Mark Zipperer
Broker/Owner
RE/MAX Edge Wrigleyville/Northalsted
Control your destiny or someone else will!
The Facts
How many years have you been a managing broker? 6
How many years have you been in real estate? 8
How many full-time agents are in your office? 20
The Details
Does your office have any specialties? We are the local area market experts. Since we are the only globally known real estate brand in the neighborhood, buyers contact our office directly when transferring to Chicago, or their local area agents do when they are looking for a referral connection.
What do you expect of your agents? I expect my agents to provide the type of service they expect of any service provider: knowledge, advice and prompt communication.
How are you approaching the challenges of the current market? Brutal honesty is critical in this market, especially with sellers—in pricing and giving advice about property appearance—and also keeping abreast of local market price changes and taking appropriate action.
How do you get new agents acclimated to the company? Since I have a smaller office, I have the ability to train each agent individually. My goal is to have a smaller office full of well-educated, producing agents, rather than a large mega office where agents are just numbers or just want a spot to hang their license.
What kind of training do you provide? The best of all worlds with all the online training an agent could ever want via RE/MAX University, which provides the general training agents need (listing presentations, negotiation, marketing, etc.). I also offer specific office training – area knowledge, zoning issues, CMA’s for Chicago props, writing offers, activities to close and more.
About You — Mark Zipperer
What makes you different than any other managing broker? I have the specific neighborhood/area knowledge that can help my agents with their clients. I know the buildings, the sales, new developments, political changes, etc. My viewpoint is this, when a client is buying or selling in an area they want local knowledge, and while Realtors are sales/marketing professionals, I think we lose sight of the most important quality clients seek from us: knowledge.
What do you like most about the neighborhood where you work? My office is two blocks from my condo, where I’ve lived for 12 years (I have the best commute). I know many people in the neighborhood and they often come to me for advice and any time they need a Realtor.
What is your favorite part about being a managing broker? I really like being an expert and a teacher, which is why I think I’ll always have a smaller office. I like being connected to my agents. I know their listings, many of their clients, a bit about their personal lives, etc. I know my agents!
Why do you love real estate? I like the matching of people with spaces and the magical words “I love it.” Where someone lives is one of the most important “things” in their lives and being the connector of people and space is a great feeling!