland market with cutting-edge strategies, unparalleled consumer service and group advocacy.
Title: Sarah Leonard
Title: Group lead, proprietor, dealer
Expertise: 19 years
Location: Chicago, Illinois metro space
Brokerage identify: Legacy Properties, A Sarah Leonard Firm
Rankings: fifth
Group dimension: 12
Transaction sides: 373 YTD
Gross sales quantity: $151,120,860 YTD
How did you get your begin in actual property?
I bought began on the age of 21, getting licensed on my birthday, and it’s been an unbelievable journey ever since. Actual property has at all times been part of my life. Rising up, my household moved each 4 to 5 years, with my dad and mom designing and constructing the houses we lived in with their very own palms. Being immersed in that course of gave me an early appreciation for the actual property world.
In highschool, I bought a good nearer look when my mother labored on the [local] Affiliation of Realtors. I helped her host occasions, which gave me firsthand perception into what a Realtor’s life was like. From that time ahead, I knew this was the trail I wished to comply with.
I spent 19 years on the identical brokerage, gaining invaluable expertise and studying what works and what doesn’t work at these big-box brokerages. This brings me present with beginning my very own brokerage, Legacy Properties, A Sarah Leonard Firm.
What do you would like extra folks knew about working in actual property?
Working in actual property is usually misunderstood as a glamorous job stuffed with exhibiting lovely houses and shutting offers, however there’s a lot extra to it. Success is constructed on belief, relationships and real take care of shoppers, because it’s not nearly gross sales however serving to folks navigate among the most necessary selections of their lives.
The hours are unpredictable, with brokers usually working evenings, weekends and even holidays to accommodate shoppers’ schedules. It’s a multifaceted position the place you put on many hats, performing as a negotiator, marketer, problem-solver, counselor and undertaking supervisor — no two days are ever the identical.
Steady studying is important, as market tendencies, authorized updates and new instruments always evolve. Whereas the business could be profitable, it takes time, constant effort and upfront funding to construct a profitable enterprise.
Teamwork can also be important, as brokers collaborate with lenders, inspectors, attorneys, appraisers and colleagues to make sure clean transactions. Lastly, the emotional facet of actual property can’t be overstated — shopping for or promoting a house is deeply private, and brokers usually function mediators, advisors and emotional anchors for his or her shoppers.
What are 5 stuff you’d like readers to find out about you and your brokerage?
The massive-box brokerage mannequin usually prioritizes income and development over relationships and the consumer expertise. I wished to create one thing completely different, the place the main focus is on actually serving shoppers. That imaginative and prescient grew to become a actuality with the Sarah Leonard Group.
Right this moment, we’re a bunch of 12 full-time brokers, divided into itemizing and purchaser specialists, so every consumer will get the good thing about a devoted professional. Because the crew chief, itemizing agent and proprietor of the corporate, I take immense satisfaction within the unbelievable professionals I work alongside and the distinctive service we offer to our shoppers.
Shopping for or promoting a house is without doubt one of the greatest selections an individual could make, and my crew’s mission is to take the heavy lifting off our shoppers’ shoulders. We’ve constructed sturdy partnerships with trusted professionals, together with residence inspectors, attorneys, appraisers, lenders, stagers, photographers and transferring corporations. Each certainly one of these relationships is fastidiously chosen to make sure they meet our excessive requirements, serving to to make the method as seamless and stress-free as doable.
Our purpose is to make each consumer really feel like they’re our solely consumer, delivering the personalised consideration they deserve all through the journey.
What’s your high tip for freshly licensed brokers?
Be clear about the place you wish to go. Numerous brokers get into this business for the liberty and wealth alternative but shouldn’t have an finish vacation spot in thoughts. Whenever you don’t have an finish vacation spot in thoughts, it’s straightforward to get distracted and be unproductive together with your day by day actions, which takes you additional away from the tip results of what you’re searching for.
I like to recommend discovering the correct group and mentors that may allow you to obtain the approach to life and targets which can be necessary to you and why you selected actual property.
What’s one factor you would like each agent knew?
Actual property is an infinite recreation. You must take a look at each interplay exercise and see the long-term advantages of it. That is an business the place one transaction can flip into a number of transactions in case you deal with it appropriately. And doc it properly.
Use the industries, instruments and assets to assist your life be simpler and discover your group that may allow you to obtain the long-term targets you’re searching for.
