Wayne Laatz is the team leader of The Home Team of IL with Charles Rutenberg Realty
What was your first job in the realty industry? Realtor, with a three-person real estate brokerage in Aurora. We did 10 percent of the business in 1968 in Aurora. The average sale price in Aurora was $22,000. My average sale price was $17,000 my first year.
Where did you grow up? The western suburbs – Forest Park, Maywood, Bellwood and Lombard
What is your favorite free-time activity? Reading and spending time with family
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? My wife and I go on a cruise.
Growing up, what did you want to be? A teacher. I didn’t know about real estate then.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Thomas Jefferson. He would be able, in a thoughtful way, to add perspective to the expectations of our founding fathers and where we are today as a country. I think he would be in awe.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? My home
What do you love most about the industry? The challenges and the people
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I am older. Not always wiser. I learn something new every day and every business cycle.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Competing with the very talented new Realtors. It is wonderful to see them practicing the art of helping people fulfill their dreams of homeownership in a new and still emerging real estate brokerage paradigm.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? Our local restaurants. The Home Team of IL is great at smiling and saying hello to people when we are having breakfast amongst them.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? Being a part of my children’s beginnings in real estate and watching them grow into successful real estate business people – each in his or her own way.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? The Helpers and any John Grisham novel.
What is your favorite restaurant? Atwater’s in the Herrington Inn and Spa in Geneva.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Chicago? The 4th Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue.
What kind of car do you drive? A Smart Car and an old Mercedes.
Smartphone or Paper? Still transitioning but trending toward the Smartphone.
What is your favorite city after Chicago? Naples, Florida
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Smile
What’s your favorite Real Estate iPhone/ Blackberry app? My GPS!
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Ted Laatz