“Lone Wolf Technologies has long been a leading provider of residential real estate software, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with them on this integration to simplify the home warranty ordering process for real estate professionals nationwide,” said Jim Mostofi, CEO of Choice Home Warranty. “Choice Home Warranty’s technology-enabled dispatching and administration capabilities are revolutionizing the home warranty industry so a collaboration with an innovator like Lone Wolf, who is using technology to transform the real estate industry, makes perfect sense.”

Digital Home Warranty is a free new feature of Lone Wolf Transactions (zipForm Edition and TransactionDesk Edition). Users of the platform can select Choice Home Warranty as their home warranty service contract provider and place orders with a single click within Lone Wolf Transactions. This helps to eliminate extra steps in the process for real estate agents and brokers, and simplify a crucial part of the real estate process. Choice Home Warranty offers three levels of coverage, as well as an array of optional coverage, so that brokers and agents can quickly and easily obtain coverage for their buyers’ home systems and appliances.

“Digital Home Warranty is all about making the process easier for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals,” said Jason Cheverton, Vice President of Strategic Channels at Lone Wolf. “As a leading provider of home warranties nationwide, partnering with Choice Home Warranty was a no brainer and we’re thrilled to feature them as a one-click home warranty in Lone Wolf Transactions.”

Media Relations: media@choicehomewarranty.com

Customer Service: choicehomewarranty.com/account-center

Investor Relations: IR@choicehomewarranty.com

ABOUT CHOICE HOME WARRANTY

Choice Home Warranty is a leading home warranty company headquartered in Edison, NJ. The company provides service contracts to consumers for the repair or replacement of major home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. It services its customers through a network of over 15,000 independent contractors. Choice Home Warranty has covered more than 1 million homes across the country and handled more than 4 million service requests. Choice Home Warranty prides itself on being the industry leader, with proprietary automated dispatching and tracking technology.

ABOUT LONE WOLF TECHNOLOGIES

Lone Wolf Technologies is the North American leader in residential real estate software, serving over 1.5 million real estate professionals across Canada and the U.S. With cloud solutions for agents, brokers, franchises, MLSs and associations alike, the company provides the entire real estate industry with the tools they need to amaze clients, build their business, and improve profits—from transactions to back office, insights, and more, all in one place. Lone Wolf’s head offices are located in Cambridge, ON, and Dallas, TX. 

The post Choice Home Warranty Partners with Lone Wolf Technologies on One-Click Digital Home Warranty appeared first on Choice Home Warranty.

When the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) insures a loan on a 1 to 4-unit residential property, and that loan goes into foreclosure, HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) is the entity that ultimately comes into possession of the foreclosed property. These homes then go on the market at their current “fair market value” as appraised by HUD, which is motivated to sell the property quickly and recoup its losses. If you have the cash, or can get financing, you can then buy one of these homes, often at reduced prices.

What are the Pros and Cons of Buying a HUD home?

Pros

• Since these homes are foreclosures, you can often get a good deal on them. And, if they don’t sell after a certain period, their prices may get reduced again.
• Many of these homes will still qualify for FHA loans, depending on their condition. If so, you would only have to pay 3.5 percent of the loan amount as a down payment, instead of the typical 20 percent for a conventional loan.
• If you are someone who intends to live in the home, rather than try to rent it or flip it, (an owner-occupant), you get priority in the bidding process.
• If you are a firefighter, law enforcement officer, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teacher, or EMT, you can qualify for a 50 percent discount off the list price of a HUD home located in revitalization areas.

Cons

• The biggest con is that the properties are sold “as is.” Any repairs, minor to major, will be your responsibility once you purchase the home.
• When you buy the home as an owner-occupant, you must live in it for 12 months before you may sell or rent it.
• When you buy the home at the 50 percent discount, in what HUD calls the Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program, you must live there for 36 months.

How do I Buy a HUD Home?

The first thing you do is go to HUD’s portal, the hudhomestore, and search for homes where you would like to live. The portal lets you search by state, county, city, and even zip code. It lets you filter by criteria like reduced price, new listings, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and more. Once you’ve found a home you are interested in, you will need a real estate broker approved and registered with HUD to submit your bid for you. But, your costs for your real estate professional may be covered, all or in part, by HUD at closing.

You don’t make an offer in this process like in traditional home buying, because it’s really an auction where the highest bidder wins. But, as a potential owner-occupant, you will have an exclusive period in which to bid of up to 15 days before investors can bid. If your bid is accepted, things will move quickly after that, so make sure you are prepared. You need to have your financing approved before you bid, which brings us to another vital question.

Should I Get a Home Inspection before I Buy a HUD Home?

Emphatically, yes. Since these properties are sold “as is,” it is important to be aware of all issues or potential issues. It will affect not only your bidding, but also the financing you may ultimately obtain. These inspections really must be done before you bid on the home for your own protection. HUD strongly encourages home inspections, as well. There are too many potential issues that are not glaring to the untrained eye, for you to rely on your own assessment. If the property needs a lot of repair, but you are still interested in it, you may want to investigate an FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Loan, which basically lets you bundle your mortgage and construction loans together into one lower interest loan.

How does the Good Neighbor Next Door Program Work?

Single family homes in designated revitalization areas are offered exclusively to those eligible for the program for 7 days. To find homes in revitalization areas, go to the Single-Family Home Locator. Unlike the other sales, if there is more than one bid, the property is awarded at random by lottery. If you qualify for the program and are awarded the property, you must sign a second “silent” mortgage and note to HUD, upon which no payments or interest are due, to secure your required 36-month stay in the home.

What are my Financing Options?

In buying a HUD home, you have the option to pay cash or finance through an FHA, VA, or conventional loan. HUD does not provide any type of financing for these homes. To qualify for an FHA loan, where the down payment may be only 3.5 percent, you will need to have a credit score of 580 or higher and the property must also qualify. There will, of course, be income and other requirements to qualify for these loans. The FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage will help you with the larger renovations, but you will pay more for it. And, the total loan, based on the value of the home with renovations, can’t exceed the FHA loan amounts for your area.

So, if you’re willing to put in the effort, a HUD home may be a good option. Just make sure you do your homework. Know ahead of time what you can afford, what financing you will qualify for, and how much work you’re willing to take on to enjoy home ownership. And don’t forget that home inspection. It could be the best money you ever spend.

The post What is a HUD Home appeared first on Choice Home Warranty.

For people who dream of owning their own home soon, the idea of coming up with the money that they need to seal the deal – down payment, closing costs etc. – can make that dream seem nearly impossible. Saving up such a large chunk of money can seem like a pipe dream, especially if you typically spend all or most of your paycheck just getting by from month to month. The good news is that for most of us, saving money is much more possible than it seems at first glance. Here, we will outline some strategies on how to save for a house that may just help you sock away that down payment money quickly.

Track Your Spending

This can be done easily today, with apps and online tools available that track spending and provide running totals of what you spend and what you’re spending on. Most people are quite surprised to find out how much the small, often unnecessary, things they spend on throughout the month add up. Figuring out exactly where your money is going is the first step in working out how to keep more of it in your pocket every month, giving you the information you need, to cut out unnecessary spending and stash the savings away to buy your house.

