There are those people who wake up every day to go to a job that doesn’t challenge them or entice them or make them very happy.

But make no mistake—Lake Forest real estate broker Joanna Koperski is not one of those people.

“Real estate is one of those interesting professions driven by a constantly changing landscape,” explains Koperski, an agent with @properties who specializes in North Shore luxury properties. “Each day offers a whole new set of challenges—dealing with and bringing these varied intricacies to a satisfying resolution is the most exciting and rewarding aspect of my job. I simply love it.”

Currently ranked amongst the top five percent of real estate brokers in Illinois, Koperski spends each day working within the Lake Bluff and North Shore areas of the Chicago real estate market. Yet, Lake Forest holds a special place in her heart.

“Living and working in Lake Forest has completely enriched my life,” says Koperski, whose earliest childhood memories were of watching riders exercise their horses in the paddock just west of North Avenue Beach. “When my husband and I decided to move our family to Lake Forest, we purchased the original Wheeler farm house dating from 1900. We now have the best of all worlds—beautiful surroundings, an abundance of nature, convivial neighbors, great cultural and community events, wonderful local shopping both here and in our surrounding towns, entertainment and ease of transportation.”

Educating clients about the community in which she lives is something Koperski takes great pride in, especially when it means sharing information that many don’t realize.

“We are proud to have the lowest property taxes on the North Shore,” says Koperski, who was owner and CEO of a successful advertising and marketing firm before entering the world of real estate. “A drive through Lake Forest’s winding streets reveals a town intensely conscious of its historical roots, presenting perfectly manicured properties ranging from magnificent country estates through homes of every conceivable size.”

It’s this kind of intimate info that Koperski says her clients simply cannot find by using the common real estate search engines currently out there.

“Each property is unique, and only a real estate agent possesses access to the proprietary search engines to accurately position a specific property in the market,” says Koperski, who is also a member of the Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce, the Lake Forest Historical Preservation Foundation and the Lake Forest International Club. “Both buyers and sellers would be well-advised to enlist the help of a reputable realtor to guide them through this morass of information available online.”

And no matter what some might say, it’s a great time to get into the real estate market.

“Though the current consensus seems to trend to a softer market, buttressed by the prognosed future interest hikes, politics, and changes in preferences, historically the real estate market has survived it all,” she says. “In truth, there is a buyer for every house. My goal as agent is to manage that experience as seamlessly as possible. So, don’t be afraid to jump into the market, enjoy the process, and best of luck on your new adventure!”

Joanna Koperski is with @properties, 600 N. Western Avenue in Lake Forest, 847-668-0096, atproperties.com.