John did an outstanding job selling my condo. The process wasn't straightforward, as I had tenants in the unit, but he handled everything with exceptional organization and professionalism. He communicated clearly and effectively with both me and every tenant throughout the entire process. I originally worked with John back in 2017 when he helped me purchase the condo, so it felt only right to have him handle the sale. His deep knowledge of the building, its history, and the local area was a huge advantage. I highly recommend John... you're in great hands with him. It was truly a pleasure and an honor working with him again read more

John is the best realtor I've ever worked with. This man truly eats, sleeps, and breathes real estate. I've worked with him twice now, both as a buyer and a seller,  and I'm about to work with him for a third time. I can't think of a better endorsement than choosing to go back to the same realtor again and again. Whether buying or selling, John made the process as smooth and stress-free as it could possibly be. Real estate transactions can be overwhelming, but he has a way of making you feel informed, in control, and completely at ease throughout the entire process. The closest comparison I can think of is a doctor with an incredible bedside manner; not only are you getting someone who deeply knows their craft, but someone who genuinely cares about making the experience as easy as possible for you. 1. Real Estate Expertise You can tell almost immediately that John knows his stuff. From comps and pricing strategy to negotiations and local market expertise, he is knowledgeable about every aspect of the process. He brings both confidence and strategy to the table, and you always feel like you're in capable hands. 2. Communication & Responsiveness John is incredibly responsive and easy to reach, often answering calls even when I contacted him unexpectedly. He consistently made me feel like I was his top priority, even though my properties may have been on the lower end of the range he typically works with. He patiently walks you through every step, is honest about both the positives and negatives, and makes sure you fully understand everything before moving forward. 3. Client-First Mentality It was obvious to me from the beginning that John has very high ethical standards. He genuinely wants what is best for his clients and never pressures you into buying or selling something that isn't right for you just to close a deal. He is truly an advocate throughout the entire process. One example that stands out: the week I was ready to list my condo, the unit flooded and the insurance process delayed everything by a couple of months. John remained calm, patient, and level-headed the entire time, which helped keep me from panicking. Everything moved on my timeline, and I never once felt pressured. He also consistently goes above and beyond in ways most realtors wouldn't. On the morning listing photos were being taken, I handed him a bag of light switch covers in a panic -- and he calmly installed them throughout the unit without hesitation. When situations like that came up, his response was always: "I'm a realtor -- that's my job." 4. Calm Under Pressure Nothing seems to faze John. He stays calm, objective, and solutions-oriented no matter what is happening, and that energy absolutely carries over to his clients. Having someone like that in your corner during a stressful process makes all the difference. Bottom line: I will never work with another realtor. read more

We absolutely loved working with John! He was extremely responsive to all of our questions as we purchased our first home. He was also incredibly responsive in scheduling home tours and was able to do so on short notice when needed. He toured numerous properties with us and provided valuable insights regarding each home's condition. Additionally, when building our final offer, John provided great advice as to how to make our offer more attractive to the seller. John's knowledge was an incredible resource, and we cannot imagine going through the home buying process without him. read more

John did an absolutely amazing job! His expertise and suggestions were extremely valuable. Had an Open House and had 6 offers the next day, well above the asking price! He was responsive and supportive throughout the entire process. He's organized. He had a checklist for each part of the process which helped me with planning. I was referred to him by a good friend and I see why he was so pleased! 11/10 would definitely recommend. read more

My wife and I just bought our first home together, and we couldn't be happier with the representation we received from John. He was there for us from start to finish, and we always felt like we were in great hands and that we could rely on him to take care of anything that popped up during the process. I won't be able to recall everything he did for us, but a few highlights: * Months before we got serious about buying our home, John was willing to come by my condo (which I planned to sell) and help us understand what repairs and updates were needed to help us get the best price for my unit - and what wouldn't be worth it in terms of a return on investment. It was a huge help for us to get some direction on this, and the staging photos he arranged turns out beautiful. * Seeing properties with John was a night and day experience compared to other real estate agents. He was able to point out a lot of things about the properties that my wife and I had missed. It almost felt like a mini-inspection during the showing, but in a way that didn't at all take away from the fun and excitement of seeing the properties. * Many, many times throughout the process, John demonstrated his ability to solve problems on the fly. I think there were several times our deal would've fallen through if we'd used another agent: o We bought in a seller's market, and our offer on a home was initially not going to be accepted. Knowing this was our dream home, John was able to figure out what needed to change to get it accepted out of all the other offers - which turned out to be a small tweak that didn't cost us any extra money. o We were also trying to play the timing game on when to put my condo on the market. We didn't think we'd have an offer we put in on anything accepted unless the condo was contingent, but we also needed a place to live! When the time came, John only needed an hour for showing, and he had us an awesome offer. o It's tough juggling everything involved in a real estate transaction, and it multiplies with the number of parties involved - in our case we had a sellers and buyers (and everything that comes with them, like lenders) and an HOA to manage, and John was able to do it all seamlessly. Especially during this part, more than once we had a problem that we worried was going to collapse the whole deal, but he was able to find a way to succeed...most impressively, when he solved an issue with our buyer's lender and the HOA's insurance company. * John was extremely communicative, and it was incredibly reassuring to be able to call or text him throughout the process and know that he was handling things. Having a good real estate agent really makes a difference. Especially when things don't go perfectly according to plan, you need someone like John to be able to handle whatever comes your way. You can't ask for a better real estate agent, and while my wife and I hope to be in our home for many years to come, we'd definitely hire him again in a heartbeat. We felt like he really cared, and really appreciated the peace of mind that came from working with him. We can't recommend him highly enough! read more

