Fran, Thanks so much for guiding me, a first-time home buyer new to the Chicago market, through the home buying process and to a successful condo purchase. I also appreciate how well you worked with my loan officer and attorney – what a great team!
Mark (BairdWarner.com)
My husband and I have had the privilege of using Fran’s expert services to buy and sell real estate in Chicago and the surrounding communities on three different occasions. She assisted us in both purchasing and selling each of these three properties. Our most recent transaction with Fran was the purchase and sale of our condo at the John Hancock Tower.Prior to this, she assisted us with the purchase and sale of two previous properties in Arlington Heights. There were times in our decisions to sell when the real estate market was not at its best. This was early in our business relationship. But with Fran’s guidance and optimism, each sale exceeded our expectations. When it was time to purchase, Fran always made sure we knew exactly what was happening in the market for each specific area and her expert analysis and guidance allowed us to make successful offers that made us very comfortable.
We found Fran via an internet search. Initially not living in Chicago, we took a leap of faith, flew to Chicago, and immediately knew we had made the correct decision selecting Fran as our agent. In all of our transactions, we have never had one moment of regret. Buying and selling real estate, no matter how many times you do it, can be a very stressful experience. Fran always made sure we had all the information necessary to make an informed decision.
We could not recommend Fran in any stronger terms. She really is the best. Professional, knowledgeable, patient (we looked at MANY homes with her in our time). We are no longer living in Chicago, but rest assured we would have zero hesitation to contact Fran again should the need arise. Thanks Fran!
Michael Maultz (LinkedIn.com)
Allison S. (BairdWarner.com)
Fran, I appreciate the fact that you focused on what I was looking for in a condo without pressuring me into a quick sale as I’ve experienced in the past with other agents.
My partner and I recently moved to Chicago, and Fran helped us find our new home in the Wicker Park neighborhood. We truly enjoyed working with Fran and Mary Kaye. Having worked with realtors both as sellers and buyers before, we deeply appreciated Fran’s corporate background and her professionalism.As out of town buyers, we thought Fran did an amazing job introducing us to the many neighborhoods of Chicago. She also patiently waited for us to determine our preferences and didn’t pressure us into a decision, despite the process spanning several months. We thought this was an unusual quality for a real estate agent, and we definitely felt that Fran cares about us and was making sure we would find a perfect home for us.
When it came to the negotiation process, Fran’s approach was calm and methodical, and her recommendations were crucial to us negotiating a very fair price. Not being from the real estate industry, I have always felt that the concept of a buyer’s agent being quite unusual in the fact that the agent is compensated based on a percentage of the sale price. One would think that this lack of independence would hinder the negotiation process, but we can confidently say that Fran was truly looking out for our best interest throughout the entire purchase.
We feel very lucky to have found Fran. It should also be noted that Fran’s review of comparables and estimate of appraised values were spot on. In fact, I would not hire an appraiser next time I work with Fran unless I’m absolutely required to – she’s just that good! We highly recommend Fran’s services.
Alfred Ko (LinkedIn.com )
Craig Harzinski (LinkedIn.com )
Fran did a fantastic job with helping us not only assess and market our property, but also to get a great price on what we bought. Her expert but gentle guidance was sprinkled with asking questions and bringing examples. She was fun, energetic and dedicated to applying her skills to our needs to get the best thing for us. I would heartily recommend Fran.
Fran Bailey was a pleasure to work with as a buyer’s agent. My wife and I were relocating from out of the area and only had one weekend in the area to look at houses. We had been assigned a real estate agent through my company’s relocation process, but felt that agent was not as responsive as we needed given our situation.We looked for another agent and came across Fran Bailey and her blog, http://www.chicagometroarearealestate.com/. We set up a phone interview and felt comfortable that Fran would be able to help us find a property. She set up a website with listings that matched the requirements that we had. She also provided some local insight into neighborhoods/cities that we did not have, not being from the area.
Fran was great at sending out e-mails to keep us up to date with properties that had changed status, answered questions that we had raised etc. All of this helped us narrow down our selection to a couple of dozen properties from the western suburbs to the north shore.
We met Fran on Saturday morning at an L stop and she spent 2 days driving us around the area showing us homes, and pointing out other important things along the way such as freeway access, shopping areas, parks, schools etc. Fran was very organized and had a detailed plan for our two days. She gave us a folder with the listing for each house that we would see in the order we would see them, as well as a map of each property to help us orient ourselves. She was very flexible as some showings took more or less time than expected as did travel time in between stops. She called the listing agents and juggled the schedule to make the best use of our time.
During the negotiations, Fran was very responsive and helped us as we were dealing with two different properties. She continued to help us through the inspection and closing process which was very much appreciated and provided some continuity to the whole process. Fran was very informative, yet objective and did not try to persuade us into making a hasty decision. She has a keen eye for noticing things that the average person might not. We were very satisfied with Fran throughout the whole process and highly recommend her to others looking for a buyer’s agent.
