We had another flawless experience with Jim Flanders, this time while selling the same home he…read morehelped us buy 6 years ago. We have kept a great relationship with Jim through the years, and my husband has worked with him on buying and selling some of our investment property. So when it came time to sell our city home in Logan Square as we made the move to the suburbs, we knew Jim Flanders was the one to help us do this. We were building a new construction home in the burbs, so we had a lot of lead time in knowing that we needed to list the property. This was a tricky balance since we didn't want to list the home too quickly (and risk selling it and being homeless for many months until our new house was ready), but we didn't want to miss the peak market season during the summer months and wait until the fall or winter to list it. We also have 2 toddlers at home, so the idea of having to keep the house "showing ready" for an extended period of time was daunting. In a perfect world, we would be able to get under contract quickly with a buyer, but negotiate a later close date and get the best of both worlds. Jim helped us do a walkthrough of the house and pointed out the things he recommended we do to get the house in showing form (painting the walls, caulking some areas, clearing out toy congested areas) but only focused on what he felt would actually make a difference rather than asking us to invest a bunch of money in things that ultimately do not help sell quicker or at a higher price. Jim helped guide us in our timing, thanks to his knowledge and understanding of the market. We listed on a Wednesday in July, and decided to have an open house that very weekend. Jim came and managed the open house for us and the first couple to see the home made an offer that same day. They did not have a real estate agent, and Jim led all the conversations directly with the buyer and negotiated the terms and conditions for the contract. He was able to negotiate a 90 day closing, which gave us plenty of time to stay in our home and enjoy it before needing to vacate. The best quality about Jim Flanders is his easy going personality and honest approach. He always has your back and wants the best for you. But he is not pushy. He will not talk you into doing yourself a disservice just to get a quicker commission. He truly wants to advise you and guide you to get the best results possible and his patience is incredible. He will be there as many times as you need him for as long as you need him, to make sure everything goes smoothly. It was one thing for us to have the utmost trust in Jim, but the most impressive thing was how much the buyers also trusted Jim. They opted not to get their own real estate agent and were fine working directly through Jim (even though he was representing us, the sellers) because they also could feel that Jim had everybody's best interests at heart. This is where Jim Flanders really sets himself apart from other realtors I've worked with. He forms relationships, not just with his clients, but with the opposite clients as well. He took time to have many phone conversations with the buyers to put them at ease, talk through the inspection findings, and negotiate our terms. They trusted him so much that when it came time to close, they didn't even ask for a final walk through of the house before closing. We couldn't have asked for a smoother and less stressful process of selling our home. We got the price we wanted, the closing date we wanted, and all the negotiations and conversations were easy and friendly.

We cannot recommend Jim more highly. He is a consummate professional, honest, thoughtful and…read moreoutrageously knowledgeable about the Chicago property market. We took the plunge this year and started the search for our first home. Jim was incredibly generous with his time working with us, and helped us figure out what we actually wanted and where we would be happy. In May, Jim showed us a home we fell in love with and he guided us through every step of the process, from winning the bid, inspections, closing and held our hands every step of the way. Knowledge and professionalism aside, Jim is just a legend and we just enjoyed hanging out with him and having the chats at showings. The second we get a sniff that any of our friends or people we meet are looking to buy, we instantly stop the conversation to tell them 'YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH JIM FLANDERS'. Thank you Jim.

We heard about Ryan and Starting Point Realty through Reddit and could not be happier with our…read moreexperience. We moved to the area from out of state, and Ryan helped us every step of the way, from finding a short-term rental to finding our home and closing. What stood out most was how genuinely he cared about us. From day one, he treated us like longtime friends rather than clients. He also has an incredible network of people he trusts, and you could tell he genuinely cared about making sure everything was done right. Simply put, Ryan is knowledgeable, responsive, trustworthy, and a genuinely good dude. We would recommend him and his team to anyone looking for a realtor!

