www.OwnACondo.com
29Apr/110

Rochelle Grossley

OwnACondo.com welcomes Rochelle Grossley to our growing team of experienced, condo-specialist Realtors®.

After being a Chicago mortgage broker for many years, overseeing an office with 20 loan officers and two loan processors, Rochelle earned her real estate license in 2008, and worked for Coldwell Banker before joining OwnACondo.com. From a customer’s perspective, her experience and skills are very valuable assets to have access to. The Evanston native has lived in Chicago neighborhoods such as Wrigleyville, and worked in Hyde Park. She now lives in Naperville, so she is very familiar with the real estate market throughout  Chicago and the suburbs.  

“I decided to get my real estate license because I love working with people, and seeing their eyes light up when they find that right house is. That is what I most enjoy about real estate, helping people. I can share my knowledge about mortgages also, and the importance of being pre-qualified for a loan.”   

Rochelle Grossley’s specialties include:

  • Condos
  • First-time homebuyers
  • Single-family homes
  • Townhouses
  • DuPage County real estate
  • Will County real estate
  • Downtown Chicago real estate
  • Chicago North real estate
  • Chicago South real estate
  • Mortgage lending
  • Real estate auctions
  • Foreclosures
  • REOs
  • Open houses

“I was attracted to OwnACondo.com due to the company’s prime location at 540 N. Lake Shore Drive, and the plans for expansion into other cities. I want to be part of the growth,” said Rochelle, who also is a transportation operator for FirstGroup America. When she is not showing houses or assisting clients in other ways, Rochelle Grossley enjoys spending time with her two children, NeCole, 8, and Nicholas, 6. Her hobbies include cooking, sewing, skating, bowling, and writing poetry.

Contact Rochelle Grossley at rgrossley@ownacondo.com or (630) 386-6856 for help buying or selling condos and other real estate.

20Apr/110

Alexandria Pope

Another great real estate professional has joined the OwnACondo.com team: Broker associate Alexandria Pope.

Alexandria is a condo-specialist Realtor® with OwnACondo.com and she serves buyers and sellers with knowledge and care that can’t be matched by a real estate generalist. Her enthusiasm, experience and specific training in the condo market and lifestyle means that she can provide highly focused information and services that consumers demand and deserve.

From the beginning of her real estate career in 2003, Alexandria has been devoted to upholding the industry standard of C.O.A.L.D. for her clients: Care, Obedience, Accountability, Loyalty and Disclosure. And while there probably isn't a real estate agent out there who wouldn't claim the same, with Alexandria it's different. A new acquaintance can sense her energy and passion for real estate and for her clients within the first minute or two of beginning a conversation.

Alexandria Pope's journey into a real estate career started when she decided she needed to educate herself, her family, her friends and even her community at large about several things real estate-related, including first time homeownership.

"I knew a lot of renters who should have been home owners, but they didn't have the tools" she recalls. "I also found that a lot of people simply didn't trust real estate agents. I wanted to stand up for what a true Realtor® should stand for."    

Alexandria's specialties include:

  • Chicago Real Estate
  • Condos
  • Townhomes
  • First-time homebuyers
  • Real estate investing
  • Real estate investors
  • Real estate auctions
  • Leasing
  • Rentals
  • Foreclosures
  • REO
  • Short sales
  • Condo financing
  • Downtown Chicago real estate
  • Chicago North real estate
  • Chicago South real estate

Alexandria earned a master's degree in inner city studies from Northeastern Illinois University and a bachelor's degree in African American studies from Chicago State University. She's the proud mother of a three-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old son. Her son currently attends college in Arkansas, where he is studying business.

When not busy with her real estate clients, Alexandria enjoys poetry, youth mentoring and community activism. She also assists graduate-level university students with preparation for their master's thesis. 

Contact Alexandria Pope via email at apope@ownacondo.com or via her a call at 773-407-4018.

