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Passionate about real estate, ANNIKA VALDISERRI of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate is truly a client’s best friend. “This is my 18th year working as a broker,” explains Valdiserri, who came to Chicago from Sweden at age 22. “I started here with the Hyatt hotels and they promoted me to Regency Productions, where I found the love for marketing and sales.” Selling large sporting events taught her valuable lessons about people and the service industry—skills that paved the way for a successful real estate career. For the last 10 years, she has been ranked among the top 1 percent of brokers in her area. Hardworking, dedicated, and resourceful, Valdiserri has earned her clients’ trust, friendship, and respect with real estate expertise that defines results in the marketplace.
What excites you most about the future of your industry? We are moving towards more video and AI. It’s exciting to see the shift. For the seller and buyer this means even more targeted marketing that benefits both sides.
What’s a trend you’re embracing—or challenging? I love that we are seeing more of the natural woods. I embrace the trend of investing in true workmanship by spending money on natural stones and woods. The trend I find challenging is all the color, on everything from appliances to cabinetry. Maybe it’s my background coming from Sweden, but I always believe in using fewer trend-setting colors and staying true to the staying power of the classics.
How do you maintain balance between your professional and personal life? It’s hard to do because as a broker, your job is a lifestyle. When I work with a buyer or seller, they often talk to me more than their friends and family. When I travel with family, long weekends are the best! This way we get family time to all recharge and spend time together.
How do you define confidence—and how have you built it? Confidence comes with experience and is built by honesty and hard work. In this business no deal is ever the same. We get hit by curveballs on a daily basis. The more knowledge you have, the more confidence you can show to clients and colleagues.
For more information, visit annikav.com. You may also follow her on Instagram @annikavaldo or on LinkedIn at annika-valdiserri-4488615.
