Sam Kahn serves as Director of Listings for Luxury Living Chicago Realty where he works around the clock with clients looking to purchase, sell, or rent throughout Chicago.
As one of the top agents at Luxury Living Chicago Realty, Sam has been involved in some of the most successful building sell outs/lease ups across the city. Sam is also recognized and awarded as a Top Producer by the Chicago Association of Realtors and a member of TAN’s (Top Agent Network) top 10% of agents in the city.
An Ohio native, Sam made his way to Chicago after spending his undergraduate years earning his sports management degree from The University of Kansas. When he’s not deep in real estate deals, Sam likes to spend his free time working out, watching sports, and running along the lake path.
Share some of your experiences as a Chicago broker
Where do I even begin? Starting off as an agent in 2013, I was working on every lead imaginable. Going to neighborhoods I didn’t even know existed. Working at price points I didn’t think had options available. But truthfully starting at that level has elevated me throughout nine years to where I am today. I consider myself a full service broker. I work with rental clients that have a $2000 budget up to buyers looking for properties north of $5 million and selling properties at every range.
I’ve worked with athletes, A-list celebrities, friends of mine from high school, co-workers, you name it. Making sure you don’t just “pigeon hole” yourself into a certain category has allowed me to grow my business organically, thus has given me different experiences throughout the city. I love working under pressure and with timelines. We don’t sit in front of a computer (although we do drafting up paperwork and sending emails), so every day brings a sort of unique challenge.
I remember my first listing and sale like it was yesterday. I just began at Luxury Living Chicago Realty late 2015. Our managing broker Aaron Galvin called me into his office and told me he had repeat investor clients that were looking to cash out on their investment and sell their one bedroom condo. The condo was located in River North at 757 N Orleans Street. I knew what I was doing from working on a team at my previous real estate company but I didn’t know what I was doing from start to finish. Aaron told me I’m going to go to the property at 10AM the next morning and meet a photographer for photos. Within 48 hours of meeting the photographer that morning we had 7 full priced offers and about another half dozen agents requesting to show the property. From the moment Aaron gave me the listing to the moment it closed was under 1 month. From that point on I was absolutely hooked and enamored with selling real estate. Fast forward to as I’m sitting here typing this out I just rented two very nice ivy league grads 1-bedroom apartments downtown and put together a $3 million dollar sale all in the same day. Real Estate never sleeps. You never know what opportunity is going to present itself next, but if you make sure to put a smile on your face, be available for your clients, and work on every opportunity that comes your way, you’ll feel very satisfied 9 years later.
Why do you do what you do?
Honestly I enjoy it! I see new properties every day in different neighborhoods and different price points. I grew up with real estate in my family, as both my parents are agents in Cleveland, OH where I grew up. When I was younger, I remember vividly hammering my mom’s for sale signs in the yard at new listings she was putting on the market. I went to school to pursue a career in sports management, but when I moved to Chicago I was so enamored with the real estate market and working in such a fast paced industry. I began working in real estate in early 2013 and couldn’t envision myself doing something different.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Closing a deal and the joy it brings to a new buyer, seller or renter. Your home is your most expensive asset and you also spend the majority of your time at your home as opposed to anywhere else. It’s so fun to help advise people and guide them throughout this decision. I like meeting new people and every day in real estate is different and there is always an opportunity to learn something new. Even after spending almost 9 years as a real estate agent, I continue to learn new things.
What is your best experience as a broker?
My favorite experience as a real estate agent has been working on the Norweta Condos in Lincoln Park. I had sold new construction before but never represented it as the listing agent. Luxury Living Chicago Realty took over the project and its remaining 10 condos, and with being the Director of Listings meant I was the lead agent handling the project. There were 4+ agents at different companies all to have a chance with this listing, but since I have taken over we have sold the most challenging units left and the most expensive sale in the 32-unit complex. The experience I’ve gained from working on this development has furthered my knowledge and expertise in the Chicago real estate market, allowing me to help better assist my clients across my entire portfolio.
If you’re in the market to rent, buy, or sell your home, reach out to Sam today!