Examine Your Monthly Bills

By going over your regular monthly bills, you may well find some areas where you could trim the fat. You may be able to get better car insurance rates, for instance, if you shop around. Perhaps you can get a better interest rate on credit cards – call and ask. Maybe you can cut back on mobile phone costs by shopping around for a better plan – smaller companies are typically your best bet for a better bargain. Are you still paying for cable TV? Dropping it and using online streaming services can save you a good chunk of money every month. Do you pay out for a gym membership? Drop it and exercise at home to save more towards buying your new home.

Pay Down High Interest Debt

Being on the hook for high interest on credit card debt can really make it hard to stash savings away. Work to pay down high-interest cards one at a time, closing those accounts when you have cleared up the balances. Keep only your lower interest accounts for your spending needs, and ideally, you should limit spending on those cards to the point that you can pay off the balance every month.

Do Without A Few Frills

Tightening up your spending by doing without some luxuries can be a big boost for your savings. This may mean forgoing bigger-ticket items, such as skipping that annual vacation or making do with that old, tired car for another year or two. It could mean cutting out some little luxuries, like eating at home more often, rather than grabbing dinner out, cooking more, rather than ordering takeout and making coffee at home for your morning commute, rather than picking up a cup on the way.

Downsize Until You Buy

Renters can save by downsizing to a less expensive apartment. Paying a couple of hundred dollars less per month on rent means more money to bank towards buying your own home. If moving is not an option, consider getting a roommate if you have the space. His or her share of the rent can go right into your new house fund.

Work More

Getting a handle on spending is important when it comes to how to save for a house but finding ways to bring more money in can really speed up the process. Perhaps you can ask for some overtime, do some freelancing or get a second job for a while. Even something as simple as mowing lawns for neighbors on the weekends or pet sitting for vacationing friends and family can add a little bit to your savings every month.

Bank Windfalls

Tuck away your tax refund or your annual bonus to save for your house. Are you getting a raise this year? If so, dedicate it to your house savings – live on what you made this year. Cash gifts for birthdays or holidays? Put them away too. Every little chunk of “found money” can help fast track your home buying goals.

Automate Your Saving

Ask your employer to send a certain amount to your savings account every payday via direct deposit – you won’t spend it if you never see it. Another option for automatic saving is apps that link to your checking account and transfer set amounts into savings, or apps that route small change from everyday purchases into savings.

Quarantine Your House Savings

Last, but certainly not least, once you begin to tuck away money to save for a house, that savings should not be touched for any other reason. Make your house fund a separate account. Keeping that money untouched will be easier if you keep a healthy emergency fund tucked away in your regular savings account for life’s unexpected hassles.

The post How to Save For A House appeared first on Choice Home Warranty.

Buying a house is a difficult and complex process under the best circumstances. At first glance, it can seem nearly impossible if you have a bad credit score. While less than ideal credit can add some challenges to the home buying process, it certainly does not make it impossible to get approved for a mortgage and become a home owner. So how to buy a house with bad credit? Here, we will go over some options that can help you qualify to buy a house despite your credit woes.

Do What You Can to Improve Your Credit

You may not be able to move your credit score from poor to stellar, but there are things you can do to make it a little better to the eye of a potential mortgage lender – and when it comes to qualifying for a loan, every little bit helps. Steps you can take to help tidy up your credit report include:

Deal with issues in your credit report – You can get a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three major credit reporting companies through AnnualCreditReport.com. Request these reports and go over them carefully to check for errors or inaccuracies. If you find inaccurate information, file a dispute to have it corrected. If you have collections, missed payments or other black marks on your report, negotiating with the creditors involved may help. They may be willing to delete the negative information if you pay off what you owe. Not all creditors will do this, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Build a 12-month history of on-time payments – Once you have cleaned up your credit as much as you can, being vigilant about paying all your bills on time for at least 12 consecutive months can help you reestablish yourself as a good credit risk.

Pay off or pay down debt – Your debt-to-income ratio affects your credit score and is a factor that lenders look at to determine whether you are credit worthy. This ratio is the amount of debt you owe as compared to your income. Paying down credit card debt is a good place to start to improve your ratio, and getting a handle on other debt, such as car loans or student loan debt can help as well. Ideally, you want to lower your total debt to less than 40 percent of your income, with that new mortgage payment you hope to have factored into that total.

Build some savings/cash reserves – Having some backup cash on hand in case of unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical problem or job loss, for instance, can improve your odds of getting approved for a loan. Lenders like borrowers who have a nest egg that can cover mortgage payments and other bills for at least 6 months. This shows that you are responsible and serious about meeting your obligations, even in rough times.

Save For A Large Down Payment

Having the means to offer a larger than average down payment on a home purchase can work to sway lenders in your favor when you have bad credit. A larger investment of your own money generally means that you will be less likely to default on your mortgage, lowering your perceived risk in the eyes of lenders. It also works to provide lenders with the impression that you can handle your finances – and therefore a mortgage payment – despite that less than stellar credit history. You counteract that poor credit history, you will want to set aside enough money to put a down payment of at least 20 percent of your home’s purchase price.

Find Lenders Willing to Work with Low Credit Scores

There are home mortgage loans available for people with bad credit. These are generally government-insured loans, such as FHA loans, USDA loans and VA loans. These loans are easier to qualify for with a poor credit score than are conventional mortgage loans. However, qualification standards vary according to the lender you go through to get these loans, so you will need to shop around for lenders who are willing to work with potential borrowers who have low credit scores.

Look into Private Mortgage Options

Last, but not least, on our list of options for how to buy a house with bad credit are private mortgage loans. This can mean finding a friend or family member to put up the purchase price of your home, allowing you to make monthly payments to them until the loan is repaid. It can also mean finding a home seller who is willing to hold a private mortgage for you, allowing you to pay off the purchase price over a set number of years. Any such arrangement should be undertaken with caution, with contracts drawn up by a good lawyer to protect the interests of both borrower and lender.

The post How to Buy a House with Bad Credit appeared first on Choice Home Warranty.

Closing costs refer to expenses beyond the price of the property when you’re purchasing a home. There is a list of expected costs that you should expect at closing, when purchasing a home. These will vary by transaction and depend largely on the type of financing that you’re using and the professionals you’re working with to help you complete the transaction. It’s important to understand closing costs ahead of time so you don’t run into any unexpected hurdles that you don’t have the funds for when you’re finally closing on your home.
Below are some examples of common closing costs that you will typically incur when you’re buying real estate. It’s best to speak with your loan officer to make sure you understand exactly what you will be responsible for when you close on your home.

Mortgage Application Fee

Not all lenders charge a mortgage application fee. It’s best to work with one where this isn’t a consideration. Do take the time to shop around and understand your options before you pay a large application fee. This can often be as much as $500.

Loan Origination Fee

The bank charges a loan origination fee for providing the service of creating your loan. This typically amounts to 0.5% to 1% of the total mortgage. This may sound small, but it would add an extra $1,000 on a $100,000 loan. You may be able to negotiate this fee for something lower, particularly if you’re applying for a larger loan. It doesn’t necessarily require ten times the work to generate a $500,000 loan rather than a $50,000 loan. Speak with your loan officer to find out what you can work out on this point.

