Before he worked in real estate, David Zwarycz helped run an executive search firm for information technology professionals. When a good friend and successful real estate professional suggested he switch careers and become licensed, he jumped right in. “He didn’t give me any time to think about it,” says Zwarycz. “Next thing you know, I was sitting in my first real estate broker class.”

After eight years with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago, Zwarycz finds a great deal of crossover between his prior and current careers. “Helping a client sell or buy a home is similar to helping a professional navigate one of the biggest decisions in their lives,” he says. “They’re both very personal situations, which makes the stakes high but also makes the work challenging and gratifying to me.”

Zwarycz assists clients in downtown Chicago and on the city’s North Side. Whether it’s first-time homebuyers, upsizing couples and families, or downsizers, he loves the opportunity to help people through major transitions at different phases in their lives. His passionate commitment to customer service — handling situations and providing resources clients never would expect from a typical broker — and superior analytical skills set him apart from the competition. He uses extensive real estate data, deep market knowledge and his background in economics from the University of Chicago to precisely price a client’s home or help counsel a buyer on their offer.

Zwarycz admits he doesn’t exactly love prospecting for new business. But thanks to a corps of satisfied and returning clients and their referrals, he has been able to build a business he is proud of. “This year, I’ve seen over 30% growth in volume, and it’s due entirely to returning clients and their referrals,” he says. “It’s the best indicator that my real estate practice has truly matured.”

Over the past five years, Zwarycz has become a long-distance runner and raised more than $25,000 for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago while becoming a (marginally) faster runner.