In front of one of the developments I’m a part of

Why I want to help the Leasing Industry

When I started my career in Real Estate it actually happened by chance. I went to Michigan State to become a Veterinarian and at the last minute, after finishing a full Pre Vet Degree, I decided the Veterinary life style was not for me. Maybe I stuck for so long because I love animals or maybe it was because at MSU the Veterinary classes are 1 guy for 7 girls? However at the end of the day I dropped my path for Veterinary glory and chose to finish with a Finance Degree. Given that I am not too good with numbers and don’t really work well sitting for too long, a job in the Finance world was not looking like the smart choice for life long happiness. So as a Senior with only two weeks left before I graduated I had no idea what I wanted to do.

Around that time I got in touch with a real estate company that was hiring in Chicago. I decided to interview, got the gig and as quickly as my College days came to an end I picked up and moved to the Windy City. I had zero experience with Real Estate, my family had no history in Real Estate and this was going to be my third time in Chicago outside of a trip with my family when I was 8 and a New Year expedition with my buddies for a New Years Party extravaganza. So my knowledge of this city was close to zero. Looking back at the way my cards stacked up actually makes me realize I had a very unique welcoming to the Real Estate world. I had zero expectations, knew nothing about the city I was about to begin working in and no connections.

The first six months were brutal outside of learning the intricacies of the Real Estate game I had to figure out the lay out of the city with all of her one ways and 6 point intersections. I still have nightmares of my clients screaming as I turned into oncoming traffic thinking the one way was a regular street. Trust in your fellow REALTOR! I learned my ways and got my feet planted strong. I fell in love with Chicago and decided to make Real Estate my life long career. I started in Real Estate January 2008, not the most opportune time to say the least. However as luck would have it the company I was working at focused primarily on Chicago’s booming rental market. When people tell you those years were some of the worst they have ever experienced in Real Estate, I had some of my best. Its simple when people are not buying they are renting. And Chicago having the second largest rental market in the country business was good!

As I continued to climb the ranks in the leasing field I became more receptive to everyone involved. From the agents to the leasing professionals in the apartment complexes to the renters. I kept my ear to the ground and listened/observed what was going on. With the rise of popularity and opportunity in the leasing field has come a tidal wave of concern. Unprofessional conduct, lack of care and illegal practices in the leasing industry have been present and constantly on a path of acceleration. With the rental market in Chicago this summer poised to be one of the most active in recent history I fear this is a volcano that is about to explode.

The opportunity will be tremendous for all real estate agents that are ready. We have to remember the importance of care behind what we do. In my speeches on the issues concerning the leasing industry I have come to realize that many real estate agents just don’t know much about leasing. The intricacies on what to do when representing a landlord or how to really listen to a rental client. However there are not many avenues to go to get questions answered and discuss particular issues.

My idea is to create a public space to discuss best practices and answer questions you might be having. I was honored with a National 30 under 30 REALTOR title by the National Association of REALTORS in 2012 for my work in the leasing field. I am not saying this to boast but to give you confidence in me.

I will put out posts on topics I see relevant to this topic. Come and read/share/comment and lets create a community of care and trust so we can succeed together. There is enough business to go around however I want to make sure it will stay this way for a long time. If we allow the leasing industry to keep corrupting itself we will soon lose the consumers trust. I won’t let it happen and I hope you will join me.

If you have any questions in particular about leasing please reach out to me at gpekarsky@vestapreferred.com. If I can’t answer it I will find someone that will.

Cheers to 2013, let’s make this the best year yet!

Greg
Managing Principle/ Vesta Preferred, LLC