Inspection Fee

A home inspection is a critical part of making a smart home purchase. The inspection will help alert you to pending problems with the property that you might otherwise overlook. Though there’s the chance that you’ll invest in an inspection only to find out that you don’t ultimately want to purchase the property, losing this investment is better than investing in a house with major issues. According to Home Advisor, the average home inspection is about $315.

Appraisal Fee

Before you can secure a home loan, the lender needs to know that they’re providing you with an appropriate sum for the property in question. An appraiser must evaluate the property to determine what it’s worth. If the home is worth far less than the value of the loan you’re asking for, you’ll likely be denied financing. The appraisal fee is usually between $300 and $500. You may pay for the appraisal upfront, but it’s often rolled into your total closing costs.

Survey, Title Search, and Recording Fees

These fees are related to the process of verifying the location, boundaries, and ownership of the property. Some lenders require a property survey that confirms the boundaries of the land. A title search is the process of checking public records to confirm ownership of the property. Recording fees pay for the work involved in drafting the new deed and mortgage agreement.

Home Warranty Costs

A home warranty is not necessary when you purchase a new home, but it’s a very desirable purchase with a new property. A home warranty will cover you from many unexpected issues or system failures that are not provided for by your homeowner’s insurance. Home warranties may cover household appliances, plumbing systems, electrical systems, garage door openers, and more. You might request that the seller pay for a home warranty as extra protection against any issues with the home or included appliances that may have eluded you in the inspection.

Property Insurance

Property insurance provides required coverage for the property. This is paid by the buyer and may be included with closing costs or settled prior to closing. Most lenders have specific requirements regarding your insurance coverage throughout the life of the loan.

Property Taxes

Property taxes are calculated at the time of closing to determine what the buyer is responsible for and what the seller should pay. Annual taxes are prorated for every homeowner, to cover the months of the year for which they had ownership of the property.

Brokerage Commission

If you worked with a real estate broker for some portion of your transaction, you will need to pay commission to this individual. This is typically paid by the seller at the time of the closing. Make sure you know how much you’re expected pay for this service.

Points

You can purchase points with your loan that reduce the total amount of interest. Each point will reduce your loan by one percent. You can speak with your loan officer about how points work and what’s best for your situation when you first apply for your loan.
Closing costs are a critical part of any home buying process. However, there are many ways to approach them so make sure you know what’s required of you with the loan program that you have chosen.

The post What is Included in Closing Costs? appeared first on Choice Home Warranty.

Knowing how to flip a house is just like any other skill or trade. While wildly popular, success will be largely determined by a delicate balancing act of time and money. Novice entrants into the industry see pros netting an average gross profit of more than $58,000 and scramble to join the fray. Unfortunately, house flipping isn’t an easy as it might seem. Twelve percent of flips break even or sell at a loss, and 28 percent of them generate a gross profit of less than 20 percent. If you’re hoping to turn over these sizable investments and realize a generous profit, it’s crucial that you know what you’re doing so you can reap the maximum rewards for your efforts in this business.

Research the Market

You can’t turn a profit flipping just any property. While you may see the greatest potential in homes that need a lot of work, even the most impressive renovation won’t pay off if you’re in the wrong market. You need an in-depth understanding of both asking and selling prices in your market. Once the house is ready to sell, you should be confident that you can recoup everything you’ve spent on the home and the work that went into it with a healthy profit on top.

You should only purchase homes that you can get at a steep discount. Don’t buy at retail price. Look for homes priced at no more than 80 percent of the market value, minus the cost of any necessary repairs. The foreclosure market is a good place to shop.

Plan to sell the home at the lower end of the market value for the area. Research the price for rental properties in the neighborhood as well. If you can’t sell the house quickly enough, you can often ease some of the financial strain of your flip by renting the property. Just make sure you can do this profitably in the neighborhood you’ve chosen.

Know the Value of Repairs

Successful house flippers understand both the cost and the value of home repairs. If you’re equipped to tackle some projects yourself, you won’t have to worry about the cost of labor. However, you should make sure your flip is profitable enough to pay you for your time.

If you spend 100 hours working on a home and only net profits of $1,000 when you make a sale, you’re getting just $10 an hour for your work. With the following information, you can determine how much you are truly earning.

• Time Period: Hourly, Weekly, Monthly
• Profit realized: $
• Hours worked: $
• = Wage

It’s important to know what type of work has the greatest value to buyers. Replacing the entry door with a mid-range steel door, for example, recoups over 90 percent of its cost. New windows, on the other hand, will recoup just 73 percent of their cost. Target homes that need manageable, low-cost repairs that have a high value to buyers.

Understand What Buyers Want

Every area is different in terms of demand. If you’re in a suburb with great schools, low crime, and easy access to parks, you’re likely looking at a family-friendly haven. The number of bedrooms may take precedence over size, as buyers are more likely to have several children. In a community that’s popular among seniors, you’ll get more value from features like accessibility. Buyers may look for spacious kitchens where a walker or wheelchair can maneuver comfortably, and something as simple as grab bars in the bathroom can offer a well-sought perk.

Set a Timeline

Working on a schedule is important when you’re flipping houses. Though it’s tempting to go at your own pace, a faster flip can be more profitable. If you didn’t pay cash for the house, keep in mind that you’re paying interest while you maintain the debt on the property. If you choose to live in the home while you flip it, this may be less of a concern. However, if you’re holding onto several properties at once, the cost of interest adds up fast.

The state of the market will influence how long you want to hold on to your flip. If home prices are on the rise, you may want to wait a few months, so you can enjoy maximum profits. If they start to take a dive, you’ll want to hurry up and sell fast. Sketching out a detailed timeline early in the project will help you track your progress throughout the process and understand whether you’re ahead of schedule in each phase or slowly falling behind, which will then guide your choices in the next steps of the renovation.

Done right, a house flip can yield great profits. With the necessary knowledge, you may find that you can make a successful career simply from buying, fixing, and selling in the right market. Don’t jump in too quickly, and take your time learning everything you need to know. Consider getting a real estate license or working closely with a real estate pro to get the knowledge you need to really excel in this area. When you’re ready, you can take the leap and see how house flipping pays off for you.

The post How to Flip a House appeared first on Choice Home Warranty.

What Does the Warranty Deed Provide?

The warranty deed establishes several key factors for the individual or company that holds it. If you have a warranty deed, you are the legal and rightful owner of the property. The deed establishes that the property is free of any other claims to ownership. It’s called a warranty deed because the seller of the property ‘warrants’ that he or she is the sole owner of the property and that there are no liens or other claims on the property. If any breach of these warranties takes place while the grantor is in possession of the deed, he or she is responsible for them. You can claim for compensation in that case. Once a warranty deed is successfully transferred to your name, you will have all the necessary documentation to assert that you have sole ownership of the property if anyone tries to make a third-party claim.

What’s Included with a Warranty Deed?

A warranty deed features a wealth of information. This includes:

• Description of the property
• Lot specification in a platted subdivision
• Identification of property lines
• Identification of the grantor and grantee
• Words of conveyance
• Specification of money exchanged

Carefully read through the warranty deed to make sure it has all the appropriate details. Errors here will cause a major headache if they’re discovered later. Warranty deeds for different types of property might identify the property in different ways depending on where it is. In some cases, only part of the property might be warranted. In that case, the rest will be covered by a different type of deed.

