“My focus is on the people first, as I live for client satisfaction,” Melissa Dondalski affirms. “I do everything to make my clients happy, their lives easier and the process as seamless as possible.” Dondalski has built a career as a real estate broker, and her success was no accident. She and her team are process-driven, using the latest technology, market analytics and extensive research to have a firm understanding of the individual market, which in turn develops strong client relationships. “We want to ensure the foundations for each transaction are strong, because only then can we offer our clients the best buying and selling experience,” she explains.

While she is focused on residential transactions, her real “secret sauce” is helping clients re-concept properties before listing, guiding them on staging and assisting with design and light rehab to extract maximum value for her sellers. Considering herself a student of real estate who is a consummate learner, Dondalski has since branched out and partnered with several developers in single-family new-construction, boutique condo buildings and semi-custom remodels. “I absolutely love the creative portion,” she stresses. “I enjoy watching developers and investors achieve their financial goals while providing buyers with the homes of their dreams.”

A Chicago native, Dondalski has been in the industry for over seven years. She has received numerous designations from the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR): Top Producer, Real Estate Negotiation Expert, Pricing Strategy Advisor, Seller Representative Specialist and Accredited Buyer’s Representative. She has been named a top producer with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate and CAR for multiple years, a Homesnap top 10% nationwide broker and a Zillow five-star agent multiple years in a row.

Although Chicago will always have her heart, Dondalski plans to expand her business to the Sunshine State. “My next step is to conquer the Southern Florida real estate market,” she shares. “My parents live in Naples, and I have relatives who are brokers in the Miami area, so it’s a natural addition to MDP.”