“I’ve had so many lives,” says Sarita Scherpereel, real estate broker and team lead for the Straight Up Sarita Sells Team at GC Realty & Development, and Houston, Texas, native. 

“My background is in opera and musical theatre, and I moved to Chicago in 2008 to perform.” Sarita’s first job in Chicago was at Second City, and she soon added stand-up and improv to her repertoire as a working artist. “Then, by the grace of God, I landed a job at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business which changed my life,” she shares.

While working at Chicago Booth, Sarita could audit classes for free. Her first course involved learning negotiation skills through mock bargaining scenarios. During these lessons, she discovered a natural knack she didn’t know she had.

“Turns out I am really good at negotiating,” says Sarita. “My class was filled with C-level executives who were afraid to try things, afraid to role-play these mock scenarios. I thought of it as acting, and I was one of the best in the class.”

Sarita’s aptitude for negotiating—clearly a skill that would be valued in her future real estate career—and success in class brought her joy, especially because she had struggled academically for most of her life due to a learning disability. 

"I wasn’t diagnosed with dyslexia until fourth grade," Sarita explains. "I didn’t really learn to read until fifth grade. [The situation of having to catch up] instilled a good work ethic in me, but it also put a chip on my shoulder—the feeling that I have something to prove."

In 2016, inspired by a friend in NYC who had transitioned from performing to real estate, Sarita decided to take the leap herself.

“This was the first career I found that took most of my skills and put them into one job,” she says. "My years of improv helped me assess and adapt to the unexpected, and promoting the shows gave me marketing experience that I still use. Providing customer service at retail jobs, my sales job at Chicago Booth, the discipline from my opera training, and the knowledge I gained during a stint at a roofing company while in college all worked together and helped turn me into the agent that I am today."

However, the transition wasn't without its challenges. Not being from Chicago and lacking a local network who were in the position to buy and sell—most of her friends then were aspiring creatives like herself and without the financial means to buy homes—Sarita had to build her client base from the ground up. Joining a real estate team helped initially, but it was Sarita’s internal drive, determination, and that chip on her shoulder that ultimately led her to success.

“We wear many hats as REALTORSⓇ between having to do marketing, sales, education, and financial analysis,” says Sarita. “Once I understood what it was to be an agent, I knew I had all the skills needed to be successful. And I couldn't afford to fail. That ‘make-or-break’ moment really pushed me to persevere.”

Sarita's passion for helping clients build wealth through real estate became a driving force, too. Her approach involves educating her clients about realistic investment opportunities and debunking common myths. Beyond buying and selling homes—the bread and butter of most agents—Sarita’s passion for investing and house hacking sets her apart.

"I’m passionate about breaking down the barriers around discussing wealth and money," Sarita says. "As long as it remains a faux pas, people who could grow their own wealth will be left with less financial security." 

"I talk about investing all day with my clients," she adds. "House hacking doesn’t mean you will get to live for free most of the time, but it will help you build equity much faster than buying a condo."

For the past three years, Sarita has hosted meetups for investors and house hackers, helping them plan their financial futures and learn how to be responsible landlords. A house hacker herself, Sarita has learned a lot from her clients’ successes and mistakes, as well as her own, which allows her to pass on even more detailed information to clients who wish to follow the same path.

Sarita's real estate team, the Straight Up Sarita Sells Team, includes Megan Osberger, the lead buyer’s agent, known for her expertise in investment goals; and Erik Swanson, an avid investor and developer. Together, they have built a successful firm known for its focus on multi-family properties and commitment to client education. Looking to the future, Sarita sees herself expanding the team’s reach and helping clients add out-of-state investments to their portfolios.

“I love my career. I can see myself doing this forever," says Sarita. "Whole extended families have brought me into their circles and trusted me to help their children find their first homes."

In her downtime, Sarita enjoys a variety of activities that keep her grounded and connected to the community. She plays on a recreational volleyball team, goes rock climbing regularly, and remains passionate about performance. 

"I’m still very enthusiastic about theatre. I buy season tickets so that I can keep up with the new shows," she adds.

Sarita's journey from working artist to REALTOR® has been marked by resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to helping others succeed. Her story is an inspiration to anyone looking to turn their diverse skills into a fulfilling career.