Seth was outstanding from start to finish. He brought a thoughtful and strategic approach to pricing and positioning the property, and his guidance during negotiations was exceptional. He is very skilled in negotiations and knew exactly how to create competitive tension, spur buyer interest, and drive the best possible outcome. Because of his approach, he was able to push the final result beyond our asking price, which speaks volumes about his expertise. He was always responsive, proactive, and clear in his communication, which made a potentially stressful process feel very manageable. What really stood out was his attention to detail and ability to anticipate issues before they became problems. From coordinating photography and showings to navigating offers and closing logistics, Seth handled everything seamlessly. I also ran into some unexpected issues with the city during the process, and Seth was an incredible guide throughout and provided excellent, practical guidance on how to navigate the situation and keep everything on track despite the challenges. Highly recommend Seth to anyone looking for a sharp, reliable, and results-driven realtor. read more

We owe our forever house to Captain Realty. Seth and his partner Liz helped us play the long game in a tight market and -- despite a very constrained search -- land the house that was right for us. As buyers in a competitive area (Bowmanville, Chicago), we were feeling some FOMO as the limited inventory sold for well over asking. Seth helped us stay patient, stay informed, and stay ready, while bringing clarity to what can often feel like a chaotic process. He walked us through the levers available to us when making an offer, framed our expectations realistically, and never pushed us beyond our comfort level. He kept us from overreaching on a house we didn't get, and later helped us recognize the value of an unusual opportunity that ultimately allowed us to stay in the neighborhood we love. On the selling side, Seth was incredibly helpful in preparing our place for market. Because he's primarily a buyer's agent, he was able to look at our condo through a buyer's eyes and give honest feedback about what mattered, what didn't, and where our effort (and renovation budget) would actually pay off. Beyond the transactions themselves, Seth is a great partner to have throughout the process. He's personable, easygoing, and brings some welcome levity to decisions that can feel high-pressure and high-stakes. He's generous with his time and experience, with a deep understanding of old Chicago houses and the character that makes them special. His advice didn't stop at closing, either; Seth's rolodex of trusted tradespeople has already proven invaluable as we settle into our place. If you're looking for realtors who understand both character and value, Captain Realty is the team you want. read more

After seeing multiple friends find their homes with Seth there was no question he was going to be my realtor. He was, a continues to be a year later, a true partner on the emotional and logistical journey of buying a single family home by myself. While I'd been watching the market for years and thought I had a good idea of what was out there he listened to my ideas and pushed me to be open to others I hadn't considered. Seth meets you where you're at and doesn't push you toward something not right for you. During open houses he both climbed into attics and under porches to inspect structure as well as offered ideas of what could and couldn't be renovated in a space. He is not the type of realtor that is focused on surface or decorative accents because he knows what is cheap vs expensive to change and doesn't waste your time discussing pull knobs or paint color. Seth answered 2am rambling emails about my feelings on a property or neighborhood and offered advice on when it was worth waiting it out instead of jumping in with an offer. His straight talk on the reality of the tough market was invaluable. During the whirlwind of the offer and closing process he provided multiple recommendations for professionals I needed from lawyers to sewer inspectors, keeping the process moving while I flew around the world on business trips. What do you do when a seller's attorney requires earnest money by physical check within 24 hours and you're halfway across the county without your checkbook? Seth rode through the bumps in the process with me. All of his recommendations have proved excellent, and continue to serve me today. Lastly, in the spirit of meeting me where I'm at, Seth and I both completed the entire home buying process by bicycle. Like the beautiful vintage bungalow he helped me buy, it just felt right. read more

First-time prospective 2-flat/multi-unit buyers, look no further! Seth is THE MAN when it comes to finding, evaluating, understanding, and explaining these properties and their many nuances. He is also such a skilled negotiator that my lawyer (who he recommended, and who was great) complimented his negotiating skills on a call just between me and her. I concur; I don't think anyone else could have gotten me a better deal, and he flagged potential issues that I wasn't aware of. Seth got me from my first questions about the process all the way to close, despite my wine tastes and beer budget, and I will forever be grateful for that. He also warned me off a number of lemons, including one that would have made him more money than the one I settled on. Since I started telling friends that I bought a multi-family, they always ask, "How did you do it?" The answer: SETH! read more

Working with Seth to purchase our first home was wonderful. We were first time buyers so we knew very little and Seth did a great job explaining everything to us from the very beginning of the process to now post-sale, he is still helping us as we figure out home ownership. He is local to our neighborhood so he really understood what we were looking for and helped us find it. It took us much longer than expected because of the state of the market, but Seth stuck with us and never pushed us something we wouldn't love. It's clear that he really enjoys what he does and wanted us to find a home we would really be happy with. The home buying process can be difficult and overwhelming, but it was so helpful to have someone as knowledgeable and trustworthy as Seth to guide us. read more