18Mar/110

Homeownership

Homeownership has been a part of the American dream for as long there has been an America and the right of owning private property was first discussed by our founding fathers.  It matters not only to people who set owning a home as their lifelong goal but to communities as well.  Think about these statistics from an article from Houselogic published in February of this year.  For every two homes sold, one job is created in the United States and each purchase can generate over $60,000 of economic activity over time.

Homeownership offers many benefits that can affect communities where high percentages of homeowners reside.  Educational achievement is higher, homeowners take a more active role in their communities and the overall quality of life tends to be better.  Homeownership creates jobs from the local hardware store to the kid who cuts your grass in summer and shovels your walk each winter.

The homeownership debate has been going on for decades but not more so than in recent times.  The recent challenges facing the real estate market and mortgage industry have brought the idea of homeownership to the forefront again and the debate over the next few years will heat up even more.  Many say homeownership is overrated and we might be better off as a nation of renters but talk with any homeowner and they will tell you the benefits far outweigh any negatives those on the opposing side offer.  Homeownership is a part of our heritage, a dream most aspire to realize and last but not least the sense of pride we feel when we can call our home our own.

24Feb/110

John Feminis

John Feminis is the newest addition to the growing team of Realtors® at OwnACondo.com, bringing with him a wealth of customer service, sales and appraisal knowledge and experience.

“Real estate is a fascinating business, and I really enjoy meeting people and helping them find their dream home or investment property,” said John. Before recently earning his real estate sales license, the Park Forest resident had been an associate appraiser for Blue Edge Inc. in Joliet for about five years. Prior to that, he worked for many years in customer service and retail sales. For the past year, he was a field technician for Air Serv Inc., an aviation company. But he found his calling in real estate.

“I just really enjoy the real estate industry,” said John Feminis, whose specialties include:

• Buyers' agent
• South Cook County real estate
• Chicago South real estate
• Downtown Chicago real estate
• Condos
• Multi-family buildings
• Du Page County real estate
• First-time homebuyers
• Appraisals
• Investors
• Real estate auctions
Foreclosures
• Short sales

“I particularly enjoy working with buyers because I can focus on helping my clients find their dream home or ideal investment property, and negotiate the best deal possible. My experience and knowledge gained as an appraiser is very helpful to my clients too. Real estate is a fascinating business, and the best part of the job is meeting and working with people,” he said.

When he is not helping his clients find a condo or other property, John Feminis, who describes himself as a major sports fan, follows his favorite teams, which include the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks and White Sox. He may be reached at jfeminis@ownacondo.com or at 708-359-9496.

16Feb/110

Tracenda Stenhouse

Tracenda Stenhouse has joined the growing team of Realtors® at OwnACondo.com.

 Traycee, as she is known, brings four years of real estate experience to her new position, in addition to 14 years of sales and customer service experience.

“I like the hustle and bustle of the real estate business, of taking people out to find just the right property, and then negotiating to get the best deal possible. As I tell my clients, "I listen to what you want, and then I find it. It is out there.”

The Frankfort resident, who enjoys spending time at home with her four-month-old daughter when she is not working, studied business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as Illinois State University and DePaul University.

“I have been a real estate agent for four years, and have a total of 14 years of experience in customer service and sales. Before finding real estate, I worked for several companies as a salesperson and as a customer service manager,” said Traycee. Prior to coming to OwnACondo.com, she worked for Richmond Partners GMAC, Zip Realty and Century 21 Pro-Team.

“I like how OwnACondo.com is dedicated to its clients and its employees. Being an exclusive buyers’ agency is something else that drew me here,” Traycee added.    

Tracenda Stenhouse’s real estate specialties include:

  • Condos
  • First-time homebuyers
  • Short sales
  • REOs
  • Foreclosures
  • Chicago South
  • Chicago North
  • Downtown Chicago real estate
  •  South Cook County
  • Frankfort real estate
  • DuPage County real estate
  • Will County real estate
  • Downtown Chicago real estate

In addition to spending time with her newborn daughter, Traycee's many interests include traveling, shopping and helping with the homeless outreach program at her church.

