A successful agent for the past 35 years, Joseph H. Perez grew up in the Chicago metro area, which taught him the landscape of the market well. With prior work in cold-calling, sales and lending, this experience fortified the patience and grit that would be invaluable later in his career. By the mid-1980s, he was simultaneously working as a police officer and in real estate. It was after he purchased a multiplex with his siblings that he decided to delve into the industry full-time.

Perez helps a client base that includes city workers, elected officials and first responders achieve their homeownership dreams in Chicago and its adjacent suburbs. He’s affectionately known as “Uncle Joe” because of the way he treats clients like family. “My clients would say that I go out of my way to get the job done … I have over 30 years of experience which helps me to be agile and resourceful,” Perez says. Professional and courteous, he possesses a gift for listening and communicating. He says of his style, “I like removing the mystique of homebuying and educating buyers on the process.”

Remaining driven over the past year, Perez doubled down on his business plan and leaned into the belief that prospecting is key to one’s success. He is currently working with a lender who specializes in helping eligible immigrants become homeowners. Committed to helping others grow in the profession, Perez is proud to have co-owned Del Mar Group Realty, where he led retention and recruiting and helped aspiring agents become licensed. He also established a real estate school with the help of a local attorney.

A member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, Perez also sits on the board of EduDual Inc., which is a non-profit organization that feeds orphans and provides scholarships for teachers to continue their education in the arts.