Chicago Agent Magazine

Over 20 years ago, a friend introduced Michael Waldman to the mortgage lending business, and he quickly realized the career was meant for him. The senior vice president of mortgage lending with OriginPoint, A Rate Company, is known for giving expert advice, which in turn leads to client satisfaction and referrals. “During this recent period of extreme uncertainty and higher interest rates, I was able to provide my clients with knowledgeable resources for the home-buying process,” Waldman explains. “I actually grew my business about 10% in one of the hardest markets of the last 20 years.”

Recognized for his hands-on experience, relationship building and consistent responsiveness, Waldman works directly with clients in a fast-paced environment. While anticipating issues before they come up, he stays two steps ahead to protect his clients’ time and peace of mind. “My goal is always to make things easier, very transparent and more successful for everyone involved,” he shares. “I take pride in being someone who my clients and partners can rely on in any given situation.”

Michael Waldman at OrginPoint NMLS 1901699, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending
OriginPoint, A Rate Company - Midwest Division, NMLS # 56164
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/michael-waldman/

Christina Ewing’s business processes are designed to make customers feel confident about their financing and purchasing decisions. This reduces their stress levels and leads to smoother transactions. With 27 years of experience, the vice president of sales has cultivated a reputation for transparency, precision and accuracy. “I cannot remember the last time that a customer’s loan has been denied due to a detail missed by my team or me,” Ewing says.

Clients and colleagues like working with Ewing because she emphasizes client education and ensuring buyers and brokers have the information they need to stay within budget with their property search. “Staying within the customer’s desired maximum monthly payment threshold is much more important than how much they can actually spend,” Ewing explains. “Those are typically two different numbers.”

Christina Ewing Christofferson, Vice President of Sales
CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, NMLS #386807
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/christina-ewing-2/

🏠 📈 Chicagoland home sales posted healthy gains in June as available inventory fell, and the median sales price rose, Illinois Realtors® said.

Looking ahead, the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University forecasts a 1% annual increase in Chicagoland home sales between July and September, while prices are expected to jump 8%.

Statewide trends were similar to those in Chicago and Chicagoland.

Across Illinois, home sales rose 2.4% year over year to 14,374, while inventory slid 7.4% to 20,520 homes. The median sale price was up 6.2% to $345,000.

More details and statements from Chicago Association of REALTORS® and Illinois REALTORS® presidents here:
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2026/07/27/chicagoland-june-sales-inventory-prices/

Chicagoland sales, prices rise while inventory falls in June - Chicago Agent Magazine By the Numbers Chicagoland home sales posted healthy gains in June as available inventory fell, and the median sales price rose, Illinois REALTORS said.

With an entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine passion for connecting with others, Rosy Reynolds has built a career defined by service, dedication and outstanding results. A former bar owner turned real estate powerhouse, Reynolds now thrives as a broker associate at the esteemed Baird & Warner, where she channels her hospitality roots into creating exceptional real estate experiences for her clients.

Her dynamic background gives her a unique edge in real estate: her ability to listen deeply, anticipate needs and deliver under pressure makes her a trusted advisor in both traditional and luxury markets. Reynolds’ clients describe her as energetic, reliable, hardworking and exceptionally personable — qualities that set her apart in a competitive industry. “I’m there with my clients every step of the way,” she says. “My goal is not just to complete a transaction, but to make my clients feel comfortable, confident and excited about their future.”

Rosy Reynolds of Baird & Warner, Broker Associate
Baird & Warner
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/rosy-reynolds-3/

After only five years in real estate, Heather Ditlevsen is among the top 10% of agents in Chicago. Earlier this year, she decided to break away from her team and work independently. “I was so scared to take that leap of faith and go solo because this industry is very cutthroat and doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room for failure,” she recounts. “But it was something I felt needed to be done, and I’m very proud of myself.”

Ditlevsen left a career as a full-time nanny to enter real estate, a change she feels she was destined to make. “I have always been intrigued by real estate,” she shares. “I spent hours on real estate websites as a kid. I became obsessed with looking at the different types of homes, how much they cost and how different neighborhoods affected prices. I was basically doing comps at 10.”

Heather Ditlevsen, Broker
Baird & Warner
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/heather-ditlevsen/

A rare L. Morgan Yost designed mid-century modern home sits beautifully positioned on 3.5 wooded acres with mature trees, a winding creek, garage-sized shed and exceptional privacy. Built with cement and brick construction, the residence embraces its natural setting through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows on both levels, filling the interiors with light and tranquil views.

