“Truthfully, when I first obtained my real estate license, I felt intimidated to tell people,” says REALTORⓇ Sarah Martinath of Compass in Hinsdale. “I initially practiced real estate from a community about twenty-five minutes away from the one where I lived, but I soon recognized I was limiting my success.”

Early on in her career as a REALTORⓇ, Sarah learned that home buyers and sellers value agents who are connected to and embedded in their own communities. So she quickly shifted gears, left her too far away brokerage, and brought her talent to her own backyard, serving clients in her home community.

“Prospective clients will partner with people they know, trust, and connect with,” Sarah says. “So, I hung my license in town and started telling everyone I knew that I was a licensed broker. I had to be my own advocate. I had to own and drive my business.” 

Originally from Salem, New Hampshire, Sarah attended Assumption University in Massachusetts where she earned a degree in communications. While there, Sarah met her husband, Jeff, and over the span of their now twenty-five year marriage, the couple relocated five times, eventually settling in Hinsdale. Because of her many experiences, Sarah empathizes with people who are moving to a new, unfamiliar community.

“Due to moving so many times early on, I quickly learned to utilize my communication and service skills to become invested in each place we lived,” says Sarah. “Starting over in a new community was always exciting to me. It always gave me new opportunities to make a mark. I easily relate to clients who have to make corporate moves, as well as those moving with children in tow.”

Sarah began her real estate career as a mortgage loan processor, then became a mortgage originator, and finally transitioned to an account manager position at a national mortgage lender. But all the while, she considered an eventual career pivot into the role of REALTORⓇ. Sarah is now approaching her fourteenth year as a real estate broker, and consistently brings a client-centric approach to every engagement.

“Becoming a REALTORⓇ was a natural progression from my early career in the mortgage industry,” she explains. “My foundational knowledge from the lending arena has undoubtedly enhanced the work I do as a real estate broker. I enjoy working directly with people. Changing careers fulfilled that role and desire from a different perspective.”

“As a real estate broker, I walk with people through the process of making one of the largest investments of their lives,” Sarah adds. “I am a protector by nature. If you are my family, friend, colleague, or client, I am going to look out for you—that is a huge part of the role a REALTOR® plays.”

Sarah’s commitment to service has led her to remain an independent, individual agent. It helps her maintain hands-on relationships with her clients from the beginning to the end of the process, whether they are listing or selling a property. This is especially true when she’s working with first-time home buyers who need extra guidance or added services.

“I work best with clients who want a bit of hand-holding throughout the process,” Sarah explains. “Facilitating and fostering positive connections—whether it is by way of introducing clients to potential lenders, attorneys, home inspectors, or other service providers—is important to me. I share my knowledge, experience, and resources with my clients. This helps to insulate them from potential problems that may arise. I only recommend people and businesses I know personally.”

When not spending extra time with clients, Sarah prioritizes her family and community. Sarah and Jeff have three children: Serena (24), Ryan (21), and Kayci (16). They often vacation together in Maine, and enjoy friendly competition in their card game of choice, Pitch. Sarah and Jeff give back to their alma mater and original meeting place, Assumption University, through scholarships. They also donate to the local cancer research organization, Scoreboard Charities.

Going forward, Sarah plans to continue building on the relationships she’s formed over her nearly fourteen-year career in real estate. Many of her past clients have become close friends who call on her multiple times and send her clients by referral. 

Although Sarah has spent much of her professional career in real estate, she doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. “I see a future where I hold a real estate license in Maine as well as maintain my Illinois real estate license and business,” she adds. “My husband and I love spending time at Ogunquit Beach in Maine. It is our special, happy place and we try to get there once or twice a year. Eventually, we hope to have a place of our own there, and ideally, we would be set up so that I can serve both Midwest and East Coast clients. As a solo broker who believes in a full-service, client-focused approach, I strive to be the agent my clients need wherever they are.”