REAL ESTATE COUNSELOR

As a former futures trader at Chicago’s Mercantile Exchange and Board of Trade, J Maggio is intimately familiar with the importance of pricing an asset. Today, as a broker with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, he enjoys being a real estate “counselor” for his clients—helping them to understand everything there is to know about the buying and selling process and to feel comfortable with the emotional and financial undertones that go with it. His natural ability to advise and guide people to success over the years, in the best and even in the worst-performing markets, is a testament to the experience, knowledge, and dedication that makes him stand out among his peers.

What would you say is your key to success in this competitive market?
The reality is that our local market in Hinsdale and the surrounding areas are starved for more homes for sale. Buyers are typically competing in multiple offer situations. Being upfront with your clients regarding what it’s going to take to win is key. We all wish we could say, “My buyer got this great deal,” but the wins today are your clients successfully negotiating a contract. Having that same transparency with other brokers fosters relationships and the desire to work together, which puts your clients at an advantage.

What do you consider the biggest challenge in the local real estate market today, and how are you addressing it?
The biggest challenge is there are not enough homes for sale. Buyers come from the city or out of state with an idea of how far their dollar will go, and a lot of times are shocked that it doesn’t come close to what they expected. Setting those expectations upfront and preparing them for what they’ll need to do to be competitive is crucial. On the flip side, when working with sellers, I focus on predictive data and trends for helping create a pricing model that accounts for the appreciating market that we’re in, rather than focusing on the past.

How do you ensure that your personal brand stands out in such a crowded and competitive real estate space?
I find that most broker marketing is the same— boring and unoriginal. I try to have some fun with my advertising and marketing, while keeping it professional. I like to emphasize that when you work with me, you work with me and no one else.

J Maggio is with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate at 30 S. Lincoln Street in Hinsdale. For more information, call 312-450-0012 or visit atproperties.com/agents/3024/j-maggio. You may also follow Maggio on Instagram @thejmaggio.