Shelly Perkowski was always by her dad’s side when she was growing up. A builder, Tom Santefort was a real estate investor and luxury homebuilder who built homes in an around the Western Suburbs. She spent a lot of time with him on the road.

“We were always in the car and in one day we would go to his apartments, mobile home parks and usually a new construction job site as well. That was my childhood, lots of real estate and I loved it!”

When Perkowski graduated college, at her dad’s urging, she went to work for the family business and earned her real estate license. She would go to construction sites to work with vendors, helping choose tiles and cabinetry and other interiors for the homes.

“I liked watching the designs from start to finish. I was fascinated with the building process,” she says. “Eventually, I just felt that I would be better listing and selling his homes, so I started repping all of his projects, including big estate projects, which I loved.”

In the mid-2000s the big city beckoned, and Perkowski moved to Chicago and joined Coldwell Banker as real estate broker. When the recession of 2008 hit, she formed a real estate investment group with her husband, buying and rehabbing distressed properties for resale. But after having children, she headed back to the Western Suburbs with her family. She’s now a Hinsdalebased broker with @properties.

“Although I still love the city and have a great business and network there, I know this community like the back of my hand,” she says. “This is where I grew up and first started selling homes, so it feels great to be back in the ‘burbs and raising my family here.” She adds, “I feel I have a great grasp on what the Hinsdale homeowner is looking for in Chicago and what the Chicago homeowner wants in Hinsdale. So with networks in both locations, I transition these clients accordingly.”

Perkowski’s background as an investor and in the home construction world gives her a distinct advantage when it comes to advising clients. She knows what improvements will increase a home’s value, and she understands the timing of the market, which can sometimes be tricky.

“Sometimes moving isn’t the best option and depending on a client’s needs and budget a kitchen or bathroom renovation could make more sense. I am happy to help my clients consider all their options.” Perkowski says. “Having the relationships that I have with contractors and builders and the knowledge I can give to buyers and sellers is very, very helpful in every transaction I am involved in.”

Community is important to Perkowski and she stays involved by sponsoring community charity events. With three kids of her own, she’s especially supportive of charities and events that support the needs of children.

“I absolutely love connecting people and I love giving back to our community, I just believe that if there’s any way I can help others, that’s what I want to do,” she says.

Shelly Perkowski is with @properties in Hinsdale, 30 S. Lincoln Street, 630-251-7790, shellyperkowski.com.