Known for doing whatever it takes to get the job done, Josh Lipton successfully sold a sizable listing at the onset of COVID-19 and the shelter-in-place order. “The sellers were in the middle of a divorce, and my seller’s sale was a corporate relocation, adding a third layer of complexity,” says Lipton, an agent with Compass.

Lipton’s ability to think outside the box, communicate effectively and take chances served him well. Inspired by Michael Jordan, who lives by the adage, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” Lipton makes sure that every shot counts, telling clients, “You only have one chance to make a first impression” and “It’s not how quickly I can list your property but how quickly I can sell it and get us to the closing table.”

Before listing a property, Lipton performs thorough due diligence and market analysis, obsessing over every detail to make sure the property is priced appropriately and shows in its best light. In order to sell the benefits of living in the home and the lifestyle that comes with it, he ensures that he is an expert on restaurants, parks, public transportation, shopping, schools, new developments and everything else that makes the neighborhood unique and a special place to call home. Research comes naturally to Lipton: Prior to real estate, he worked as a lawyer and an investment banker.

Though real estate is a transactional business, Lipton’s relationships with clients last well beyond the closing and drive his success. The majority of his clients are repeat business and referrals, and in testimonials, they rave about his hands-on approach and concierge-level service.

Aside from managing his traditional brokerage business, Lipton is a developer for his own projects. Currently, he is working on three pre-sold custom homes and five condo projects in Bucktown, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Old Town and Roscoe Village, all slated to be completed late this summer.