While Debbie Hepburn’s perfect day includes a trip to Ravinia, it’s her dog Olive (as in olive you) that she is truly crazy about.
This 25-year marketing and communications veteran turned @properties agent is no stranger to crafting compelling and creative ideas to attract buyers. Thanks to her desire to be a life-long learner, Debbie continues to grow both personally and professionally each and every day.
At Home with Debbie Hepburn
@properties: How do you start each day?
Debbie: Affirmations, Bible study, positive readings and writing two personal notes. I try to leave the electronics off until I am finished with these rituals – but this is sometimes very challenging!
@properties: Describe your own first home.
Debbie: It was a 1935, two bedroom, one bath English Tudor in Edison Park that needed a lot of work but was full of charm. We loved the neighborhood and had the vision and energy (at that time) to update it to meet our families needs and our budget.
@properties: What is the first big-ticket item you bought when you moved into your current home and why?
Debbie: After buying our current home in Glenview and living in it for five years, our first big ticket item was hiring a great architect, Morgante-Wilson, to develop plans to do a massive renovation of our home.
We bought one of the smallest homes in our favorite neighborhood and quickly outgrew the home. We moved out for a year, did a total gut/rehab/addition and after 18 years – we still love our home (although time to renovate again!)
At Play with Debbie Hepburn
@properties: What do you love most about Swainwood?
Debbie: I love Swainwood because it is an older established neighborhood located in the downtown Glenview area. I have amazing neighbors and friends here too. We walk to the train, library, restaurants, shopping, outdoor pool, tennis courts, and park. You can also walk to The Glen and the Park District Fitness Center, Lake Glenview and the walking paths.
Swainwood was originally a tree nursery owned by Swain Nelson and his sons. He planned and developed Lincoln Park in Chicago and also used many trees from the neighborhood for the 1893 World’s Fair. World Fair)
@properties: Where is your favorite local restaurant?
Debbie: My favorite local place is the Glenview Grind coffee shop. It is a great casual, comfortable place to have a great cup of latte, meet with clients and friends and always feel welcome.
@properties: What do you read every single day?
Debbie: Daily Motivator by Ralph Marston and The Bible.
@properties: How do you stay involved in your community?
Debbie: I am a firm believer and I get energy by helping others and giving back to the community. I volunteer and serve on the boards of Misericordia Auxiliary, JMFT Autism Foundation, Skin of Steel Melanoma Foundation and Daughters of Ayachucho Educational Fund.
I am crazy about dogs and love walking my dog around Lake Glenview and the neighborhood. This also helps me to stay involved with what’s happening.
@properties: You have a full free day in your town with no obligations & cost is no object. What would you do?
Debbie: Go for a bike ride to the Botanic Garden, play nine holes of golf, hit some tennis balls, walk my dog around the Glen, then go to Ravina with a great bottle of wine – with my husband and great friends.
At Work with Debbie Hepburn
@properties: How did you decide that real estate was the right career for you?
Debbie: I was hired as a marketing consultant for the JMTF Foundation for Young Adults with Autism to develop marketing materials and an outreach program.
They also asked my help with finding suitable homes for them and to hire a builder to remodel the home and then to furnish the home. I really enjoyed all aspects of the job and decided to broaden my scope to real estate.
@properties: How did your previous experiences prepare you for real estate?
Debbie: For over 25 years, I worked in the marketing communications industry as a brand manager for Fortune 100 companies, startups and not-for-profits. My depth of marketing and advertising experience allows me to create compelling marketing ideas to attract buyers. I have a strong understanding of consumers and market segments.
In addition, I am certified in social media and it helps me communicate with all targets and buyers.
@properties: What is your favorite part of the job?
Debbie: Connecting with new people and connecting them to others. I love learning new information and creating ideas and solutions to change the world – one person at a time.
@properties: What is one thing you literally could not do your job without and why?
Debbie: Learning. I am a lifelong learner and thrive on reading, taking classes and growing through others.
@properties: What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Debbie: What you focus on expands!
@properties: What is one piece of advice you’d give to a new real estate agent?
Debbie: Be patient – success does not happen overnight. Take as many classes as you can and get really immersed in the industry. Learn from agents that you really respect and would want to hire if you were selling or buying a home. Always think about how you can make everyone around you better.
