Agent Spotlight: Jim Luby

For some, embarking on a career in real estate is an adventure.

For Jim Luby, real estate is a family affair.

“My mom has been in the business since I was in fourth grade, so I guess it’s in my blood,” said Jim, whose spent two years working for a tech consulting firm before taking his real estate licensing exam in 2000 and eventually, joining The Luby Group in Barrington.

“I really enjoy working with people and helping them through the home buying and selling process, solving problems, and helping to make their goals become a reality,” said Jim, who joined @properties three years ago. “It is certainly not an easy business, but it is fulfilling when you can successfully help a client navigate the real estate market.”

We chatted with Jim to learn more about how the father of five and Crossfit enthusiast stays balanced and gets the job done.

At home with Jim Luby

@properties: How do you start each day?
Jim: My wife Kelly and I have five kids, ages three to 11, so my morning is usually somewhat of a fire drill, trying to make sure they’re up, dressed, fed, have their backpacks ready, and make it out the door in time to catch the bus. In ten years I might have a better answer to this question!

@properties: What do you love most about living in Hawthorn Woods?
Jim: Our neighborhood is a fabulous place to raise a family. In fact, Hawthorn Woods was recently named the “safest town in Illinois.”

There are lots of other kids on our block and great people. We live on one acre, so there’s plenty of room for the kids to roam, and neighborhood ponds for them to explore. There are terrific park district programs, all kinds of youth sport programs, and great schools. Since we moved here in 2011, we have been impressed by the friendliness of the people in our community and their willingness to lookout for one another.

At play with Jim Luby

@properties: You have a full day free in your town with no obligations and cost is no object. What do you do?
Jim: I’d grab a cup of coffee at my local Starbucks and then head over to Lykos Crossift for an 8:30 a.m. class. I’d have lunch with my wife Kelly. One of my favorite restaurants is Shakou in Barrington, a regular lunch spot of mine. They have a beautiful rooftop deck (open in the summer months) and a great menu.

If it’s a summer day, maybe we’d make the 45-minute drive to Lake Geneva with the kids and rent a ski boat for the afternoon. In the winter, we might take them to Wilmot for an afternoon of skiing.

@properties: How do you stay involved in your community?
Jim: The Luby Group just announced a partnership with Let It Be Us. We will give back a portion of every dollar earned to the local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children in the Illinois foster care system.

We are in the business of helping families find homes and we hope that in some small way, this new partnership will help children in Illinois foster care find their forever homes.

At work with Jim Luby

@properties: What is one thing you could not do your job without and why?
Jim: I bring my laptop everywhere.

It’s mobile, and I use it all the time.

I need it for the obvious things like online access and email, but more importantly I need it to do market research, create spreadsheets, word docs, manage our website and tech tools, create marketing content and of course, connect with my clients through email and social media.

@properties: What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Jim: My mom used to say that I should “do what it takes to get the job done.”

This advice often rattles through my head.

My interpretation of this advice: be creative, find a solution, persevere, don’t procrastinate, don’t give up, and get it done.

@properties: What is one piece of advice you’d give to a new real estate agent?
Jim: This is not a quick and easy career. It takes time to learn the business, become an expert, and build your clientele.

Think of activities you can do each day to move the ball a bit further down the field. Study the market, walk through as many homes as possible, start meeting new people in your community, and always be a professional.

To connect with Jim, visit The Luby Group website, Facebook or LinkedIn.