A Place to Call Home: Finding the Right Fit in a Changing Industry

 A Place to Call Home: Finding the Right Fit in a Changing Industry

After nearly three decades in real estate, one thing has remained constant: the importance of choosing well. Whether it’s the homes we help our clients find or the places we choose to build our own careers, the right fit makes all the difference.

It's been less than a year since we’ve found our home at Engel & Völkers Chicago, and in doing so, we’ve rediscovered what it means to be part of a brokerage that aligns with our values, our expertise, and our vision for the future.

Who You Work with Matters

It’s a tagline in this industry, but we believe in it. More than that, we live by it.

After a long career, we’ve learned a few things. This business is tough—not for the timid. For years, we played the game, grinding through deals with clients we may or may not have had anything in common with. That’s the nature of the business when you’re building, learning, and paying your dues.

But at some point, after enough lessons (some harder than others), we made a decision: we would only work with people we truly wanted to work with. Selling real estate is a relationship business, and we only want to be in the good ones. The ones that work.

The same is true for the brokerage you choose. Alignment is critical. The place where you build your career should reflect your values, elevate your expertise, and support your success. That’s exactly what we’ve found at Engel & Völkers.

A Brokerage That Aligns with Our Values

Engel & Völkers operates on three core principles: Competence, Exclusivity, and Passion. Those aren’t just words—they define the way we do business.

• Competence means working with true professionals who know this business inside and out.
• Exclusivity isn’t about exclusion—it’s about distinction. It’s about delivering a level of service that sets us apart.
• Passion is the driving force. It’s what keeps us committed, engaged, and ready for whatever the market throws our way.

That’s why this brokerage is the perfect fit for us.

Surrounded by the Best

One of the things that makes Engel & Völkers truly special is the people. We are surrounded by some of the most seasoned professionals in the industry—icons who have shaped the market, who bring decades of expertise, and who remain 100% available for collaboration and strategy. Working alongside them every day sharpens our own approach, challenges us to elevate our game, and reaffirms that we are in the right place.

At the same time, we see a new generation of real estate professionals choosing Engel & Völkers for the same reasons we did. There’s a draw to this brand, an understanding that something unique is happening here.

A Boutique Experience with a Global Reach

Having been part of major global brands, we know firsthand what scale can offer. But there’s something different about Engel & Völkers—something special.

There’s a boutique feel to it, a level of exclusivity and premium positioning that we work hard to channel in everything we do. From the way we market properties to the service we provide, Engel & Völkers isn’t just another brokerage—it’s a brand with presence, with weight, and with a distinct advantage in the luxury space.

That premium isn’t just about perception—it’s real. And we make sure it comes through in every aspect of our business. 

For Brokers Looking for the Right Home

For brokers who have been in this industry for a long time, you know how rare it is to find a place that truly feels like home. Engel & Völkers is that for us. It’s a brokerage that values expertise over ego, relationships over transactions, and strategy over shortcuts.

The industry is evolving, and where you align your business now matters more than ever. Engel & Völkers has given us the tools, the network, and the brand presence to elevate our work in ways we didn’t expect. We get to collaborate with industry icons, learn alongside new talent, and operate within a boutique structure that channels a perceived premium into every aspect of what we do.

If you’re a seasoned broker looking for the right fit in today’s changing market, we’d love to share why this was the best move we’ve ever made—and why it might be the right one for you too.

Choose well.

— Craig Hogan & Rudy Zavala
Hogan Zavala Group | Engel & Völkers Chicago

Meet the Team