 If you would have questions or would like Tracenda Stenhouse to help you find your dream home or investment property, contact her at Tstenhouse@ownacondo.com or at (708) 601-2304.

11Feb/110

Joe Olan

Joe Olan has joined the growing team of Realtors® at OwnACondo.com.

The lifelong resident of the Chicago area, who lives in Park Ridge, brings a wealth of real estate experience to OwnACondo.com, having worked in the industry since 1989 when he received his real estate license. He went on to become a licensed broker also.

After working as a supervisor for UPS, Joe said he originally became interested in real estate as an investor and then decided to make a career of it. Earlier in his career, he worked for Century 21 and RE/MAX, and then opened his own brokerage. He is licensed in both Illinois and Florida.

“Helping people find their dream home is my ultimate goal. I am a ‘people person,’ a skillful negotiator and very creative when it comes to financing. I will aggressively go after the best deal for my clients. I know the city neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs very well. I really like putting all my skills and knowledge to work for my buyers. Helping and serving people is my main priority,” he said.

Joe Olan’s specialties include:

  • Downtown real estate
  • Chicago South real estate
  • Chicago North real estate
  • Lake County real estate
  • DuPage County real estate
  • South Cook County real estate
  • North Cook County real estate
  • Florida real estate
  • Condo rentals
  • First-time homebuyers
  • Investors
  • Apartment buildings
  • Condo conversions
  • Property management

If you have any questions or would like to Joe Olan to help you find your dream home or an investment property, contact him at jolan@ownacondo.com, or at (312) 813-6456.

10Feb/110

Sandry Ollison

Sandry Ollison has joined the growing team of Realtors® at OwnACondo.com.

A native Chicagoan who lives in the Burnside neighborhood on the South Side, Sandry has been involved in the real estate business since 1991. She first  worked for several Chicago-area companies as a property manager before getting her real estate license in 1997, and then her broker’s license in 2010. “It had been a dream of mine to be an entrepreneur for a long time, and I am glad I did it,” she said.

“I have been a self-sponsored Realtor® for the past two years, an independent contractor,” said Sandry, a good-humored, sociable person who has also taught entrepreneur classes for continuing education students at Prairie State College. “I have a passion for housing, and I enjoy putting my skills and knowledge of the housing market to work for my buyers. I am especially familiar with Loop condos and other downtown properties, as well as the South Side of Chicago, and the south suburbs also. As a very detail-oriented entrepreneur, I like working for an exclusive buyers' agency because I can devote myself to helping my clients get the best deal possible on their dream home or investment property.”

Sandry Ollison’s specialties include:

  • Downtown real estate
  • Chicago South real estate
  • South Cook County real estate
  • Condos
  • Condo rentals and leasing
  • First-time homebuyers
  • Condo staging
  • Property management
  • Foreclosures
  • Real estate buyers

When she is not taking care of her clients, Sandry Ollison enjoys church activities, as well as interior decorating and other interests.

Contact Sandry at sollison@ownacondo.com or at (773) 663-6686 if you have any questions or would like her to help you find your dream home or investment property.

4Feb/110

Edward Terry

Edward Terry has joined OwnACondo.com’s growing team of dedicated Realtors®, bringing with him four years of extensive real estate experience.

Edward, a resident of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, studied business at DePaul University, and was a session musician and songwriter until 2007 when he discovered his passion for real estate.

“I was intrigued by the process,” he said, explaining that he became interested in real estate when he bought his own home, and decided to make the career move.    

“I am very neighborhood-driven. Just my market knowledge alone is very valuable to my clients,” said Edward, adding that he is particularly knowledgeable about all the condo developments and high-rises between the South Loop and the Near North Side. In order to best help your clients, it is very important to ‘know the inventory,’ he said.

