Admiring her aunt’s success as a real estate broker, Jessica Jakubowski always respected her determination and ability to connect with the community. After graduating from Rutgers University, Jakubowski embarked on a 13-year career in publishing, beginning as a call center representative and ending as the director of higher education sales operations. When the company was sold in 2013, it was an opportunity for her to switch gears and follow her passion for real estate. “It was the best career decision I ever made,” she shares.

A full-service real estate broker with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, Jakubowski is dedicated to investing in marketing and extensive research to make sure she positions clients to obtain the highest return on their investment. In the industry for 11 years, she covers Chicago’s southern suburbs, as well as the communities of Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox, Manhattan and the surrounding areas. “I truly believe to be an area expert, I must live in or around the markets I serve,” she explains. “I take pride in keeping my service area smaller so that I can provide the best possible service and level of expertise for a market area.” She uses social media to profile an area or property by creating videos that sell not just the home but also the area and lifestyle surrounding the property.

Jakubowski is the No. 1 @properties Christie’s International Real Estate broker in Frankfort and was Chicago Agent magazine’s Rookie of the Year in 2015. A Frankfort Chamber of Commerce board member, she also serves on the Village of Frankfort Plan Commission. Known as an area expert in Frankfort, many clients come to her seeking properties that may not be on the market. “It is thrilling to find my clients an off-market property in their favorite location,” she admits. “This past year I was able to find my buyers properties in an area with very low inventory.”