Agent Spotlight: Sonia Rizki

We’d love nothing more than to be adopted by Sonia Rizki. A homemaker at heart, she puts her supermom skills to work every day in order to dominate the real estate industry.

Get to know this sushi loving, down-to-earth, passionate momma in this week’s @properties Agent Spotlight!

How did you land in a real estate career?
In my heart, I’m a homemaker and love meeting and working with other people. Real estate seemed a natural fit for me as I get to help people find their perfect home.

What were you doing before real estate and how did it prep you for this role?
Previously, I worked in Corporate America in consumer research. I feel my experience there has helped me to study the trends in real estate and develop data-driven perspectives on home values. Combining that quantitative approach with the qualitative elements of understanding what clients want when looking for a home, allows me to help them make better decisions about the real estate needs.

What is your favorite part of working in real estate?
Meeting new people and hearing all about the lovely memories they have made in their current home and planning to make in their new home.

What do you read every single day?
My emails! – I usually always read the Tribune too.

3 things you always bring with you to a showing and why?
1. Phone – For the GPS, Sentrilock codes, to at times to use as a flashlight
2. Listing Sheet – to give the clients stats about the property
3. My personal notepad – to jot down next steps

What is one thing you literally could not do your job without and why?
My phone. As my husband says, I’m totally directionally challenged – need it for the GPS beyond just communications.

Who in the industry has made the most impact on your professional journey? 
I think the majority of the agents at my office have been very helpful and given me amazing advice when I needed it. I love our office administration staff too for they are always there to answer my questions and help me develop materials for client tours

If I weren’t a real estate agent, I would be…
I would be a stay at home mom and would do real estate investments on the side.

How do you start each day?
With a cup of coffee that my husband makes for me every day!

Describe your own first home.
A sun-kissed west loop loft that’s a true gem in the city. I have so many beautiful memories of my first home. In fact, I still own it as an investment property.

What is the first big-ticket item you bought when you moved into your current home and why?
My wonderful king-sized bed! Because every beauty needs a good night’s sleep.

What is your favorite local restaurant?
Mozu Sushi & Izakaya – Love, LOVE all their food. Best sushi in the burbs. I always order their Hawaiian Salmon and Ocean Drive maki rolls, but I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve ever ordered.

What do you love most about your neighborhood?
Parks, local restaurants, farmers market, SCHOOLS – what’s not to love about Northbrook.

How do you stay involved in your community? 
I’m very actively involved in my children’s school district activities – from heading PTO events and fundraisers, to volunteering at Boys Scout events. Parkinson’s Foundation and Cook County Stroger Hospital’s NIC units (the Tiniest Listings) are near and dear charities to my heart. Beyond that, I am a member of Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, a group that promotes interfaith dialogue and understanding between women of 2 different faiths.

You have a full day free in your town with no obligations and cost is no object. What do you do?
Spend quality time with my husband and kids at any one of the amazing museums in Chicago. Our family’s all-time favorite is the Museum of Science and Industry, where the interactive exhibits allow the kids to learn about the wonders of science. Cap that off with a cruise on the lake and dinner in Chinatown.

What is your proudest achievement to date? 
My family – They are my driving force and I’m always proud of them.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
The grass is never greener on the other side, its just different shade of green.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to a new real estate agent?
Be patient and responsible. Make a plan and hold yourself accountable to it.

Tell us the craziest thing that has ever happened to you on the job.
Walked into a house with a skunk in the master bathroom – YUCK !!

If you won the lottery what type of property would you buy?
A lakefront villa in Glencoe off Sheridan drive, which is the most scenic area in the Northshore and a penthouse condo in any one of the new high rises coming up in Chicago downtown for the weekend.

What are 3 words clients would use to describe you? 
Passionate, Personable, Knowledgeable

3 words your family would use?
Caring, Persistent, Wonderful

What was one of your most defining moments?
When I became a mom for the first time and held my angel son. And then again four years later when holding my princess.

What did you eat for breakfast today?
Good, old-fashioned Quaker Oatmeal.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
Super Strength!! That would allow me to do sooo much more!