Cynthia Tobin has real estate in her blood.

“I’m Greek, so it’s not unusual to have real estate in the genes!” she jokes.

Her grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles have all owned rental property, and she purchased her first condo in the mid-90s—one she still rents out today.

“My grandfather came from Greece at 15 years old in 1913. He started in the restaurant business, of course, then began building spec homes in the Chicago area in the 1940s and 1950s. More recently, my lovely mother is a retired realtor who worked in Lake Forest for many years.”

After graduating from Notre Dame, Cynthia worked on the bond sales desk at JP Morgan, where she really enjoyed building strong relationships with clients. She loved the hectic flow of the trading floor, but especially analyzing the various bonds and recognizing great value, then advising clients.

This service approach, analytical background, and family history made the transition to real estate easy.

“Many of the characteristics used in capital markets are the same in real estate,” she stated. “I work to recognize the value in a property, and position my clients to succeed.”

This is a key tenet in her approach. “My focus is not to be the biggest broker in the area, but to provide clients with the best service. More like an Apple computer and less like a PC. I have a comprehensive understanding of the area and the dynamics of the market. I work very hard to make sure my clients feel they receive the best advice and service level possible—it’s the only approach I know.”

Tobin and her husband moved from the city when their oldest child was 2 years old. After considering Wilmette and Winnetka, they fell in love with Lake Forest recognizing the value here.

“I am very excited when I work with clients who are moving here from out of the area. I am like a first-time tour guide, pointing out all that we have to offer,” Tobin says. “We have two great beaches, Market Square, insane Lake Bluff July 4th parade and Halloween trick or treating, being a short walk to town and the beach from the East Lake Bluff neighborhood.”

She laughs that she repeats these phrases over and over to different clients, but at each delivery it is with the same sincere enthusiasm.

There is no doubt that Tobin loves what she does, but don’t take her word for it. See the testimonials that her clients have written.

“Our deepest gratitude to Cynthia Poulakidas Tobin—she has been an amazing realtor to work with and went above and beyond,” writes one. “It doesn’t hurt that she’s also a great human being.”

More testimonials can be found on her At properties website.

Cynthia Tobin is with @Properties, 600 N. Western Avenue in Lake Forest, 312-286-4365 or 847-295-0700, atproperties.com/agents/CynthiaTobin or [email protected].