Author: Dominic Ferraro
Local Expertise | National Reach
CRER is partnered with TCN Worldwide, a consortium of independent commercial real estate firms serving more than 200 markets worldwide. The national platform provides the opportunity for our brokers to directly market our assignments to a much larger audience which is very beneficial to our clients.
TCN Worldwide, provides complete integrated real estate solutions locally and internationally. An extensive range of real estate services coupled with a personal commitment to exceed expectations is what allows TCN Worldwide to be a leader in this competitive industry. Comprised of leading independent brokerage firms, TCN combines an entrepreneurial approach with years of local experience. TCN’s more than 1,500 brokers have a well-earned reputation for providing straightforward expert advice.
Testimonials
Client Testimonials
Steve Rapoport was instrumental in successfully moving through the real estate process of selling our previously owned building, as well as finding and closing on a new facility. He handled himself and our deals with professionalism and represented the Little City Foundation aggressively to reach an agreement favorable to us. I highly recommend Steve and would happily use him again in the future.
Bill Brennan | Chief Facilities and Environmental Quality Officer | Little City Foundation
Tuyen is the best agent out there so great and wonderful to work with!! She makes my experience of opening a business for the first time feel amazing. She always goes out of her way to help with everything. I really can’t say enough good things about working with Tuyen.! You won’t regret working with her. Highly recommend!!
Dai N.
The Board of Directors and I were very pleased with Nate’s expertise and support throughout the entire process of seeking a tenant to fill our pending commercial vacancy. He was incredibly responsive to all of our needs and questions and was able to procure several offers for the space in a very short amount of time even in the midst of a very difficult and unique time of the pandemic.
Dee Rickhoff, MCA, ILCAM, Park Place Chicago Condominium Association
Steven Rapoport helped me navigate a very difficult purchase. Without his help and expertise, I doubt the deal would have gotten done.
Harold D. Rider, Jr., CPM, RPA, Realty & Mortgage Co
We listed a mixed-use building with Steven with retail on the first floor and apartments above. The market insight and analysis Steven provided was thorough and extremely helpful. Thanks to Stevens connections and diligence, our property sold over the asking price after less than two weeks of marketing. Stevens professionalism was greatly appreciated.
Dr. Anthony and Mrs. Mary Lam
Steven recently helped me sell a six unit investment property. As an out of state real estate investor I know that I can count on Steven for local market insights and accurate property valuation. Steven is extremely professional and has great connections to qualified buyers.
Bassem Victor, CEO BBGIP, Inc
Great service… Great execution…. Great results……. Need I Say More?
Robert J. Walter, Executive Vice President, First Bank and Trust Company of Illinois
Steven Rapoport isn’t your typical salesman, he wants what is best for you and is never forceful. If he feels a deal doesn’t seem right, he will let you know. He knows what you want and won’t let you accept anything less. He is your honest real estate agent.
Heather Olker, Learning and Development Specialist at Equity LifeStyle Properties
Eric Janssen does a great job getting maximum value out of real estate, his experience combined with fair dealing makes his company an asset to the real estate world.
Peter J. Haleas, President, Bridgeview Bank Group
Steven Rapoport was great from the start! He was professional, hard-working and personable. The price we got on my property was at the high end of the market; I could not have been happier with Steven’s services.
Rose Albun
I don’t even know where to start. Tuyen is not only an excellent broker but also an amazing person. She will go out of her way to help you with whatever you need. Doesn’t matter if the issue has to do with her expertise or not, she will find ways to help answer all of your questions and concerns. She is quick, responsive, and effective. I’ve never seen a person so passionate about what they’re doing. We were looking for a location to open our very first business and Tuyền really went above and beyond the call of duty to help us. She made it very easy for us during the process. I was able to get the lease I desperately wanted to thank her excellent negotiating skills. I’m very thankful to have met this smart and sweet lady. If you work with her, you are in absolutely good hands!
Van Thien Ho
While marketing a difficult commercial property on our behalf, Eric Janssen and his staff were a pleasure to work with and responded quickly to our changing needs.
Sandra Spivey, U.S. Bank, Las Vegas, Nevada
I have sold a number of properties, and after working with Steven Rapoport, I’ll never use another broker. He worked unremittingly throughout the entire transaction, from valuation through closing, making the process very easy for me. He has my highest recommendation.
David, Chicago Personal Injury Attorney
Having worked with Eric Janssen over the years, particularly on difficult projects, I have found Eric and his crew to be on top of any REO problems, ready to provide technical help to resolve maintenance and construction issues, and he has always responded in a timely fashion.
Fred Lindstrom , ABN-AMRO/ LaSalle Bank Chicago, IL
Steven Rapoport’s approach to listing and selling my property was conducted in the most professional manner. Pricing and marketing the property to get me maxim value. He is highly recommended.
Rose Vaccaro, Owner of Cobblestones Bar & Grill
We have worked with Eric Janssen and his team for over 5 years. They have served on our behalf as a Receiver on many occasions and have managed and sold several properties for us. Their passion for the business of real estate is what sets them apart.
