How Top Bloomington & Chicagoland Realtor Courtney Monaco Built a Real Estate Empire

Meet Courtney Monaco: A Top Realtor in the Bloomington and Chicagoland Real Estate Market
A powerhouse real estate agent serving Bloomington and the greater Chicagoland area. From humble beginnings and bold moves to running a high-performing team, Courtney's story offers a masterclass in building a profitable, people-first real estate business.

More Than a Realtor: Herbalism, Family, and Finding Purpose Beyond Real Estate
Before diving into real estate, Courtney had already proven her dedication to solving problems—starting with her daughter’s asthma and eczema. Rejecting the standard medical advice, Courtney dove deep into herbalism and holistic healing. The result? Her daughter has been inhaler-free for over two years. That passion for health and advocacy spills into her professional life—where she's just as dedicated to her clients’ well-being and home dreams.

Starting Her Real Estate Career in Bloomington, IL
Courtney's real estate journey began in Bloomington, Illinois, where she initially worked in marketing and operations for a Keller Williams office. After just three weeks, her team leader recognized her potential and encouraged her to get licensed. She dove headfirst into Keller Williams’ BOLD training, which laid the groundwork for her fearless approach to client acquisition—through door knocking, open houses, and social media.

Relocating Back to Chicagoland and Building a Real Estate Team
After a year and a half in Bloomington, Courtney and her husband moved back to Chicagoland, where she decided to launch her own real estate team. Using her deep local ties, Courtney combined her sphere of influence, Facebook marketing, and relentless door knocking to establish herself as a go-to agent in her hometown.

In 2014, her business took off. By 2015, while pregnant with her second child, Courtney made her first hire—who stayed with her for a decade. Since then, she has built a full team, including an operations manager and two licensed brokers.

Team Structure and Smart Hiring in the Chicagoland Real Estate Market
A major takeaway from Courtney’s journey? Hire smart, and hire early. While her first hire worked out well, she acknowledges the importance of using formal hiring models like the Keller Williams Career Visioning system.

Her team now operates under a clearly defined model—Courtney handles listings while her agents work with both buyers and sellers. Everyone is encouraged to grow, but with one key philosophy in mind: “Life by design.”

A Realtor Who Puts People First – Inside the "Life by Design" Mindset
Courtney is a rare breed of real estate team leader. She begins annual planning with personal goals, not production targets. Her weekly check-ins are focused on preventing burnout and ensuring that her team members live fulfilling personal lives.

Real Estate Lead Generation That Works in Low-Inventory Markets
What makes Courtney a top Chicagoland realtor in 2025? It's her commitment to relationships, referrals, and boots-on-the-ground strategies. Her team is 90% referral-based, thanks to:

• Strong vendor relationships

• Quarterly client events (Pumpkin Farm, Ice Cream Social with Pickleball, Thanksgiving Pie Pickup)

• Robust social media presence

• High-converting open houses

• Strategic door knocking in low-inventory neighborhoods

Even in a tight market, Courtney finds homes for buyers—by knocking on doors and letting homeowners know she has serious buyers ready.

Real Estate Mistake to Avoid: Don’t Skip the Hiring Process
Courtney’s biggest piece of advice for agents looking to grow a team?

“Never rush the hiring process. You’ll think you’re saving time, but you could be putting the wrong person in the wrong seat—and that limits their success and yours.”