By: Madeleine Willis
Manteno native, Gina LaMore owns and manages LaMore Realty, a local brokerage that avidly buys and sells homes in the Kankakee County community.
In the year 2022, realtors of LaMore sold 108 properties and bought 76 properties. The total volume of their transactions totals in at $45.6 million.
This past April, Gina LaMore was recognized at the Kankakee Iroquois Ford Board/Association of REALTORS®. LaMore was one in 23 local individuals recognized for her success in the 2023 year.
LaMore received the 2023 Illinois REALTOR® of the Year Ezekiel “Zeke” Morris of Chicago.
According to a submission from Kim Kulchawik, Administrative Assistant at LaMore Realty, “REALTORS® of the Year exemplify the best professional qualities of a REALTOR® and the award recognizes service and leadership in the community and real estate industry.”
This is just one accolade received by LaMore. LaMore has also been recognized as Ambassador of the Year, Business of the Year, and Rising Star by Manteno’s Chamber of Commerce.
LaMore Realty Realtor, Sherri Zielinski, has been with Gina since she opened the Brokerage.
Zielinski was in the room, or in this case, the car where it happened. Zielinski and LaMore worked together at Rozenboom and when the owner passed the two were traveling to the funeral unsure of what their next steps were when Gina decided she wanted to open up her own brokerage. LaMore asked Zielinski and several others if they would join her, and they did.
Zielinski ultimately decided to work for LaMore because she admires LaMore’s work ethic and hustle.
Zielinski was also complimentary of her co-workers, “The reputation that we’ve got around town that we’re all hardworking and honest. Any of the agents in the office, I would feel comfortable selling my own house.”
Currently, Zielinski is having her best year in real estate. She has increased her clientele, and in March she was named top producer at LaMore Realty.
Zielinski listed many things she loves about LaMore Realty, “I love being on Mant St. in the heart of Manteno.”
Kristina Lengel, worked with LaMore 2 ½ years ago to sell her home and buy a new one. She said Gina was wonderful.
Lengel described herself as a “difficult client.”
“Obviously we had a lot of things we were specifically looking for,” Lengel said.
Lengel described LaMore as dedicated, kind. While working with Gina, Lengel easily picked up on the fact that she was knowledgeable about the area and the people in it, and it was clear to see that she went above and beyond for her clients.
“She was very patient with us and continued to wait for us to find the right home. She was very patient with our children, she let them come and see the house,” Lengel said.
Lengel also spoke to the abundance of work that LaMore does within the community.
“I feel like she is definitely trying to make our town a better place,” she said.
LaMore and Zielinski are both dedicated to the real estate business and the community, and in doing so they help make the community a better place.
Zielinski just had the opportunity to list her daughter’s house for sale as the busy season for the buyers market begins.
“It also gives me joy to help other people find their dream home,” Zielinski said, “I’ve always loved to help people.”