Jennifer Ames

Expertise

With 15 years experience in residential sales, as a decent of a long line of Chicagoans, and as a mother of three boys (all under four), I have learned a few things. I started blogging to bring it all together, and share my insights with an audience who will hopefully find it interesting and perhaps even occasionally inspirational.

In case you don't know me, I thought it might help to tell you a little about what I have accomplished. I've won top awards every year since I started selling real estate in 1994. Despite the recent collapse in the housing market, my 2008 sales of approximately $70 million were up over the prior year. And despite the drop in home values, the average price of homes I sold in 2008 was up 23%. I am the company's top resale agent, I ranked #22 in 2008 among all NRT individual sales associates worldwide, and I have ranked among Chicago's top ten residential agents for the past 12 years.

The way I approach my real estate business reflects my prior training as an investment banker. I run my business like a business, maintaining exceptionally high standards in every area. My clients are my priority, and I offer them the highest level of service, market knowledge, marketing expertise, negotiating savvy, and integrity.

I enjoy public speaking and am often a source for the media. I have been interviewed by numerous magazines and newspapers, appeared on cable and television venues including CNN, and featured on the cover of three real estate magazines.

I have a huge amount of energy, which translates into a full life and a busy schedule. In addition to running my real estate business, I enjoy giving back to the community and to my industry. I am on the Board of Directors of The Lincoln Park Zoo, The Women's Board of The University of Chicago, and a Past President of the Auxiliary Board of The Art Institute of Chicago

I have hosted events bringing top agents together from the Chicago metro area and from North America. I have presented to diverse audiences at Coldwell Banker's International Business Conference and Coldwell Banker's Elite Retreat, and served as a featured speaker at top-producer gatherings in other regions. I am a member of the CKG Mastery Program and The Women's Council of REALTORS, and have a CRS designation.

Commitment and Team Structure

I am supported by a small team of highly trained professionals who share my vision, complement my abilities, and are incentivized to hit team sales goals. With their help, I am better able to leverage my time and focus my efforts on what I do best - marketing strategy and negotiation. My team includes two licensed sales associates, two client care coordinators, and two marketing associates.

From first time home buyers to CEOs to some of the city's finest developers, our customer base is as diverse as the properties we represent. We have extensive experience in the condo, coop, loft, townhouse, single-family home, and new construction markets. Although we have sold homes as far north as Evanston and as far west as Oak Park, we specialize in the city's near north side - primarily the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview. We also assist clients who are moving out of the area by introducing them to our counterparts, similarly qualified agents who can help them find their next home.

We make a significant investment in the properties we sell. Before putting a home on the market, we work with our sellers to optimize the presentation of their home, to identify their target market, to develop a strategic marketing plan, to analytically assess market value, and to personally supervise the preparation of all marketing materials including brochure research and copy writing, floor plan preparation, and photography. Once listed, we offer a comprehensive mix of high quality print and web based advertising venues, as well as email feedback after each showing.

Our buyers benefit from the fact that as a fifth generation Chicagoan, I know the city inside and out. We are respectful of our clients' time and work to strategically target their search. The advice we give is based on our desire to establish a long term relationship and not because we are motivated by the profit generated from a single transaction.

Background

Prior to my career in real estate, I graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in English Literature. After college, I worked as an investment banker and then as a film producer. My hobbies include writing, photography, travel, fly fishing, skiing, and more recently, throwing birthday parties for toddlers.

The highlight of each day is spending time with my three beautiful sons -- Max, Alex and Erik.