Brent Wilk is the founder, managing broker, and owner of Wilk Real Estate, an independent brokerage based in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. He and his team serve clients across the greater Chicago area and 14 northern Illinois counties. With over 20 years in the industry, Brent has successfully closed more than 2,200 property sales. While his focus is primarily on residential real estate, Brent also brings valuable experience in commercial transactions. His expertise spans traditional sales, REO properties, short sales, probate and estate sales, relocation, land deals, investor services, and portfolio asset management.

In this episode, Dante and Brent discuss:

• How Brent transitioned from banking to founding Wilk Real Estate
• Lessons from surviving the 2008 housing crash and building an independent brokerage
• Why trust, referrals, and personal branding matter more than company logos
• Current real estate trends and the importance of pricing in today's market
• Brent’s role as a community leader, youth coach, and radio host is giving back

Key Takeaways: 

• Journey to success wasn’t instant; it was forged through relentless dedication, mentorship from seasoned professionals, and hands-on experience that taught him more than any textbook could. Real-world learning became his foundation for long-term growth.
• The agent—not the brand—makes the difference. Clients gravitate toward authenticity, reliability, and availability far more than flashy corporate logos.
• The 2008 housing crash tested Brent’s resilience, but instead of backing down, he leaned in, adapted, and emerged with deeper industry insight and sharper business instincts.
• A common mistake Brent sees is overpricing based on emotion or aspiration. Instead, he emphasizes grounding pricing strategy in market data, comps, and actual home conditions to avoid extended listing periods.
• Whether he’s coaching youth baseball or highlighting local businesses on his radio show, Brent is driven by a commitment to community and the belief that legacy is built through service and influence beyond the closing table.

“I see a lot of agents who rely on the logo of the company they’re with and assume that the company is what’s making them money. That’s wrong. It’s absolutely incorrect. It’s the person doing the communicating on behalf of the company who’s building their own fortune and success.” - Brent Wilk

Connect with Brent Wilk:

Website: https://chicagoareahomeexpert.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentwilk/ 

Phone: 815-230-5356

Connect with Dante Royster:

Website: https://www.danteroyster.com/

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKTRWLRP

LinkedIn: Dante Royster | LinkedIn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanteRoyster

YouTube: Epic Spotlight 

Email: dante@epic.mortgage

Mission Statement: Epic Spotlight shines a light on the truths behind love, happiness, health, and wealth. Hosted by America’s Mortgage Expert and author Dante Royster, this podcast delivers bold insights to help you grow and build your most epic life.

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.