What was your first job in the realty industry? In 1984, 1985 and 1986,
I studied in Peoria and got my Graduate Realtors Institute designation. I joined
RE/MAX in 1982 when I made the RE/MAX “Hall of Fame” for my sales production.

What is your favorite free-time activity? Traveling to other states and countries has been a lot of fun and educational. One summer I spent six weeks traveling throughout Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France and England studying art, literature, architecture and history while working towards my Masters Degree. I enjoy touring cathedrals, museums, historical sites, grand resorts/spas, famous buildings and studying architecture. Art deco style has always been one of my faves!

If you weren’t a Realtor, what would you be? If I weren’t a Realtor, I would love to be a travel writer, a journalist, a researcher or a tour guide.

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? I think that I would enjoy having lunch with former President Bill Clinton or with Ronald Reagan. I would love to tour their homes and see their sense of style and the books that they read.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? Education and experience are the two attributes that I possess that help me to stand out from the crowd! I am more honest with clients than many agents are; that comes with years of experience. I have learned how to explain to sellers that they need to make their homes show well if they want to get a sale in this real estate market.

What do you love most about the industry? Because real estate is always new and changing, I love meeting new clients and learning about new construction and decorating ideas. I spend a lot of time helping my sellers stage their homes, so my listings look better and better each week as we work on improving the condition of their homes. My listings sell fast because I devote an enormous amount of time, effort and energy to increasing the value of my listings with proper staging that is attractive, uncluttered and clean.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? “The English Patient” starring Ralph Fiennes is my all-time favorite movie. The expansive desert/sand/caves cinematography and the devastating love story are a masterpiece of film making by Anthony Minghella. The dialogue, the costumes, the settings were haunting and memorable.

Last week I saw the movie “Water for Elephants,” and it was enjoyable for its Depression-era love story and sweeping scenes of a way of life that is no longer possible. Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson were perfectly cast as a circus leading lady and a veterinarian who fall in love despite the odds.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Chicago? Art deco buildings are my favorite. They remind me of my long-ago vacation in South Beach where I stayed six nights in two art deco historical hotels across from the beach and Ocean Drive.

What kind of car do you drive? My current car is a 2008 dark grey Mercedes E350.

What is your advice for someone new to the industry? Find a mentor and be considerate to everyone! Answer your phone on the first ring! Return all emails right away.