MG Group Spotlight: John Dasdelen
Whether they’ve been at MG Group for years or have just recently come aboard, our agents are the heart and soul of what we do. And for almost a decade, John Dasdelen has brought unrelenting dedication and vast industry experience to our team. As he passed his eight year anniversary with MG Group this month, John reviewed his past experiences and what keeps him invested in the real estate industry.
How did you get involved in the real estate business?
I was a branch manager for a local bank and around 2004/2005 I wanted to start investing in real estate. The agents I came across were not great – they seemed to be in the business to make a quick buck and they didn’t provide me with any insight into the costs (or work) involved in rehab, including ARV (after rehab value), etc. I decided to get my license so I could buy and sell my own properties. I left the banking industry in 2010 to attend grad school and I dove right into the rental market in Streeterville to pay the bills. I soon realized upon graduating that I wanted to become a sales agent full time and to do so I had to learn the industry from the ground up.
How long have you been at MG Group? What have you learned from your time at MG?
November 5th was my eight year anniversary with the MG Group. I owe everything I know about the business to the team and Mario and what I have learned along the way is priceless. You learn everything from how to show and properly list a property to understanding how to be the professional in the agent/client relationship.
What keeps you passionate about what you do?
I consider myself very fortunate that I love my job. I know that not too many people can honestly say that and because I love my job so much, it shows in my work. I never want to stop working, I enjoy it and it does not feel like work to me. I told Mario in my interview, “just keep me busy,” and they sure did those first couple of years!
How does MG Group stand out from other teams, in the Chicago area or even nationwide?
The group is brilliantly structured so that the individuals in our team can do what they do best. Our office staff handles everything from scheduling, to marketing, to sending out new listing paperwork, to circulating the contracts; which in return helps the sales team focus and perfect their craft. During my new client meetings, I always mention that our office staff allows me to focus on only three things: conduct showings, work on pricing and attend walk throughs/meetings. I can confidently say there is not another team structure like our group; the system we have in place is why we have sold more properties each year than any other agent/group in the city for the better part of the past decade.
What accomplishments are you most proud of with MG Group?
The fact that I started at the bottom and worked my way up to becoming the top-producing sales agent in the group (only behind Mario) for the past five years. I started by running around making keys to sitting in 40-60 inspections a year and doing 8-12 showings a day for the group to producing $30 million in sales on average a year for the past five years.
What trends are you seeing in the Chicago residential market that are most interesting these days?
The shift back to the suburbs due to COVID-19 has been the most interesting trend in 2020. The suburbs were dead in the water and prices were falling. Once the lockdowns hit in March and individuals realized that working from home could quite possibly be the new normal, they have been flocking to the suburbs for more interior and outdoor space. This time last year the luxury building at 9 N. Walton — located in Chicago’s Near North Side neighborhood — contained the highest sales prices of the year; instead in 2020, the North Shore suburbs are hitting record sales prices.
We’re incredibly proud of our group of dedicated, passionate people. Stay tuned for more team member spotlights on the Home. Made.™ Blog!
