The Good Life
By Tricia Despres
By Tricia Despres
We’ve all the heard the expressions about how life is short, and we need to appreciate every moment. Good advice, for sure, but many of us have a hard time following it. Lake Forest real estate agent Joanna Koperski is the exception.
“Every single day is a gift, presenting a wealth of new experiences and opportunities, and the real estate profession through its very nature reflects this,” explains Koperski, an agent with @properties. “Each client and each transaction is unique and fascinating, requiring individual approaches and solutions. The ability to problem-solve is key, as situations fluctuate and constantly change. Experience, compassion, and objectivity also play a major role, along with a healthy dose of optimism.”
As the former CEO of a successful advertising and marketing firm, Koperski says that her transition into the real estate world was somewhat natural. She was already at ease—bringing her prior business, marketing, and advertising experience directly to her new clients.
“The essence of real estate—architecture and interior design—has always been a passion of mine,” she says. “In my prior position, I had the unique opportunity to be involved with developers and builders, so I brought that knowledge to the forefront in my new career.”
Ranking amongst the top five percent of real estate brokers in Illinois, Koperski says that it’s this business sense that is undoubtedly helping her serve her clients in a real estate market that continues to change with every passing day.
“As far as the North Shore is concerned, we show less inventory by 10.9 percent over last year, with closed sales showing better than the city, actually improving by almost 4.3 percent,” she explains. “The stats for Lake Forest, however, are most encouraging. Our median prices have risen by 6.8 percent, with inventory reduced by 7.8 percent, closed sales increasing by 17.1 percent. Though market times are slightly elevated by 13.2 percent. It is, in short, a great time to enter the market.”
Of course, Koperski says it helps to have first-hand knowledge of the market she both works and resides in.
“Familiarity with this lovely town, its neighbors, its residents, and individual properties—along with an intimate understanding of the various subdivisions and market turnover—are all remarkable assets for my clients when assisting them in assessing the value of their property against their direct competition,” she explains. “As a resident, this close understanding proves to be undeniable leverage against out-of-town agents, whose limited assessment of our area often results in misinterpretation and misinformation for their clients.”
Indeed, Koperski says this misinformation is something she constantly battles against, as she works to provide her clients the most truthful look at the market.
“Much of the online information out there is incomplete and often inaccurate in its interpretation of value and trends,” remarks Koperski. “Bearing in mind that we have access to multiple proprietary sources of data unavailable to the public, it’s highly recommended that buyers seriously consider the analyses and opinions of their realtors over that which they find on the internet.”
Clearing these common misconceptions up is one of the many exhilarating and fulfilling parts of her profession, and it’s this exhilaration that she thrives on within every aspect of her life.
“Every moment is in itself a reward,” she says. “My aspiration is to continue to broaden my horizons, taking advantage of every new opportunity—all of this ultimately benefiting those with whom I’m in contact. Life is great!”
Joanna Koperski is with @properties, 600 N. Western Avenue in Lake Forest, 847-668-0096, atproperties.com.
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