While the rookies are struggling to open frozen lockboxes, us older, er, experienced agents are rolling our eyes. (And posting slyly on social.) But the truth is, we’re all waiting on warmer days.
No need to sugarcoat it: 2023 was rough for Realtors. So, it’s onward and upward from here! Even though temps are sub-zero in Chicago, agents know the market’s about to heat up —we just need to make it through this winter. We need to party.
January was a little light on the parties, to be fair, as we recover from the collective holiday hangover. Still, lots of agents showed face at the Chicago Association of REALTORS®’ Market Outlook event on Jan. 18. Held at the Marriot Marquis, talks about interest rates were followed by some yummy hors d’oeuvres — beef lollipops and bruschetta — and a cash bar.
Earlier in the month, on Jan. 11, john greene Realtor employees stayed hot with a company pickleball tournament at the Community Sportsplex in Plainfield. And coming up, on Feb. 8, is Chicago’s YPN kick-off mixer at The Bassment. (Maybe between all the drinks and dancing, they’ll share some tips for getting those lockboxes open?)
Really, though, January was all about the year-end numbers. MRED’s Real Data, detailed in this issue, highlights power players from around Chicagoland. Among them: Anita Olsen, Matt Laricy, Jeffrey Lowe, Jane Lee, Carrie McCormick, Dawn McKenna, Sarah Leonard, Linda Little — plus so, so many more. Dig in to find out who you have to be jealous of … and who you have to outsell next year.
Until then, let’s celebrate some birthdays. Coming up, we have Emily Santos on Feb. 7, Art Schalk on Feb. 8, Kelly Wong on Feb. 9, Hamza Ishaq on Feb. 10, Laura Gaan on Feb. 12, then, on Feb. 18, a double-header with Debra Kaden and Alice Chin, followed by Lewis Jones on Feb. 19. A couple days later, Ginger Downs will be partying on Feb. 21, then Kevin Kelly on Feb. 22, then a triple-b-day on Feb. 23 with Graham Allen, David Kasprisin and Jill Hare, followed by Donna Crane on Feb. 24. After that, we’re commemorating a major milestone with two leap-day babies: Linda Ryan and Joe Thouvenell! They better go four times as hard this year. And, as the snow melts in March, Beth Repta turns another year older March 3, then Elana Spector on March 5.