Wanting to be in control of his career path, Mark Christian Dollard left his job working as an options trader for a proprietary firm based in Amsterdam to pursue a career in real estate.
For Dollard, a broker associate at Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty and president of MD Staging and Design, it was the right choice. A Chicago Association of Realtors Top Producer from 2013 to 2018 and a Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty Top 20 Producer from 2016 to 2018, Dollard has experience with buyers and sellers, as well as luxury and investment properties. In the past couple of years, his average price point has increased substantially, making luxury properties a bigger part of his business.
Building a growing staging business from the ground up has been another big accomplishment. Dollard started by staging a couple of his listings and can now stage about 10 properties at one time. “The prospects for growth in this area look very strong,” he says.
Dollard’s clients describe him as intelligent, diligent, trustworthy and patient. By listening carefully to his clients’ needs, he can walk them through the process in a way that is understandable. “I have an analytical background that comes through in my work,” says Dollard, who has a chemical engineering degree and an advanced degree in economics. “And I made my money before getting into real estate, so I always take a long-term view on what is best for my clients instead of just trying to get deals done in a hurry to generate commissions quickly.”
He has earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation and the National Association of Realtors’ e-Pro certification, demonstrating his mastery of advanced digital marketing techniques.
A member of Team Bright Side, Dollard runs the Chicago Triathlon to raise money and awareness for children with cancer. He recently completed the challenge despite suffering from a stomach virus the entire month leading up to it and experiencing severe cramping during the actual event. He also plays bass guitar in multiple rock bands and loves to play basketball.
