In the past two years, Nora Hennessy has brought an immense amount of enthusiasm, passion, and a fresh perspective to Chicago real estate. Drawing upon her background in occupational therapy and leasing, she infuses her business with genuine empathy and a passion for making real estate accessible to everyone. 

Nora’s journey into real estate began like a love story—a passion that hit her quite unexpectedly yet fiercely. It was during the summer of 2020, a period marked by global uncertainty and self-reflection. Nora, who would begin her final year of undergrad that fall before embarking on a five-year master’s program for occupational therapy at Saint Louis University, was glad to find a summer job with a family friend, a leasing agent, who was in need of an assistant.

“I fell in love with the work!” Nora shares. “It felt like fate.”

Fully committed to her newfound passion, she decided to pivot away from her previous path and spent her senior year taking marketing classes. She even took a class on occupational therapy and real estate, making a significant connection between the two fields.

Applying principles of inclusivity and client-centric care has not only enhanced Nora’s ability to serve her clients effectively, but has also helped her set herself apart in the competitive market. 

“Following the skills I gained in school has become a cornerstone of my business approach,” Nora emphasizes. “The program instilled in me a deep understanding of people's day-to-day needs and how to best support them. This perspective is invaluable in real estate, where understanding and meeting clients' needs is essential to giving them the best client experience.”

As her passion for real estate grew, Nora discovered she had a natural talent for understanding her clients' needs—sometimes even better than they could themselves. “Some clients may think they want one thing, but really, our job is to help them discover their true needs, and I am good at that,” shares Nora. 

As she became more acquainted with the industry and work of a REALTOR®, it became clearer and clearer to her that this was her calling—a job that allowed her to blend her unwavering dedication to helping others with her deep appreciation for the unique stories embedded in the bricks and beams of every home.

Drawing on her background in health sciences, Nora embraces “a person-first approach” that aims to cultivate an atmosphere of comfort and trust throughout the real estate process. This dedication to inclusivity and accessibility manifests itself in Nora's commitment to finding homes that are welcoming to all.

She also believes in building lasting relationships and investing the time to educate her clients, empowering them to make confident and well-informed decisions. By diligently monitoring market statistics and consistently offering responsive support to her clients, she has established herself as a reliable resource and trusted advisor. Nora provides thorough explanations, tailors her work and the real estate experience to each client's unique situation, and fosters a smooth transaction experience, resulting in her clients feeling exceptionally prepared and stress-free. 

In addition to overcoming obstacles, Nora says the most rewarding aspect of her career has been the opportunity to foster meaningful connections with people, particularly reuniting with old friends, strengthening family bonds, transforming clients into lifelong companions, and working alongside her aunt. 

“All of my experiences have solidified my belief that real estate is my true calling, and that age is merely a number when passion, dedication, and expertise are the true drivers of success,” she says.

You see, despite her knowledge, talent, and skill, Nora has faced much skepticism due to her young age. But although she has been in the business for just over two years she has already produced over $5M in volume, and has helped over 200 tenants by mastering the latest tools, honing her communication skills, and displaying a much-noted level of drive and enthusiasm. 

“I have achieved more in the past two years than I thought I would in my first five,” shares Nora. “I work hard, and I have consistently demonstrated that my age, energy, and motivation are assets, not limitations.” 

Outside of real estate, Nora enjoys spending time with her family, whether going over to her parents’ home for dinner, catching a White Sox game with her four brothers, or jotting over to Scooter’s Frozen Custard in Roscoe Village with her cousins, aunts, and uncles for something sweet. 

Nora’s biggest hobby, however, involves supporting local organizations. She currently serves as the vice president of membership on the associates board for Sarah’s Circle, an organization dedicated to providing a full continuum of services for women experiencing homelessness. She is also a member of the associates board for Salute, Inc., where she helps plan the organization’s annual Veteran’s Day fundraiser.

Recognizing that the real estate landscape is ever-evolving, Nora eagerly embraces the opportunity to learn and grow alongside her fellow professionals. She’s inspired by the top-producing agents who prioritize continuous education, and aspires to also achieve success while maintaining a constant desire to learn and adapt. Her goal is to build a thriving career, and to, eventually, pay it forward by helping future generations of real estate professionals. 

But for Nora, real estate is more than a career: it's a central component of her life that seamlessly interweaves with her dreams and aspirations. “My genuine passion for this industry fuels my dedication to my work and commitment to my career. I am just getting started, and I am excited by what the future holds.”