Andrew Perkins

Real Estate Broker
CONLON/Christie’s International Real Estate/Dwelling Chicago

Andrew Perkins has received plenty of accolades in his 15-plus years of experience in the industry. Just this last year, he was named one of CONLON’s top 10 agents, and even finished in the top 1 percent of the Chicago Association of Realtors for overall sales. He also had one of the highest condo closings of the past year. 2015 was a big year for Perkins, but he shows no signs of slowing down.

Perkins graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in finance and accounting, and initially set off to pursue a career in investment banking. However, he says that a fascination with real estate that extends all the way back to his childhood eventually pulled him away from banking and into the real estate industry. The son of an architect, Perkins remembers being fascinated by his father’s hand-drawn sketches as a child, and was always intrigued by the buildings he created. This led to a lifelong fascination with construction and real estate that has culminated in his career today.

Perkins’ emphasis on construction proves to be a valuable resource for his clients. Early in his career, he had a hand in developing 250,000 square feet of residential and mixed-use real estate, which Perkins credits as giving him a strong knowledge of the “ins-and-outs” of a building, as he puts it. “What building materials are sustainable and ecological, what finishes are higher end and stand up over the test of time, what the cost would be for replacing windows or a roof…this knowledge is very important and could potentially save [clients] from making a big mistake when purchasing a property,” he says. He also prides himself on his knowledge of the city, something he’s able to use to help clients expand their horizons. “For example, a client who thinks they only want to live in Lincoln Park may not know about the perks of Avondale or Irving Park,” he says. “With my expertise I can help open them to seeing different parts of the city and usually it’s a win-win.”

But his technical expertise doesn’t mean that Perkins overlooks the personal side of the industry — he says one of the greatest testaments to his success is the fact that over 90 percent of his new business comes from referrals. Perkins also prides himself on his round-the-clock availability, always being there for his clients no matter the hour. Outside of real estate, Perkins finds his greatest joy in his family, and loves going to the park or playing in the yard with his wife, son, and dog.

 

Thanks to The Residences at New City for letting us use their beautiful location for our photo shoots.