Carlas P. Gilbert, CNS, MRP

Prince Realty Group LLC.

 Happy Wednesday Golden Divas!

Carlas welcome to Club Fifty ‘Circle of Sisterhood!’

There’s a significant gender divide in real estate where women have to fight to get a seat at the table. It is no secret the “Good Ole Boys’ dominate the commercial real estate. White men represent 80 percent of senior executive positions, while women only comprise 43 percent. On the other hand, it seems that women dominate in residential real estate, leading the way with 64 percent of women, who are all certified Realtors, according to the National Association of Realtors. 

These stats brought me to my Golden Diva for the month, a woman who determines her success by her terms. She rose and met the challenges through tumultuous times and leveled the playing field by owning her boutique-style realty firm, Prince Realty Group, where more women can have a seat at the table.

This impressive professional firm provides an experience that empowers, with an innovative, diverse environment promoting confidence that enables sound decision making. Don’t let their size fool you, The PRG team goes the extra mile, they specialize in educating her clients by coaching and guiding them through the buying and selling process with outstanding customer service and proficiency; while significantly impacting the local economy. She also builds connections globally to help communities thrive. 

Golden Divas, I would like to introduce to you my friend Carlas P. Gilbert, she is an experienced knowledgeable professional realtor. I met her at Percy L. Julian high school, our alma mater, here in Chicago, and I had the pleasure of having her as a guest on our radio show, ‘Let’s Stay Together Talk.’ Carlas is the epitome of a woman reaching back to help another woman achieve her dreams. I am proud to call her my friend, a woman with integrity and grace who makes life dreams come true for women and individuals in the real estate business.  

“My core values are based on integrity. Integrity is a huge characteristic that tells the story of how I represent my clients.”

MEET CARLAS P. GILBERT, CNS, MRP

Carlas Prince Gilbert is a Chicago native; she is 53 years old, single with no children, and she attends St. Dorothy’s Catholic church. She loves to dance, skate, and is currently enjoying her Netflix evenings and decorating her outdoor space, meditation, and zoom workouts.

Ms. Gilbert is a successful entrepreneur, Real Estate Broker/Owner of Prince Realty Group. After a successful 10-year term as the Controller of Chicago Magazine (Tribune Co), her responsibilities ranged from creating marketing analysis, strategic budget planning, revenue recognition, and managing a successful team of financial analyst. Carlas decided to pursue her entrepreneur endeavors in a career in real estate. She brings a combined 20+ years of experience in luxury, and distress markets, financial, and mortgage industry.

She works with first time home buyers, investors, and sellers, coaching and guiding them through one of the most significant investments some will ever make. She was a “2018 Graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Certificate of Entrepreneurship.” Carlas earned one of the “2017 Chicago Association of REALTORS® Top Producer”, “Executive Club, Outstanding Sales Performance 2013,” and “2010 Top Producer of the Year” award at Weichert Realtors, featured in Chicago Magazine.

Carlas is a recent founder of a non-profit organization; in 2019, she opened up Woodlawn Diversity in Action, a charitable, educational, athletic, and social organization that promotes positive activities and community awareness in the Chicago Woodlawn Community. She is currently an instructor for Sunshine Business Enterprises, utilizing her experiences as a Broker and educational background to help develop and inspire fellow entrepreneurs.

Carlas is known as a “closer” among her fellow peers in the real estate market. She successfully mentors’ Brokers and coaches’ entrepreneurs in building and maintaining long-term relationships and seeking various revenue streams to ensure numerous growth opportunities.

Ms. Gilbert memberships include: National Association of Realtors, Chicago Associations of Realtors, Goldman Sachs Alumni Ambassador, CAR Grievance Committee, Woodlawn Residence Association, Military Relocation Professional, Certified Negotiation Specialist, 203K Specialist Community work include mentoring young female adults through mentoring programs at the Chicago Public School Board of Education, Conference Presenter for UNM Mentoring Institute, Organizer of Annual Woodlawn Food Truck Festival, and community activist.

“Breakthrough results occur only when we’re willing to give up the old and embrace the new. Today, exercise your risk-taking muscle.”

IN CONVERSATION WITH CARLAS P. GILBERT, CNS, MRP

C50: Carlas, how did you get your start in real estate?

