This review is for the property management business of MetroPro. I don't know anything about the…read morerealty sales/purchase part of their business or their real estate agents.
TL/DR: There will always be a disconnect between property owners/managers and tenants. Most reviews of companies are written by some hothead in the midst of some perceived wrong. In light of this disconnect I have paused to write what I believe to be a fair evaluation that will help others make an informed decision. If I had to do over again? I would not live in one of their managed buildings. Home should be a safe place and a refuge. You will not get that with MetroPro. In the end, you only double your efforts and spend because I PROMISE you will greatly anticipate moving out as soon as you move in.
Pro's:
(1) MetroPro is a small company (in terms of property management) so I know all of the names, have all phone numbers, and email addresses of responsible people.
(2) MetroPro is based in Hyde Park and their office is in Hyde Park, so if I have to walk into their office to get someone's attention I can do so.
(3) They manage very few buildings and the buildings that they manage are in the BEST Hyde Park location in my opinion. We have no need for a car where we are. HUGE plus.
(4) Hyde Park is pretty much controlled by three huge property owner/management companies. None of those three accept large dogs or any breed or mixed-breed considered aggressive. MetroPro is not only dog-friendly, but they will accept well-behaved and trained dogs that other companies will NOT even consider. We wound up here by default, as they were the only decent place that would accept our Pittie.
(5) They are updating the few properties that they manage. The attention to detail and quality of work is absolutely sub-par (and I'm not even sure it is up to code), but at least you can get some modern conveniences in their buildings that are not possible in some others.
(6) Their pricing for apartments is about average for Hyde Park.
Con's:
(1) They are a small company (in terms of property management) and it seems they entered the business as a desperate attempt to short up earnings when the real estate market collapsed. They are really bad at it, and it feels like it is now a bother and an afterthought given the real estate market recovery.
(2) THIS IS HUGE: They don't own the buildings that they manage. So there is really a double-disconnect. Even if you can convince them (as managers) that something should be done there is very little chance that they will convince the building owner to do anything or spend money.
(3) Just because I know the people that run the company, and can raise regular hell, does not mean anything gets resolved quickly or professionally. At least when I am really mad about something, I feel better when able to tell someone why. In the end, even that didn't matter as no reasonable tenant will be able to get the two owners of Metro-Pro to provide any service that isn't absolutely demanded by Chicago code. If you have zero expectations of service, or even respect, then you will get along ok with MetroPro.
(4) Because the properties are in such a great location, and they only charge an average market rate, they are perfectly fine with providing sub-par service and sub-par maintenance. Also, they have NO PROBLEM letting the value of your lease deteriorate due to lack of maintenance. Get it when you move in, as you will get nothing other than what is required by Chicago code after you sign the papers. We moved in during the protracted efforts of rehabbing a significant portion of the building. Literally from the moment we moved in, only things mandated by Chicago code would be serviced and maintained. Security systems, door buzzers/intercoms, locks on gates/courtyards, etc., were just left in complete disrepair. In the end? I was just told that no tenant had a right to expect those things (never mind that they were all part of the sales pitch).
(5) The new apartments are nice in terms of space. But the buildings overall are just gross. They don't maintain the common areas. They don't maintain the yards (front or back). They will NOT even correct safety or security issues. So, just because they might say they are renovated, with yards, whatever, it does not mean the renovations are up to code (or inspected) or the public spaces are usable. You get your apartment, and that is it. Nothing else. So if this is true, why did we move in? We looked at the apartment and grounds during a January snowstorm. We couldn't see how crappy the grounds were and just thought the grime and sludge was a storm anomaly. Not true. It's always gross. The basements of our building are jammed with garbage and trash.
(6) In the end, we just gave up, spent a lot more money, and got the hell out. If you cannot find ANY OTHER place to live, then sure, live in a MetroPro building. But I promise you it will be a decision that you will be forced to regret.