Standing at a crossroads far from home, I found myself on a path I never planned to take. Looking back, I realize that because life unfolded differently than I expected, I discovered even greater meaning and fulfillment than I could have imagined.

 

I grew up in Iran as the middle child in a very loving, warm and tight-knit family.  I left at the age of 18, during the chaos of the Islamic Revolution and immigrated to Chicago.  With the help and guidance of my uncle, I attended community college and then received a BSME in Structural Engineering from The University of Illinois.

By 1982, the political climate made it nearly impossible for Iranians to find professional work in the U.S. I worked in the university library, waited tables, delivered food, and managed restaurants— doing whatever I could to earn an income while attending the Graduate Engineering Program at University of Illinois. At this time, my father passed away suddenly so I arranged to have my mother, and my siblings immigrate to the USA.  I left my master’s program to work full-time so I could pay their expenses and allow them to stay in Chicago.

 

In 1987, I took a real estate class. My first month at Century 21, I closed a sale and earned $1,200. What I thought might be part-time quickly became my career. Becoming an engineer was chosen for me, but real estate was what I chose for myself. I love connecting with people, helping them make major decisions, and building my business to support my family.

 

Two years later, I earned my broker’s license and opened an office with four partners. I ran the real estate side while they handled development. We grew fast, renovating buildings, managing projects, and handling sales. By the late 1990s, our condo conversion business was thriving, and I had worked every part of the deal. Because of real estate, I helped my sister get the same great education I’d had in Iran, and bought a home for my mother and brother in Sacramento.

 

In 2003, my mother moved back to Iran. When I visited her the following year, I met Sepi, her neighbor. We kept in touch across continents, and before long, we fell in love. In January 2005, we were married in Chicago, and the following year, we welcomed our son, Sam. Around that time, my business reached its peak—just one partner and me, with nearly $60 million in sales.

Then the housing market collapsed. Deals fell apart, values sank, and financing dried up nearly overnight. I kept the office open until 2011, working through short sales, foreclosures, and a painfully slow market. Providing for my wife, young son, and extended family during those years took real perseverance. Ultimately, I closed the business and joined another firm. But I learned so much through that, especially how to advocate for my clients in the toughest conditions. Since then, I’ve built a thriving, referral-based business. My clients trust me because I always put relationships first and prioritize their best interests.

 

Every setback has taught me something valuable. Through hard work and a focus on helping those around me, I’ve turned obstacles into opportunities for personal growth and lasting impact.

 

To offset long working hours and time spent with my clients, I focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle including exercise, competitive games and outdoor activities.   I enjoy golf, tennis, ping pong, cards, and backgammon—even winning local tournaments! During COVID, I taught my son ping pong, and the next year he became his high school’s top player and helped his team win their division. Time with family and friends is truly important to me, and I always make it a priority.

 

With over three decades in the industry, I’ve seen firsthand the impact real estate can have on people’s lives—building security, wealth, and stability. I’m passionate about guiding my clients through some of their biggest decisions and know that each transaction is an opportunity not just to buy or sell property, but to set the stage for new beginnings.

 

For sellers, I offer a complete market analysis, walk through the property, and give personalized advice on staging, repairs, preparation and marketing. My team and I make extensive use of social media and Internet marketing methods to gain the interest of prospective buyers of all age groups.  I arrange for professional photos and craft a plan to highlight the property’s strengths, ensuring it attracts serious buyers right away.  I am very patient with my clients and never push them to complete the sale: I want them to get the highest returns for their property.  For buyers, I conduct thorough searches customized for their needs, schedule private tours, and connect with trusted lenders to make pre-approval easy. I guide them through inspections, point out potential issues, and negotiate every detail to protect their interests.

 

From the first meeting to closing day, I’m hands-on, detail-oriented, and always available for questions. My commitment: honest guidance, strong advocacy, and results you can count on. Even after the transaction, I am here as a lifelong real estate resource for anything you may need!  Let me put my expertise and years of experience to work for you so you don’t have to worry about the outcome – I will see it through the end.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mak Jahangiri

Senior Broker

Primary 773-418-9960

Makjoon@gmail.com

Siamakproperties.com