A coworker recommended Karen to me when I began my first condo search in Chicago and was dissatisfied with the pushy realtors I met. I cannot be more thankful.
She has spotted special assessment level defects that I would never have noticed and that might not have been in board meeting minutes, helped imagine renovations, given sage advice on issues critical to long term value of the condo, and been excellent during negotiations. All while making me laugh, feel comfortable, never smooth talking, and leaving the impression that I was her only client. My partner said, "You get the sense that she doesn't need the money, that she does real estate because she loves it." He's right and it'sobvious. After a friend went on showings with Karen and me, he left his agent after the contract expired and started with Karen.
At first I doubted the value of a real estate agent because these days the internet has a wealth of up-to-date listings, past sale data, and other relevant information about buildings and the units themselves. Those data have certainly helped me in my search. However, working with Karen, it's clear no DIY research online can return close to the value she brings in terms of dollars and the security that someone highly competent is double-checking and questioning my decisions. read more
