As a third-generation Chicagoan, Sherri Hoke always knew that her understanding of the city’s neighborhoods and their evolution exceeded most people’s. She also knew that this expertise would be vital to a career in real estate. What she didn’t realize is that the years she spent living in other major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, would turn out to be one of her most valuable assets as an adviser. “Because I have lived on both coasts and abroad, my clients have said I offer a unique perspective on explaining life in Chicago and how it compares to the neighborhoods they’re coming from,” she says.

Two years ago, Hoke affiliated with Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. She has worked with executives at the highest levels in finance, business, medicine and tech, and she truly enjoys showing off her hometown. “I’m often one of the first people my clients meet in Chicago, so while my job is to be their real estate adviser, I also consider myself an ambassador for our city,” she says. In some cases, she even works as a partner in the recruiting process if a potential new hire or their spouse isn’t sold yet on Chicago. She has been brought in to help sell the city and the lifestyle here. “My goal is to know everyone and everything that is going on so I can take care of any need or question. If I can’t, I’ll find someone who can.”

Along with her brokerage career, Hoke develops about one property a year. “With each project, the knowledge I gain makes me more valuable as an adviser to buyers and sellers,” she says. This summer, Hoke is taking on her largest project yet: the restoration of a landmarked building in east Lincoln Park.

Hoke is regularly listed among the top-producing agents in Chicago and is continuing to build her network of advisers to support her clients around the world. When she’s not selling real estate, she can often be found reading about other real estate markets, spending time on the tennis court or exploring the city with her family.