CPG: After college graduation (Tennessee State University), I started in the banking industry as a personal banker. While working as a personal banker to increase my sales, I learned about mortgages, which was my 1st introduction to the real estate industry. I soon became a mortgage lender after moving to Atlanta, Georgia.  Once moving back to Chicago and working for Chicago Magazine as the controller, I decided to continue my passion for the real estate industry by obtaining my real estate license.

C50: How long has your company Prince Realty Group, LLC, a boutique-style real estate company, been operating? 

CPG: I opened my doors on March 17, 2014.  Also, is it staffed by women only? We have one male, which is the company transaction coordinator, and an all-women Broker staff.

C50: Do financial power and financial literacy play a part in the birth of PRG?

CPG: Yes, it was the recession that sparked the birth of PRG. At the same time, I attended graduate school at DePaul University and obtained a master’s degree in real estate and Adult Financial Literacy. I then discovered one of the causes of the recession was the lack of knowledge in the subprime market’s workings, causing the real estate bubble to burst.  I set a goal, every new home buyer I received the opportunity to assist I would educate them on learning the best banking programs to meet their needs vs. the banks deciding for them.

C50: As a Black-owned real estate company, what are some of the things that PRG specializes in to assist their clients?

CPG: PRG specializes in educating their clients through the entire buying and selling process, providing an exclusive service, where each buyer feels they are our only clients. We provide an experience while building confidence, that enables sound decision making.

C50: How does PRG globally help communities thrive?

CPG: The internet has allowed PRG to educate on a global level. We are developing a “Next Step” online guide, walking 1st time home buyers through all the steps needed once you have an accepted offer on your new home.  Helping all communities thrive through education.

C50: Where do you see PRG five years from now?

CPG: I recently received our MBE and WBE certification with the city of Chicago. This has added another potential revenue stream, allowing PRG to partner with large government housing projects. I see PRG increasing their broker staff, moving into a larger office, teaching, and providing an instructional curriculum for new brokers on the best practices from 1st time home buyers while demonstrating the importance of creating a safe space for their clients.

C50: Carlas as a black female and owner of a real estate company, what has been your greatest professional challenge?

CPG: The real estate industry can be non-trusting. Being a small black female business owner, to be respected in the real estate industry, I have worked around the clock to sell properties and build a team of great attorneys, lenders, and inspectors to ensure a smooth transaction for all parties involved. I was told once, “people want Big named companies.” Those words inspired me to push forward and built an organization that provides an exclusive service that makes people feel special working with the PRG team.

C50: What are some 2019 commercial market trends that you expect to continue through 2020?

CPG: We are now in the world of entrepreneurship! Even though we entered an unforeseen time, entrepreneurs are learning innovative skills to continue to thrive and push forward. The need will resurface for brick and mortar, therefore, increasing the commercial industry.

C50: Is Prince Realty group exposing more women to commercial real estate as a possible career path?

CPG: My target audience has evolved into single women, which makes up 18% of the home buying industry, increasing 2-3% per year.  Establishing a portfolio of real estate prepares our women for investment in commercial properties. As a property management instructor for Sunshine Business Enterprise, I teach a class that outlines the process, and most of the students I coach are women.

C50: What word of advice can you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and changemakers who are looking to get into the real estate business?

CPG: In today’s world, building wealth is established by obtaining numerous streams of income. Entrepreneurship is our way to freedom.  Freedom to build generational wealth for our families and communities. Coming from the corporate industry, dedicating long hours for years to help build and ensure success for someone else’s company, then get laid off once the financial industry collapsed, taught me a huge lesson. Working long hours for myself and my community brings a sense of purpose and gratitude, so our clients chose to work with PRG.

Bonus Question

C50: How can a Golden Diva connect with you at Prince Realty Group?

CPG: Here you go:

Location: 503 E. 61st, Chicago, IL 60637

Email: Carlas@princerealtygroup.com,

Text: For a quicker response, text (773) 329-6648

Website: princerealtygroup.com

C50: There you have it, Golden Divas, Carlas P. Gilbert aka, ‘The Closer’ is on the rise in the Chicagoland area, ready to assist and educate you with all of your realty concerns. SOLD!!!!