What is Title Insurance?

Warranty deeds typically come with title insurance. This protects the grantee against any disputes over ownership. When granting title insurance, the insurer performs a comprehensive search for any other claims on the property. Simply opting for insurance is a good way to check for any other documentation that may indicate the property is not free for sale.

What is a Special Warranty Deed?

A special warranty deed transfers ownership of the property with fewer guarantees. This type of deed warrants only that the property had no other claims at the time the grantor owned it. If there are claims to the property that predate the grantor’s ownership, these are not covered. If you face other claims to the property at a later date, you won’t have the same legal standing or protection with a special warranty deed that you would enjoy with a standard warranty deed. Special warranty deeds are typically used for commercial property.

What is a Quitclaim Deed?

A quitclaim deed is similar to a warranty deed but offers no opportunity for legal recourse regarding property issues. If there is an issue with the home or land, you cannot take action against the grantor. Quitclaim deeds are typically used for heirs and beneficiaries. When property is inherited, this is the appropriate document, as you cannot take action against the deceased property owner.

You might also use a quitclaim deed when transferring ownership among living family members. You might use this to add or remove names after a marriage or divorce. You should still be very careful in this situation. You should be confident that the grantor is the legal owner of the property and has the authority to transfer the deed.

How Does My Mortgage Impact My Warranty Deed?

When you purchase property, the previous owner will transfer the warranty deed to you. However, if you’re paying for your home with a mortgage, as most people do, the warranty deed is not free and clear. The mortgage company has a claim on your home. If you attempt to transfer the deed to another individual without paying off the mortgage, this will come up in the title report. You must deal with your mortgage appropriately if you move to sell your home.

A warranty deed is a valuable document that proves your claim to a piece of property and you need to take care that it is kept safe. It is basically a legal promise from the seller that your home is yours but it is important to remember that it is not a contract.

Unlike a warranty deed, a home warranty is a contract that promises to make sure your home systems and appliances are running smoothly as long as you meet the conditions of the contract.

The post What is a Warranty Deed on a Home? appeared first on Choice Home Warranty.

With Choice Home Warranty’s Disabled Housing Guide, you’ll learn how to get help finding and paying for affordable, accessible housing, modifying your existing home for accessibility, and find resources for disabled housing assistance. Plus, you’ll find special considerations for disabled veterans, or disabled individuals with low income. The Disabled Housing Guide is full of practical advice for making living at home with a disability safe, affordable, and convenient.

Visit the Choice Home Warranty Disabled Housing Guide to find everything you need to get access to an affordable living environment that supports your disability.

The post Introducing Choice Home Warranty’s Disabled Housing Guide appeared first on Choice Home Warranty.

Memphis is the second largest city in Tennessee and home to a population of more than 1.3 million people in is greater area. The city is known for Graceland, music, barbecue, and civil rights history. But its riverfront amenities, Beale Street, natural aquifers, entertainment, and excellent cost of living are what make Memphis a truly special place to live.

Memphis offers a diverse economy, with an ideal location for transportation and shipping that makes distribution a particularly strong industry for the city. The city has five major freight railroads, two interstate highways (and a third under construction), and access by water with the Mississippi river. It is home to Memphis International Airport (a major cargo airport) and is a primary hub for FedEx Express shipping. Fortune 500 companies including International Paper, AutoZone, and FedEx have a presence in the city, as well as other major corporations including ServiceMaster, American Residential Services, Cargill Cotton, and Varsity Brands. Although the unemployment average in Memphis is slightly higher than the national average, Memphis has a low cost of living for an urban area.

Music is a major attraction for Memphis, serving as the birthplace of many American music genres including Memphis soul and Memphis blues. Beale Street is a popular music destination, as is the Sam Phillips Sun Studio, where artists including Johnny Cash, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins completed their first recordings. Other cultural attractions in Memphis include events such as the Beale Street Music Festival, The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and the Great River Run. Memphis is home to the Brooks Museum and Dixon Gallery and Gardens, as well as the South Main Arts District with outdoor festival nights.

Memphis has more than 9,145 acres of park land, with parks making up 5 percent of the city’s area. The largest municipal park is Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, which is 375 acres. The oldest municipal park is Columbus Park, established in 1819. The most popular municipal park is Overton Park. There are three basketball hoops per 10,000 residents, 1.8 playgrounds per 10,000 residents, and one recreation or senior center per 20,000 residents. Overton Park offers a golf course, playgrounds, forest natural area, and Rainbow Lake. It’s also home to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Memphis Zoo, and Levitt Shell. Shelby Farms Park, another popular park in the area, offers a variety of different experiences, featuring a buffalo herd, riding and hiking trails, horseback riding, lakes with fishing, boats, zip lines, and an off leash dog park.

Residents of Memphis benefit from a low cost of living, particularly for an urban center. Memphis offers a cost of living that’s 14.3 percent lower than the national average. A home costs $180,375 in Memphis on average, so housing prices are an attraction for residents of the city.

A major U.S. city, Memphis has earned national recognition as one of the best cities to live. Memphis has been named one of America’s manliest cities, the best medium metro areas for teleworking, the happiest places to work, the best city for black owned businesses, and one of the 10 best cities to launch a startup.

The median sales price and number of sales are rising in Memphis, indicating a healthy real estate market. Home sales remain steady at the end of the year as agents see homes continue to sell and buyers continue to look for new homes. Memphis is one of the most popular cities to flip houses. In fact, Memphis ranks #1 nationally in the percentage of homes flipped at 11.67 percent. Flippers in Memphis see an average gross profit of nearly $63,000.

A qualified, experienced real estate is essential for success in the Memphis real estate market. A good agent can help you find the right home to meet your wants and needs, or help you sell your home for the best price in the shortest amount of time. They have the knowledge necessary to inform you of the market, connect you with resources, and negotiate in your favor.

Our list features the 15 best real estate agents serving Memphis and the surround area. With these agents, you can benefit from trusted experience, reputation, and excellent real estate resources. You can trust them to deliver the results you need as you make major decisions in real estate.

As each of the real estate agents on our list offers excellent service and reputation, they are listed in no particular order. However, we’d like to know what you think. Please vote in our poll at the end of this article to let us know which of the leading real estate agents in Memphis you think is the very best. Just don’t wait to vote, as the poll closes in 30 days!

Danny Freeman

Danny Freeman is a real estate professional with 32 years of experience. He is a lifetime Memphian and lends his expertise to Crye Leike Realtors in Bartlett as the leader of the Freeman Home Team. Freeman specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in relocations and consulting. With the Freeman Home Team, he is able to offer a team of professionals to make sure each transaction is a smooth one. Freeman loves the Memphis area, its seasons, and growth. Freeman has a number of real estate credentials, including Certified Residential Specialist, membership in the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Multi Million Dollar Club, and membership in the National Association of Realtors. He is one of the top relocation agents in America and is trusted to take care of his clients whether they are moving to or from the Memphis area. Clients say Freeman is extremely professional. They appreciate his tireless commitment to taking care of their needs. They note he maintains frequent communication and is able to expertly negotiate in their best interests.

