The resilience of the real estate market, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, has helped attract newcomers to the industry, Illinois REALTORS® CEO Jeff Baker says in a Crain’s Chicago Business article.

Titled, “In booming housing market, new agents flock to the biz,” the story includes five Chicago-area REALTORS® who started their real estate careers within the last two years. Keki Cannon (@properties, Winnetka), Oscar Toledo (America Real Estate, Chicago), Belle Jessen (Compass, Chicago), Nate Mendes (Berkshire Hathaway HomeService, Chicago) and Marc Kaufman (Baird & Warner, Chicago) explain why they thought real estate was the right fit.

Many of those who consider real estate careers seem to identify with the entrepreneurial spirit. Many REALTORS® work as independent contractors and are responsible for their own success, says Baker.

In addition to the personal revelations of the five real estate professionals, the story also cites increased property sales and membership rates in Illinois.

The 2021 annual report from Illinois REALTORS® noted year-end closed sales for 2021 increased to 11.8 percent statewide, 14.5 percent in the Chicago Metro area and 27.4 percent in the city of Chicago.

The Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®, the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (CAR) and Illinois REALTORS® garnered 2021 membership gains of 8.6 percent, 6.1 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively, when compared to the previous year. In fact, in 2021, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) membership reached 1.5 million for the first time.