Seth can be your personal humanoid algorithm: finding you the house of your dreams, in the location you want, and getting better at tailoring his help to you as you go. He's not a robot realtor who only knows how to sell or buy "their" kind of houses, but quickly learns how to find what you want and how you want it. We were planning on going on a "soft house hunt," not too serious - but ready to buy if we found the house of our dreams. Seth understood we weren't looking to house search every single day and go on visits every single weekend. So, instead, he asked us our must haves/wants/not wants and casually sent us listings that might match. Each listing that didn't work, he'd refine what he would send us so that we weren't inundated with listing after listing that doesn't matter - you know, like the Redfin emails you get everyday with a bunch of nonsense. Not just that, but Seth recognizes that home shopping requires neighborhood shopping. He has quite the understanding of little microneighborhoods/pockets throughout the city and mapped out different locations we'd like. Before we even looked at homes, he wanted to know exactly which little microcosms would work for us. He'd suggest making weekend visits to different areas - talking a walk around, eating out and having a beer. Making sure we vibe. He turned househunting into curated weekend date nights. Eventually, Seth found us a place in a neighborhood we thought would be outside our budget. But this house was "showing poorly" in that the owners were in the middle of moving so stuff was everywhere, some outdated wallpaper/features, etc. -- so he helped us "imagine" what it could be once we owned it--he's fairly knowledgeable about various types of houses, their history, what's typical to see in an old house, what's problematic, what is easy to fix, etc. We can't wait to move into our new place and he negotiated well enough that we had enough money in the budget to make the changes we wanted for a dream home. No question or anxiety was too much for Seth. We often called him at 8p on a Tuesday to throw concerns at him and he parried with understanding, jokes, and hardwork. Never made us feel like we needed to rush into anything, always responsive when we needed him, and just overall a pleasant experience. Afterwards, he set us up with some great referrals for inspectors, GCs, and more. When we needed to sell our house, he came through with a great description, great photos, and sold it above asking within a weekend. Not a hitch. So, just go with him. You didn't need all of this to tell ya that. read more

Seth is the real deal. We worked with Seth to buy a fixer-upper with lots of old chicago charm. Seth's ability to see homes for its potential was invaluable. He knew what to look out for and what to overlook. We fell in love with a beautiful brick multi-unit building that required a complex and lengthy process, but he stuck with us and helped us navigate through it all. It's through hardship that true colors come out. We saw that Seth was committed to us no matter how hard it got. We can vouch for all the qualities the reviews here mention--deep knowledge of homes and neighborhoods, transparency, straight shooter, partner... Above all, he is authentic and genuinely a good person. We're not typical buyers. And for those reading this, you're probably thinking the same. Let this be your sign--Seth is the agent for you. Truly, we can't recommend him enough. read more

Seth is a great guy who will get you where you want to be! He coached us through the process to make sure we found a home we're truly thrilled with, then helped us do what we had to to close the deal. Plus, a genuine, kind guy you won't mind spending the time with, with a ton of knowledge about Chicago neighborhoods and historic buildings. read more

If you don't want to read a long review, my partner and I wholeheartedly recommend Seth Captain. He is a diamond in the field of parasitic shit that is real estate. We bought a home and sold our condo, and without Seth, we're not in our current place nor would we have sold our condo at its price. Seth is a hardworking, humorous, honest, trustworthy human being who happens to be an elite realtor. On a Saturday night, you want to hang with him...and in a real estate transaction, you want him on your side of negotiations. When we bought our first condo, we didn't know anything about the process and signed with a realtor from a big shop. With that unwittingly negative experience and our first home purchase on the horizon, we knew we wanted a better connection to a supportive realtor and a more knowledgeable person. We met with two folks -- one being a highly qualified person from the biggest shop in town and the other being Seth. Within minutes, the juxtaposition of practices was evident, and we knew he was perfect for us. We had received a referral to Seth by a friend, as Seth's clients are wont to do, and we are now referring him to folks. Seth supported us for over two years, only sending houses that fit our explicit parameters that he helped shape. He schooled us on the market, budgeting, mortgages, neighborhoods, old Chicago homes, work needed to be done, potential work that could transform a home, staging, lenders, etc. If we found a place on Redfin and asked if it was worth a visit, he'd already know about the listing and explain why it wasn't good for us. He never wasted our time and helped us land our home and sell our condo, long story short, by being really good at what he does. Seth also has fantastic referrals to help the process, including home inspectors and attorneys. You really get the boutique vibe that you're one of his only clients, and no matter how long it takes or what happens, you're taken care of. Aside from his real estate expertise, Seth is a quality human. He's well-traveled yet hyper local, erudite yet an everyman, and a heartfelt empath yet darkly funny. He won't bullshit you, and he won't let anyone else bullshit you. Seth keeps his caseload limited and really excels within a niche of finding value and potential in desired Chicago neighborhoods where folks tend to be priced out. If he's available and he thinks you're a good fit, you're fortunate and would be wise to sign with Seth. read more

If you are looking for a boring run of the mill realtor or a cookie cutter place, then run away from Captain Realty because Seth is not your guy. However, if you are looking for a no pressure, down to earth, knowledgeable, one of a kind realtor who will go out of his way to understand your needs when it comes to housing, then give Seth a call. In the past year, Seth has helped us on both the buying and selling side. On the buying side, Seth worked with us over 9 months (We put a pause on our search due to the birth of our youngest) to help us find a place in the area we wanted at a price we could afford. When we found the one we really wanted, his advice when it came to negotiating our contract was invaluable. He helped make sense of the inspection report and with guidance we were able to secure a good size credit. Not only that, Seth had a wealth of contractors who he recommended to us so we could start our modest renovations right away. On the selling side, Seth advised us what small fixes were worth doing and how to best get our condo ready for the market. We followed his advice to the letter and put our place on the market in mid May. By mid June, the place sold at a price we were thrilled with. (Yes, we sold our place in a month - in a pandemic). Seth is not only a fabulous realtor, he is a fabulous person. You'll enjoy getting to know him. He's got a lot of integrity, he knows real estate and he's funny. Bottomline - if you are in the market for a place, Hire Seth. You won't regret it and at the end of the process, you'll probably want to grab a beer with him. read more

