Kudos from Industry Broker!

I have been a real estate broker since 1996.  I have operated my own real estate brokerage firm and I am familiar with the industry.  I no longer work in the industry full-time and have not done so since 2005.

Right now the real estate market is in a major slump.  As such, I determined that it would be better to use the services of a professional sales person rather than try to sell my condominium myself. 

I knew of Kelley Hughes-Liao by reputation from my time in the industry and personally from being neighbors with her (she owned the condominium directly below mine).  It was important to me that I work with someone whose character was beyond reproach and who worked hard to move her listings.  Kelley was the perfect choice.

I sold my condominium quicker than I thought it would for a great price in a market that couldn’t have been worse.  I am completely convinced that Kelley should be given 100% of the credit for this success.  From the initial staging to the final sale, Kelley was a consummate professional who went beyond the minimum necessary to a much higher level of service provision. 

Specifically, Kelley accurately assessed the market to help set a reasonable and attractive initial price.  Beyond this basic requirement, she monitored and updated this information on semi-monthly basis so that I always new what comparable units were being sold in my area, for how much, and how they were staged compared to mine.

Kelley has an amazing net-work of professionals that she works with to move listings.  The professional stager she used and the other sales agents who hosted open houses for her were excellent and reflected very well on Kelley.

Kelley’s use of a professional stager was essential to the sale of my home.  Again, I view this as a basic requirement.  However, I was on a tight budget (who isn’t these days) and could not afford to stage my condominium to the best of its ability.  Kelley helped offset some of the staging costs.  She didn’t have to do this and the condo would still have looked nice.  However, I know that I would not have gotten the sales price I was looking for without this added glamour to the unit.

Finally, Kelley, put so much time into selling my unit that I felt at all times that I was her only client.  I know this was not true and that Kelley had several other active listings (some worth more than my listing) during the time my unit was on the market.

I can not say enough good things about Kelley or what she did to help me sell my condominium.  I would definitely use Kelly again, have given her name and information to friends and acquaintances, and I have her calendar hanging on the wall of my office.  If Kelley ever looks to open her own real estate firm, I would love to go into business with her as I know that we would make a lot of money together.

Daniels Family  Winter/Spring2007/8

Realistic Expectations

In a really tough market, Kelley helped us to attract the right buyers and we received the best offer the market had to give!

Anton Kim & Family-Evanston condo owner & seller

There is a Difference in Agents!

Kelley & Team gets double Thanks!

I would like to say a big THANK YOU to both for your help with finding a home for us. I truly appreciate your patience through out this long search process. We haven't moved  in yet. It will be after 2 more weeks. I am sure  there will be some surprises but hope there won't be too many. :)-


Kiran Ravulapati-Wilmette townhome buyer

Ease and Lack of Stress...

Buying a house can be one of the most stressful purchases a person can make. Having to shoulder the burden alone only makes it worse.  But, despite being a single mom, I sailed through my recent house purchase. I owe the ease and  lack of stress to my realtor, Kelley Hughes-Liao.  She held my hand through every step of the process and, by the time I signed the last page, I had both a house and a new friend. Most realtors collect their commission check and move on to the next deal. I've been in my house for five months and Kelley is still a part of my life.

Kelley provided me with the kind of personal attention I thought only existed in television ads.  She answered my calls promptly and no question was too silly for Kelley to take the time to give me a thoughtful, in-depth answer.  She worked her time around my crazy schedule, and never complained when I wanted to go back to see not only the house I bought, but others I had looked at, several times.

The homes she showed me were all suited for my particular needs. She didn't waste my time with houses outside my price range (a realistic number which she helped me settle on.) Nor did she bother trying to show me houses in neighborhoods too far from my daughter's school or where I wouldn't feel comfortable going for long walks as she knows I like.

It was great to have the opportunity to check out the houses online at my leisure with the personal account she helped me set up.  I could look through the listings at 4am and then call Kelley at 8 with the properties I wanted to see that day.

Kelley also assembled an extremely competent team to help me work through the process. I am new to the area and had few contacts. Kelley helped me find an inspector, real estate attorney, lender, and a mortgage insurance broker. She even found several contractors and repair people to give me quotes on upgrades and repairs before I actually purchased the house, so I could get a realistic picture of how much the house would cost me in the years to come.

Kelley was so calm during the search that I worried she wouldn't be able to step up as the tough negotiator I would need to close the deal.  I am glad she proved me wrong. When the time did come to negotiate, Kelley proved to be clever and creative, non-wavering, and a true champion for my needs and wants. She not only stood up for what I was asking, but was able to read the seller and understand just how to broker the deal to close it quickly and keep everyone happy.

Whether you are planning to buy or sell a home, I can not recommend anyone more highly than Kelley to help you through the process. And, you just might make a great new friend.

Sarah Asher

...A Consummate Professional...

