Mike assisted in the purchase of our first home over the last few months. We were under contract in…read moreDecember but did not close until February, Mike remained communicative and informative throughout that entire timeline. This being our first purchase we had no idea what to expect, having met with Mike before we even made an offer we were educated as to what to expect in the process and what Mike and his team offered us. We felt far more confident from that initial meeting and knew we had the right team behind us. Throughout the process Mike kept us up to date regarding interest rate movements and helped us secure a very good rate. He answered our very specific questions, was incredibly timely in his responses back to us, and calmed any nerves we may have had. I highly recommend working with Mike, if you are looking to learn about the mortgage process give Mike a call, you will not be disappointed.

The Facchini team supported us from day one - educating us on the process of home buying and all…read moreconsiderations we should factor. We shopped rates and they were able to match the most aggressive rate for us. On top of that, their communication is always immediate, which was a huge factor for us getting an offer accepted and closing with speed. They also offer Cash Guarantee options (if qualified) which made our non-cash offer competitive against those that were paying cash. All around we have had a great experience working with Michael's team from the start through close. Thank you!

Easy transaction with a very nice teller. I chatted with a elderly member at the door who has done…read moreher banking here for 30 years, starting with her first paycheck from her employer, Northwestern University. She was great to chat with and was FIRED UP about paying her last of the mortgage payment on a 30 year Evanston home mortgage. Keep It Up !

I have been banking at FNCU for almost 12 years. I left Bank of America as they had been…read moresuspiciously reorganizing my deposits and debits to generate fees (and were later hit with a class action lawsuit for doing so) and was very happy with the service I had been getting at FNCU. That is until recently. For the past couple of years, I have noticed debits and charges shuffled around and in some cases creating a scenario for an NSF. I have also experienced unreasonable holds on deposits of checks issued from a local business (my employer) despite that I have deposited literally over a thousand of these checks with no history of any of them being returned. These holds that FNCU levy have caused numerous NSFs. In fact, upon investigating my own account, I was shocked to discover I had been charged with over $1500 in fees in a 6 month span. That is egregious. Sometimes, after complaining, they'll over turn a fee here and there. But, much more often, I'm usually left with someone who describes what is really a systemic inefficiency as 'policy'. It didn't used to be this way. I am a local resident working multiple jobs. I make deposits almost daily. For them to hit me with that many fees is almost abusive.

I'm a first time home buyer, so I'm not sure how it all works and I don't have a lot of reference…read morepoints. But as an accountant and someone who cares a lot about customer service, I know that Beth Lewis knows her stuff and she communicates it clearly, kindly, and quickly!! I know I'd be hard-pressed to find a banker who worked to find me a good deal, let alone a banker who worked HARD to find me the best deal. Beth knew during the pre-qualification process that I'd qualify for some programs for down payment assistance. But during the loan application process, Beth and her team found me even more assistance! My closing costs were basically non-existent, which apparently never happens? I'm forever grateful. On top of getting me a great deal, I really just appreciate Beth's phone-side manner. After I found a unit that pushed the edge of my prequalification, Beth let me know kindly, but very clearly, that it was just not in my price range. I couldn't even be disappointed. All of our calls regarding the unit that I did buy went along the lines of "actually your monthly payment will be even lower, it will include x, but it won't include y, keep that in mind. Does this work for you?" Of course it works for me!! It's amazing! Even with all of the assistance applications and grants and forms and condo-related paperwork, Beth and her team finalized my loan less and I closed less than a month after I even saw the property. I didn't even think that kind of turn around was possible!! Thank you so much to Beth and Meredith and Sarah!!!!!!! (not sorry about all the exclamation points. you gotta do what you gotta do.)

I can't say enough about Beth and her team at Cross Country! I was unhappy with a previous lender…read morebut felt stuck since I had only 2 weeks to close because I had to be out of my rental. Not only did they get me a lower rate they got me to closing in just 10 days! Their service and dedication to expedite the process for me was amazing. As a first time homebuyer they kept me informed throughout each step and truly lightened the burden of a stressful situation. I can't recommend them enough and will definitely use them again in the future!

Ben and his team at Reside Home Loans have been incredible to work with. They were accessible,…read moreapproachable and answered my questions in ways I could understand. If interest rates come down we will refinance with them without a doubt.

You're in good hands with Chris and the team. Very transparent and honest. Whether you're a first…read moretimer or not, the level of detail and quality of communication will make the process so much easier and eliminate second guessing. Highly recommend.

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.

I am a handful. I will willingly admit it. Sarah has been incredible to work with. I trust her…read moreopinion and appreciate her dedication. We met at an open house and really just fell in love with her spark. I can't imagine going through buying our first house with anyone else! She has taken the time to make sure we feel comfortable and has been more than willing to work with our crazy schedules. She also has a vast collection of referrals who have all ended up being great to help us through this exciting and incredibly stressful time! Sarah is, hands down, one of our favorite people! Not just a realtor, by any means.

