Sam Shaffer is a teacher at heart. With a background in education that includes instructing youth classes and camp, the Chicago Properties professional has an uncanny talent for making even the most complex matters easy to comprehend. “There are a lot of intricacies in real estate, but I’ve always been really good at helping people understand challenging concepts in simple terms that really resonate with them,” he says. Shaffer’s teaching background no doubt equipped him with this gift to not only guide his clients’ every step of buying and selling, but also to lessen their anxiety throughout the process. “I have a very consultative approach and strive to make each transaction as stress-free as possible.”

A college friend, Dan Kravitz, helped him break into real estate. Kravitz was garnering success as a real estate contractor and investor, and he invited him to build and create Chicago Properties. Shaffer learned the ins and outs of the industry and developed his own personal style. “I had the freedom to create anything and everything I wanted out of my real estate career,” he recalls. Thirteen years later, Shaffer’s total sales exceed $300 million.

Working with myriad clients ranging from the first-time buyer to the seasoned investor, Shaffer clearly communicates his commitment to them at the outset of their partnership. “I won’t let my clients settle,” he says. “We’re going to work hard together and turn over every stone to find them the right property so they’ll never feel like, ‘Sam wants to close a quick deal and move on.’ I put in extra work to find them something they’re going to be happy with now and in the long-term.” In fact, Shaffer thinks about an exit strategy for his clients before they either buy or sell a residence so that the decision they make aligns with their future plans. “I’ll advise someone who may relocate in a year to rent rather than buy,” he says, adding that clients appreciate this kind of transparency.

Shaffer, who ranks among the top 1 percent of producers in his market, is also a fitness enthusiast who identifies connections between healthy living and a disciplined work ethic. Furthermore, he actively supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and has been dedicated to finding a cure for the disease since his son’s diagnosis at age three. The passion he exhibits in his personal life is clearly evident in his professional pursuits, which is why numerous client reviews label him as “stellar,” “phenomenal” and “incredibly responsive” even as they commend his outstanding efficiency. “I truly love my job and get the most satisfaction when I find my clients their dream property or sell their home so that they can start the next chapter of their life,” explains Shaffer. “The icing on the cake is the wonderful relationships I develop with them.”