Giannpaolo “Gino” Viola’s mother taught him the value of hard work. At age 8, he sold peanuts and soda in the hospital where she worked. Even then, he knew sitting at a desk wouldn’t suit his entrepreneurial spirit. “I wanted to do something that would make a huge positive impact on people’s lives,” recalls Viola, a broker at Coldwell Banker Realty. Fast forward to today, and he’s serving first-time homebuyers, investors and luxury clients in Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs. He specializes in single-family homes, townhomes, multi-units and condos.
Viola’s 16 years of dedication have won recognition from Coldwell Banker and the International Sterling Society (2018-2020). He was named to the International President’s Circle, and the Chicago Association of Realtors bestowed their top producer award on him in 2021.
Clients love Viola’s fun, easy, process-driven style, and his honesty and transparency earn their trust. “If your shirt’s blue, I’ll tell you your shirt’s blue,” he says. “I believe honesty is key in business. People need to trust you and your judgement.” Most of Viola’s business is via word of mouth. “My business is very organic, and a majority of my clients are referrals, which speaks volumes about the service I give,” he says.
Being attentive is also key to Viola’s success. “Whether we’re shopping for a $100,000 property or a $2 million property, my clients have my full attention,” he says. Strong negotiation skills and a large network have also been instrumental in growing his business. “A lot of my clients find their properties off the market since I know buyers and sellers,” he explains. A passion for building businesses, combined with extensive experience in real estate, makes Viola a powerful force in the industry. “I was in this business throughout the real estate crash. I have dealt with different market conditions and advise my clients accordingly,” he says.
He finds inspiration in his wife, Lynne, and twins Bryson Cash and Brooklyn Rose, who “are my biggest treasures in life,” he says. He also enjoys playing basketball at the East Bank Club and is a boxing enthusiast.