Jon Dickens

Jon Dickens is an affiliate broker with Marx-Bensdorf Realtors in Memphis. A native of Memphis, he has lived all over the city and has more than 12 years of experience in real estate, so he has an excellent knowledge and appreciation of the Memphis. Dickens is a member of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors and has served on the Governing Documents Committee. He has been honored as a member and a director of the Multi Million Dollar Club. With Marx-Bensdorf Realtors, Dickens takes a team approach to representing clients, so he is effectively able to support clients every step of the way with the latest tools and technology. He considers it an honor and a privilege to support his clients as they buy or sell homes in the Memphis area. Clients say Dickens serves them as if he were buying or selling his own house, working hard to get them the best deal possible, often going above and beyond the call of duty. They find him to be efficient, approachable, knowledgeable, and honest, and appreciate that he is willing to tell you what you need to hear instead of what you might want to hear. Their experience with him is a breeze and they are pleased with the results they’ve gotten from him.

Jeanette Lin

Jeanette Lin is a real estate agent with the Lin Real Estate Team at Pinnacle Realty in Cordova. She specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in foreclosures and property management. Lin’s approach to real estate sales is built on personal touches, win-win deals, and positive results. She uses the latest technologies, market research, and business strategies to support her clients, offering thoughtful service with customized solutions for every client’s real estate situation. Clients say Lin is exceptional, making the entire process easy for them. They’re impressed by her availability, efficiency, and ability to answer every question while staying on top of all of the details with excellent multi tasking skills. She is sharp, focused, and maintains a clear vision of what her clients need to succeed in real estate. Clients love her attitude, integrity, and world class work ethic.

Bill Maury

Bill Maury is the vice president of Coldwell Banker Collins-Maury in Memphis. He is a broker and has more than 33 years of experience in Memphis real estate. Maury specializes in Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Lakeland, Arlington, and Fayette County, and particularly enjoys working with first time home buyers and experienced corporate transfers. He promises to make the experience of buying or selling a home positive for every client, offering old fashioned customer service, constant communication, and support with the latest technology. An experienced and knowledgeable, Maury holds real estate designations including Certified Residential Specialist and Graduate of the Realtor Institute. Maury’s clients say he is highly professional and truly cares about them, offering smooth, worry free real estate transactions with excellent service. He offers responsive communication, is proactive, and offers a high level of knowledge. He is able to offer excellent support even when there are bumps in the road. They find him a joy to work with and note he is able to efficiently meet and exceed their needs in real estate.

Lisa Harris

Lisa Harris is a Realtor with Crye-Leike Realtors in Germantown. She has more than 34 years of experience in real estate and specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in relocations, foreclosures, and property management. With commitment to her clients, Harris understands the challenges and excitement of the buying and selling process. She has bought and sold more than 1,500 homes in the Memphis market and has long been known as a top producer. Harris is highly committed to each of her clients, involving herself in every aspect of the transaction to make sure each client has a pleasant, successful experience. She uses the latest technology and the best tools available to efficiently help her clients reach their goals in real estate. Harris has built her reputation on professionalism, honesty, and building lifelong relationships with her clients. Clients say she is hard working, professional, and offers a positive attitude every step of the way as she goes above and beyond the call of duty. They feel fortunate to have her as their agent, offering her expertise and assistance every step of the way. They return to her for every real estate transaction to take advantage of her excellent service and results.

Eric Bell

Eric Bell is an associate broker with Remax Real Estate Experts in Germantown. He is a buyer’s agent licensed in both Tennessee and Mississippi, and has interests in relocations, foreclosures, and consulting. As a home buying specialist, Bell supports his clients as they make important decisions and purchase a new home. Bell takes pride in being easy to work with, offering the latest information and immediate responses to requests. He is available around the clock to answer questions and resolve issues as soon as possible, ensuring a smooth, simple home buying process. Bell is committed to doing everything possible to help his clients maximize the value of purchasing real estate, and has a proven process for evaluating properties on past and future worth. He offers an immediate response guarantee, 24 hour showing guarantee (including holidays), and buyers satisfaction guarantee, and a buyer savings guarantee. Clients say he offers a smooth transaction, providing excellent professionalism, information, and an overall wonderful buying experience. He maintains constant contact and handles every detail. They appreciate that he is always able to take care of their needs and respond within half an hour with answers to any question. They’re blown away by his responsiveness and friendly service, and feel he works aggressively for them to negotiate for the best terms.

Melissa Thompson

Melissa Thompson is a real estate professional with Crye-Leike Realtors in Memphis. She has 30 years of experience in real estate, and averages selling one home every three days. She serves the areas of Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Arlington, Cordova, Eads, and Lakeland. A consistent top producing agent, Thompson is a member of the Multi Million Dollar Club. She is known as an unstoppable and hard working agent with empathy for her clients, marketing savvy, and tough negotiation skills, offering outstanding results for every transaction. Thompson is committed to helping her clients find the best home in their area within their price range, and also sell their homes for as much as the market will bear as quickly as possible. An experienced real estate professional, Thompson has earned several awards and designations, including Lifetime Member and former president of the Multi Million Dollar Club, member of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Tennessee Association of Realtors, former director of the Memphis Area Association Board of Realtors and Tennessee Association of Realtors, Realtor Associate of the Year for Outstanding Contribution to the Real Estate Profession, and Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Residential Specialist, Graduate Realtor Institute, and Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Clients say Thompson is an amazing Realtor, offering oustanding and efficient results. They feel she is supportive of their needs and desires, and enjoy the experience offered by Thompson and her team. Thompson offers a smooth, easy to complete process. They appreciate that she offers all of the information they need to make an informed decision, and helps keep them on schedule with timelines and taking care of every detail necessary to stay on track.

Joe Spake

Joe Spake is a real estate agent and broker with InCity Realty in Memphis. He has more than 21 years of experience in real estate, and he works with buyers and sellers of residential property in downtown, midtown, and east Memphis. Spake specializes in historic properties, condominiums, and exclusive buyer representation. He particularly enjoys working with first time home buyers and maintains a large network of professionals to help his clients complete transactions. Spake is committed to offering the highest level of service to his clients, making the real estate purchase or sale process as hassle free as possible. Spake offers excellent service with real estate marketing as he integrates established real estate principles with social media and technology. Clients say Spake offers an excellent experience with responsiveness, patience, and knowledgeable service. They appreciate his honesty about properties, even when he is delivering bad news. Clients enjoy working with Spake every step of the way, as well as the excellent results he delivers them.

Donnie Morrow

Donnie Morrow is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty in Memphis. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Morrow has spent his entire adult life dedicated to service for his country and his clients. He brings a background of leadership and service to real estate and is dedicated to delivering customer satisfaction with prompt, efficient, and trustworthy service. Morrow cares about his clients, and it’s important to him that he earns the trust of his clients as they make important real estate decisions. Morrow’s clients say he is knowledgeable, energetic, and service oriented, and offers excellent communication. They feel he is on their team and appreciate his education and service. He is meticulous, professional, and reduces their stress as he stays on top of every important detail.