Ron Maxwell (LinkedIn.com )
My husband and I were a bit skeptical having found Fran through a website. After all, the best recommendations for real estate agents typically come from friends, right? After talking with Fran for 30 minutes, it was clear that she was a good listener, really working to understand our needs and any constraints that might influence our purchase.We decided to start looking with her, and on our first day out, we saw a number of properties that weren’t quite what we wanted, and finally we found a great home that met all of our needs. We returned a few days later for a second viewing, then spent the next 2 hours with Fran working through the contract.
This being our first home purchase, moving from a condo, we had a lot of questions and Fran really stayed patient with us throughout the entire process. We submitted our bid, and after some further negotiation, landed our home. Well, our offer was contingent upon the sale of our condo, and we continued to notice homes in Evanston that could be better values that what we had bought. Fran stuck with us and took us to see 3 more properties, just so we could be certain of our choice.
In the end, we were thrilled with our choices – our home and our agent! Fran really cares about her clients and wants them to be happy, and will do whatever it takes to make that happen. Though we’re not looking to move again soon, we know we’ll call on Fran again and recommend her to our friends.
Richard Rykhus (LinkedIn.com )
Chris Rode (LinkedIn.com)
Fran did an amazing job in selling our house and finding us a wonderful new house in a very short period of time. We had almost given up on the market when in no time at all, we hired Fran, the house was sold, and we had a new one. In this market place, quite an impressive feat! We would certainly recommend Fran to anyone that would need an expert in the real estate market.
I had purchased 6 homes with 5 different realtors prior to using Fran’s services. Needless to say, I am pretty quite aware of the challenges of the home buying process. Fran, however, was the best realtor that I have experienced working with for the following reasons:1. She brings a different style to working with real estate clients that I feel her corporate background has provided her with.
2. She is very organized and has perfected the home shopping experience.
3. She is supportive of her customers requirements.
If you are interested in purchasing a new home I cannot think of a better realtor for Chicagoland market.
Joseph Perry (LinkedIn.com)
I have hired Fran twice now . First in March 2011 and again in October. She sold my home in March and my mother’s home in November. I can’t say enough about how wonderful she is to work with. She listens to what you have to say but she won’t simply do what you tell her. Many realtors will do that and then the houses sit on the market.Fran does her research and then gives great guidance in how to sell your home. What repairs and preening are needed, how the home should be staged and, most importantly what the asking price should be. I listened, made my judgements and basically followed her suggestions. AND THIS IS THE PART YOU NEED TO KNOW. EACH HOUSE WAS SOLD WITHIN 10 DAYS FOR THE FULL ASKING PRICE. I highly recommend that you hire Fran and her expertise.
Jane Lavelle (LinkedIn.com)
Kelly Kuhl (LinkedIn.com)
Fran has sold properties for me in Oak Park and Forest Park. Her suggestions for pricing and preparing the properties for market were invaluable. One property had been on the market for 2 years with other agents. Fran had it sold in 2 weeks!
Fran Bailey did an amazing job of selling my townhome in the midst of one of the worst housing markets in decades. It was apparent to me how challenging this environment was when the appraisal was done – our sale was the first non-foreclosure sale in our subdivision in over a year!Fran’s professionalism, knowledge, strong business and marketing skills and negotiating ability were priceless. I felt like I had a kind and caring EXPERT in my corner. I am totally awed at the work Fran did for us and highly recommend her as a realtor!
Diane Shak (LinkedIn.com)
Jon Victorio Agram (BairdWarner.com)
Fran was our realtor for our home when my partner and I purchased it in 2005. With her diligence and patience, she exceeded my needs. She is very detailed oriented and cares about her customer and her clients.
Roger Richardson (LinkedIn.com)
Since 2005 Fran Bailey has been my professional Real Estate Agent for the buying and selling of multiple homes. Her professional approach and expertise in real estate is outstanding. Her ethics are above reproach and her service methods and follow-up lead only to positive results. I highly recommend her.
J. Mark Stanley (BairdWarner.com)
Fran, Thank you for your outstanding job in getting the house sold. Not only were we happy with the selling price, but we felt confident during the whole process due to your excellent follow-through, clear explanations, & diligence.
I spent a few years doing mortgages as well as business consulting coaching. During that time, I worked extensively with Fran as she sent me a lot of mortgage clients. I was totally wowed by Fran’s professionalism, her knowledge, her kindness and courtesy.Fran and I both have technology backgrounds and she continually amazed me with her Web 2.0 expertise applied to real estate. She also has an amazing expertise for statistics and numerical analysis. Her attention to detail was combined with truly creative flair. I was totally honored to have Fran as a business colleague and consider myself truly fortunate to also have her now as a friend.
Whether the real estate market is “hot” or seemingly-disastrous, Fran is able to assist her clients to get the best place at the best price. I HIGHLY recommend Fran Bailey to anyone who needs a Realtor in Chicago land.
Diane Scholten (LinkedIn.com)
Ellen (BairdWarner.com)
Fran, and once again, thank you for your assistance..i would strongly recommend you to any seller..peace
Rachell Horbenko, Real Estate Attorney (LinkedIn.com)
Fran is in the top tier of agents I have worked with. She is competent, responsive and even on the toughest deals or with the toughest clients, handles herself and the situation with grace and integrity. She is highly recommended by me!
