“They say two heads are better than one,” says REALTOR® Bobbi Banfield, one-half of Naperville Team Homes. “Working as a team helps us maximize our tools to best help our clients. We share leads, marketing collateral, and other resources that can be challenging to acquire alone.”

Bobbi joined forces with fellow REALTOR® Karen Joy Spangler, the other half of Naperville Team Homes, nearly two decades ago. Before entering real estate, Bobbi was an elementary and middle school teacher for twelve years. Initially drawn to real estate because of its flexibility, unlimited earning potential, and true independence, Bobbi’s time in the classroom prepared her to thrive in agent life.

“The best teachers are known for being empathetic and for possessing strong negotiation skills,” Bobbi says. “Master-level real estate professionals possess the same skills. It's important in both career paths to meet people where they are. That means listening to their story and educating them on the next steps.”

While Bobbi was working to inspire her students, Karen was teaching in her own way. Through her many years in software and hardware sales in Silicon Valley, working for both start-ups and a large public company, Karen cultivated a different kind of educational approach as her success relied upon informing clients about her products and their benefits. Although different, their experiences prepared the future REALTORSⓇ for the business and for success.

“Being able to adapt to different personalities and understanding what drives people are important,” says Karen of the commonalities in her past and current careers. “That means being able to put ourselves in someone else's shoes and truly understand what is important to them. Like Bobbi said, having empathy in this business is crucial.” 

Bobbi and Karen each sought change in their career journeys and felt a call toward real estate. In fact, for Karen, it had been a lifelong dream. Early in her time as a REALTORⓇ, she met Bobbi, who had become an agent just few a years before, and the two clicked instantly.

“We lived in the same neighborhood and had mutual friends through a wine club,” remembers Karen. “We connected as friends and co-workers, and formed a partnership together almost immediately.”

As is true for many teams, the pair found that their skill sets and experiences were well-balanced—where one is particularly strong, the other may not have a natural aptitude. This dynamic is the key to their prolonged success.

“Karen is a people person, and real estate is a people-oriented career,” says Bobbi. "You need a personality that can woo prospective clients and gain their confidence. Karen's friendly personality can score a lot of points right away.”

“Bobbi is very knowledgeable, having been in the business for over twenty years, and she is extremely dedicated to our clients,” adds Karen. “She has great insights and the ability to read people well.”

The partners also know the importance of adaptability in the constantly changing real estate market. Over the years, they’ve adopted new technologies and techniques to better serve their clients.

“As I learned in my past teaching experience and in life, there are twists and turns, many of which are totally unexpected,” observes Bobbi. “Life and experience teach us how to cope with uncertainties. No textbook or classroom can teach you that. This has been helpful as we change with the real estate environment.”

Recently, Naperville Team Homes has incorporated new advances like virtual property tours to enable clients to view homes remotely. They’ve also dabbled in AI to analyze data and automate some work processes. These and other tactics have made their lean but mighty team gain efficiencies and make a major impact for their clients.

Looking forward, the duo hopes to grow their team, either by adding buyers’ agents or expanding their network. They’ve seen year-over-year sales growth since they started nearly two decades ago now, and have no plans to slow down anytime soon. Both Karen and Bobbi are lifelong learners and adventure seekers, but both say they find adrenaline thrills in the everyday of being REALTORSⓇ.

“I believe a successful life is marked by continuous learning and personal growth. This extends beyond the workplace to all aspects of life,” notes Bobbi. “It's important to embrace new experiences, cultivate hobbies, and engage in lifelong learning. Furthermore, it equips us with a broader perspective that can be invaluable in our professional endeavors.”

“One of the most profound and gratifying aspects of being a real estate agent is the opportunity to play a pivotal role in our clients’ lives,” she adds. “We are not just facilitating property transactions, we are helping individuals and families make positive, life-altering decisions.”

“I absolutely love what I do, and I plan to be a REALTORⓇ into my late seventies,” says Karen. “I love being able to help people, and I feel fortunate to have found a career where I can do that.”