Larry Mayall

Larry Mayall is a broker with Realty One in Memphis. He has more than 22 years of experience in real estate, and now leads a team of agents. Mayall specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in foreclosures and property management. In addition to traditional home sales, Mayall works as a HUD broker and has listed and sold more than 12,000 HUD properties in the last 12 years. He is trusted to meet the intense deadlines and responsibilities required by HUD properties. Mayall is committed to exceeding the expectations of his clients with professionalism, and his first priority is always his clients. Clients say Mayall and his team offer excellent, courteous service. They say Mayall and his team are helpful and patient throughout the entire experience, and always available to answer questions and offer help. They appreciate the patient, knowledgeable, and thorough service that Mayall and his team deliver with every real estate transaction.

Karla Fayne

Karla Fayne is a real estate agent and consultant with Keller Williams Realty in Memphis. She has more than 14 years of experience, and has a background in mortgage loan processing. Fayne specializes in Memphis, Arlington, Bartlett, Cordova, and Collierville. With her expertise, Fayne is able to effectively support her clients as she helps them meet their needs and see their real estate dreams come true. It’s clear that she cares about her clients and puts their needs as her first priority, walking them through the process step by step with attention to detail. Fayne is highly knowledgeable in real estate sales and strategies, and is always available to help her clients. Nearly half of her business comes from referrals, a testament to her excellence as clients refer their family and friends to her service. Fayne’s clients say she is a pleasure to work with, offering expertise, professionalism, knowledge, and a genuine interest in supporting her clients. She offers focus and support during what can be a sometimes overwhelming and stressful process. They appreciate her diligence in preparation, hard work, and dedication, and they’re impressed by her expertise in pricing, negotiation, and delivering excellent results in real estate.

Richard Travers

Richard Travers is a Realtor with Crye-Leike in Memphis. He has more than 30 years of experience in real estate, particularly in the residential field. His experience includes new home construction and residential resale in locations including downtown and midtown Memphis, Collierville, Germantown, and other surrounding areas. Travers is noted as a high level producer in Memphis real estate, which is made possible by his commitment to personal service and a passion for real estate. Dedicated to putting his clients first, he always listens to their needs and desires, representing their best interests in the competitive Memphis real estate market. He particularly enjoys using his expertise, knowledge, and resources to help clients choose the right neighborhood, schools, and builder for their needs. An experienced and well respected Realtor, Travers is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Memphis Area Association of Realtors, the MAAR Multi Million Dollar Club, the Crye-Leike Multi Million Dollar Club, and is consistently among the top 1 percent of Memphis Realtors. Clients say they enjoy working with him and find him to be friendly and professional. They appreciate his responsiveness, knowledge of the market, and honesty. They feel he takes ownership of their needs and are happy with the level of service they receive from Travers and his team.

John Quinn

John Quinn is the owner of RE/MAX Real Estate Experts in Germantown. He has more than 26 years of experience in residential real estate and specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with an interest in relocations and short sales. Quinn is a leader in Tennessee real estate and has been consistently ranked among the top agents in Memphis and the entire state. He is in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and has earned a RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award. Quinn makes his client service a priority, focusing on hard work and customer satisfaction for all he serves. Confident in his ability to deliver excellent results, Quinn and his team offer Buyers Satisfaction Guarantee and Guaranteed Sale Program. Clients say Quinn and his team offer a smooth transaction with professionalism and excellent communication. They say they feel thankful to have found Quinn and his team, and appreciate their attentiveness and ability to quickly answer questions. With efficient, effective service, clients feel satisfied by the outstanding results Quinn and his team have to offer.

Jennifer Carstensen

Jennifer Carstensen is a Realtor and leader of the Live Love Memphis Group at RE/MAX Real Estate Experts in Germantown. She is a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in relocations, short sales, and property management. In the last five years, Carstensen has sold more than $130 million in real estate, with an average market time of about 43 days. Carstensen and her team value customer service and work tirelessly to help clients meet their goals, offering attentive service and a commitment to hard work. With specialized team members offering service every step of the way, clients can feel confident they are always working with an expert who is focused on their specific needs. Clients say Carstensen and her team offer superior service with professionalism, care, and experience. They say she provides them with dedication, patience, and clear expertise.

Marc Scheinberg

Marc Scheinberg is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty in Memphis. He is a lifelong resident of Memphis and has more than 22 years of experience in real estate. He specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in relocations and foreclosures. Scheinberg serves the areas of Arlington, Bartlett, Cordova, Germantown, Lakeland, and Memphis, supporting clients as they complete transactions in new and resale residential real estate. Clients say he does an incredible job representing them, offering excellent information and communication. They appreciate his knowledge, ability to explain every detail, and willingness to tell them what they need to hear, even when it’s not what they want to hear. They say he is always friendly, easy to work with, and offers the results they’re looking for.

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An international hub for finance, industry, technology, and transportation, Chicago is ranked seventh in the world in the 2016 Global Cities Index. The city has the second largest central business district in the United States and is home to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Chase Bank’s commercial and retail banking headquarters, Boeing, Kraft Heinz, and 12 Fortune Global 500 companies. Chicago is home to a number of major colleges and universities, including Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Chicago is a major center for tourism, hosting more than 54 million domestic and international tourists. They are attracted by landmarks including Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and the Magnificent Mile. Chicago is one of America’s best sports cities, with the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Blackhawks, with honors including three World Series titles, nine NFL Championships, six NBA Championships, and six Stanley Cups.

Chicago has extensive cultural attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum Campus, the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. The city is known for its improvisational comedy, visual arts, design, and music. Foodies take in Chicago’s signature deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dog, Italian beef sandwich, and more.

Chicago has exceptional park resources, ranking 11th out of America’s top 100 park cities and featuring more than 13,500 acres of park land in the city. In fact, park land makes up 10 percent of Chicago’s total size. There are 4.5 basketball hoops per 10,000 residents, .9 dog parks per 100,000 residents, 3.5 playgrounds per 10,000 residents, and 1.8 recreation and senior centers per 20,000 residents. Overall, there is a population density of 20.3 per acre. At 1,189 acres, Lincoln Park is Chicago’s largest and most visited municipal park. Lincoln Park is home to Lincoln Park Zoo, the Chicago History Museum, DePaul Art Museum, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, Peggy Netobaert Nature Museum, and Lincoln Park Cultural Center.

There’s no denying Chicago’s greatness, as it has been nationally recognized as one of America’s best cities. Chicago has been named America’s best restaurant city, one of the best cities for parks, one of the best cities to launch a fintech company, one of the best cities for teachers, one of the best NFL cities, and the greatest drinking city in the United States.

Chicago is experiencing a tight real estate market. Sales are up about 5 percent, but many homeowners in the area hold on to their houses rather than sell. That means there is a shortage of homes for sale — and prices are on the rise as buyers get competitive for the homes that are available on the market. The $200,000 to $300,000 single family home market is particularly competitive.

With Chicago’s ultra competitive real estate market, the help of a qualified real estate agent is essential whether you’re planning to buy, sell, or invest in the city. If you’re buying in Chicago, a great real estate agent can help you find the right home and make a competitive offer before your dream house slips out of your hands. Real estate agents can advise sellers whether this is the time to sell or not, and if you do plan to sell, how you can maximize the sale price of your home.

Our list features the 15 best real estate agents serving the Chicago area. With years of serving Chicago’s buyers and sellers, these agents have an excellent reputation for delivering results and successfully supporting clients as they make crucial real estate decisions. You can trust their expertise in neighborhood knowledge, pricing, sales, and more.