Ryan Gable from Starting Point Realty was our agent when we were shopping for a house. We're first…read moretime home buyers, and even though we did as much self-learning education we could, he taught us there was always more and more to learn during the home buying process. Even though we had a hard time deciding between single family homes (Detached) and town homes/Condos (Attached), Ryan was always patient with us. He was with us every step of the way with great insights on affordability, explaining how home offers work, even when we decided to switch our search locations! No matter the twists and turns we presented (I'm sorry Ryan!!), Ryan stood by our side the entire process. In fact, he was a mentor for us, who went to essentially EVERY single house we wanted to see, who gave valuable opinions and insights on every home and even the area where the home was located. He checked in with us and made sure we actually loved the house instead of pushing us towards a home to make a quick sale. Ryan is the kind of real estate agent you would want; patient, will educate you during the whole process, and will ensure you're taken care of during the whole process!

In the past, we always used the onsite team in our four transactions, over the course of ten years…read more selling or buying units in the buildings. This time, we decided to go with Nick. I had worries that he wouldn't be as knowledgeable as the onsite team, but I was totally wrong. He knew the buildings quirks and benefits. Our interview with him, about selling the apartment, went smoothly and he knew everything the complex had to offer. He showed up at every listing appointment, as the Seller's Agent, gave us feedback, without having to pester him. It was a pleasant experience and he went out of his way to check on the apartment's progress, while we had it painted. If you're looking for an honest agent to sell your biggest asset, go with Nick. I wouldn't hesitate to use him, again or recommend him to friends and family. He is the real deal.

Nick is an exceptional agent with an eye to all kinds of details, from those you'll encounter in…read morethe process of mortgage lending, to navigating HOA documents and red flags, to identifying building or unit issues that need to be considered before putting in an offer. He is tenacious in defense of his clients, while also being easy and friendly to work with. His professionalism, proactive communication, and thoughtful intervention helped navigate the process for me, from checking in regularly to acting as an important go-between with lenders, sellers, attorneys, and all the other cast of characters one encounters. He not only helped me sell my home, he helped me find a new one -- and both sale and purchase set me up for success both then and in the future. I highly recommend Nick as an excellent navigator for the whole process in your buying or selling journey.

My experience with Vesta was truly incredible due to Kevin Tang the most fantastic real estate…read moreagent I've ever encountered. Kevin goes above and beyond for his clients. I was a buyer from out of state and he was so diligent about sending pictures, videos and reviews of all the places we were considering in a more than timely fashion despite the distance. He made the process so seamless and always went the extra mile for us including getting us a housewarming gift and sitting through the long closing proceedings with us. He also stayed on even after closing to help me find contractors for floor and ceiling touch-ups and worked with me again from out of state to make sure everything went smoothly in updating the home. He's truly the best of the best!

I used to recommend this realty but unfortunately they have no respect for privacy, so NO MORE. No…read morematter how many times I've asked them to take me off their emails lists (after selling our property), they continue to email us. So frustrating.

We owe our forever house to Captain Realty. Seth and his partner Liz helped us play the long game…read morein 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.

After seeing multiple friends find their homes with Seth there was no question he was going to be…read moremy 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.

I had the pleasure of working with Tony and his team over the last few months. He did a fantastic…read morejob! I would not have been able to close on my first home yesterday without his help. He was available at all times to answer questions. He really went above and beyond! I would absolutely recommend!

Great group of people who take care to be mindful of how important it is when dealing with…read morecustomers and financial matters.

Maria Cullerton was the listing agent for this company for a home that I purchased. They did not…read moreprovide me a code to retrieve my keys at closing, and they were completely unresponsive when my agent tried to reach them. Completely unprofessional and totally inexcusable behavior.

Donnie Perez was very responsive and though he could not help me directly, he made sure to connect…read moreme with someone who could. Would definitely recommend working with him!

I was a student and athlete of Craig's years ago and always admired his tenacity, work ethic and…read moredrive for success. When I was ready to purchase my first home, he was at the top of my list of potential realtors. I've got family and friends that have bought and sold properties; they all have had positive experiences with Team Fallico. My experience was no different. He has compiled a fantastic team of willing and helpful people. I couldn't be happier with my purchase and would recommend Craig and his team to anyone.

Team Fallico is the absolute best! Craig/Nick and the rest are a dream team and helped us find our…read moreperfect home. I could not be any happier with our relationship with them.