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Linda Shaughnessy Luxury Realtor

Linda Shaughnessy Luxury Real Estate Agentluxury real estate agent with Jameson sotheby's international realty aPPreciates the imPortance of going the extra mile

by Megy Karydes ~ Luxury  Home Quarterly

In the past two decades, Linda Shaughnessy, a luxury Chicago realtor, revolutionized how luxe properties were marketed, started the first in-house marketing department of a Chicago real estate company, and is personally involved in each of her property showings. As you listen to Shaughnessy, a luxury real estate broker and senior vice president  with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, you realize that she truly loves her work, and that passion is what has made her one of the most respected agents in Chicago.

Shaughnessy didn’t set out to become a real estate agent. Her career began in merchandising and buying in New York, and she came to Chicago with plans to open up a store. When those plans hit a snag, she decided to change pace and enroll in real estate school. It was there that she found her calling.

Without a network in Chicago, Shaughnessy hit the ground running. “I knew no one in Chicago, and I think that not having that security or social network proved to be an advantage,” Shaughnessy says. “ You become complacent when you expect friends to remember you when listing their home. I think in any business, but especially sales, you can't be too comfortable.”

After three years of selling real estate successfully, Shaughnessy’s tenacity caught the eye of Jules Marling, the chairman of Sudler Marling, a boutique Gold Coast brokerage and property management company.  He hired her as senior vice president to oversee the management of the company's three residential sales offices and charged her with the responsibility of engaging real estate agents to become more involved in their own marketing, as Shaughnessy had been doing. Additionally, she started the first in-house marketing department of a Chicago real-estate company. “I designed the first luxury marketing program, using photographs in advertising for high-end listings, and glossy marketing brochures and materials,” she says. She stayed in management until 1995, when the nudge to return to full-time sales was too strong to resist.

In this digital age, the first visit to a property is online, and Shaughnessy does whatever is necessary to be sure that her listings make the best first impression. Her team of professionals share a commitment to excellence and enjoy collaborating to create a beautiful and unique print and digital marketing plan appropriate for each property.

Shaughnessy feels very lucky to have found her “bliss,” as she calls it. And although she’s been on call for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for more than two decades, she doesn’t consider what she does as “work.”

“Real estate friends tease me because I don't even mind the paperwork, but if I had my retail store, I wouldn't complain if I had to clean the shelves,” she says. “I keep my listings and number of buyers manageable so I can personally service my clients with the attention they deserve."

 

Q&A with Linda Shaughnessy

LHQ: What advice would you have for those interested in entering this field?

LS:  We all approach the business differently and are successful for many different reasons. Some expand their business with teams, others benefit from a strong social network. Most important, be true to yourself and don't try to copy someone else's style. If you don't like managing people, don't feel compelled to build a team because you think that's a quick path to success; find your personal niche. But this is true for all who last and succeed: hard work, long hours, resilience, tenacity, and flexibility.

LHQ: Who were your mentors growing up?

LS:  I have only worked in industries dominated by women. My first job was in the fashion industry, and many corner offices were occupied by women, and now real estate. Rather than mentors, I'd say a few of my female bosses were inspirational.  I have never known the frustration and limitations of a glass ceiling.

LHQ: Outside of a big sale, what recent success are you proud of?

LS: My online marketing caught the eye of Ilaria Barion, a professional stager in Manhattan, who was writing a book entitled Set the Stage for a Sale. Ilaria chose me from the Wall Street Journal’s top 200 agents to be interviewed for her book.

Linda Shaughnessy Luxury Realtor
Linda Shaughnessy is a top producing real estate agent who sells luxury properties in Chicago’s Gold Coast

Real estate

In the past two decades, Linda Shaughnessy has revolutionized how luxury properties are marketed, has started the first in-house marketing department of a Chicago real estate company, and is personally involved in each of her property showings. As you listen to Shaughnessy, a luxury real estate broker and senior vice president with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, you realize that she truly loves her work, and that passion is what has made her one of the most respected agents in Chicago. Shaughnessy didn’t set out to become a real estate agent. Her career began in merchandising and buying in New York, and she came to Chicago with plans to open up a store. When those plans hit a snag, she decided to change pace and enroll in real estate school. It was there that she found her calling. Without a network in Chicago, Shaughnessy hit the ground running. “I knew no one in Chicago, and I think that not having that security or social network proved to be an advantage,” Shaughnessy says. “ You become complacent when you expect friends to remember you when listing their home. I think in any business, but especially sales, you can't be too comfortable.” After three years of selling real estate successfully, Shaughnessy’s tenacity caught the eye of Jules Marling, the chairman of Sudler Marling, a boutique Gold Coast brokerage and property management company. He hired her as senior vice president to oversee the management of the company's three residential sales offices and charged her with the responsibility of engaging real estate agents to become more involved in their own marketing, as Shaughnessy had been doing. Additionally, she started the first in-house marketing department of a Chicago real-estate company. “I designed the first luxury marketing program, using photographs in advertising for high-end listings, and glossy marketing brochures and materials,” she says. She stayed in management until 1995, when the nudge to return to full-time sales was too strong to resist. Shaughnessy knows that success is about managing the details. “I select the photographer, edit the copy, if necessary, hire a professional to virtually stage the rooms, oversee the design of the brochure, and plan the advertising. This gives me an edge when speaking with prospective sellers, as I am able to present a custom marketing plan specific to their property. An estate sale cannot be marketed in the same way as a high-end luxury listing. Sellers appreciate my knowledge and personal commitment.” Shaughnessy realizes, too, that working hard for her clients is her best marketing tool. Shaughnessy feels very lucky to have found her “bliss,” as she calls it. And although she’s been on call for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for more than two decades, she doesn’t consider what she does as “work.” “Real estate friends tease me because I don't even mind the paperwork, but if I had my retail store, I wouldn't complain if I had to clean the shelves,” she says. “I keep my listings and number of buyers manageable so I can personally service my clients with the attention they deserve."