As all of the real estate agents on our list are excellent agents serving Chicago, we have listed them in no particular order. However, we’d like to hear from you to find out which one is the best. Please vote in our poll at the end of this article to let us know which agent you think is the very best in Chicago. Vote today and don’t wait, as the poll will close in 30 days.

Elizabeth Ballis

Elizabeth Ballis is a broker and leader of ballisgroup in Chicago. She has more than 37 years of experience in real estate and specializes in home sales on the North side of Chicago. Ballis and her team deliver exceptional attention with their honesty and professionalism. You can count on dedication, market knowledge, and expert negotiation from Ballis. She offers excellent communication, representation, and is dedicated to meeting the needs of her clients. Ballis is consistently one of the top 10 Coldwell Banker city agents in Chicago. For several years, ballisgroup has been awarded one of the Top Producing Teams in Chicago by the Chicago Association of Realtors. Her team is ranked the number five city team for Coldwell Banker and is among the top 1 percent in the Chicago Association of Realtors. Ballis is the founder of the Coldwell Banker Charitable Foundation and is a past president of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce. Clients say they always feel Ballis is completely on their side and that they can put their trust in her. They count on her for excellent, knowledgeable, and responsive service. She shows excellent dedication, market knowledge, and hard work. Clients appreciate that she is always available and ready to solve every problem for a swift and successful real estate transaction.

Melanie Giglio-Vakos

Melanie Giglio-Vakos is the senior vice president of sales with Melanie Giglio Vakos Partners at Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty in Chicago. She has more than 15 years of experience in real estate and specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in relocations and consulting. Giglio-Vakos has a reputation of excellence and professionalism. She is dedicated to sharing her market expertise and maintaining the highest level of service. For more than nine years, Giglio-Vakos has been in the top 1 percent of the market. She has an in depth knowledge of the Chicago market with an expert perspective on value, marketing strategy, and how to negotiate for optimal results. Giglio-Vakos is a luxury property specialist and serves both buyers and sellers throughout the Chicago area, focusing on new construction and resales of condos, townhomes, and single family homes to clients of all types ranging from seasoned sellers and investors to first time condo buyers. Giglio-Vakos is dedicated to offering hands on service, excellent communication, and a seamless process from start to finish. Clients of Giglio-Vakos say she and her team are understanding and hard working. They are dedicated to helping clients time the market and get the best value possible in real estate. They find Giglio-Vakos and her team to be responsive, helpful, knowledgeable, and excellent at negotiations.

Mario R. Barrios

Mario R. Barrios is a broker with Chicago City Properties Group at RE/MAX Vision in Chicago. He has more than 11 years of experience and specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in relocations, consulting, and property management. Barrios delivers honest, dedicated, and hardworking service to each of his clients, offering helpful information and resources to help them make informed decisions. He is always thinking and working ahead to meet the needs of his clients. Barrios has a goal to make selling homes as easy and successful as possible, and to simplify the search for every buyer or investor’s dream home or investment. He is a member of the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, the National Association of Realtors, and the Chicago Association of Realtors. His real estate designations include Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE), and Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR). Clients say he is a pleasure to work with and guides them every step of the way with no pressure. He supports them with his expertise, education, and market knowledge. Clients trust him to deliver on their real estate needs, offering expert support and looking out for their best interests.

Niko Apostal

Niko Apostal is the principal broker of The Apostal Group in Chicago. He has 16 years of experience and specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in relocations and property management. Apostal is one of the top residential real estate agents in Chicago. A lifelong resident of Chicago’s north side, he has a local’s knowledge paired with exceptional dedication to education, marketing savvy, attention to detail, and negotiating skills. Apostal offers a personal touch for every client with friendly, professional customer service. Apostal is known as an expert for relocating families, luxury home sellers, and first time buyers. He also supports investors as they secure investment property in Chicago. He is among the top 1 percent of Realtors in Chicago. Clients of Apostal say he is simply the best. They appreciate his knowledge of the city, neighborhoods, and even specific buildings. His service is always responsive and attentive with professional support. Clients love the way he makes the home buying or selling process easier on them as he is always eager to help, stay in contact, and guide them through the entire purchase. They say he is able to deliver on tight deadlines, manage multiple offers, and support them every step of the way with professionalism and caring, consistent service.

Millie Rosenbloom

Millie Rosenbloom is a real estate consultant with Baird & Warner in Chicago. She has more than 34 years of experience in real estate and specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent. Rosenbloom has a client first mentality, offering exceptional availability and attention to every client. She and her team are there for clients every step of the way and deliver excellent results. Rosenbloom’s experience offers her knowledge of the market, negotiation skills, and the ability to identify excellent homes for sale. She maintains relationships with landowners, investors, builders, and other professionals in real estate to support her clients. Clients say Rosenbloom is knowledgeable, responsive, enthusiastic, kind, and caring throughout every transaction. They appreciate her patience and commitment to seeing them through every real estate transaction successfully. Clients find her to be a pleasure to work with and appreciate her positivity. They note her dedication to making every real estate transaction go smoothly and count on her for all of their real estate needs.

Matt Laricy

Matt Laricy is the managing broker and partner of Americorp Real Estate in Chicago. He has 12 years of experience in real estate and is a third generation Realtor. He specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in relocations and consulting. Laricy brings hard work, passion for real estate, and charisma to his work in real estate. He serves first time home buyers, home sellers, and buyers and sellers in the luxury real estate market. Laricy has been named among the top 1 percent for sales in Chicago, a Top 5 Agent in Chicago, one of Chicago’s Who’s Who Realtors by Chicago Agent Magazine, won the Chicago Agents Choice Award for Industry MVP, and was named one of the Top 30 Agents Under 30 by the National Association of Realtors. He is a past member of the Chicago Association of Realtors YPN board and is a member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation Executive Board. His clients say he offers impressive service, knowledge, and a fun experience. They appreciate his local insight, negotiation skills, and dedication. He offers the ability to understand their needs and support them as they make important real estate decisions, coordinating every detail and negotiate on their behalf. They note he treats their transactions as if they were his own property and work hard to find the right home or buyer for them. He is friendly, patient, and a hard worker they appreciate having on their side.

Sam Shaffer

Sam Shaffer is a co owner and managing broker of Chicago Properties in Chicago. He is a buyer’s and seller’s agent with more than 15 years of experience. With extensive experience in the Chicago real estate market, Shaffer is prepared to support any client as they buy or sell a home in the Chicago area. It’s his goal to make every real estate experience as smooth and successful as possible. Shaffer is dedicated to listening to the needs and desires of buyers, then working tirelessly to find the right home. For sellers, Shaffer puts his real estate expertise and marketing savvy to work to make sure homes are attracting the right buyers. Offering extensive information to every client, Shaffer makes sure that you’re able to make an informed, confident decision in real estate. He is always available for personal service to answer questions and find information. Clients say Shaffer lives up to his reputation for excellence. They enjoy working with him and return to Shaffer time and time again for their real estate transactions in Chicago. They are impressed by his knowledge, real estate savvy, and complete availability. His willingness to fight for them in negotiations helps them get the deals they want and they appreciate his support throughout the entire process.

