Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Working for seven years as an estate manager/butler gave Steven Johnson an up-close view of what he could become with hard work, strong ethics and a little risk taking. “The economy was at an all-time low when I started selling residential real estate,” says Johnson, a broker with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. “I knew that if I worked hard and used the work ethic I had been surrounded by for years, I would make an impression in this profession.”
Surprisingly, the job had many similarities to selling real estate; land management was a vital part of the role. Besides holding a degree in hospitality from Purdue University, he is certified from Starkey International, where service and anticipating clients’ needs with research and follow-through is the focus.
Six years into his real estate career, Johnson has increased his business annually by 250 percent. A Luxury Real Estate Specialist, he mostly sells properties in the Gold Coast, River North, Streeterville and Lakeview areas. A majority of his clients are 30-somethings, empty nesters and investors. “I enjoy working with clients who are looking for their first home to start their family and the retired executive who wants to sell their condo to start the next chapter in their life,” he says.
His biggest accomplishment in the past year has been mentoring his team and seeing them do well. “I have a small but successful team and being with them through their accomplishments has been a great experience,” he says. “I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen in the next few years.”
Recently, his biggest sale was generated unexpectedly in a taxi cab. The driver overhead Johnson on a business call and asked him a lot of questions about the market: Is now is a good time to sell? What is the best neighborhood? How are interest rates? He asked for Johnson’s business card and said he’d call later to discuss selling his place. “It turned out he had six investment properties in the Gold Coast and Old Town,” he says. “I have been his Realtor on each and every one of them.”
A proud new father, Johnson relishes time spent with his family. They live in the city, a perk that helps him relate well with clients.