Seth is super friendly and approachable. I was comfortable asking him all my questions regarding purchasing a home. He worked diligently to make sure we were satisfied with the home we liked. He took extra time to have us look at more homes just to be sure. We had a good experience and love our new home. Thank you so much Seth! read more

When we found ourselves ready to stop renting and buy a home, it happened to be during the most intense seller's market in recent history. We were uncertain whether we had a chance as newbie homebuyers in a cutthroat market, and we were daunted by everything we'd need to learn. We didn't know where to start, but we knew we needed a realtor. We reached out to Seth, and we're glad we did. During our initial meeting, Seth listened carefully to our needs and wants for a home. As we spoke, he seemed to quickly understand our vibe and what we wanted. He talked about the neighborhoods we were interested in with a weirdly detailed, block-by-block knowledge, sharing what he thought might be sweet spot "pockets" for us. He then walked us through each part of the process in a way that was succinct and approachable. After our meeting with Seth, our overwhelm turned to excitement, and we immediately felt trustful of Seth's expertise. Over the course of our hunt, Seth got to know our thought processes very well. Once he had a sense of us, he shared ways in which he thought we were well positioned, as well as ways in which we needed to get up to speed a bit to compete in the market. He also challenged us to think more critically about our criteria and what we would need long-term. We are what we might call "roughing it" or "go with the flow" types who lean towards tolerating situations that others might find uncomfortable. Seth recognized this, helped give us more perspective, and encouraged us to narrow our criteria for a space that would meet our family's needs long-term. For homes we were interested in offering on, Seth turned around comps and a thoughtful offer strategy within hours. We didn't end up offering on the first two homes Seth provided comps for, and Seth was supportive and understanding in each instance, helping us identify lessons learned to take away from each experience. Seth always used communication skills that helped us understand that we were a team; he was like our coach. When we identified a home we wanted to offer on, Seth happened to be traveling with his family, but we wouldn't have known it. Remotely, he lined up a showing with a trusted and skilled colleague and prepared all the paperwork for the offer super quickly. He prepared a strategy that kept us competitive while keeping core buyer protections intact. As the seller was considering our offer, Seth stayed in close contact with the seller's agent and kept us in the loop with frequent updates. Once we were under contract, Seth guided us through each part of the process and ushered us through to a quick closing. After we closed (curbside, due to a run-in with Covid!) he continued to help us with worker recommendations and tips. We feel grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Seth. His expertise and professionalism were top-notch, but it was his balance of assertiveness, plain communication, and support that allowed us to navigate a truly tricky market and own a home that fits our family. read more

Choosing Seth as our realtor made the home buying experience so much easier. My wife and I were focused on selecting an agent who connected with us well and listened to our needs. This is such an underrated decision as you realtor will be your advisor, negotiator, therapist, etc throughout the experience. We interviewed a few people, but when we met with Seth it was immediately apparent what we should do. For one, you will be hard pressed to find a more knowledgeable agent. His experience with the Chicago real estate market is incredible as he has been in the business for over a decade. He knows the neighborhoods, restaurants, parks, and all the other info about a house you may not think of. Also, we were looking for a renovation option and his perspective on that process is just as good if not better. He's done his own renovations and has a really great tips for what can be done in any space. Seth does not sugar coat things. He is honest and incredibly patient with his clients. We never felt pressured into a decision that didn't make sense to us. Often times he would provide reasons why a house was not the right fit. That candor makes a huge difference when your head is swimming or when you try to talk yourself into a house. The most important part of our relationship was his "therapy" sessions. Renovating a house is hard. But, Seth always made himself available to chat (often times late at night) and would make us feel much more comfortable about the process. Overall, it would be tough to find a more knowledgeable, down to earth, and kind agent in Chicago. read more

If you're looking to buy a vintage home, you can't do any better than Seth. His expertise is unparalleled, and throughout the buying process, Seth was eager to provide us with unique insights and candid feedback about potential properties. Vintage Chicago buildings can be difficult to assess, and despite our own familiarity with various neighborhoods and housing styles, we came to rely on Seth's perspective as a key determinant in our decision-making process. When it came time to make an offer, Seth's recommendations on everything from financing to contract details were even more valuable as he navigated us through to closing. Even after our purchase, Seth was extremely helpful in offering contractor referrals and providing gratis guidance during the sale of our previous home. Working with Seth - especially after lesser experiences with other realtors - felt like a privilege. read more

My wife and I were in need of a realtor to help us purchase a home after we sold our condo in Ravenswood and rented an apartment for about a year in Albany Park. We had a relatively low budget and some specific things we were looking for and someone recommended Seth. We talked with him and some other realtors and ultimately decided to work with him because of his relatability, knowledge, and authenticity. He was patient with us for the course of a few months when we saw many houses but for various reasons they just weren't working out for us. It was tricky because our budget was fairly low for a single family house but we needed to be close enough to the train for my wife to commute downtown every day, but also wanted space and to still feel like we were in the city. Seth had some great advice for us to keep us from panicking and settling for something we didn't 100% love and lo and behold after about 4 or 5 months of looking on and off we ended up finding a house that was quirky but absolutely perfect for us. We closed on the house in May and moved in at the end of June and every day we feel lucky to have found a place that we love dearly and checks off all the boxes we were looking for, and Seth deserves a ton of credit for that. We would absolutely recommend Captain Realty to anyone looking for a realtor! read more