Ryan Grober

Ryan Grober is a senior partner and agent with Chicago Residential Group in Chicago. He has eight years of experience in real estate and specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in relocations and property management. A third generation real estate professional, Grober follows his father and grandfather who both owned real estate appraisal businesses. Offering an unmatched level of service, Grober creates a memorable, enjoyable experience and listens to his clients as he serves their needs and establishes long term relationships. Grober has a history of excellence in real estate and was named a Top 1 percent producer by the Chicago Association of Realtors in 2015 and 2016. Clients say Grober is a pleasure to work with. They find him to be hardworking, reliable, and knowledgeable. He takes the time to answer all of their questions and offers timely communication to help each client make an informed decision. They appreciate how committed he is to walking them through every step, offering useful information and showing caring for their decision and the end result. With enthusiasm and responsiveness, Grober’s clients feel well supported every step of the way.

Bruce Glazer

Bruce Glazer is the founder of the Bruce Glazer Group with @properties in Chicago. He is in the top 5 percent of Realtors and specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in divorce, estates, and relocations. He offers a boutique concierge real estate service that caters to the individual needs of buyers and sellers in Chicago. Glazer brings an extensive knowledge of Chicago’s housing market and offers education in neighborhood recommendations, market trends, and more. He always protects the best interests of his clients throughout the buying and selling process. His accomplishments include being a top producer with the Chicago Association of Realtors for five consecutive years. As a team, the Bruce Glazer Group has sold more than $50 million in real estate. They achieve a 99 percent listing to sales price with an average of 23 days market time. Glazer is proud to serve every client and goes above and beyond to ensure that their needs are met. Clients say Glazer is practically a magician. They are blown away by his results, particularly his ability to sell homes quickly for excellent values. They appreciate his patience, communication, persistence, and excellent advice. They say he is always responsive, knowledgeable, and has a positive, practical attitude that makes it easy to work with him.

Scott Newman

Scott Newman is the broker and owner of Newman Realty in Chicago. He has 12 years of experience in real estate and specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in relocations and foreclosures. He founded Newman Realty in 2008. A boutique residential brokerage, Newman Realty specializes in buyer and seller representation, landlord and tenant representation, short sales, foreclosures, and institutional asset management. Newman is known for offering an intimate, boutique experience with exceptional customer service and results. As a team, Newman Realty is one of Chicago’s top producing teams and has been recognized as one of the city’s top brokerages. Clients say Newman is extremely helpful, offering quick responses, excellent knowledge, and the ability to always calm their fears. They feel they can trust and rely on him throughout the process of buying or selling a home. There every step of the way, Clients know that Newman will be responsive, involved, and supportive as they buy or sell homes in the Chicago area. They appreciate his ability to come up with an expert plan and execute it professionally and effectively.

Leigh Marcus

Leigh Marcus is a real estate agent with @properties in Chicago. He has 13 years of experience in real estate and specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in moving and staging. Marcus is ranked number one for homes sold at @properties, the number one ranked brokerage in Chicago. His homes sell for a median of 98 percent of list price with a median 21 days on the market. He sold 163 homes in 2016 and was featured on the front cover of Who’s Who in Chicago in 2016. Clients say Marcus is supportive has he helps them navigate the selling process. They appreciate his availability for their every need, preparedness, professionalism, knowledge, and ability to answer every question. Offering thorough, professional service, clients feel supported every step of the way with Marcus and his team. They feel Marcus and his team take the stress out of selling homes and deliver excellent results.

Greg Nagel

Greg Nagel is the managing broker of Ask Nagel Realty in Chicago. He specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in consulting and property management. With individual sales of $34 million within the last year, Nagel is among the top 1 percent in production for all Chicago brokers. He makes client communications and needs a top priority, offering immediate follow up, availability, and dedication. It’s his goal to make every client feel like his most important client. He offers his best advice and information and allows clients to make the best decisions for their needs. A fierce negotiator, Nagel is dedicated to get his clients the best deal possible. He regularly goes above and beyond to help his clients get the best outcome in real estate, whether that means identifying bad deals, negotiating fiercely, organizing subleasing, or rehab of properties. Nagel’s experience includes a background in finance, development, condo conversion, and general contracting. He now has an excellent understanding of Chicago zoning laws, building permits and inspections, property management, and property tax appeals, offering a wealth of knowledge and information for each client. Clients say they rely on his expert knowledge and advice and find his support invaluable. They note that he skillfully navigates the negotiation process and brings excellent value to the transaction with advice, tools, knowledge, and more.

Brad Zibung

Brad Zibung is a real estate agent with @properties in Chicago. A resident of Chicago since 1999, Zibung has an insider’s knowledge of the city and its neighborhoods. He has personally lived in a number of Chicago’s neighborhoods, including River North, Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Roscoe Village, Lincoln Park, and Albany Park. Zibung takes pride in his passion for work, integrity, and client dedication. He is active in the community, supporting charities including Peace for Pits, the Hear the Cheers initiative, Off the Street Club, and the National Parks Conservation Association. Zibung is a fan of Chicago sports, holding season tickets to the Cubs, Blackhawks, Bears, and Bulls. He is also the founder of The Heckler, a satirical sports blog. Clients say he has excellent knowledge and insight into the real estate market, particularly comps, inventory, seasonal demand, and price ranges. They appreciate how he takes care to listen to their needs and understand the full situation. His suggestions are helpful, on target, and help his clients make wise real estate decisions. Zibung’s clients say he is engaging, consistently dependable, and responsive, and makes the entire process seamless.

Peter Moore

Peter Moore is a real estate agent with Baird and Warner in Chicago. He specializes as a buyer’s agent and listing agent with interests in foreclosures, short sales, and property management, and has been selling real estate for more than 10 years. Moore has lived in the Chicago area his entire life and has a passion for real estate, particularly in Chicago. He has been in the top 1 percent for sales and rental transactions at Baird and Warner and the top 1 percent in sales at Baird and Warner for multiple years. He is also a multiple year Chicago top producer. It’s his goal to always meet the real estate needs of his clients quickly and professionally. Clients say he is excellent to work with and is highly committed to helping them find the perfect solution for their needs. They appreciate that he is there one step ahead of the entire process, guiding them, listening to their needs, and executing their wishes. They say he is professional, responsive, and goes out of his way to meet their needs.

Lutalo McGee

Lutalo McGee is the owner and managing broker of Ani Real Estate in Chicago. He has more than 12 years of experience in real estate. With Ani Real Estate, McGee provides personal, professional service to every client with tremendous attention, experience, and dedication. He serves clients throughout the Chicagoland metropolitan area from the south suburbs to the north and west suburbs, and is experienced in supporting clients of all types, from first time home buyers to seasoned investors. McGee is a Chicago Association of Realtors Top Producer and holds a number of real estate designations, including Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), Military Relocation Professional (MRP), Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE), Broker Price Opinion Resource (BPOR), and Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR). Clients of McGee say they are very comfortable working with him. They are happy to rely on him as a knowledgeable, professional, personable, and attentive agent. They appreciate his excellent service and willingness to go beyond what they expect. He works hard to make the process easy for them every step of the way.

2017’s Best Real Estate Agent in Chicago

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