Jennifer Ackerman Bolts for Compass

Jennifer Ackerman, one of Virginia Cook’s top agents, has moved to Compass. Her first day there was April 2.

“It definitely wasn’t a decision that I took lightly,” Ackerman said. “After weeks of back and forth I decided to make the leap. I think it’s a very exciting transition.”

Ackerman began her real estate career at Virginia Cook 12 years ago.  She has been the company’s second-best selling agent for the past three years. In 2017, her volume topped $27 million. Going into this year, she still loved her job and was not seeking a change. When a Compass representative called, she agreed to take the meeting mostly as a courtesy.

“I left the meeting impressed,” she said. “I was blown away by the different ways that they were thinking about the industry.”

Specifically, she cites the marketing and design tools, which she believes will help her sell faster and be spot-on with pricing She is also excited to be aligned with a company that has a larger support staff.

“I think those things are going to allow me to maintain the high quality of service and focus that my clients expect,” Ackerman said. “It’s also gong to bring them a more efficient, personalized and forward-thinking real estate experience.”

Growing up, Ackerman said she always loved houses. She fondly recalls ”playing Realtor” and riding her bike through homes that were being built. Her father, Mike Friedman, is a long-time commercial real estate broker who taught her that reputation is everything. She thoroughly discussed the Compass opportunity with him before deciding to make the move.

“I felt like when I got out of college I had some pretty big shoes to fill, but I didn’t want to go into the commercial side,” she said. “I wanted to go and make my own mark in residential real estate.”

Ackerman plans to continue focusing on homes of various price-points in East Dallas, Lake Highlands, and Uptown as well as suburban North Dallas, Plano, Frisco and McKinney. She believes this larger footprint aligns with Compass’ goal of increasing its presence throughout the North Texas market.

“I would say I have a wide net, but I’m comfortable in all of those areas,” she said.

In October, Ackerman will celebrate a decade of being cancer-free. Early in her career she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Being very young at the time, she struggled to find people who could relate to her plight. Today, she works to support others who are dealing with the same disease. Doctors sometimes call her when they have a patient they think she could help.

“I like to talk with them about it and just let them know that things can be okay and it’s not always so dire,” she said. “I like to be a sounding board for them and I like to give back wherever I can.”