JANE ZHANG

Trust serves as the cornerstone of thriving business relationships—a principle firmly embraced by Jane Zhang towards her real estate clientele. As a distinguished member of the esteemed Jane Lee Team at RE/MAX Top Performers in Northbrook, Illinois, Jane has forged a prosperous business founded on integrity and the profound impact of personal connections. Jane initially embarked on a corporate finance career for 14 years before transitioning to the realm of real estate. Impressively, within her second year, Jane achieved an exceptional milestone as one of top agents in the area. What lies behind her extraordinary success? Jane affirms, “Building trust and maintaining consistent communication is important. I try to be highly responsive and reply quickly to my clients’ calls and messages.” Furthermore, an integral aspect of her service revolves around guiding prospective homebuyers, particularly those venturing into the real estate market for the first time. “You need to have both comprehensive market knowledge and the patience to educate buyers. They often have lots of questions and need step-by-step guidance throughout the home buying process.”

Jane emphasizes that impersonal mass mailings pale in comparison to genuine face-to-face interactions. “I approach my clients in a personalized manner, not through email blasts. I maintain contact through notes, one-on-one lunches, and casual phone conversations. These calls can extend beyond real estate matters, whether it is chatting about their children or their professional endeavors. Real friendships come out of this, and our connection remains even after the sale is done. Once people appreciate and trust me, they confidently refer me to their loved ones and acquaintances— strong relationships result in high quality referrals.”

To effectively market her listings, Jane strategically leverages the power of film and open houses. “Looking at online listings through pictures can be daunting, but a brief video can really help buyers get a more realistic view of the house. Open houses also have a lot of value, as houses need personal viewing. A lot of the time, pictures fail to show a property’s beauty, and only an in-person visit can evoke that ‘wow’ factor.”

Jane offers seemingly paradoxical advice to novices entering the real estate field: learn to say “no.” The agent-client relationship represents a mutual endeavor. Jane explains, “During my early years, I felt pressured to accept every client that came my way, thinking that a client was a client. I thought I needed to offer my services and put in lots of effort. However, as I’ve gained experience, I now interview possible clients just as they interview me. If our personalities and working styles do not align, or if I sense discomfort during our initial interactions, I choose not to take them on as clients. This approach saves a lot of time and energy in the long run.”

Looking ahead, Jane eagerly anticipates elevating her business to new heights. During her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, staying on top of fashion trends, and playing golf with her husband.