Hinsdale Illinois Real Estate Company

About Me

To this day, I am thankful for my work experience at Procter & Gamble. I learned a lot. In fact, I still draw on many of those experiences and lessons today. Also, I learned that working in a 24,000 person corporation was not for me. I needed more immediate gratification. When I had an idea, I needed to know if it worked. And I needed to know right away. I needed small.

I joined my father’s real estate appraisal firm. Using the P&G marketing knowledge, I grew my father’s appraisal company to seven times its size. Also, I learned real estate as an appraiser-a true market analyst. My favorite assignment types were relocation appraisal and litigation support. Each required intense research and solid reporting skills.  I earned the following while performing this type of work: Senior Residential Appraiser designation; Illinois State Certified Residential Appraiser; Certified Relocation Professional; Relocation Appraiser’s Consortium member; and my knowledge of residential valuation was recognized as expert (by U.S. District Court) to the extent that I was qualified to provide expert testimony. The analysis of real estate was fun.

While in the appraisal business, I became licensed to broker real estate. Primarily, this was to have access to the MLS data. Over time and without making a conscious attempt to “become a Realtor”, I represented buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. Initially, these were people who knew me as an appraiser who were enamored with the analytical approach I had to the business. The same was true of sellers who liked my appraisal background combined with the P&G style marketing.

Business snowballed. Before long, I was doing more business “on the side” than most agents were doing full time. I had to make a choice - appraisal or brokerage. The rest is history.

What do I like best about consulting with families about their real estate decisions? When I’m performing my job, I don’t feel as if I’m working. As a result, time flies by.  I felt that way when I was first licensed in 1989 and I feel that way today. The only difference is that in addition to still being passionate, now I am more expert than ever. Moreover, it’s gratifying to know that the counsel provided to clients is used in making their largest financial decisions.

About My Team

Lyn Van is an integral member of the group. Essentially her functions are twofold. First, she is an experienced licensed realtor who functions as a buyers’ agent.  Lyn knows all of the properties that are on market so she can expertly counsel buyers of their options. Moreover, by having another licensed agent on the team, both she and I may show the team’s properties.

Second, as a transaction manager, Lyn keeps a watchful eye on every aspect of the sales transactions. She is constantly in touch with the lawyers, paralegals, appraisers, lenders, home inspectors and home repair professionals so that all transactions run as smoothly as possible without undue stress to our clients.

Jenny Brenza manages our seller services. She keeps in close touch with our sellers and any person who wishes to communicate with them. Jenny sets up showings, procures feedback from buyers, executes the marketing program and is the point person to proactively address potential problems.