Meet Peak Realty Portfolio Manager | Broker Matt Ayo. Having been in the game for just three years, Ayo is a rising star in the industry and has effortlessly transacted over 500 deals (which have led to property closings in the millions) since 2020. Not to mention, his hard work has already garnered him the prestigious ‘Top Producer Award’ by the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR) multiple years in a row.
Illinois Real Estate Journal: Tell us a bit about your background. Where’d you grow up? Where’d you go to school?
Matt Ayo: I grew up about 25 minutes from the heart of Dallas, in Coppell, Texas. After graduation, I moved to Florida to pursue music full time and was able to play music in several bands while touring the country. I received the opportunity to move to NYC, where I continued music and began my college career getting my AA degree. After looking into schools that I wanted to finish at, Columbia College in Chicago seemed like the best fit for me, so I transferred here, received my BFA and started running my own audio business. Along the way, I worked at Apple, did a brief stint in logistics, and landed organically in real estate.
Illinois Real Estate Journal: What factors do you attribute to your rapid success in the commercial real estate industry, achieving over 500 deals and millions in property closings within just three years of becoming a licensed broker?
Ayo: I have a naturally strong work ethic, and I have always been an over-achiever, but I wouldn’t be anywhere I am today without the mentorship and guidance of the leadership team here at Peak Realty. The opportunities that Shane Rachman, Oren Pollack and Michael Horwitz have brought into our establishment have allowed for me to really learn this business and continue to push myself into new experiences that have rounded me out to be the broker I am today.
Illinois Real Estate Journal: You specialize in both buyer representation and listing properties. How do you strike a balance between these roles, and how do they complement each other in your business strategy?
Ayo: They’re both very similar, yet totally different at the same time. When you’re listing a property, you want to always be realistic with your seller or owner and make sure they understand market conditions, and any recent comps that are available to them. Your goal is always to get them the best solution for what they need, which is the same scenario on the buyer or renter’s side of things. I’m always looking for ways to get creative with helping someone discover what their true goals are depending on the scenario.
Illinois Real Estate Journal: As someone who has lived in various local neighborhoods, how has this helped you excel in your current position, especially when it comes to catering to the specific needs and preferences of your clients?
Ayo: It definitely always helps to be able to say, “Oh, I used to live right around the corner from there.” Right off the bat, knowing which local holes in the wall to go to is key. Everyone loves feeling like that taqueria is “their spot” even though the same one likely serves hundred of patrons a day. Parks and recreational spaces are important to everyone, as well. My favorite in the city is either Horner Park or Welles Park. Super expansive spaces to enjoy the good weather with friends and family. With families who have younger kids, it’s always important to know about the schools in the neighborhood and what those options look like for them.
Illinois Real Estate Journal: Your career change from Apple to real estate was inspired by a meeting with Ari Weil. Can you elaborate on the conversation or factors that convinced you to take the leap into commercial real estate?
Ayo: Great question. I worked with Ari at Apple in sort of a top sales-meets-mentor-meets-onboarding position that the company had titled as “expert.” We were on the same team for a while before he left to pursue real estate, and we’d always gotten along and maintained contact after he left. Ultimately COVID hit; I was let go from the logistics job I had at the time and began to reach out to any professional contacts I had to see how things were going for them. I remember it very clearly: I was on my back deck, called him up, and he said, “The timing for this is very wild, since we were just discussing how we need to hire two more brokers.” I set up a time to come by their office to meet with Michael and Shane, and the rest is history.
Illinois Real Estate Journal: As someone with a background in fine arts, how do you incorporate creativity and innovation into your real estate practice, and how has this unique perspective contributed to your success in the industry?
Ayo: I’d have to say that 50% of what I do is getting creative. Whether it’s with price adjustments, offering concessions, how the buildings look in our marketing ads, or how I can creatively spin a negative into a positive. It’s a daily practice that I’m still building upon, but it’s definitely something I feel I have an edge on because of my background.
Illinois Real Estate Journal: Your most recent success involved achieving 100% leasing for a property while managing a gut rehab—all within six months. Can you share some insights into your approach to property management and how you effectively attract and retain tenants to maximize occupancy rates?
Ayo: While I’m not directly involved in property management, our strong partnership with Peak Properties has allowed for my team and I to have a strong connection with the buildings they manage and the tenants that occupy them. I don’t think property managers get enough credit for what they do, how long their days and weeks are, or how many tenants they’re responding to or working with every day. Mike Zucker, Cory Eisenstein, and their property management team have allowed for us to transact our deals smoothly, while verifying the tenants we’re bringing in will have a great experience.
Side note: The residential coordinators at Peak Properties are also the unsung heroes.
Illinois Real Estate Journal: With such a successful track record, what advice would you give aspiring real estate professionals looking to make their mark?
Ayo: Just say yes. I don’t care if it’s something that sounds boring or beneath you—you will always come out a stronger broker if you just say yes to opportunity. No one owes you anything, and no one is going to hand out free commission. If you’re able to cover that open house or take that showing other people don’t want, that’s what will set you apart from the rest. That, and just work hard and be nice.
Illinois Real Estate Journal: Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals, both personal and professional, and how do you plan to continue your trajectory of success?
Ayo: Personally, my wife and I closed on our first single family home earlier this year. We’ve already gotten about 85% of the place built out how we wanted, but we still have some good work cut out ahead of us! Professionally, I’d just like to continue to grow…however that may look. I believe I’m seen as a leader at Peak Realty, and I’m always there for my team if they need me, but I’d love to get more involved in the larger scale investment deals that we’ve really started to bring in as of late. Like I mentioned before, I’ll continue to work hard, be nice, and say yes as much as I’m able to.
Illinois Real Estate Journal: If you could own any fictional property from a movie, TV show or book, which one would it be?
Ayo: This is a tough one. Does Hogwarts count? Just kidding. If I had to choose one property to own, I think it would be the estate from the Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House—minus the ghosts. This house has all the elements that I find fascinating. On the exterior, it’s a gorgeous old Tudor-style mansion, and on the inside, it has all of the woodwork and character that a house from that time period should have.