Agent Spotlight: Sohail Salahuddin

“The Sohail Strategy,” a term coined by Sohail Salahuddin, defines the successful strategy he himself has developed over the last few years. Sohail’s intent is that these factors allow his entire team to focus entirely on what works, and not what doesn’t! If that doesn’t speak volumes for his work ethic, we’re not sure what would.

Get to know this @properties broker in this week’s Agent Spotlight.

What made you feel most prepared for a career in real estate?
I’ve always been an entrepreneur so I learned how to run a business young. I excelled by learning the basic business principles and applied it to real estate. Since then my business has flourished.

What is your favorite part of working in real estate?
The reward of helping people who are about to give up.

What is one thing you literally could not do your job without and why?
My phone, my team, and my sales skills.

Tell us the craziest thing that has ever happened to you on the job.
I had a listing appointment in the North Shore. During my presentation, the wife was drinking what I thought was coke, but it was actually alcohol. She began slurring her words and her husband got upset. They began fighting and I just put my head down and stared at the table, trying to pretend I wasn’t there. Here’s the kicker: they ended up listing with me, and I sold it.

What is your proudest achievement to date? Professional or personal, or give us both!
My proudest professional achievement is being able to surround myself with an excellent team with an incredible company but at the same time grow my own business. In terms of personal achievements, my proudest is to have an amazing relationship with my stunning wife and 3 beautiful kids. If I were to die and come back to life, I wouldn’t want to change anything about where I am.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to a new real estate agent?
Learn how to be the most effective communicator you can. Communication is KEY!

3 things you always bring with you to a showing and why?
1) Showing notes with property details 2) Brochure – so buyers understand all the positive attributes 3) Notebook and pen so I can ask questions, and note down answers that they give to me.

Who in the industry has made the most impact on your professional journey? Tell us about that.
My business coach. He’s helped me weed through the smoke and mirrors to the simple truth about the industry.

What are 3 words clients would use to describe you? 3 words your family would use?
Disciplined, driven, profession. My family: intense, caring, loving.

If I weren’t a real estate agent, I would be…
A watch broker. I love them.

How do you start each day?
Meditation, exercise, reading, and journaling.

What is the first big-ticket item you bought when you moved into your current home and why?
The houses next door to me.

What is your favorite local restaurant? Why? What is one amazing dish you always order/recommend?
Depot Nuevo in Wilmette, IL. The cheese, steak, and chicken enchiladas are DELICIOUS!

What do you love most about your neighborhood?
I love its location, its school district, the parks, and the ability to get anywhere I need within 20 minutes.

What do you read every single day?
My goals I’ve set for myself over time!

How do you stay involved in your community? Philanthropic ties, volunteering, etc.
My family donates time to the homeless shelter in Evanston. We also support a few different organizations monetarily.

You have a full day free in your town with no obligations and cost is no object. What do you do?
Play golf, spend time with my family, and go shopping at Old Orchard.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
First, date your wife and always pursue her. Second, I don’t own my kids I am there to guide and support. Finally, anything is possible as long as you’re willing to work for it.

If you won the lottery which property would you buy and why?
A home on the beach in Costa Rica.

What do you consider your most defining moment?
Learning that communication is the most important skill and being able to understand people and what they want.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
Time travel. I could go back in time and help people who need it in a positive way.

And finally, what did you eat for breakfast today?
Protein shake. It had oatmeal, spinach, a banana, protein powder, egg whites, and cod liver oil.