Kelley is a consummate professional, while at the same time, she's  friendly and full of empathy.

I decided that I wanted to buy a condo about a month before my current rental lease was to expire, and I didn't have much hope that I'd find  one and be able to buy it in time. I didn't even have an idea of what
I wanted that was anywhere close to 'specific.'

Kelley was pretty positive about the whole thing, though. She worked  aggressively to get an idea of what I wanted by showing me a lot of  condos and listings. She was willing to work around my schedule, and
as result of all of this tenacity, I found a good condo. Her knowledge  of the closing process and what to look out for was essential to  getting the deal done in time and correctly. She was on top of things,
even moreso than the mortgage people and lawyers.

Actually, her dedication and responsiveness extends beyond the closing date. A legal issue that involved my property popped up nearly a year after I bought it, so I emailed Kelley in addition to my lawyer.
Kelley responded immediately with some information to point me in the  right direction. She even called me. The issue turned out to not be a  big deal in the end, but getting a response from Kelley immediately
really helped at the time.

Kelley is highly recommended for anyone looking for a trustworthy and  effective agent to guide the home buying process.

Jim, first-time condo buyer

The First Time I Met Kelley I Liked Her...

I thought Kelley was very accomodating during the entire process of BOTH selling our home and buying another.  Kelley was honest and frank which helped in the entire process.  Kelley shared her opinions with us and understood our needs and what we were looking for.

Kelley went the extra mile......
Oh my gosh, where to start.  She never said, "No" if we wanted to see a property- she made it happen.  Kelley was our partner through the entire process.  Kelley always kept in touch with us in regards to interest on our home.

Last comments............ The first time I met Kelley I liked her.  She radiates enthusiasm for her job and is such a hard worker.  Kelley even remembered our so, Schaefer with special gifts and cards.  She is awesome, just a good person.

Susan
Evanston Seller & Buyer

Overwhelmed with Gratefulness...

When we think of what you did for us we are really overwhelmed with gratefulness.  Your persistence, patience and good humored determination resulted in a house we still can hardly believe is ours.
Without you none of this would have happened!  Thank you so very much.

Maureen & John- 1st time Chicago home buyers

...Always working FOR US...

Overall we thought the process of home buying was fine.  We enjoyed looking at homes and trying to find the one to fit our needs.  Kelley was always working FOR US.  As first time home buyers, Kelley helped us through all aspects of the process.  Kelley is very professional, through and dilligent in finding the best home for her client!  Kelley made this experience a very good one for us.  We will highly recommend Kelley to our friends and family.

Rob & Mary Pat-1st time Chicago home buyers

Mom's First Purchase!

Mom is so excited about the condo!  Things are falling into place.  All in all, we are headed towards that big day when mom moves in.  She is really looking forward to the quiet location, and the pool!  Thank you so much for all your help and patience.  My mom really appreciated all you did for her.

Susan- Evanston buyers mother-1st time buyer

Positive Attitude...

I am enjoying the new place very much!  The parking space has made my life much easier, you were right to encourage me to take that!  Thank you for all your help, expertise, and above all... you helped to make it as FUN a process as could be expected. One of the best things working with you was your positive attitude.  This was really appreciated by me when I was getting discouraged.   Needless to say I will reccommend you!

Peter-1st time Rogers Park Co-op buyer

You Have Been Terrific!

Thanks for keeping your eyes open for us.  I will definitely give your name to anybody I know who is looking.  You have been terrific!  I hope that one-day we will be able to buy from you.  I appreciate all the attention you've given us even though I've told you that we may not buy for another year or 2.  I don't know much about the real estate sales industry, but when we first met, I was doing sales and I don't know anybody who would be patient enough to give the level of service you have with such a long sales cycle.

Patrick-Potential 1st time buyer!!!  (note that he is now a home owner and did a VA loan for him & his wife too!)

The Finest Service Imaginable...

Kelley paid close attention when I put my house on the market myself.  She initiated contact in a friendly manner and made me feel like I had a friend waiting if I needed any help.  She maintained a comfortable calling cycle so we didn't loose touch.  After about a month, I realized that I did not have enough traffic coming through the house to get it sold before the winter blahs set in.  So I called Kelley.  Her expertise in my neighborhood coupled with her truly outstanding customer service, made it a welcome transition and an enormous relief.  My house was sold in 3 weeks and I received the finest service imaginable.  She found ways to save me money- not just make more for herself.  She was mindful of both sides of the deal and always watching to make sure things were done in a timely manner, whether it was her responsibility or not.
Kelley did a supurb job selling my house and I feel that the investment was well worth the results.  I give Kelley the highest recommendation along with my graditute.  She facilitated my opportunity to move on with my life at a time when it was essential that I do so- with grace, efficiency, consideration and stellar professionalism in her field.

Kate-Evanston home seller, Former FBSO seller