Seth and I have a long real estate relationship going back 14 years! He was originally referred to me by a couple that had an amazing experience with him buying a home. Then Seth helped me for close to a year looking for a place to buy. He was the one who found me a perfect multi-unit building to make a home, in my price range, everything that I wanted, in a spot I never would have considered. He has a real gift for finding the best combination of value and location, and his love for the many diverse neighborhoods of Chicago makes him a great guide for exploring new areas. Fast forward many years and I've moved to the West Coast and have decided to sell. Seth was my first call and he truly went above and beyond. From treating my tenants with the utmost respect, to researching various zoning issues, to coordinating repairs, to developing contract language specific to my property, to negotiating with the buyer, he was the hero of this endeavor. The result was a final sales price over asking and very competent navigation of pre-closing hurdles and a smooth and uneventful closing. It was an unexpectedly excellent process. Seth is the absolute best. read more

If you are reading this, I am assuming you are on the hunt for a multi-unit in Chicago. Well, you have come to right man! TL;DR version: I can confidently and honestly say, if it wasn't for Seth, we wouldn't have been able to buy our home. I cannot thank him enough! Just like you, my husband and I knew we wanted to buy a multi-unit in Chicago, but we did not know where to start or what to look for in a building. In addition, we are not millionaires, but we were adamant about the neighborhoods we were willing to live in. The houses in those neighborhoods were not cheap. Due to these restrictions, our search took a year. For a whole year, Seth answered every question and musing in our heads, and never once did we get the sense he was annoyed or frustrated. It was the exact opposite - he has an enthusiasm that really shows how much he cares. When we would visit homes, it almost felt like Seth was helping us buy it. He would be very honest and tell us that houses were not worth it or that we could do better. I never felt pressured or rushed to buy something. As I said up top, we would have never been able to buy our home without Seth. On his own accord, he found a mortgage broker that had a special financing offer that opened up our home buying options. We were EXTREMELY lucky to get to work with him, and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for his or her next home (that happens to be a multi-unit). read more

Every time a friend tells me about their realtor experience, my internal response is, "damn, they should have gone with Seth," which is another way of saying- I really could not be happier with our own realtor experience. We've partnered with Seth for both buying and selling, and are grateful for both. From the buying side- Seth is a true expert for historical homes with character, and knows the Chicago neighborhoods inside and out. We actually switched realtors early on, because our first realtor just kept spamming us w/ homes that didn't fit our budget or list of priorities. Once we found Seth, he sat us down to learn what we actually wanted, and then encouraged us stick to that, rather than touring too many homes out of desperation or boredom. Once we made an offer, he helped us sift through the inspection report, which can be daunting most especially for 100 yr old homes in up-and-coming neighborhoods, to know which items were minor vs which required negotiation. All the while, he really set our expectations (e.g. make sure you set aside a cash reserve for renovations!) rather than selling us on a false promise. End-to-end, we were so happy with overall buying experience. From the selling side, at first we didn't really understand the value of using a broker when you can now list via Redfin with 1% brokerage fees. We decided to go with Seth because we trusted him so much from past experience, and man did it pay off. He helped us prioritize the low-cost/high-reward last minute renovations that buyers care about, and made sure our home was perfectly staged. He priced just right for the market, so that we had dozens of couples touring within the first week, and multiple offers all well above asking within the first 10 days. Meanwhile, all the Redfin listings in our neighborhood just sat, occasionally lowering their list price. There were tons of little things that all added up for us- his patient and thoughtful responses to all of my neurotic emails (buying a house is a huge deal!), which carried over even after we closed, re: contractor referrals and property taxes. He didn't post a 'For Sale' sign in our yard, because it's really just empty promotion for the realtor, and who needs that? ... I could go on, but you get the point- book him. read more

Working with Seth felt like working with a partner (who happens to have a ton of industry and local knowledge) rather than a typical agent/buyer relationship. He is transparent as they come which makes for very open and easy communication. During the beginning of the search process he took note of exactly what I wanted in a home. Before bringing properties to me, he would always provide an in-depth analysis about why exactly a property would be a potential fit. When viewing, this dude is a visionary. Can walk in a building and knows exactly where to add value and where to step back and re-assess if the home is the right option. Extraordinarily patient and excellent at hearing his buyers wants and matching them with the right home. Due to his industry expertise and ability to negotiate, I ended up closing on a home that was originally out of my budget and ended up appraising well above the purchase price. Months after close, he continually reaches out to see how the property is coming along and if he can help answer any questions that inevitably come up. Truly more of a real estate mentor than anything. Can't overstate how happy I was with working with him. read more

I am so glad we had Seth help us buy our first house. He found us a great 4 unit building in Pilsen, and thanks to his excellent judgement and negotiation skills, we got it for 10% under asking! Through this whole process Seth went above and beyond what I would expect from a realtor. He steered us away from houses that would have made us miserable and talked us through multiple existential crises. Seth also has a unique talent for fostering trust and diffusing tense situations. This ability was clearly displayed during our final walkthrough, when one of the tenants slammed the door in our faces when we asked to see their apartment. Their frustration hand been building for months and was exacerbated by the seller's terrible communication. Incredibly, Seth was able to get them to talk. He empathized with the shittyness of their situation and respectfully explained exactly what we were there to do and why we needed to do it. After talking with Seth, they kindly let us see their place and all hostility toward us instantly dissolved. It was like magic. Thanks to Seth we have a great building and our tenants don't hate us! I cannot recommend him highly enough! read more

