Martin A. Uthe loves Evanston, Illinois. But not because he graduated in 1980 from Northwestern University – one of the top schools in the storied Big Ten Conference; heck, one of the top academic schools in the country – but because he made it his home. He didn’t just love the university, he loved the town. Still does.

“I came to Evanston to go to school and stayed there, getting married and raising my family here. We’re the first suburb north of Chicago and part of our charm is being a destination place for parents who want better schools and more a neighborhood to raise their children,” Martin said. “It’s probably less than 30 minutes to downtown Chicago so it’s a great commuter’s town. People who live here are very aware of what’s going on with the community.”

And as a REALTOR®, Martin is right in the middle of it all. Martin had worked in the restaurant business for a number of years and appreciated the customer service aspect. He began doing real estate on a part-time basis in 1998 and began full-time with Coldwell Banker in 2003 before switching over to his current agency, @Properties, now the eighth-biggest firm in the country. After all these years, Martin said he still loves every aspect of doing what he does best, from matching clients to the right house to playing psychologist through the process, if need be. A solo agent, Martin has a 90 percent repeat and referral rate.

“I think it’s been a combination of several things for me. I think part of it is my personality. I’m not pushy but I think I give good advice. I sit down with my clients, and I go over everything. I go over the whole contract so when they’re ready to buy, they know exactly what’s coming,” said Martin. He uses Adwerx, social media, targeted postcards and stays connected with clients with little things like sending pie servers for Thanksgiving, sending handwritten notes and taking clients out for lunch or coffee. Martin has been continually active in his community, serving on the board of the local Amigos de las Americas board, a service organization shaping young minds to be global leaders.

“I would like to definitely expand in terms of listings,” he said. “I also like working with other agents. Evanston agents are very collaborative and our office, especially.”

As for next steps, Martin just wants to keep growing.

Martin A. Uthe can be reached either by phone at 847-322-5207 or via email at martinuthe@atproperties.com.

Illinois Real Estate Agent Martin Uthe