Connie Barhorst decided if she was going to work outside the home, following 20 years as a stay-at-home mom who dabbled in direct marketing sales, she wanted to manage her own business. But the work needed to be meaningful. Per a friend’s suggestion, Barhorst gave real estate a try and seven and a half years later, she still loves it.
Barhorst, an award-winning Realtor with Baird & Warner in Lake County, says real estate combines her passion for creating a welcoming home environment with helping people. A certified staging professional, she mines her warehouse of staging materials to complimentary stage all her listings, consulting on everything from furniture arrangement to paint color and lighting fixtures. “Performing this necessary service differentiates me from others,” she says.
Barhorst is having the best year of her career. Repeat clients and word of mouth referrals continue to drive her business.
Whether clients are buying their first home, downsizing from their long-time family home or buying a lot to build their dream home, she’s honored to help them reach such significant milestones. Barhorst specializes in the Prairie Crossing community in Grayslake, where she and her husband built their family’s home nearly 25 years ago.
“We raised four children here and fell in love with the Prairie Crossing lifestyle,” she says. “We have purchased Community Supported Agriculture veggie shares from the organic market, hiked each trail countless times, volunteered at the schools and spent summers swimming at the beach. We have been part of play groups, vacationed with neighbors and continue to do a monthly dinner group!”
Detail-oriented, she excels at communication and follow-up. She is always available to answer clients questions or concerns, treating each of them like a close friend. “If we weren’t friends before,” she says, “we will be by the end!”
