Chicago Agent Magazine

06/04/2025

Recognized for his patience, adaptability and meticulous attention to detail, Sami Barakat held a successful banking career for over a decade before seamlessly transitioning into real estate and excelling in mortgage financing. For the past seven years, Barakat has cultivated a loyal client base by treating everyone like family. “I am committed to simplifying the homebuying process and alleviating client stress,” he says. “I am with my clients every step of the way to ensure an outstanding experience.”

A home lending advisor with Chase, Barakat has been recognized with numerous prestigious accolades, including Chase’s National Achiever Award in 2020 and top performer titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He also received the One JPMorganChase Award for exemplifying a winning culture and delivering exceptional client service.

Sami Barakat, Home Lending Advisor
Chase

  Recognized for his patience, adaptability and meticulous attention to detail, Sami Barakat held...

06/04/2025

U.S. home prices continued to rise in March, but the pace of their increase slowed from previous readings, S&P Dow Jones Indices said.

Specifically, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index rose 3.4%, a slight decrease from the 4% annual gain measured in February. Month over month, the index rose 0.8%.

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index rose 3.4% in March, a slight decrease from February's 4% annual gain.

06/04/2025

With a background rooted in athletics, Jill Clark brings her competitive spirit to the buying and selling of homes, embodying Michael Jordan’s philosophy of finding what you love and excelling at it. The award-winning broker and principal at Jill Clark Homes sets high goals for herself — and she achieves them with remarkable finesse.

After a successful, two-decade career in fashion and beauty, Clark sought an entrepreneurial venture and found her calling in real estate. Her exceptional track record speaks for itself: Clark ranks among the top 1% of Naperville agents and has achieved one of the highest average sales in town. Her transition to COMPASS, the fastest-growing tech real estate company in the nation, further solidifies her position as a formidable force in the industry.

Jill Clark, Real Estate Agent
Jill Clark at Compass REAL Estate, Compass

With a background rooted in athletics, Jill Clark brings her competitive spirit to the...

06/03/2025

Chicago Housing Scorecard: Starts and inventory are up.

Check out the latest market data here:
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2025/05/30/chicago-housing-trends/

Chicago’s housing inventory is on the rise, thanks in part to a boost in new-home construction in the market.

06/03/2025

With aspirations to become a lawyer, Eva Pawlus chose to study finance, a natural decision as her mother was a math teacher. “Since I wanted to go into law and present arguments for clients and I had math in my blood, I ended up doing both in lending,” Pawlus shares. “Now I present arguments for my clients in front of underwriters instead of a jury.”

Purchasing her first condo at age 24 when she worked as a processor, she learned so much during her own transaction that she wanted to help other homebuyers by becoming a loan officer. “I may not be saving lives but I’m a part of the biggest purchase in people’s lives,” she points out. “There is a lot of happiness that comes with homeownership.”

Eva Pawlus, Loan Officer
Wintrust Mortgage

With aspirations to become a lawyer, Eva Pawlus chose to study finance, a natural...

06/03/2025

Keller Williams Realty, LLC has partnered with Canva, a design platform used to create graphics for social media, presentations and more, to provide KW-affiliated agents with enhanced access to marketing tools to grow their business. The rollout is expected in the third quarter.

Find key features of this partnership here: https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2025/06/02/keller-williams-canva-partnership/

Keller Williams has partnered with Canva to provide KW-affiliated agents with enhanced access to marketing tools to grow their business.

06/03/2025

The latest May Market Update is in! Swipe through to check out the housing stats from last month 📊

06/03/2025

ACT NOW to stop a 600% property transfer tax increase that will hit a huge portion of Illinois families if it passes the Illinois General Assembly.

More information on this Oppose HB3438, Senate Amendment 2:
https://nar-il.action.aristotle.com/preview/alert/d5b33a2d-8df2-4148-ba3b-ea0ca0e4cab4?v=4&type=modernactioncenter&indId=f3f0874e-fbd6-4c7d-bc2f-fda5d000b9ff

06/02/2025

The National Association of REALTORS® is bringing on two communications professionals with messaging experience in the nation’s capital, effective May 31.

Bennett Richardson, the former general manager and global head of public affairs at Semafor, was named senior vice president of marketing and communications, and Raffi Williams, a former vice president at the Managed Funds Association, is NAR’s new vice president of communications.

The National Association of REALTORS® is bringing on two communications professionals with messaging experience in the nation's capital.

06/02/2025

Our latest June issue is hot off the press and now live on our website!

Discover the integration of technology that has become a pivotal force reshaping how professionals operate and engage with clients.
This month's cover features Rebecca Thomson of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC sharing the impact of REACH tech start ups that work for agents.

Other contributors of this issue include perspectives from Illinois Realtors President Tommy Choi, advice from top coach Jason Posnick of Lamacchia Realty and more!

Find all new features and articles here: https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/our-current-issue/investing-in-real-estate-innovation/

Copyright © 2025 Chicago Agent magazine. An Agent Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

06/02/2025

Sharon Dolezal has navigated a variety of markets throughout her 36 years selling real estate, experience that gives her a competitive edge. Dolezal, team lead of The Sharon Dolezal Team, COMPASS, is an expert in the communities she sells. Her knowledge helps clients choose the right communities to call home in the Greater Chicago area.

She was born on the North side of Chicago and has lived in Glenview throughout her career. “I studied real estate and became licensed while pregnant,” she recalls. “Little did I know that I would become a single mom within two years of having a baby. I am forever grateful for my decision to get my license and pursue a career in real estate. It is my passion.”

Sharon Dolezal Real Estate Broker/Consultant Compass, Team Lead
The Sharon Dolezal Team, Compass

  Sharon Dolezal has navigated a variety of markets throughout her 36 years selling...

06/01/2025

With a dynamic career trajectory that began in the field of speech therapy and progressed to the strategic landscape of mortgage lending, Mary Gill brings a unique blend of empathy, communication skills and financial knowledge to her role as a loan officer. Gill’s ability to listen attentively, understand diverse perspectives and communicate effectively to facilitate positive outcomes has laid the groundwork for her success in the financial sector.

Driven by a passion for empowering individuals to achieve their goals, Gill leveraged her background in understanding human behavior and fostering rapport to excel swiftly in the competitive landscape of lending.

Mary Gill, Loan Officer
Key Mortgage Services, Inc. NMLS # 155748

With a dynamic career trajectory that began in the field of speech therapy and...