John goes above and beyond - he knows the Chicago market thoroughly. He is very responsive to texts/emails/phone calls. I would recommend him 100%! read more

If you want a worry free sale, John Lyons is a 5 star realtor. My husband and I are seniors and find it difficult to do a lot of things on line, John was very helpful and went over and above helping us with our sale. We highly recommend him. read more

I first connected with John about two years ago, when I mistakenly thought he was the listing broker for a foreclosure. While other brokers at the time pestered me with unwanted phone calls and gave me 10 minute sales pitches on themselves about how they were different because they didn't have a sales pitch; John was the opposite. He was helpful and answered any questions I had, but was never pushy or salesy. He asked whether I'd like to have emails on listing updates or not, and asked if I would like to have him check in with me from time to time, which I said I would. True to form, he would send me an email or text once every 4-6 months or so to ask if I wanted to hop on the phone and catch up on where things stood for me. He even proactively reached out at one point to ask if I was finding his email updates useful and whether I would like to continue receiving them or if I would like to be removed from that list. My wife and I started more actively searching for properties with John a few months ago, and the experience has been similarly stellar. John has been candid and realistic about pricing - letting us know if he thinks a listing is fairly priced and doesn't have room for negotiation, and also when he thinks there is room. When we told him that we wanted to pursue a listing but the number we needed to get down to was a significant reduction, he really stepped up. He was able to get us under contract at $20,000 less than the list price ($30,000 under the original list price) to get us to the number we told him we needed to be at. While we wound up withdrawing from that agreement for our own personal reasons (to no fault of his) and decided to push our timeline back by a few months, I have no doubt he would have gotten us across the finish line, and additionally have no doubt that we will be just as satisfied with him in a few months when we resume our search. read more

John was truly the best realtor we have ever worked with. He went above & beyond. He always responded promptly to our emails, calls or texts which we very much appreciated . We do believe that this would not have gone so fast and so smoothly with anyone else. Will definitely utilize John's services in the future. We highly recommend him & can tell you that you will not be disappointed! Need more people like John! read more

John is very professional above all. I was looking for an investment property and he found a great opportunity for me, it was priced below market and he even negotiated a better price and the seller accepted. John walked me through the entire process from start to finish. I completely support all the excellent reviews he's got under his belt, adding that, he can actually become a good friend. 100% happy with my purchase with John. read more

If you need someone to help you with a home purchase, John is your guy! John was nothing short of exceptional. His market knowledge, dedication, and assistance through the whole process was amazing. He guided me through the process, provided the best help along the way, and addressed my concerns promptly. I found my dream home and highly recommend John for a remarkable experience. Thank you, John! read more

My husband and I worked with John Lyons to purchase our first home. Before choosing a real estate agent, we thought about what qualities were important to us. Our list included an agent who was patient, trustworthy, hardworking and knowledgable. We met with a few realtors who didn't fit the bill but John was all of the above and more. When we first met John, we immediately clicked. He was a joy to be around and came fully prepared with comprehensive market research and home options that suited all of our criteria. As we viewed home after home, John exhibited the utmost patience with us. He spent countless hours objectively answering our questions - and as first time buyers, we had A LOT of questions. He took the time to make us feel confident and at ease during what could have been a grueling process. Once we found the home perfect for us and our offer was accepted, John made sure all of the heavy lifting was done on our behalf. Since it was new development, we had the opportunity to be very involved in the build - which led to about 10x the amount of work for John. We can't thank him enough for everything he did, including several visits to the home on our behalf to check progress. He shared timelines and 'to do' items for pre moving (things I would have surely forgotten to do on my own!), took extensive notes during each walk through, followed up with his incredible assistant Sam who produced punch lists with detailed information and progress photos, and even sent us Giordano's pizza to enjoy as we moved out of our previous apartment. Most importantly, John made sure everything that was promised to use pre-close became reality. Not a detail was missed. He truly made our lives easy. John was efficient, diligent and enthusiastic throughout the ENTIRE 9 months we spent together searching for homes and finally closing on our new place. We couldn't be happier and owe a lot of our happiness to him. We now consider John a friend and would highly recommend him to anyone searching for their next home. A true professional and a pleasure to work with. read more