Edward Terry was a buyer’s agent at Keller Williams before joining OwnACondo.com this year.

His specialties include:

  • Buyer consultations
  • Negotiations
  • Closings
  • Downtown real estate
  • Gold Coast real estate
  • River North real estate
  • South Loop real estate
  • Chicago North real estate
  • Chicago South real estate
  • Negotiations
  • Investors
  • First-time home buyers

When he is not helping his real estate clients search for condos, or sell them, Edward Terry still enjoys playing guitar and piano as a form of relaxation. He also enjoys playing golf, and traveling with his wife.

If you have any questions, or would like Edward to help you find your dream condo or investment property, you may contact him at eterry@ownacondo.com or by calling (773) 407-9045.

19Jan/110

Jesse Martinez

Jesse Martinez has joined the OwnACondo.com team of  dedicated Realtors®, many of whom have earned accredited buyer representative (ABR) designations .

Jesse, a licensed real estate broker, has more than 15 years of real estate experience, getting his start as an investor at age 21, when he bought his first multi-unit investment property in 1994. From 1998 to 2008, he owned several companies, including Barrister Mortgage Co., BMI Title and Jesel Properties, all in the Chicago area. He worked for Exit Elite Realty in Naperville from 2009-2010. As the owner of E-list Realty, which he opened in 2010, he purchased, rehabbed and sold more than 25 properties.

He has a wealth of experience handling the purchase and sale of properties valued at $500,000 and above. Jesse Martinez also is a licensed investment and insurance broker. In addition to high-end properties, the Naperville resident's real estate specialties include:

  • Investors
  • Condos
  • Townhomes
  • Single-family homes
  • First-time home buyers
  • DuPage County real estate
  • Downtown Chicago real estate
  • Kane County real estate
  • Will County real estate
  • Chicago-North real estate
  • Chicago-South real estate
  • North Cook County real estate
  • South Cook County real estate
  • Naperville real estate
  • Kendall County real estate
  • Lake County real estate
  • McHenry County real estate

When he is not helping clients either sell or buy real estate, Jesse Martinez enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.  He likes sports such as biking, ice hockey, basketball, baseball and football, and is involved in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization, serving as the “big brother” for an 11-year-old boy.

“I have 15 years of  real estate experience, as a Realtor® and broker, and as an investor myself. I am very familiar with the real estate market throughout the Chicago area, and I am eager to share my knowledge with my clients,” said Jesse Martinez.  

Contact Jesse at jmartinez@ownacondo.com or (630) 418-0611 if you have questions or would like him to help find your dream condo.

13Jan/110

Randall Glenn

OwnACondo.com welcomes Randall Glenn to its growing team of  dedicated Realtors®, many of whom have earned accredited buyer representative (ABR) designations.

"I love working with real estate buyers and investors," says Randall. He brings wide-ranging experience to his clients thanks to his diverse background in the industry. Randall covers virtually all of Chicagoland with a singular goal in mind: To provide the absolute best service to real estate buyers.

Randall’s career in the real estate industry includes many roles that have provided a great foundation for serving his clients today and into the future. Randall has worked as a leasing manager, an acquisitions specialist for a national franchise and a property scout/consultant for investors.

He covers virtually everywhere in Chicagoland for real estate buyers and investors. Randall Glenn counts among his specialties:

• Chicago Real Estate
• Suburban Chicago Real Estate
• Exclusive Buyers’ Agency
• Real Estate Consulting
• Real Estate Investing
• Real Estate Investors
• Real Estate Sales and Marketing
• Residential Leasing
Condos
• Foreclosures
• First-Time Homebuyers
• Downtown Chicago
• Chicago North
• Chicago South
• North Cook County
• South Cook County
• DuPage County
• Will County 

Randall Glenn attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His personal pursuits, when he's not busy helping clients with their real estate needs, include voice-over acting, working out and network marketing.

Contact OwnACondo.com if you’d like more information about locating your dream condo or investment property.