We had an excellent experience with Seth. Although he is more focused on working with buyers and vintage homes, he agreed to help with our sale. Our home had been on the market for months when we made a change to Seth. He was on point in analyzing what updates needed to be made and helped manage the process from start to finish with great vendors/ prices. In a matter of weeks our home was completely transformed, on trend and back on the market with multiple offers. Seth has magic glasses that can look at any home and see potential and character that others cannot for the fraction of the price that you would pay for something new and shiny. The extra work and time he will invest is beyond any realtor expectations we have experienced. His professionalism, knowledge, eye for design and honesty make him a great realtor and exceptional person that you can trust in the buying or selling process. The extra bonuses of working with Seth is he may be one of the most genuine, uniquely interesting and kind person you may ever meet. We are so thankful! read more

Seth is a great buyer's agent: forthright, responsive, and knowledgeable. He's interested in making the right match between you and a property, not in making a quick sale. Is Seth about a quick buck? No, what he wants to do is plug you into a house you love, a neighborhood, and a community. He's not going to help you flip that ugly condo. He's not going to try to sell you that fake "loft" in the west loop. He's going to find you a hidden gem in a real neighborhood. Then he's going to help you buy it. When Seth gets off his bicycle, takes off his helmet, and you look into his eyes, what will you see? You'll see that he goes about his business with old-school values, with honesty, integrity, and respect for his clients. Seth will tell you himself that he's not the right real estate agent for everybody. But maybe you're not like everybody else. Maybe you're looking for the right real estate agent for you. Maybe it's Seth. read more

Perhaps giving away one of my secret weapons is not a good idea, but for Seth's sake, I'll let the secret out. Seth Captain is the best thing that has happened to my real estate portfolio. Ever. I reached out to Seth a few months ago while on a mission to find multi-unit rental property in the Logan Square/Humboldt Park area, and did so after reading some of his what seemed like exaggerated testimonials on his website. People were talking about him as if he were some sort of real estate saint (and if you have dealt with some of the realtors I have, you would be skeptical that such a person existed in this industry, too!). But, I had to find out if it was too good to be true for myself otherwise the thought would keep nagging me. I gave him a call and spoke to this laid-back but highly knowledgable Chicago transplant for about 15 minutes about my situation, what I was looking for and why while he listened intently. Within a few hours I had multiple listings in my inbox that fit my description exactly. It took us a few tries before we got the formula down just right, but Seth quickly brought me to the ideal property. And after we found the first place, he did it again! I now realize that those testimonials I read are not only true, but don't even do him justice (nor does this one, actually). I look forward to years to come working with Seth and thank the internet gods constantly for leading me to him. read more

Seth was recommended by a friend who had just used him a few months prior to find a place in Logan Square. She mentioned he wasn't a "typical realtor" and after checking out his website, I knew it would be a great match. By not typical, she meant thoughtful, calm, and caring. This was only solidified more when he came by to meet us at our place. Seth is laid back but thorough, incredibly knowledgeable and determined. He took the time to learn about us, what we were looking for and what was most important to us. The first day we met, we saw 10 houses in numerous different neighborhoods. It was an intense day but it was so helpful in determining the important factors and it gave Seth insight into what to look for. Each time we went out with Seth, the better and better suited the houses were. We would send him listings, he would note what he thought we would/wouldn't like and he was always dead on. He knows the neighborhoods inside and out (which was so helpful considering neither of us are from here) and has a ton of recommendations for local vendors in just about every field! We would recommend Seth in a heartbeat and can't wait to have him over for a beer in our new yard! read more

I am not the kind of person who wants to work with someone focused on the bottom line, nor am I the kind of person who wanted to trust one of the largest decisions of my life to a bluetooth wearing suit. Mr. Captain not only does not the look like your stereotypical Realtor, his approach to the work breaks the conventional barriers set by his rigid, clandestine profession. Working with Seth to find and buy my house was a truly rewarding process. After a conversation or two, we honed in on viewing properties that were exactly what I was looking for. He didn't waste my time trying to up-sell me or get into places that I have no interest in. Looking for a property in Chicago can be tricky because the neighborhood plays a huge role in the decision. Seth is very tuned into neighborhoods and really knows how to show you the real picture. Each time we looked a property, we rode our bikes to each property, giving me the chance to learn about the neighborhood in a way that I wouldn't have been able to by driving in and out. The best part about Seth and Captain Realty is how thorough he is. When we would walk through a new building, Seth would get on his hands and knees in dirty basements to check out the foundation, crawl through windows to check out the roof, and show you the ugly side of each building. He is more focused on making sure you get a quality house that you like than getting his sale. Seth is really a great guy. He has a reliable team of people who help him including a great inspector and attorney in case you don't have your own. Seth chooses his clients just as much as they choose him. Hunt for your house with Seth. He is a great guy and a breath of fresh air in a business that badly needs it!!! read more

Seth helped us through the process of buying and selling a home at the same time. Throughout the process there were a few things that really stood out as reason's we'll work with Seth again in the future: 1. He was realistic and knowledgeable about buying an older home. This sounds like table-stakes, but some realtors may not understand the risks, what to take seriously and what is something you can live when looking for the right place. He helped us find a property that today feels like a great value in an area we otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford by helping us see past cosmetic issues to find something others had passed by. 2. His knowledge of Chicago neighborhoods was crucial to us finding a home in a neighborhood we hadn't even considered. 3. On the sell side, he helped stage and shoot photos that led to tremendous interest and a quick sale above asking. 4. After our purchase, Seth's continues to be an invaluable resource, connecting us with resources to tackle whatever comes our way. We'd recommend working with Seth to anyone looking for a home in Chicago, especially if you want one with character. read more

