For over 30 years, Kassandra Vitogiannis Gorman’s father, Pete Vitogiannis, has been a residential developer in Chicago’s West Side and South Side neighborhoods. She watched and learned as he provided homes for thousands of people in up-and-coming areas that are now staples in the market: Bronzeville, Tri-Taylor and the West Side. When she began her own real estate career, she continued to learn by working for a top agent in the heart of the city, where she lived and breathed all things Chicago real estate.

Now a leading agent in Bronzeville’s Douglas neighborhood, Vitogiannis Gorman is a successful real estate professional in her own right. She began her career renting apartments in the neighborhood and still runs a thriving rental listing business that provides leads when her clients are ready to buy. “It’s a really cool cycle,” she says of helping rental clients become homeowners. “I keep in touch with all the people, and we sometimes meet for coffee to catch up.”

Vitogiannis Gorman meets personally with every buyer and seller to discuss the process, marketing, numbers and an action plan. “We discuss over coffee and donuts (Stan’s are my favorite), and I answer any questions,” she explains. “I have a custom brand book that I give to every potential buyer and seller I meet.”

After 10 years in her role, Vitogiannis Gorman says the ability to build trust is the most important quality an agent can have. “Marketing, negotiation skills and networking matter in this business, but none of these will work if people don’t believe in you first,” she shares.

When she isn’t serving clients and exploring unique Chicago coffee shops, Vitogiannis Gorman enjoys world travel. The first-generation Greek American names Greece and Switzerland as her favorite destinations so far.