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Elmwood Park real estate agent’s work ethic earns the sale
While at his Elmwood Park office, realtor Gabe Caporale said his success is achieved outside those walls. | Jerry Daliege~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 19, 2013 1:00PM
ELMWOOD PARK — For Gabe Caporale, keeping positive affirmations and slogans in abundant supply is one of the reason he’s done well in the real estate business.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Caporale Realty Inc., located at 7646 W. North Ave. in Elmwood Park. The 64-year-old set out in the business when he was 21, working as a real estate broker.
Caporale said he enjoyed the job because the employee earns the salary they want and deserve to have.
“The harder you work the better you do,” he explained.
He did so well that in 1983 he opened up his own real estate business, and has been located in the same space ever since. The small business expanded over the years, and Caporale currently has 15 real estate brokers working for him.
He said the secret to his success is simple.
“I’m a hard worker,” he said. “I’m good at marketing and selling someone’s house. I have repeat business of selling people’s houses, some for three generations.”
Caporale is seldom in the office, though. He said one must “circulate to percolate.”
“You have to go out for the business,” he said. “The business doesn’t come to you.”
“You have to be out there and self-promote yourself,” Caporale continued. “If you don’t promote yourself people go someplace else.”
When he is in the office, he’s not relaxing. His impact on the business is easy to see.
Caporale is usually moving around, up front at the receptionist’s desk fielding phone calls or on his cellular phone, which appears to never stop ringing. He often carries paperwork around related to a deal he is trying to close.
“You get to do a good (business) deal forever,” he said. “You only do a bad deal once.”
In addition to promoting his business, he considers himself a self-motivator, working at least 10 hours a day. His day typically starts around 8 a.m. at St. Vincent Ferrar for mass. He heads over to Onion Roll Restaurant in Oak Park for breakfast and then to work.
“If you are not a self-starter, you won’t do well in this business,” he said.
Caporale has lived in Elmwood Park since 1963, has been married to his wife, Janice, for 35 years, and has two children and two grandchildren.
He said the village has a lot to offer and has enjoyed living and working in town.
“I think it’s easy to sell in Elmwood Park,” he said. “It’s in a good location.”
Along with helping clients buy or sell their home, his business also deals in commercial and investment real estate.
“We never give up,” he said. “We get the best price for the seller and the best price for the buyer.”
“Winners never quit, quitters never win,” he said.
Caporale said the satisfaction that comes with pleasing a customer after a sale or purchase isn’t easy to let go.
“I don’t think I’ll ever retire,” he said. “I think I’ll slow down as I get older, but this is what I like to do.”