Vaulted ceilings, clean architectural lines and handsome fireplaces in both the living room and family room give the home a warm yet distinctive modernist character. Original built-ins in every bedroom add timeless craftsmanship and practical storage, while the primary suite includes a gracious dressing room. The generous kitchen and foyer are finished with handsome large-scale one-by-two foot porcelain tile and complemented by an all-stainless suite of LG appliances, oversized windows and a spacious eating area.

Original details remain throughout, including the striking staircase with removable safety panels for children and pets. With its architectural pedigree, substantial construction, flexible living spaces and serene acreage, this distinctive home offers design integrity, comfort and privacy — equally appealing as a full-time residence, remote-work retreat or country getaway.

Presented by: Ray Miller Realty | [email protected] | 847-763-0200 | atproperties Christie’s International Real Estate
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/slideshows/17519-hickory-hills-rd-sterling-il-61081/

Nearly 23 years ago, Michael Murray took a leap of faith that defined the course of his career. Then a recent college graduate working as an executive recruiter, he was invited by a colleague to help launch a mortgage brokerage — with 5% ownership in exchange for building the team and learning the loan origination business. It didn’t take long for Murray to discover his true passion: client engagement and guiding borrowers through the mortgage process. His first clients? His own parents.

“I helped them refinance, then helped a neighbor and it grew from there,” Murray recalls. From those beginnings, he has now originated over $1.1 billion in funded loans.

As senior vice president of mortgage lending with OriginPoint, A Rate Company, Murray leads with a client-first approach. Even as the market shifted in 2022, his team was strategically positioned to thrive in the purchase-driven landscape.

Michael Murray, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending
OriginPoint, A Rate Company - Midwest Division, NMLS # 223808
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/michael-murray-3/

Before joining the real estate industry, Lina Shah studied law, specializing in title and conveyancing work in England. She then joined the diamond business in Chicago. Real estate wasn’t part of her career plan until her husband, whose family had been in the real estate business overseas, encouraged her to pursue it as a full-time career. She found real estate to be an excellent fit given her legal background, experience in sales and marketing, hard work ethic and natural ability to connect with people.

Shah began her real estate career during the 2008 economic downturn, which, in her words, was “the best way to start.” Since then, she’s found her niche selling luxury properties in Oak Brook and the surrounding areas. A resident of Oak Brook since 2002, she is deeply rooted in her community and participates in local organizations. She is also familiar with the northwestern suburbs, where she lived for 17 years, as well as the western suburbs and several other Chicago neighborhoods where she has lived and worked.

Lina Shah Real Estate , Luxury Real Estate Agent
Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/lina-shah-5/

For Baird & Warner Real Estate agent and Nicole Flores Group Team Lead Nicole Flores, it still feels wild to say that she has spent 20 years in real estate. “So much has changed, but what’s stayed the same is why I do this: I truly care about people,” she says. “It’s never been just about houses — it’s about showing up, listening and helping clients through a major life moment with heart and clarity.”

Flores became an agent two decades ago, after she and her husband endured a difficult experience while buying their first single-family home. “The agent didn’t take the time to understand who we were or what we were capable of,” she recalls.

Flores has built a business almost entirely through referrals and repeat clients. She’s helped everyone from first-time buyers to multimillion-dollar buyers and sellers, and she’s proud to be a consistent top producer in Edgebrook, the rest of Chicago and the suburbs.

Nicole Flores, Team Lead, Nicole Flores Group - Baird & Warner
Baird & Warner
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/nicole-flores-5/

Deeply committed to her clients, Aly Easton dedicates herself to the entire real estate process. “From start to finish, I am committed to making sure my clients and I are on the same page regarding expectations, commitments and goals,” she explains. “I believe it is my responsibility, as a real estate professional, to cultivate a culture of informed and empowered consumers, whether they ultimately work with me or not.”

A Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Easton specializes in representing buyers, tenants and landlords throughout Chicago, from the South Loop to Rogers Park. Currently leading, training and mentoring agents in the BHHS Chicago rental division, she delivers top-quality service to her clients. “I believe everyone should have support and advocacy in the home-finding process, whatever their role is in the transaction,” she says. “It is incredibly meaningful to me to help my clients find ‘home.’”

Aly Easton, Realtor
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/aly-easton/