Sean J. Conlon

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Sean J. Conlon grew up in the small village of Rathangan, County Kildare, Ireland and has become one of real estate's leading entrepreneurs.

Before immigrating to America in 1990, Sean attended the College of Marketing and Design Dublin Institute of Technology in Dublin and worked as a credit analyst for Middle East Bank in London. Upon his arrival in America, Sean found work as a janitor. While working in various buildings within the city, he learned that there was an immense opportunity in real estate.

In 1993, he joined Koenig & Strey (one of Chicago's top real estate brokerages) and within a few years, Sean became recognised as one of the leading sellers of residential real estate in the US, while still only in his 20's. His relentless work ethic (he regularly worked 100-hour weeks), led to sales volumes that grew exponentially each year. Sean set yearly sales records nationally among real estate agents that exceeded $170 million.

Conlon made his name buying small homes and replacing them with three-story condominiums and single family homes. Previously in Chicago, builders created developments and brought them to estate agents who sold them, but Conlon devised a new formula where he found the land, architect, builders and then marketed the entire project. This soup-to-nuts process made him one of the most successful real estate entrepreneurs in Chicago.

Sean applied the same energy that had propelled his sales career to pursuing prime locations and turning those opportunities into successful real estate ventures. In January 2000, he formed Sussex & Reilly ("Sussex"), an Illinois-based real estate brokerage firm. Sussex began with a 10-person staff and quickly became a major player in Chicago residential real estate. Sussex grew to over 300 employees and annual brokerage sales volume in excess of $1 billion, Sean subsequently sold Sussex in 2006.

Also in 2000, Conlon started Conlon & Co, a Real Estate Merchant Bank to provide real estate consulting and financial services to clients within the many facets of the industry. With this endeavour, he held steadfast to his belief that success is the result of both a hands-on approach and hard work. Conlon & Co consults to funds, institutions and high net worth individual providing these clients with advice, asset evaluation, acquisition support and portfolio management. His current clients are investing upwards of $100MM in real estate throughout the US

He continued his entrepreneurial spirit and, in 2005, launched Connaught Real Estate Finance a $100 million mezzanine fund that lends money to developers. In 2007, he started Conlon & Co. Ireland, an office in Dublin that advises European investors placing money in American projects.

In 2004, Sean, in partnership, acquired Near North National Title ("Near North"). Near North, a national real estate title company established in 1988, handles up to $5 billion in real estate transactions annually across the US He subsequently sold Near North in February 2010.

Sean also owns, Van & Conlon which built has developed 100 vacation homes, and in 2009 he returned to residential real estate brokerage with CONLON: A Real Estate Company (“CONLON”).

With CONLON, Sean Conlon once again has utilised his one-of-a-kind ability to connect with people to re-emphasise the joy and importance of home ownership. By instilling his principles and expertise in every Conlon agent, he has formed solid bedrock based on customer-oriented service, creating a personal experience for every client. Conlon brings to this brokerage his contrarian investment style, which has been at the root of his success.

In less than a decade, Mr. Conlon has become recognised as one of the top real estate experts in the country. He is often the “voice of real estate“ for journalists and reporters; he has been interviewed by CNN, CNBC, New York Times, Forbes, Crain’s and the Wall Street Journal to discuss the market and trends within the real estate industry.

Conlon has been featured in Crain's Chicago Business'Crain's Chicago Business "40 under 40",^[1] and the RTÉ documentary "Made in America".

Sean Conlon presides over an extensive real estate business; he and his companies have made an indelible mark on the way real estate sales are performed and transactions are executed. He has been recognised as one of the top real estate experts in the US;awarded Irish America's Business 100 profile four years running; and has spoken at The Wharton School of Business on entrepreneurship and leadership in 2006 and at Cornell and DePaul Universities in 2009.

With his humble beginnings in mind, Sean Conlon graciously takes pride in his many accomplishments – not only those that furthered his own career, but that created a wealth of opportunity for his many clients and associates alike. He continues to be an innovator in the real estate industry to provide the most knowledgeable and fitting consultation to his clients. During the past two recessions in the mid-90's and more recently in 2001/2002, Conlon managed to thrive and grow his real estate empire and will continue to do so.

On 26 June 2013 CONLON: A Real Estate Company became affiliated with one of the world’s most exclusive real estate networks, Christie’s International Real Estate.

Christie’s is one of the oldest and most highly respected privately held brands in the world. Their International Real Estate division specialising in high-end, exclusive properties has offices worldwide including London, Sydney, Italy, New York and Hong Kong to name a few and it is with pride that CONLON has become Christie’s exclusive affiliate for our great city of Chicago.

This is a great step for CONLON allowing them to be exposed to a wider national and international market. This allows them to better serve some of the world’s most exclusive home buyers and sellers.

CONLON will remain an independent part of a Christie’s global team that consists of 25,000 real estate professionals across 40 countries. It’s a great testament to our success as only the most accomplished brokerages are invited to join the Christie’s exclusive affiliate network.

Already, CONLON is working with some of the city’s most expensive properties, with a total of $500 million in sales last year and nearly 200 agents across the city and has recently opened their fourth office.

He is a major political contributor to the Democratic party.

Sean is also a passionate fly fisher and loves to travel the world.

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References

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Name	Conlon, Sean J.
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Date of birth	17 June 1969
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