I retired in 2004, having sold a successful (small) software company. I failed at retirement! Hated it! Also, my wife said I could be retired, but not at home. So I looked around for a new challenge and found real estate. Love it! What could be more fun than helping nice and interesting people make one of the most important investments of their lives?
Mini Bio: Hometown, Anchorage, AK. The Colorado College(BA in Business). US Army Intelligence. Thunderbird Graduate School of Global Management (MBA). Advertising career, highlighted by the introduction of IBM PC's. Owner of a Software Company (sold it!). Began Real Estate Career. Married. Two grown children and two grandchildren. Three granddogs, and one grandcat.
Real Estate: My primary focus in real estate is luxury residences in the City of Chicago. What a great place to work and live! Or, if you live elsewhere...what a great place to have an "in-town". I can help you find the best buys in the best buildings in Chicago...Gold Coast, Millennium Park, Streeterville, the Loop, River North, Lake Shore East, South Loop. I have also handled a number of Short Sales -- painful, takes forever -- but the result can be a really great buy.
A few beliefs:
Buyers:
- Buying a residence is an emotional experience for the buyer. My job is to make sure it is also a good business decision.
- Never buy directly from a developer w/o having your own agent! Developers do NOT have YOUR best interests at heart. You need representation (buyer representation is FREE. Take advantage.)
- In real estate, you make your money when you purchase. Buy well, and you won't suffer when you sell.
- Don't buy a built-in negative. It will make selling difficult sometime down the line. (e.g. right next to the L tracks. Even if YOU get used to it, it will severely limit your pool of buyers when you want to sell)
- Aside from the # of bedrooms and baths, square footage, balcony, views, amenities....Where do you want to be when you step out the door in the morning?
Sellers:
- What sells today in real estate is in the top 5% of condition, and the bottom 5% of the price.
- If you are selling, be realistic. Listing is not selling.
- You can waste an enormous amount of market time and effort by being overpriced in the market.
- A good rule for setting your price when selling. Pretend you are a buyer. Looking at the comps...would YOU pay what you are asking?
If you want someone who will tell you what you want to hear...that's not me. If you want honest, professional, knowledgeable help selling or buying a residence, that's me. Call me. Let's talk. 312-593-0999, or email me through the contact form on this page.
