Tania Forte has a talent for helping clients define and refine their real estate needs. “I don’t focus on the sale, I focus on their goals,” says Forte, a Realtor with @properties Chrisitie’s International Real Estate. “Sometimes that means adjusting timing, price points and priorities. Sometimes that means that I offer suggestions to help them define their goals when they are unable to articulate their needs.”

This past year, Forte’s 10th year in business, she hit record sales and her brand continues to grow. Clients often say she understands their needs and wants better than they do. “When they start to feel defeated or like they aren’t going to achieve their goals, I keep them focused and motivated,” she says.

Most of Forte’s clients in Park Ridge and the surrounding neighborhoods come from her network and referrals. “I focus on developing relationships, and that means staying in touch after the sale.” Forte and her husband moved to his hometown of Park Ridge in 2005 and raised two kids there.

Before real estate, Forte worked in the corporate world for over 20 years. She focused on contract negotiations, relationship development and management the first half of her career, before earning an MBA from Pepperdine University and spending a decade in corporate finance. All of those experiences helped prepare her to assist clients make big decisions without becoming emotional. “I talk them through and manage emotions and keep them focused on their end goal,” she explains.

An active member of her community, she is a member of the local chamber of commerce and supports local youth sports teams and community events. “My greatest accomplishments are the fact that I have so many repeat customers and that so much of my business is based on referrals,” says Forte. “Friends and family trust me to take care of their friends and family.”

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, gardening and playing paddle tennis, as well as watching all sports, from youth to professional.