Agent Spotlight: Olin Eargle

Whether taking a tour of Wrigley Field, selling a million-dollar home, running a race with his husband, working on the latest @gives back event, or walking in Chicago’s Pride Parade as a board member for the Illinois LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Olin Eargle keeps busy.

While we don’t fully understand how he juggles it all, one thing’s for sure; the streets of Chicago are significantly better off with Olin Eargle strutting down them.

At Work With Olin Eargle

@properties: How did you land in a real estate career?
Olin: I started my career as a leasing agent in NC, then worked as an RA in college and leasing during the summer. After landing in Chicago, I continued leasing until I received my Brokers license.

@: How did what you were doing before real estate prepare you for your current role?
Olin: My first job in Chicago was working for Oprah at Harpo Studios. I was the executive assistant to the Director of Media Relations. In this position, I became an expert at dealing in high-pressure situations and gained a unique skill set including savvy negotiating, strong communication and the art of ultimate professionalism.

@: What is your favorite part of working in real estate?
Olin: Seeing the joy on someone’s face when they find “the” home they’ve been looking for. I love knowing I listened to them, and actually heard them, to help them find exactly what they were looking for.

@: What is one thing you literally could not do your job without and why?
Olin: My “oPhone”. I live by it, with it, and through it. For texting, calls, emails, checking MLS, writing reviews, Sentrilock, photos at inspections, I mean literally everything. I lost it one day and felt naked.

@: What is your proudest achievement to date? 
Olin: I’ve met my goal every year and I’ve been very lucky in my career thus far. I just received the Rolex Award from @properties and had a fantastic year. Outside of real estate, I watched myself on the big screen at the premiere party of a movie I acted in in 2013!

@: What is one piece of advice you’d give to a new real estate agent?
Olin: Don’t expect anything to happen overnight, or even over a couple months for that matter. Put in your time. Do your due diligence. Make connections and stay in touch with people and it will come back to you.

@: If I weren’t a real estate agent, I would be…
Olin: On Broadway.

At Home With Olin Eargle

@: How do you start each day?
Olin: Push-ups before I get in the shower. Every day.

@: Describe your own first home.
Olin: My first condo was a small 2 bed 1 bath in Uptown with my boyfriend, across from the cemetery. It was completely updated and was the perfect “first” place for us.

@: What is the first big-ticket item you bought when you moved into your current home?
Olin: A new kitchen. I bought my current home with the understanding that I could make it better in time. We have completely redone the kitchen, gotten new sliding doors and a new water heater, AC and patio – and we’re starting on the bathrooms soon. I now have almost $60K in additional equity from when I purchased.

At Play With Olin Eargle

@: What is your favorite local restaurant?
Olin: Ranalli’s Pizza in Andersonville. Their GF thick crust is to die for. And I’m not even gluten-free… I just love it.

@: What do you love most about your neighborhood?
Olin: The walkability and the offerings. A-Ville is such a unique neighborhood, we can walk to anything we want.

@: How do you stay involved in your community? 
Olin: I am on the @gives back executive board through @, giving back to our city and community through partnerships and fundraising. I am also on the Board of Directors for the Illinois LGBT Chamber of Commerce, providing assistance to LGBT small businesses and business owners.

@: You have a full day free in your town with no obligations and cost is no object. What do you do?
Olin: I’d spend the morning at the beach with my dog, then the afternoon on a boat on Lake Michigan enjoying the summer sun. And then drinks at ABC in Andersonville to cap off the evening with my best friends.

@: Tell us the craziest thing that has ever happened to you on the job.
Olin: I walked in on two renters doing the horizontal mambo (they didn’t abide by the notice their landlord gave them.)

@: What are 3 words clients would use to describe you?
Olin: Understanding. Observant. Reliable.