Associate Broker

Essex Three-Twelve is Chicago’s only brokerage focused exclusively on the 3-to-12 unit multifamily market. Our brokers work with investors who own, buy, and sell small multifamily properties throughout the city, and those relationships generate both commercial and residential transaction volume.

The Associate Broker works directly alongside the Managing Broker across his commercial and residential business. This is a client-facing, in-the-field role: showing properties, attending inspections and appraisals, managing listings in the MLS, and driving transactions to close. It is the fastest way into this business for someone who wants to learn multifamily investment sales by doing the work rather than watching it, with a defined path to running an independent book.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Showings & Field Work — Primary Focus

• Schedule and conduct showings across commercial and residential listings, coordinating access with tenants, owners, and cooperating agents.
• Manage tenant notice in compliance with the Chicago RLTO and lease terms — the most common source of delay in occupied 3-to-12 unit properties.
• Attend and coordinate property inspections, appraisals, walkthroughs, and contractor visits.
• Capture and report showing feedback to the Managing Broker and to sellers.

Listing Management

• Input and maintain listings in the MLS, ensuring accuracy and completeness across all fields.
• Keep listing status, pricing, photos, and remarks current throughout the marketing period across the MLS and public listing platforms.
• Coordinate with the Analyst and Marketing on offering materials and listing presentations.

Transaction & Closing Coordination

• Help drive transactions from contract to close — tracking contingency dates, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Coordinate with attorneys, lenders, title companies, inspectors, and cooperating agents throughout the transaction.
• Chase outstanding documents and signatures, and flag slipping timelines before they become problems.
• Work alongside the team’s virtual transaction coordinator on file management and compliance items.

Client Service & Business Development

• Serve as a responsive point of contact for clients on assigned transactions, maintaining the service standard the Managing Broker has established.
• Support client follow-up, prospecting, and lead generation efforts.
• Identify residential clients who are candidates for multifamily investment and route them to the appropriate Essex 312 broker.
• Build market knowledge through canvassing, owner outreach, and consistent market study.

CAREER PATH

Essex Three-Twelve promotes from within, and this role is designed to develop into independent production:

• Months 1–12 — Support the Managing Broker across commercial and residential business while building market knowledge and transaction experience.
• Months 13–24 — Begin originating and running assigned transactions with supervision, while continuing to support the Managing Broker.
• Month 25 onward — Eligible to run your own brokerage business as an independent Essex 312 broker, with an assigned territory and standard broker split, subject to performance and Managing Broker approval.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Active Illinois real estate license, or the ability to obtain one prior to start.
• Reliable transportation and willingness to be in the field daily across Chicago.
• Excellent written and verbal communication — this role is client-facing from day one.
• Highly organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage competing deadlines across multiple active transactions.
• Genuine attention to detail, particularly with MLS data and transaction documents.
• Self-motivated, team-oriented, and eager to learn.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, real estate, sales, communications, economics, or a related field.
• Familiarity with MLS, CRM systems, and standard transaction software.
• Working knowledge of Chicago’s North Side and Northwest Side markets.

COMPENSATION

This is a 1099 independent contractor role, commission only. The Associate Broker participates in commissions on transactions they support and on business they originate, at splits set by the Managing Broker. Desk space, firm software, and market support are provided by Essex Three-Twelve. The Associate Broker is responsible for their own licensing, association dues, and business expenses.