Tom became a REALTOR® driven by a desire for a more social career. When he invited Juli to join him, they didn’t just build a business—they created a dream team.

 

Tom grew up as an Eagle Scout with aspirations to serve his country. He graduated early from high school and went straight into the Air Force, where he was stationed in Germany. While there, he took college courses, always looking ahead to what was next. 

 

When his service ended, he enrolled at Iowa State University to study electrical engineering. He met Juli in his hometown, where she was an art student at the time and dating someone else. They were engaged before he graduated.

 

Right out of college, they got married, moved to California, and spent the next 9 years in California working in the field. A few years after starting their family, they moved back to Illinois to be closer to family. That’s when Tom hit a turning point—he realized he wasn’t fulfilled sitting indoors all day, staring at screens, with little interaction with people. He wanted something where he could see the impact of his work. 

 

His mom had built a great career as a real estate agent and he figured he could do it too. Tom got his license in 2001, with his mom as his mentor. She taught him the business inside and out. He learned how to prioritize clients, make the process easy for them, stay committed and always be available. Over the years, he joined a new brokerage and learned new technology systems to make his work more efficient.

 

All the while, he kept inviting Juli to join him in real estate… but it would take many years before she finally agreed.

 

Being a REALTOR® was originally not on Juli’s roadmap. Her mom was an artist, and like her, has always been a visual person. In high school, she was introduced to a printing press, where she got to play with artwork that would be printed on paper. She was hooked and went on to study advertising design in college—learning about page layouts, magazine ads, shadow, shape, and form. Around that time, she met Tom.

 

Moving to California was great. She worked for a local newspaper, and they built friendships with couples who are still their friends today. She also worked for Sage Publications, designing brochures and marketing materials. But as much as they enjoyed California, it was always their plan to raise their two children in Illinois.

 

Juli handled most of Tom's marketing materials for more than 20 years. Meanwhile, she raised their kids, looked after the house, and took on freelance design jobs. Faith has always been an important part of her life, and for a time, she even worked at the church! However, after many years, she decided it was time to become an agent and join Tom in the business.

 

She studied for her real estate license while also spending time with their parents, who were in nursing homes. Eventually, she stepped into real estate full-time and now works with Tom as a team. 

 

They're still active in their church, serving in the marriage ministry and helping pack food for those in need. For fun, they love to travel—enjoying everything from skiing and snow shoeing to snorkeling and scuba diving. Their kids are fully grown now—Erik is an engineer and married and Jessica works with autistic children. 

 

They love working as a team and seeing the impact they have on their clients. Each of them brings unique strengths to the process, ensuring a seamless experience. Tom has over 24 years of experience in real estate, bringing strong analytical skills and deep market knowledge. He carefully evaluates pricing to ensure their sellers list competitively and their buyers don’t overpay. Juli is compassionate, detail-oriented and creative. With decades of experience in visual art, she has a keen eye for aesthetics, making sure homes are clean and visually appealing before showings. She ensures every property is ready for selling.

 

Communication is one of their biggest strengths—both with clients and between themselves — no detail gets overlooked. They take the time to truly understand their clients, driving them to properties when needed and helping them find the right fit. In negotiations, they represent their clients with a fair, non-emotional approach, ensuring all parties reach a reasonable agreement. Their goal is to make the process smooth, informed, and successful for their clients.

Sincerely,

Tom Rasmussen

Juli Rasmussen