An Advocate’s Heart
Rachel Scheid’s childhood memories of dinners supplied by a food pantry and family Christmas presents courtesy of a community charity have shaped her character and, to an extent, her real estate career. In her Chicago market, she feels for clients worried about housing affordability. Skyrocketing property taxes, in particular, are sidelining many prospective buyers. Those concerns fuel her dedication to REALTOR® advocacy. She’s the 2020 vice chair of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®’ RPAC Committee. “I go to a lot of community meetings to hear what people are saying about rent control and other issues,” says Scheid, 29. They help her take the pulse of her neighbors and provide talking points for connecting with clients. “None of my clients feel like I’m just trying to close a deal,” she says. “They know I’m trying to help them be successful homeowners for the long term.”