Looks like I came home a little too early from my private island this spring. Now I’m here with the rest of you guys, practicing the fine art of social distancing in this dreary weather. This staying at home thing is rough for us social butterflies, but we gotta do what we gotta do. Funny enough, this issue is about disruption in the real estate world. Talk about a disruption, am I right? Pandemic or no, my job — as always — is to give you guys the gossip. So here we go!
Real estate royalty Rebecca Thomson has given birth! She and Matt Farrell welcomed Andrew Hunter Farrell to this crazy world on March 19. Rebecca and the bouncing baby boy are doing fine. The lucky little guy will always be a March Madness baby, so no time like the present to hand him his first basketball.
Congrats are also in order for Steve Koleno, a top producer from Worth Clark who just joined Mimi Luna’s RE/MAX Legends. Don’t worry about the pressure associated with joining an agency with the word “legends” in the title. Just do you, Stevie, and you’ll be fine. While we’re at it, Val Sancrainte also got the itch to move, and is heading over to Jameson. Speaking of Jameson, I could do for a shot of that right now.
No matter how hard you try, you can’t hide from Nick Libert. Just recently, his episode of “The Deed” aired, with Sean Conlon helping Nick navigate a rehab project. Even more exciting than the actual episode is Nick’s Twitter announcement where he steps out of a port-a-potty and asks the Twitterverse if they are feeling down in the dumps. Like Nick Libert is really going to use a port-a-potty. Come on now!
Tony Mattar sat down with WGN morning news (via computer, that is) and shared his thoughts on what COVID-19 means for the real estate market and his new brokerage, HomeCo. I stopped watching the news for a couple of days and missed it, but I’m sure he looked great via the small screen.
Blair Kamin has decided that the hole in the ground formerly known as the spot where the Chicago Spire was to sprout is “cursed.” He’s also not very excited about the residential towers that are slated to pop up in its place. It’s either the towers or a hole in the ground, Blair. Which would you prefer?
Tommy Choi could sneeze and win an award these days, but his most recent accomplishment is a little more exciting. Though too sick to accept it in person, Tommy was honored with the Keller Williams Industry Volunteer of Distinction award. Don’t worry, he was just battling the regular ol’ flu.
There were no events to speak of for this issue, aside from the rocking party I had in my house with my dogs last night. Luckily, I stocked up on the essentials (wine), so the pooches and I have been having a pretty good time.
April Fool’s Day is a big one for birthdays in the real estate industry, so prank the following folks in their honor: Kai Schirmacher, Mike Vesole, Andrea Geller, Kim Hay Keefe, and Mr. Port-a-Potty himself: Nick Libert. On April 2, you can give a shout out to Cari Zweig-Driscoll, and then hit up Ellen Miller on April 3. Carrie Jo Little, Anne Ewasko, and Denny Dooley share an April 8 bday, while Dennis Huyck is on his own on April 11. Last, but never least, we’ve got Lauren Mitrick Wood and yet another Dennis (Shaffer) on April 12 and 14, respectively.