Podcast

The Quiet Discipline Behind Asaf Arevalo’s Referral-Driven Career

Asaf didn’t arrive in Chicago speaking the language or knowing the system. He arrived with grit, a willingness to learn, and a natural ease with people. At twelve years old, he was asking for a bathroom at a gas station and realizing quickly that survival meant adapting fast. That early pressure shaped how he works today: calm, direct, and grounded in reality.

Asaf is a Chicago-based real estate broker with nearly a decade in the business. He’s also a father of two, a former dialysis technician, and someone who’s sold everything from gym memberships to insurance before landing where he is now. Sales wasn’t a pivot, it was always the throughline.

The turning point came when the healthcare path stopped making sense. Long hospital hours, missed sleep, and a nursing program rejection forced a reset. While Asaf was grinding through four a.m. shifts, his younger brother was earning more money at a gym with less stress. It showed him that effort alone doesn’t equal leverage.

He moved fully into sales, then into real estate in 2017. The mechanics were new, but the mindset wasn’t. Asaf already knew how to talk to people, ask the right questions, and handle pressure. What surprised him was how uncertain the early deals felt. Even with mentors, there were moments where the responsibility sat squarely on his shoulders. One foreclosure transaction in particular forced him to navigate banks, missing information, and impatient clients with no clear playbook. He figured it out anyway.

That experience shaped how he operates. Asaf stays deeply involved. He doesn’t push clients off to lenders and disappear. He starts with a real consultation, looks at documents, and asks uncomfortable questions early. If expectations don’t match reality, he says it plainly. “If you overpromise and can’t deliver, that’s it,” he says. He sees that as the biggest mistake in the industry.

His approach is simple. Treat every client like you’re on the other side of the table. Stay present, communicate, and be honest about what’s possible. He believes trust is built in the gaps where others check out. That’s why nearly all his business comes from referrals. He doesn’t rely on heavy marketing spend. He relies on relationships that last.

The same philosophy shows up online. Asaf doesn’t sell hard on social media. He blends real estate with real life. He knows people don’t like being sold. They like recognizing themselves in someone they trust. “Be you,” he says. “That’s what people respond to.” Consistency matters more than polish.

Outside of work, discipline stays central. He runs outdoors year-round. He boxes when stress builds. Movement keeps him steady in a business that never really shuts off. At home, that discipline turns into investment. His daughter competes in swimming. His son plays on a travel soccer team above his age group. Time and money go into those commitments without hesitation. Asaf sees the long view everywhere.

For anyone starting out, his advice is blunt. Be patient and consistent. Look yourself in the mirror and decide if you’re actually going to commit. Social media highlights aren’t the job. The job is what happens when nobody’s watching. “If you’re not all in,” he says, “you’re just wasting your time.”

That perspective didn’t come from shortcuts. It came from showing up early, learning the hard way, and staying real when it would’ve been easier to flex. Asaf isn’t trying to be bigger than he is. That’s why his business keeps growing.

The lesson transfers cleanly. Whether you’re in real estate, sales, or building a personal brand, depth beats noise. Trust beats hype. Longevity beats quick wins. People remember how you made them feel when things were uncertain.

Asaf sums it up simply. “Nobody likes to be sold. People like to be treated right.”


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About author

Articles

Abby Torres is a passionate mortgage lender with a knack for helping clients and real estate partners bring renovation dreams to life. As Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate, she specializes in home renovation loans. Originally from Los Angeles and raised in Kansas City, Abby now calls Chicago home, where she’s built a career rooted in education, mentorship, and building genuine connections.
Abby Torres
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