By Stephanie Irvine
Exciting things are happening for Manhattan realtor Randi Lynn Quigley—she recently opened an office in Manhattan for her real estate brokerage, Opulent by eXp Realty, amidst filming for her new real estate TV show set to air in October.
The soft opening for the new office, which took place on August 19, allowed her team of realtors to see the space where they could come together for meetings, training, and collaboration. She wasn’t sure how frequently the space would be used, but it turned out to be a bustling hub for the agents. It’s easy to see why; the space is bright, clean, and comfortable— uncluttered and nicely decorated.
Undeterred by the recent changes in commission structures and the ever-changing real estate market, Quigley sought a space for her growing team to utilize. Initially, the previous owner asked her and her husband to value the Manhattan office and list it for potential buyers, but being in the market herself, she took the opportunity to purchase it.
Within her team, she has agents specializing in luxury, commercial, and residential real estate in various areas, including Cook and Will County. Some of her agents can assist with relocation sales as they carry dual licensure in different states. Looking to the future, she wants to continue adding agents, as evidenced by the Now Hiring decal on the front window.
“Everything in Manhattan is improving. And because we own [the office], we were able to do whatever we wanted to the space,” Quigley explained. She said that they may knock down walls as the brokerage grows to make it more flexible for a larger team.
But growing her team isn’t the only thing she’s working on outside of selling homes—she also started filming as the newest host of the Emmy-nominated American Dream TV (ADTV) real estate show.
“What we’re doing here is something different. We’re creating brands. Real estate isn’t just about selling homes anymore—just taking pictures and putting them on the MLS. We are actually creating brands and lifestyles, which is why I started the show,” Quigley said.
A fellow realtor and friend in California whom Quigley met through Instagram alerted Quigley to the casting opportunity in Chicago for ADTV.
“So I stopped everything, and I went there. It was a process where I think it went well. I was super excited, but I was like, I don’t know. Is this real, is it not real, is it going to work?” Quigley said.
A few weeks passed, and she learned she had made it to the next round. Before she knew it, she had been chosen to host the show.
The show, which focuses on real estate lifestyle and culture throughout the country, is nationally broadcast on HGTV and available on streaming platforms. She’ll host the year-long series while continuing her work as a local realtor, and her episodes will be centered around real estate in nearby areas within Illinois.
Quigley, an equestrian with a few horses of her own, currently specializes in luxury and equestrian estates. She went to St. Xavier University for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, specializing in marketing and accounting, before realizing that accounting wasn’t a field she enjoyed. After she found success selling protein shakes, she realized she had a future in sales.
Quigley obtained her real estate license 12 years ago, though her first exposure to the inner workings of the real estate industry was about 19 years ago.
“It’s been so much fun,” Quigley said of her career.
She looks back at her experiences and how she’s paved her own path. “I remember when I first started, I was kind of the way I am right now. Just always doing my own thing. And a lot of people were like, ‘What is she doing?’” Quigley said.
Quigley’s success story is proof-positive that people can accomplish anything they put their minds to doing—despite internal or external doubts.
“Billion-dollar real estate brokers all started where I’m starting. And I don’t know if we’ll get there or not. Well, I’m going to dream super big, and if it doesn’t go there, great, but I’m going to push super hard to grow this brand that’s recognizable.” Quigley added.
“This is ours that we’re building,” Quigley said, making it clear that she wants to share the success she gains with the realtors in her brokerage.
Quigley’s Opulent by eXp Realty brokerage office is located at 320 W. North Street in Manhattan; those seeking to talk to her about employment opportunities or property sales can call (708)446-0328. She’ll be sure to welcome you into her new office, too.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.