Large Network of the Year: A YPN Reflection

“And the 2011 Large Network of the Year....CHICAGO!”

 The announcement came at this year’s National YPN party. Photos from the evening don’t give that moment justice. I had the honor of accepting the award on behalf of our Association. Few moments in my life have made me more proud.

As I served as chair of last year’s YPN board, questions we constantly faced included:

“What is the YPN?”

“What makes the YPN different from all the other young professional groups?”

“What is the value proposition we offer to our members that they can’t get from other groups?”

We have some tough critics! However without you, our members, we would have never found the YPN’s direction. This national award is the cherry on the frosting – recognition that we are at least heading in the right direction.

We started this year by analyzing where to take the group and how to have the greatest impact on our members. Even though analysis of our focus, efforts and creation of new initiatives will be an ongoing process for the YPN, we realized a few key points:

1. The Chicago Association of REALTORS® YPN is a community. Community was a consistent theme this past year; YPN is a gathering of similar-minded REALTORS® who enjoy getting together. We share the same industry and issues. There is a comfort in entering a room of YPNers; you will be welcomed, and chances are you will leave feeling reinvigorated.

2. Members of the C.A.R. YPN set the standard for professionalism in our industry. As a whole, our industry needs to heighten its professionalism. I believe we can all agree we’ve run into situations in which we’re frustrated by the agent on the other side. Ever try arranging a showing and the MLS instructions are “call listing agent to show,” and your call goes straight to voicemail? Oh, and the voicemail box is full? Yeah, something like that…. We take pride in the standard our fellow YPN members set for themselves.

3. YPN members provide better service to their clients by understanding that we all have to work together, not against each other. Numerous times this year I had members tell me they were excited to see the agent on the other side of the transaction was a YPN member. They knew there would be no combative attitudes and egos to deal with. As YPN members, we realize our primary interest is our clients. Take the emotion out of the transaction and figure out what is best for our clients. Transactions made smoother because of YPN relationships is a side effect we can hope gets stronger over time. Personally, I have saved clients more than $70,000 this year because of the YPN. I consulted with one of my fellow YPNers on a short sale transaction. His extensive experience with short sales allowed him to give me invaluable advice. He had no financial interest in the transaction; he only wanted to help me out. This resulted in real savings for my clients. How cool is that?!

4. Continuing education is key. Alongside heightening the professional standard, YPNers understand the need to keep pushing the envelope on their real estate knowledge. The YPN started monthly breakfast meet-ups this year. Engaging topics and bountiful supplies of coffee and breakfast delicacies proved a successful combination. Also, our YPN Mentors initiative featured some of the most accomplished REALTORS® who provided insight into how they achieved success.

5. Giving back to our communities. As YPN members, giving back to our communities is a standard. This past year we pairing-up with Chicago Cares on Martin Luther King Day to volunteer. Giving back is a deep-rooted part of who we are as the YPN – appreciators of the communities where we work and live.

6. YPN members are the cool kids. I mean, let’s just call this fact! Have you ever been to one of our socials? Yeah, we know the importance of celebrating our hard work. From the beginning, work hard and play hard has been the way of life for YPNers.

Entering our third year, the C.A.R. YPN expects bigger and greater things. Tommy Choi, our 2011-12 chair, and Erin Mandel, vice chair, understand the importance of pushing the envelope of the value proposal for the YPN. Watch for even more powerful breakfast meet-ups, great YPN Mentor interviews, engaging volunteer opportunities and amazing social events. The list goes on but I can’t reveal it all. That’s part of the fun :)!

Please remember that we do what we do for you, our members. Without your support there is no need for the YPN. Winning Large Network of the Year only means we need to keep growing. How else can we get a back-to-back victory? Please give us your thoughts/suggestions. We can only grow together. Thank you for such an incredible year.

Grigory Pekarsky

Managing Broker/Owner, Vesta Preferred