Sarah is an amazing Realtor! She truly listens and delivers with amazingly high standards. Her…read morework ethic is incomparable and I would recommend her to anybody looking to buy a home or list their property for sale. Top notch work!!!

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!

Ryan was incredibly knowledgeable, experienced and empathetic. He was able to deftly guide us…read morethrough the process of selling our home and the absurdities of the current market to a safe landing. Ryan was down to earth and walked us through each step, always respectful of our situation and perspective while providing honest and insightful counsel. Ryan worked with us even before any formal agreement, advising on remodeling and market value. We had to sell our condo due to unemployment, it was an emotionally difficult process but Ryan and his team were always supportive and compassionate. Ryan went above and beyond in terms of availability and providing hands on help. This process could have been an absolute nightmare with a lesser realtor, but we always felt safe guided by Ryan's expertise.

We met Lynn in 2017 when we bought our condo. We were very pleased, so enlisted her help in selling…read morethe condo and buying a new home. First, just about her--extremely responsive, even when I was being annoying with many many questions. Very friendly, and really cares about her clients. We have really enjoyed working with her. Currently, she is very conscientious of COVID precautions. I, especially as a physician, was very reassured by this. Now specifically about the process: In terms of selling, we moved very quickly, got the house on the market quickly, and despite it being the middle of winter closed on an offer we were very pleased with. She guided us expertly through those negotiations and the circumstances particular to us. Katherine Hart, the lawyer she recommended, was also outstanding. In terms of buying, we were nervous--we wanted a single family home, were picky about neighborhood, but also cost. Lynn helped us find our dream forever home, on the actual single block we had fallen in love with years ago. She has many contacts in Chicagoland, and we also had other options with homes that were not yet listed, and things we likely wouldn't have seen otherwise. SHe guided us through negotiations, and got us a price we felt good about, and guided us through the whole inspection and review process, which on a house over 100 years old was an endeavor. We knew we were in good hands, and trust Lynn immensely. Cannot recommend her highly enough. LYNN IS AMAZING!! For a purchase as important as a home, don't go with anyone else.

I hired Lynn Briskin to market and sell my home. This review is specifically about deceptive…read moremarketing practices by @properties more than it is about Lynn Briskin, although she too is culpable for this behavior. Frankly, I am upset and feel deceived by the whole process and can only hope future homeowners will not be put in the same position as me. TL;DR: If you are listing your home with @properties, INSIST that the commission split between the buyer's and seller's agents be written into your listing agreement. Buried in the very fine print of the @properties standard listing agreement it says that @properties can decide the commission split between the agents. Even I missed it, and it was only at the closing table that I even caught wind of the consequences of this. My property sat on the market for 10 weeks accruing market time with a below average number of showings and Lynn assured me she had done absolutely everything in her power to help me garner a buyer. For those who may not be aware: When a property is listed on the MLS, the listing agent inputs what the commission to the buyer's agent will be. This information is absolutely secret to the general public and not viewable to anyone without MLS access, so you are completely putting your faith in the listing agent and trusting they are holding your best interests. As we all know, agent commissions drive showings and ultimately sales. Whether it would be considered ethical or not, a property listed with a lower commission to a buyer's agent (e.g., 1%) will result in fewer showings. (Please tell any agent who disagrees with this statement to switch to a flat fee structure instead). As I found out the hard way, Lynn listed my property with a full 1% commission in her favor (i.e., not an equal commission split). In other words, a lower commission to the buyer's agent, and plausibly responsible for the longer market time and lower sale price. While the "net" commission to me as the seller was the same, had this been *disclosed* upfront, I would never have hired Lynn to represent me. To my dismay, this is a widespread practice with @properties. After speaking with Don Shea the @properties managing broker, he encourages "all of his agents" to list properties in this manner with this type of split commission in a 1% favor to his agents. While this practice puts more money in the @properties pockets (and may be even justifiable in some instances), the homeowner has zero visibility or knowledge of this practice. The commission split should be disclosed upfront because it is both the ethical thing to do as well as consequential to the homeowner with their sale.

Great local bank with a nicely redone interior and parking lot! A very sharp contrast from the…read moreChase bank that previously ran the building into the ground.

Top notch, customer focused operation at Great Rate! Nick and I talked about what I was looking…read morefor and along the way while the specifics of the loan were varying slightly, he made sure he delivered what he promised in terms of closing fees and costs. I searched through multiple options, decided to go with Nick and am very very happy I did. I highly endorse Great Rate Mortgage for any home loan business, Nick will absolutely not let you down.

Nicholas and Janet both helped me on my first transaction as a home owner. With their keen…read moreattention to detail, they provided me information to make a well educated decision for financing options as a first time home owner. Nicholas and Janet both delivered on what they said and then some extra. I'm very happy I went with the folks at Great Rate Mortgage and I will refer everyone I know to them. I highly recommend Nicholas, Janet and the Great Rate Mortgage staff. Thanks again!