John has made the first time buying experience very easy. He works with top-notch lending, legal, and inspection teams that will make the process clear, easy, and time-efficient. John has made every appointment (open houses, tours, inspections, etc.) on time, and his knowledge of the process and the local inventory was indispensable throughout the whole process. Not to mention, he has above average patience. It took me a while to find my desired property, and John was consistent in showing me properties that met my home preferences. All in all, whether you are a first time home buyer or someone who's been in the game before, John Lyons is a tremendous resource and will provide you with an informative, easy, and positive home buying experience. You will not be disappointed. read more

John is the absolute best! As first time home buyers, it can be such a daunting and scary process. They say trust your gut.. and I'm so glad we did with John. His level of knowledge, responsiveness and overall demeanor really reflects when it comes to him helping you walk through the whole buying process. I highly recommend him for anyone looking for a realtor! read more

John Lyons has amazing energy, great market knowledge, and is as trustworthy as they come. My wife and I have purchased, sold, and purchased again with John guiding us through every step of the way. We have proudly referred him to several other friends who have been incredibly happy. John is awesome! read more

When my husband and I were moving to Chicago, we researched a few realtors and selected John - best decision we could have made. He took care of us, helped us find the right property for us and even after closing, continuously checked in and remained one of our good friends in the city. This spring we decided it was time to leave the city for something new and we immediately reached out to John to list our condo. He got it on the market within days complete with photos and a virtual tour via Matterport at a price both of us were happy with. We had a full price offer within the first 36 hours and he helped us to navigate the contract and prepare for inspection and appraisal. We moved before the transaction could close, but leaving our property in John's capable hands allowed us to remain confident. John will continue to be one of our good friends in Chicago and we are so lucky and thankful to have worked with him twice. Would highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell real estate in Chicago! read more

I sold my condo and purchased a new home with John. He's incredibly responsive, knowledgeable and has your best interest in mind every step of the way. During the selling process he was thoughtful, brought in a stager for recommendations and very robust marketing plan (sold my place on day 1!). Buying - he was a strong negotiator, knew the market and has some great tools to help you easily search. I ran into a big issue at the closing table and he was there to back me up. Whether you're a first time buyer or looking to sell I'd recommend John! read more

John and I knew each other as neighbors and as coworkers at Baird & Warner. I moved to Indianapolis and decided to sell my investment condo in Lincoln Park and he was the first and only agent I considered to sell my unit. The process was seamless and John was always accessible if I had any questions. He has a great list of professionals to help with any remodeling project. We prepared the condo for sale by painting, refinishing the floors and staging and had an offer within 18 days! I would highly recommend John as a buyer or seller. read more

Appreciated all of his help and patience. John is great to work with, recommend for sure. He helped me purchase my first home and it was awesome to work with someone that was so knowledgeable but patient at the same time. read more

John did a wonderful job finding us a place we love at the right price! He made the experience for us as first time home buyers seamless and helped at every step of the way to answer questions and make sure we understood all of the details. His responsiveness was on point and he checked in on us weekly which is a nice touch. Very personable and cares for his clients. read more

John Lyons is everything you would want in an agent from listing to close. He was thorough and detailed in every aspect of the sales process. He maintained a high level of communication and made sure that I was informed every step of the way. His positive attitude and warm approach helps to reassure you of him being trustworthy. I would highly recommend John to any of my friends and family! read more

Simply the best in Chicago, hands down! John was attentive, creative, open to showing us anything, flexible, awesome!

John helped my wife and me through the difficult and emotionally draining process of selling our home while we prepared to retire from our jobs and move out of state to start entirely new lives. You take your sellers as they come, and John got a handful when he got us. John's pragmatism and transparency about the process; his great knowledge of markets and professional acumen; and his effusive and optimistic personal touch and his undying sense of humor kept these nervous sellers reassured and on course throughout. Every piece of advice John gave us was on point and productive. He is someone you will want to listen to and trust, and you will be happy you did. read more

As a buyer, I highly recommend John Lyons as a real estate broker. I had a very specific target area for my condo purchase, and John's guidance was invaluable every step of the way. He clearly understood my needs and made sure that I ended up with a great unit, where I wanted to be. John provided a welcome, calming influence during negotiations. Without his outstanding expertise, I would have ended up with a lesser unit at my price point. There is no substitute for his experience and friendly, professional demeanor. You need look no further for the real estate agent that you want on your side. read more

