Diana Smoot has been a dedicated real estate professional in Northwest Indiana for over 30 years. She is the Managing Broker at McColly Real Estate’s Highway 6, Willowcreek, and Lake Station offices.
Beyond her leadership and sales expertise, Smoot is passionate about mentoring new agents and fostering a collaborative, team-oriented work environment.
With her extensive experience, professionalism, and in-depth market knowledge, she remains a trusted real estate advisor for buyers and sellers across Northwest Indiana.
"I've been in real estate for a little over 30 years now,” said Smoot. ”One of the main reasons I got into the industry was because I wanted a career where I could set my hours and be my own boss. Before real estate, I worked as a legal secretary in downtown Chicago while selling real estate part-time. Eventually, I transitioned into selling real estate full-time and even had my own company."
Smoot ran her own company, New Horizons Real Estate, for 13 years. Before that, she worked for McColly Real Estate and Century 21. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Smoot was forced to close her company, and Ron McColly contacted her, encouraging her to return to McColly Real Estate. She rejoined the company in 2011 and has been with them ever since.
"Over time, I gradually grew into a mentor at the Route 6 office in Portage, where I mentored about 30 agents throughout my career,” said Smoot. “Eventually, I took on the recruiter role, bringing in experienced and new agents. I became the managing broker for our Route 6, Willow Creek, and Lake Station offices. This is my second year as a managing broker, and I oversee about 50 agents."
Thanks to her exceptional time management skills, Smoot expertly balances the demands of her real estate career while prioritizing personal time. These skills, along with her in-depth market knowledge, continue to help her serve as a trusted real estate advisor for the Region.
"On a day-to-day basis, I focus on nurturing the newer agents in my office, signing documents, making calls to my clients, meeting with them, and connecting with other agents,” said Smoot. “Time management is one of my strongest skills—I live by my calendar. Because of that, I can fit a lot into my day while staying organized and on schedule. It helps me balance everything effectively and maximize my time."
Smoot continues to gain knowledge and help others in the field. It feels rewarding to her to empower others to do precisely what she does.
“I truly enjoy training and mentoring new agents, and I strive to create a supportive, team-oriented work environment in my office,” said Smoot. “I also emphasize education—I want my agents to stay informed on the latest trends and best business practices. To support that, I host monthly ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions for agents to gain new knowledge and skills. Keeping them educated and prepared is something I’m passionate about."
Her ability to efficiently manage her schedule allows Smoot to mentor new agents, stay actively engaged with clients, and make time for her passions.
"I'm also a certified yoga instructor and teach beach yoga during the summer, which I love,” said Smoot. “Yoga is a big part of my life, both teaching and practicing it. In addition, I've been acting in local theaters around Northwest Indiana for about 25 years. I'm doing a show at Chicago Street Theatre in downtown Valparaiso, and this weekend is the closing show. Acting is more of a hobby for me, but I also direct shows from time to time. On top of that, I run an Airbnb business and own a couple of properties."
The best part is that Smoot keeps it in the family by teaching her daughter the ropes of real estate. This allows them to work together and build a strong foundation for the future.
"I live in Miller Beach with my two daughters, and right now, I’m training one of them to become a realtor so she can work with me,” said Smoot. “She’s currently enrolled in the McColly Real Estate School, and once she gets her license, she’ll be joining me in the business. We’re both excited about it and looking forward to working together.”
To learn more about Smoot and her exceptional real estate work, please visit her website, follow her on Facebook, or connect with her on LinkedIn.