Urban Real Estate

Reviews 4

A

Anonymous User

I had positive experiences working with Michael Emery (and Ryan DeMar) over the years and have referred multiple friends to him. I used him when purchasing my first condo in the South Loop in 2009, and subsequently renting it earlier this year (2011) when relocating to Boston for work. I will speak to each experience separately. Condo purchase (Autumn 2009): Michael worked hard for me, very hard. He was extremely accommodating (able to work with my busy work/travel schedule to arrange viewings when most convenient for me). I felt like he knew the market well and was able to consistently direct me to places that fit my specifications and weed out the junk/bad-deals/etc. to save me time. I was intent on getting a good deal, and Michael was persistent and patient working on my behalf. We walked away from two units after making offers and extensive back-and-forth negotiations. The third time was a charm--I got the perfect place at a reasonable price. In fact, miss it dearly (but its in good hands). Attempted sale (Spring 2011): When I learned Id need to relocate to Boston, Mike was the first and only person I contacted given my past very positive experiences. My condo was listed for sale for 3-4 months, but interest was underwhelming. I had a few initial showings, then maybe one every week or two thereafter. No offers were ever received, even after adjusting price down to break-even levels. I feel like Michael might have been able to do more to drive traffic through the place and/or advise me to list at a lower price initially. In the end Im glad I kept my condo as an investment property (especially since I could move back in a couple years), but at the time Id have rather sold. This is why I am giving him 4 rather than 5 stars. Rental (Summer 2011): When it became clear we would not be able to close a sale in the time-frame necessary at a price Id agree to, we listed the condo for rent. Michael worked with an associate Ryan DeMar--together they tag-teamed the showing. After a slow start (at too high a price, but we agreed it made sense to test the waters as I still had time) we adjusted downward to market rates and a a couple weeks packed with showings ensued (sometimes multiple per day, virtually all arranged to occur while I was traveling or in the office). I ended up with an excellent married couple as my tenants, with lease terms that made everyone happy. Michael handled all the paperwork quickly and smoothly. The rental market (especially in the South Loop) can be a crowded and undifferentiated one, so Im very happy with the results. Should I ever need to find new tenants, I would undoubtedly enlist Michael and Ryan to help. The commission is a small price to pay for the convenience and piece of mind he provided. Overall: Id give Michael a solid 4.5 stars. Ive recommended him to friends and would/will use him again.

---

A

Anonymous User

Urban Real Estate is awful when rentals and individuals working on their own are concerned. My husband and I found a property we were interested in renting 2 hours after it had been posted on line. Knowing that is would go quick, we inquired immediately through their website. The next morning I called and left a message with their rental section shortly after their offices open. I tried throughout the day to contact someone at their offices, but not response. THEY NEVER RESPONDED TO ME! We stopped by the property after work that day in hopes that a number would be posted for the actual leaser, but no luck. While there, we did see people viewing it and inquired with them how they got their appointment scheduled. Their realtor scheduled it for them. We contact a realtor that we heard about that night and he got an immediate response from Urban Real Estate, with a showing being scheduled the next day. Apparently they only respond to realtors and not individuals working independently on their own. Not sure when the rental market turned to needing a realtor for places to respond to you... thats new to me. If thats how they are going to be, they need to post it on their website. I think the rental would have been the perfect place for us, and with over a day wasted by trying to get a hold of them on our own, it was rented before we could even see it. On top of that... they didnt even call the realtor that scheduled the showing for us that it had actually been rented. He noticed the status had changed and called them for us. How many others couldnt get in to see a property or saw it when it was already rented. From my experience and the reviews of others, it doesnt seem like rental are a high priority of Urban Real Estate. If I could give them 0 stars I would. WORD TO THE WISE: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A RENTAL PROPERTY ON THEIR WEBSITE, DO NOT BOTHER CONTACTING THEM ABOUT ON YOUR OWN BECAUSE THEY WONT RESPOND! CALL A REALTOR AND HAVE THEM CONTACT URBAN REAL ESTATE ON YOUR BEHALF... OR BETTER YET, FIND THE LISTING ON ANOTHER REAL ESTATE COMPANYS SITE BECAUSE YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET A CHANCE TO SEE IT THAT WAY!!!

---

A

Anonymous User

As a fellow real estate broker (at a different company), I have the opportunity to work with a cast of characters. Some deals are ruined by agent egos while others run smoothly because both parties have the experience, patience, and professionalism to deal with all of the curve balls the current market throws at us. Being represented by a good agent is as important for a buyer or seller as it is to another agent because you need good agents on both sides to get the deal done. Matt Silver and Matt Farrell are two of the best brokers I have had the privilege of working with. They tirelessly advocate for their clients and possess the years of experience and passion for the industry that separates them from the status quo . Both are current Directors for the Chicago Association of REALTORS and are active industry advocates so when they start throwing out statistics and strategy, they know what they are talking about. From this agents perspective, I give "the Matts" and Urban Real Estate top marks. Their website is also one of the most comprehensive and user friendly for browsing properties. (Yes, even I use it sometimes but shhh! Dont tell!)

---

A

Anonymous User

Michael Emmery was great for us not only once but three times. Me and my wife were looking for a property, initially he helped us to clarify a very long list that we had with intelligence and good sense, then in one morning we were able to see several remaining properties. He helped us in the offer and we were able to close it in a very good price. Again he helped us not only during the closing but also after with small difficulties to solve, even using his money to pay Association fees. After that we decided to make an offer on other apartment and with his help we were able to close it in 2 days with a very significative decrease in the initial price. Then we decided to rent the first unit. Done in a week. The most emblematic detail is that we dont live in Chicago neither in the US, we live in Brazil and MIchael helped us through all the steps by email. Very good broker and great person.

---

---

Other organizations