I cannot say enough positive words about the professionalism and knowledge of John. As first time home buyers, my partner and I knew very little going into the process and John was outstanding from our initial meeting all the way up to closing. Even before we had agreed to go with him as our realtor, he took the time to set up a meeting with us and draw out the entire process, giving full detail of each step. During the viewing stage, he sent us great options daily and was always available to discuss how each property fit into our expectations. Not only is John one of the most professional people I have worked with, but he is extremely knowledgeable and well connected in the field. When it came time to secure our mortgage, hire an attorney and perform the home inspection, John was on hand with multiple references that worked out for us perfectly. Throughout this whole process we never felt like we were in it alone and we always had 100% information of the process and what was expected of us. While co-workers of mine have had terribly stressful situations purchasing a home, I truly feel that we hit the jackpot as there was not one surprise at any time and I attribute this fully to John and his professionalism. We would highly highly recommend John to anyone looking to buy or sell a property in the Chicago area and will certainly be contacting him when we decide to sell down the road! read more

I recently retained John's services to find tenants for my unit in Chicago. This is the second time I have worked with John. He is an exceptional real estate professional. He is polite, hard-working and proactive. He solved issues before they became major headaches and did an excellent job communicating with me throughout the process. Solving problems is good. But pre-empting them is immensely better. John also has an outstanding knowledge of the Chicago real estate market. I hope John stays in the business for a very, very long time. Baird and Warner should feel fortunate to have John on their staff. He is my go-to guy for any Chicago real estate needs. read more

I was referred to John from one of my friends that had bought their first place with him and had a great experience. This was my first condo purchase as well, so I needed someone that would help me through the entire process and answer all my questions! John was super responsive from the first meeting up through the close of the place. I would definitely recommend John to any of my friends in the future!! read more

From the moment we met John we were impressed with his honesty, friendliness, and eagerness to help. He worked closely with us from start to finish. When we found the perfect condo, he negotiated a deal for us on a late Saturday night. By early Sunday morning we had a signed contract! Since we were moving from out of state, John was there for the appraisal, the inspection, and meetings with tradespeople. John's network of associates provided us with the perfect mortgage broker, insurance agent, attorney, electrician, plumber and appraiser. Having such a knowledgeable agent was invaluable and made the entire process much, much easier. read more

John represented my wife and I in the purchase of our first home. Upon first meeting, John's professionalism was clear. We had no hesitation placing our trust in him. Our first attempt at a purchase was unfortunately plagued by a negligent seller and the contract was ultimately cancelled by that seller. However, John remained steadfast in his optimism. After the cancelled contract, John was ready to show us another condo the very next morning--and this one we loved even more! As a true master of his craft, John negotiated and executed our new contract in a single day. John has carefully curated a team of professionals that move with swift precision, allowing us to go from offer to closing in only three weeks. After having the privilege of working with John Lyons I am happy to say that he is a great realtor and an even better friend. If you are buying or selling a house, look no further. John Lyons is your man. read more

I spoke with John on the phone and in the first few minutes I knew he was the realtor for us. Rarely does someone make an impression to make me motivated to actually want to sit down and write a review. John made this very easy! John Lyons is remarkable that at every request we had he made happen with in a few hours. His professionalism, efficiency, energetic, and willing to listen and find the perfect home for us was incredible. John Lyons is now our family realtor and cannot think of recommending any one else. He is truly motivated to help you in anyway he can. Bottom line I can't imagine having a more positive experience and recommend him without reservation to anyone looking to buy or sell their home!! Thank you John Lyons read more

This is the best agent we have ever dealt with in real estate! I'm from Florida and was helping my son find his first condo near DePaul University where he attends graduate school. One quick google search and we found John Lyons. From the very beginning, we felt comfortable with our agent of choice. During the entire search, John was attentive to our exact criteria, answered every call/text/e-mail promptly and gave us unbiased information on each property we were interested in. After searching online for 3 months and 1 day of showings in person, we finally found the perfect condo. The closing transaction went off without a hitch because of John's professionalism and choice of associates (especially the buyer attorney, Ernie Rose). My husband was not with us during the day of closing and John overheard me talking about needing the locks changed. Being the professional and personal agent he is, John took it upon himself to take care of the locksmith and changing the locks/keys without even asking! This was not a million dollar sale, but he always gave us five-star treatment. If you are lucky enough to be a client of his, not only will you find your perfect home but also you will feel like you have just done business with a trusted old friend. We will always use John in the future and highly recommend him! read more