Agent Spotlight: Carrie McCormick
It didn’t take much time for Carrie McCormick to discover her passion for real estate. Purchasing a starter home at the age of 18 and flipping it 2 years later was all it took to spark Carrie’s interest in the industry.
With nearly 20 years of experience under her belt, including 8 years with @properties, this Roscoe Village resident knows the value she brings to the table.
We recently caught up with Carrie to learn more about her background and her advice for a new real estate agent.
At Home with Carrie McCormick
@properties: How do you start each day?
Carrie: I start each day with breakfast with my kids. They wake up with such a great outlook on the day which provides me with the energy to make each day great.
@properties: Describe your own first home.
Carrie: I purchased my first home when I was 18 years old. I was going to school and thought to myself…why would I rent when I can buy a home and have a roommate that helps me pay my mortgage?
I had $3,000 which I put down on a two-bedroom condo. I fixed it up over the two years that I lived there and sold it for a nice profit. This is what started the real estate bug for me.
At Play with Carrie McCormick
@properties: What is your favorite local restaurant?
Carrie: Sal’s Trattoria. It has a small intimate atmosphere and makes you feel right at home. The Burrata is simply amazing and my favorite dishes are either the Spaghetti and Meatballs or the Chicken Parm – too hard to decide. Love this restaurant.
@properties: How do you stay involved in your community?
Carrie: I love to support many local small businesses, and sometimes I just stop in and say hello. I also do my best to support my clients’ professions and their passions. When my clients have a cause that is close to their hearts, I will always extend my assistance to help in any way that I can.
At Work with Carrie McCormick
@properties: How did you decide that real estate was the right career for you?
Carrie: Walking through the West Loop in 1999, I stumbled upon a sales trailer for a development. I walked in and asked why a trailer was sitting in the middle of a vacant lot. The gentleman responded, “we are building a residential building here, do you want a job helping us sell?” That day I signed up for my real estate classes.
I was licensed within 2 weeks and helped sell out one of the first developments in the West Loop way back in 1999!
@properties: How did your previous work experience prepare you for real estate?
Carrie: I worked in advertising sales for E*TRADE. I had to have a strong eye for the details and good communication skills. I provided world-class client support to each and every client, no matter how large or small the account was.
Early on I learned to take an ownership role in building my clients’ businesses, introducing fresh, new strategies and cross-marketing. I find this skill set is critical every day in real estate.
I have a creative mind and this benefits my clients with out-of-the-box marketing ideas. I also have a love for design, which provides an additional service to my sellers in that I can assist with staging to make sure the home is perfect.
@properties: What is your favorite part of the job?
Carrie: I love meeting new people every day and learning about their real estate goals. Each client has a different story. I make sure that I am a trusted advisor to them and make sure they have the perfect transaction.
@properties: What is one thing you literally could not do your job without and why?
Carrie: My phone! My business revolves around my contacts and my calendar. I back up everything each night and sometimes print out my phonebook just in case!
@properties: What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Carrie: Never stop building meaningful relationships with customers and other people in your industry. Choosing to view competitors as potential partners and collaborators can positively impact your business in a big way.
@properties: What is one piece of advice you’d give to a new real estate agent?
Carrie: Be authentic and be your own brand ambassador. Know your value and prove it every day!