What a great dude and an amazing realtor! We were clueless first time home buyers looking for an affordable multi-unit in Chicago, and we contacted Seth because of his great online reviews. And I'm so so glad we did! He's patient, informative, helpful, and full of resources. He helped us find a lovely multi-unit that amazingly fit all of our requirements, and not once did I feel worried throughout the home buying process. We closed on the place two months ago, and thanks to Seth we were very prepared to do the necessary repairs, find tenants, etc. It was a great experience and we're super duper pleased! read more

Seth was exactly what we wanted in a realtor - he loves Chicago's neighborhoods, he knows a great deal about both multi-family and single family homes, and he appreciates the quirky homes more than the cookie-cutter homes. If you are formal or fancy, Seth is not your guy - he cross-country skied to our apartment to meet us for the first time, which made him a winner in our book (both because he skied and because he came to our house!) Even though he's a one-person shop, we always felt like we received enough attention. As first-time buyers, we had a lot of questions and Seth was patient in answering them. He also drove us up to Evanston to see houses. I can't speak to his ability to go-to-bat in negotiations, as our house was a short sale sold as-is, but I think he fundamentally believes in fairness and community and would work within reason to get his clients a good deal. We enjoyed working with Seth and would recommend him highly to the urban crowd looking beyond conventional condos. read more

A little over a month ago, Seth helped us to sell our building. (The same one he helped us buy 6 years ago..) I've got nothing but great things to say about his skills as a selling agent, also! Seth does things correctly from the very beginning so that you are prepared to sell your building as quickly and easily as possible. He guides you to stage and improve your home in a way that will appeal to the most buyers while not overwhelming you. He gets outstanding photos of your place which make an enormous difference on MLS. The best part about Seth is the time he takes to thoroughly answer every single question you may have about the selling process. He puts up with your kids, your pets, and your anxiety with grace and positivity! Seth sold our building after about 2 weeks on the market.... during a pandemic. Because of our great staging, excellent photos, and smart listing by Seth we were also a "hot home" on Redfin. Choose Seth- he knows what he is doing and will make the process easy to understand, professional, and as smooth as possible for you. read more

Seth Captain is a matchmaker. He not only found us a single family home in a great neighborhood that we actually could afford (and we now love), he also concurrently sold our condo that we needed for our downpayment . He had such savvy of the market that he sold our place in one day & at full asking price!! When you choose Seth as your realtor, you not only hire a realtor - but he acts as your confidante & travel guide (he knows every inch of the area - from where find the best restaurants, services, entertainment, - the hidden Chicago, etc.etc), knows the best and most reasonable contractors & workman - from roofing, flooring, painting, plumbing, etc knows great mortgage brokers (the one he recommended to us was a miracle worker who guided us through the murky waters of underwriting - especially when you have credit that's not A+), He also does his homework on the neighborhood. He does a thorough investigation on the local market, and his comps really hit the mark. We were able to buy our place at a reasonable price in a hot, hot market this fall of 2016. Seth's ability to match his clients with homes & neighbors that they will love is uncanny. He also makes the exhausting and scary process of buying a home a fun time. There's no mystery that he has a huge group of close friends who are former clients - we feel honored to have joined that group! read more

I am 24 years old. Buying my first home at such a young age was incredibly nerve-racking to say the least... I needed more than a real estate agent, I needed someone who would get to know me and what I wanted in my first house and someone I could trust. With Captain Realty, I got that and so much more! I first met Seth on a cool summer evening at a foreclosed condo in Bucktown. Seth immediately started to calm my erratic feelings about making the leap into owning property. Seth asked probing questions to figure out what exactly attracted me to this condo... and I figured out that the truth was not much... I wanted space, a yard, a safe vibe outside, and a garage. Next thing I know, literally about two hours later, Seth had already found seven listings online that he wanted me to glance over! All of them were about 5 minutes away from the condo we had just saw. These properties were much more my style! Seth took the time to get to know me as a person, what I was comfortable with, (and how much influence my girlfriend had on the place) and began to start finding me properties in which I could start seeing myself spending the next several years and starting a family. Our bike rides through the neighborhoods and real estate discussions really helped me get comfortable with buying a house, an investment, when so many of my friends were simply writing a check each month to a landlord. Seth was with me each step of the process- from my opening questions, to the hunt, the inspection... all the way up to my first beverage as a homeowner! The best part about the whole process was meeting someone who does his job simply because he loves real estate and loves being a part of such a huge event in his clients life! It is tough to find that in any professional today. Seth realizes that buying a house is not just a whimsical process in which he gets a paycheck- no, not at all. He realizes that buying a house is a commitment and an adventure. At the end of the day, he cares that you are happy with your new keys. And it was a blessing to make a new friend along the way. Don't settle for the flashy real estate companies popping up all over the north side. Take a bike ride with Captain Realty to find your future home reality. read more

I stumbled onto Seth after seeing one of his funny blog posts about Chicago real estate. The first thing he did was set up a meeting with me to try to find out not only what I was looking for in a house, but also about my lifestyle really match me up with the right place. As some of the other reviewers have noted, he was able to put me onto places I would not have even thought of, or found on my own. Beyond that, his relationships with inspectors, contractors and the like are super helpful to the first time home buyer like me. On top of all this, he made it a lot of fun. You can't go wrong with Seth. read more

