As you know, I have a lot of amazing qualities that make me a fantastic broker. However, when it comes to technology, I pay a lot of other smart people to make stuff happen. When I heard this issue was going to be about some mumbo jumbo called iBuyers, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. They’re apparently not a thing in Chicago yet, so you shouldn’t be embarrassed if you don’t know exactly what it means. Still, I checked in with my technology people and they officially laughed in my face. Sounds like it’s coming, so go read the cover story and find out what you need to do. I’ve found that to be a great way to avoid getting laughed at in general, so as usual, you’re welcome.
On to the gossip. Grace Goro Kaage is proving that pregnant women can do the same things as everyone else, aside from eating sushi and unpasteurized cheese. Currently five months along, she also got handed a pretty major promotion as a VP for @properties in Streeterville. In the vacay department: Not only did Imran Khan take an epic trip to Patagonia, but he also managed to hang out with real estate legend Pat Hiban there. If I had known the easiest way to get a hold of Pat was to head to Patagonia, I would’ve bought a ticket long ago.
The Agents’ Choice Awards are right around the corner! By the time you read this it will be too late to vote, so I hope you already went in and made your selections. The Best Dressed category is going to be a tight race, as will Rookie of the Year. I don’t see my name on the MVP list, but I guess it wouldn’t be fair if I won that every year. Of course, there will be a party with lots of debauchery to announce the winners, so stay tuned for that.
I’m a little light on events, so please double check to make sure you have the right address for me so that I can report on your event, and also make sure your party is a success. Everyone needs to have that one attendee who is overserved (but not too overserved), and I’m happy to play that role for you.
NAHREP held their “Today’s American Dream” educational event at Carnivale on October 17. Speakers and panelists talked about how the American dream is shifting and changing the real estate industry. I want to say something funny and snarky, but they did a lot of talking about DACA, etc., so this seems like the right time to prove that I do know how to be respectful every once in a while. On Oct. 22, CAR held their Commercial Forum Rebuild Project with a volunteer day at Rebuilding Exchange. Folks gave back with help from master woodworkers and learned how to recycle and repurpose scrap metal.
Here not a moment too soon, I’ve got some Halloween birthday shout-outs for you. What better way to start than to wish Cathy Stabb a happy birthday on Oct. 28? I don’t even need to add anything fancy to her name, though she shares a birthday with Stefanie “Spooky” Neuman Lavelle. Steven “Skeleton” Maher and Monique “Pumpkin” Peiron-Strong share an Oct. 30 bday, while Michael “Thriller” Thanasouras celebrates on Nov. 4. Eileen “Apple” Anderson celebrates on Nov. 5, while Jim “Jack O’ Lantern” Roth and Ryan “Scary” Steele, Kevin “Ghostly” Green, Mack “Macabre” Alsaidi, Neena “Vampire” Vlamis, and Missy “Mischievous” Jerfita all share a Nov. 9 bday. Last, but not least, Yoni “Poltergeist” Pogofsky will party on Nov. 10 all by himself.