Our move from a Lincoln Square rental apartment resulted, with Seth Captain's help, in a housing victory with an Albany Park bungalow - our home! In our year-long search on the northwest side of Chicago, we interacted with many different agents representing home sellers. Not one of them could have been all of the things that our buyer's agent Seth was for us. Seth was patient during the long search and encouraged us to be patient as well. Knowledgable about Chicago housing history, trends, and home design and maintenance. Thoughtful. Forthright. Chill. A great guy to spend time with and also a babe. Throughout our search, it was clear time and time again that Seth had our best interests in mind - not his commission, not his sales numbers, not referral kickbacks. Seth was OUR ally and champion at every stage of the process, and we wholeheartedly recommend you make him yours as well. read more

I found Seth's add on craigslist in 2007 while I was thinking about buying a house and it really spoke to me. He didn't sound like your typical real estate agent. He met me at a coffee shop near my house in Ukranian Village and talked to me about what to expect. He was very easy to talk to and answered all my question. We began the search for a multi-unit building in a bunch of different neighborhoods. At one point, he brought me to a 3 flat in Logan Square that he loved but I thought was too far and too much building for me. Turns out, he knew what I wanted better than I did. I ended up buying the building and couldn't be happier. Now I live in the most popular neighborhood and I love my building. To think I original thought it was too far. I'm glad I listened to him. The best part about working with Seth is that he was there for us through the whole process and after. He recommended great people for us to work with on our mortgage and inspection. And 4 years later, he is still my first call whenever I have a question about house stuff. He's very knowledgeable and trustworthy. He's the best! read more

If you are looking for a new construction Lincoln Park Condo, Seth is not your guy. Looking to sell a place? Nope. Seth is a buyer's best friend. What Seth does offer you is deep-seated knowledge of vintage construction, integrity and personality. My wife and I have been tossing the idea of owning a place for a while. When we saw that our neighborhood had gone untouchable, we knew we had to act soon or risk being forced to leave the city. We put out an all call for realtors and Seth's name popped up a couple of times. We researched every one of the realtors and was impressed by Seth's web presence, especially the how-to video and blog on his site. After a very scrutinizing and scientific process of elimination, we went with Seth and couldn't have been happier. Now if you think you are an easy-going relaxed kind of person, you haven't bought a house. If you have bought one, you know the ordeal is nothing short of a stress inducing nightmare. The kind that makes you lose hours of sleep per week. Enter Seth. Seth was able to talk us off the ledge. He kept us calm and feeling sane. Throughout the entire transaction, I never once felt pressured to do something I didn't want to do. His demeanor was always cool and matter of fact. He often presented us with the option of not buying. I don't know if that is what most realtors do but it speaks volumes to this guy's integrity. He even kept with us after we put an offer on a place, got it accepted and balked after the inspection. Not knowing legions of real estate types, Seth pretty much assembled our buying team. Damn it if they weren't all just awesome. Who someone chooses to do business with says a lot about a person and Seth is awesome. At the end of the day, this was a business transaction. When we were thinking about buying before, we were turned off by the often sleazy characters you can find in this business. Seth is about as honest and solid a guy you can get. I would and will recommend Seth to anyone looking to buy a home. You will not find a better guy in your corner. read more

Working with Seth was a really enjoyable and valuable experience. Seth shows a genuine respect and caring for his clients and their values. Throughout the entire process, Seth really listened to us, and helped us figure out exactly what we wanted in a house and neighborhood. The process took many months, and the entire time Seth was patient, and did not pressure us into any decisions. He even made it fun, as we walked and biked around the neighborhood. Seth is great at talking to people from all walks of life, and made the many house viewings fun instead of stressful. When we found the house we wanted, Seth helped us think through the decision and made sure it was really the house for us. Seth was a fantastic negotiator and helped us get the purchase price lowered considerably. Seth also recommended several other trustworthy and dependable people we ended up working with, including our attorney and lender, who all helped the buying process go smoothly. After buying the house, Seth's expertise on houses and remodeling was valuable in deciding what to do, and he was again able to recommend some reputable professionals to help with the renovation process. Seth Captain was genuinely excited for us and helpful every step of the way, and it was a pleasure to have him in our corner. He will be the only realtor for us from now on! read more

As first time buyers, we started our search with only a vague idea of what we wanted and little understanding of our options. We were totally intimidated by the process of buying real estate and assumed it would be tedious and stressful. We certainly did not expect our real estate agent to care about much more than "the Deal"....but Seth Captain is no ordinary agent and for that we are infinitely grateful. From the outset, Seth put us at ease, answered our many questions and encouraged us to search for a multi-unit property befitting our lifestyle and long-term priorities. He connected us with an excellent lender and later an outstanding inspector. In fact, at practically every step in the process, Seth was by our side, offering insight and creative solutions to whatever hiccups inevitably arose. Seth has a profound knowledge of Chicago, its neighborhoods and its architecture. We were so impressed with the way he helped us see the strengths and challenges associated with each property we toured.....and found ourselves a bit disappointed when we found an ideal property on our first time out. We were hoping to spend more time biking around the neighborhoods with Seth! Seth's disarming personality and laid back demeanor belie the fact that he's sharp as a tack and fiercely committed to getting a great deal for his clients. His guidance and masterful negotiations with an obstinate seller brought down our purchase price considerably. And long after we closed and moved in our home, Seth regularly checked on us to make sure the transition to ownership (and landlording) went smoothly. We simply can't say enough about the value Seth brought to our home search and we look forward to working with him for many years to come. Call him! You won't be disappointed. read more

I called Seth after reading some good reviews, and everything was great from the start. He spent an hour talking with me, getting to know what I was looking for. We were really looking all over the city from Albany Park to Little Village, and he was happy to drive us around showing us different places. Through the whole process of buying a house I realized that so many people in the business have assumptions about what you as a buyer want ( ie air conditioning, dishwasher, granite countertops). We were looking for an older place with some charm that we could put a lot of work into, and Seth was not pushy at all about steering us in any other direction or making assumptions about what we wanted. It was also great that I was able to call Seth at any time through the process with questions, day or night, and he always had time to talk. He was a great advocate on our behalf and in the end saved us a good amount of money by being savvy about the bidding process and even helped us negotiate a nice credit after our initial offer was accepted. I definitely recommend giving him a call if you are looking for a realtor. read more

A fortuitous late night cyber quest trolling for multi-family buildings with a sweet owner's unit led us to Seth Captain. After reading multiple rave reviews, we reached out. Seth asked us thoughtful questions to gain more insight into what we truly wanted before sending us some awesome properties. He created a color-coded map (with some humorous notations) designating neighborhoods he thought would be most fitting for our desire to be in a walk-to-everything location. We found options that were awesome, but realized we would be best served renting for a year to check out schools and to ensure we could survive living in a multi-family environment. Even though Seth usually works with buyers, he agreed to be the selling agent of our home. Immediately, he went to work gaining a deeper understanding of our neighborhood as well as all the intricacies and mechanics of our home rebuild. Seth became well-versed on what our home offered and made sure all those who walked through knew the depth and scope of the rebuild. Also, his experience in the marketplace proved fortuitous for us as Seth wisely added language to our contract that kept our deal solid. Seth is well versed in the full scope of the deal--from negotiations to appraisals to closings--and all of the nuances in between. Seth Captain is a rare bird, indeed. He is laid back, cunning and true. True to his ideals and ethics while leading all parties to a good end. Hopefully, you are lucky enough to have him on your team as you move forward on your real estate quest. He is the real deal. PS To further highlight Seth's character, he donated a portion of his commission to a charity that is meaningful to our family. A good human, indeed! read more

Oh, what a crazy ride it has been. We (my wife and I) write this review a year in retrospect from our cozy, wonderful multi-unit home. It was a long, arduous, several-year journey complete with excitement, frustration, disappointment, and even a few tears. In 2012, When we were first looking to purchase a multi-unit property, a friend highly recommended her landlord, Seth, who runs Captain Realty. We sent him an email with our wish list and that same day he set up a profile for us that included multiple properties of interest. Our first impression was favorable. When we met up with him to discuss game plans, we were initially struck by his appearance. He looked well placed in the small, trendy café where we met him, but certainly not in the large world of real estate. (We wondered briefly if his satchel contained a worn journal of poetry and musings). Once he started speaking about neighborhoods, prices, et cetera, we marveled at his depth of knowledge and insight on the city's real estate environment. We knew we found the right person for the job! As well, he was--and still is--interested in who we are as people, so our meeting included casual, non-business conversation. It is Seth's mission not just to be a buyer's agent, but also a matchmaker. It is extremely important that he connects his clients to the right property in the right neighborhood for the right value. Any agent can find four walls and a roof; Seth finds his clients homes. Through no fault of Seth or us, we were bombarded with an inordinate amount of bad luck the first time around, which lasted into the middle of 2013. Much credit goes to Seth for his calm, positive demeanor during that madness! He talked us off the ledge a few times after having multiple rugs pulled out from under us. After a revoked offer due to a seller's family drama, our hopes repeatedly dashed from a duplicitous seller's agent, and numerous bidding wars lost due to sellers' reticence in working with our VA loan, we just had to step back from the idea of buying a building. We felt terrible that all Seth's hard work was for naught, but we just had to step away. Fast-forward three years, and we rang up Seth again, as we were being forced out of our apartment due to a greedy and underhanded landlord. We were not sure if he would want to work with us once more, but he welcomed us with open arms. After some back and forth to determine our then-needs, he suggested a property in a neighborhood we rarely visited. We were dubious, as it is further away from work and did not see a big draw for commerce and subsequently, our future tenants. Seth was insistent. After our viewing, we were hooked and wanted to put in an offer. Not so fast! He cautioned us not to settle just because we were on a tight deadline with our current lease nearing its expiration date. We were noticeably anxious, but he did not want us to regret our choice later. He was confident that he would find our home within the short timeframe allowed. He wanted us to look at a few other places before deciding. We did, but they did not compare to that first property. Before he would submit an offer, he insisted we tour the neighborhood to get a feel for it to see if we could picture ourselves living there for the foreseeable future. We did, and could. He scheduled a second showing and asked that we talk to others on that block, as residents often love to dish on what is happening in their neighborhood. Those little details elevate Seth above and beyond the role of buyer's agent. His professional integrity makes it so that he doesn't feel right taking a commission just to make money. The reward from making his clients happy is unquantifiable. In addition, he did research to determine what our starting offer should be and how high we should be willing to pay. It was much lower than the asking price. He did not want us to go into a mortgage with negative equity. The offer was negotiated and accepted, and that is where the less glamorous part of the job begins for Seth. His negotiating prowess is impressive, to say the least. We cringed at the list containing dozens of repairs and improvements he sent to the seller. We were afraid it would cause the sellers to walk away from the table. Not the case, and the sellers agreed to almost everything! For Seth, the relationship with his clients does not end when the keys trade hands. He took us out for a celebratory lunch afterwards. After we moved in, he came over to give us a literal housewarming gift of a portable fire pit. What agent does that kind of thing? Seth, a.k.a., Captain Realty does that exact sort of thing. He does it for his clients, and he does it for friends. All he insists in return for helping make us happy is that we have him over for dinner. Because, that's what friends do. read more