David Heyson and Michael Warren, US Bank
Steven Rapoport sold two properties for me, both of which were marketed expertly and sold for more than I thought possible.
Scott Frayn, MAI Appraiser
I have used Tim Keenan’s commercial brokerage service for the past two years. The great energy and passion he puts in everything he does has been the key for me to achieve my real estate goals. As a foreign investor, Tim has always been there to represent me and defend my opinion as if it was his own project. Real estate is a very challenging business and working with him has made me feel that we can find solutions to any problems that arise. And when such problems did come along, together we did! Not only is Tim a professional and passionate, he is also one of the most entertaining brokers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. When traveling to Chicago for business, Tim always ensures that I’m well taken care of.
Benoit Chrétien, Canadian Investor
Nathan Gautsche is a true real estate professional. When we needed to execute on some challenging properties he was able to find the right buyer and make the sale from beginning to end as smooth as possible. I would recommend Nathan to anyone who needs a detailed and focused real estate professional that wants results
Molly O’Farrell, Managing Director at The PrivateBank
Tim Keenan has been a pleasure to work with over the past several years and has been a great asset for our company. The tenacity at which he attacks a task has been very impressive and his results have been outstanding. From start to finish, for both acquisitions and dispositions, Tim has been the most well-rounded and talented broker we have dealt with. We look forward to doing more deals with him in the future.
FC Realty Chicago
Mike Weaver is an astute and persistent real estate professional that has achieved great success in the liquidation of our OREO.
Patrick T. McShane, Chairman, President & CEO American Metro Bank
If there was a better rating than ‘A’, Tim Keenan would get it. He was absolutely instrumental in helping with the purchase of several multi-unit buildings throughout the Chicago area. He is always quick to respond to emails and patient as we tour property after property. When it’s time to put an offer on a building, he always prepares a fantastic package for me. As a Canadian investor, I am absolutely positive that I would not have gotten the same success in a foreign market if it wasn’t for Tim.
Louis Gagne, Canadian Investor
Eric Janssen has provided us with a variety of services including marketing REO residential and commercial properties, asset management, and acting in court-appointed receivership capacities for several years. We call Eric for our more “challenging” properties as he provides professional, timely, and thorough services. We have found Eric and his team to be affable and experienced.
Suzon Lanz, Default Administration Supervisor MB Financial Bank
Tim Keenan has been great to work with. He has brought us exciting opportunities that fit the model of what we are looking for. He is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the business and we feel like he is a partner in these deals as opposed to a broker. Lastly, he has proven in a very short time to be a person of integrity and honesty. He is our broker of choice and we will continue to work with him.
Patrick McCoy, Labrynth, Inc.
Mike Weaver was instrumental in all facets of the purchase of our first industrial building. He is a great broker.
Jolanta Kozlowska, President JPT Carpenters, Inc
Steven Rapoport is a broker who gets deals done. He is honest and straight to the point. It’s obvious that he tries to get what’s best for both the buyer and seller, so that everyone comes out ahead.
Mike Tadin Jr., Owner of TD Capital Investments, LLC
Mike Weaver was great, he was able to negotiate a great deal on the acquisition of an industrial building for my company. Thanks again Mike.
Joe Spagnoli, Owner Yak-Zies Bar & Grill
Steve Rapoport worked diligently to find suitable commercial tenants for retail spaces that have been extremely difficult to rent. We’re very happy with the work he has done.
Andrew Calcutt, Vice President Clark Street Capital
Mike Weaver has been a great asset in selling bank owned real estate. Thanks, Mike.
Fred Shaw, President & CEO Union National Bank of Elgin
I represented a buyer that purchased one of Steven Rapoport’s commercial listings. He didn’t hesitate when my client requested a last minute request to view the property. Steven drove 30 miles within the hour of the request to accommodate us. That’s impressive service.
Rick Petesch, Attorney in Aurora, IL
I was glad that I met Mike Weaver, he worked diligently to find us space and negotiated a great lease for our company.
Jay Janese, State Farm Insurance
It was a pleasure working with Steven Rapoport. My real estate transaction was quick and easy, thanks to his help.
Alan, Owner of AAIM Development Inc.
I can recommend Nate Gautsche without qualification. Nate recently assisted our company with a real estate acquisition in Chicago. As we are out of state, Nate was required to do all the “heavy lifting” from scouring the market based on our criteria, to keeping track of multiple properties of interest, leading the bidding process on our behalf and ultimately assisting with due diligence and the closing process. Even after we closed, Nate continues to follow up with us, even periodically driving by the property and reporting back, which is greatly appreciated and above and beyond his responsibility. Throughout the entire deal process Nate remained professional, responsive and on top of all the details. We look forward to closing many future deals with him
Zachary Chan, President, Loka Properties
I am very happy to have worked with Steven Rapoport. He is an honest and professional broker that knows how to get deals done.
Tan Tahiri, Owner of Berdica Transport Inc
I had the pleasure of working with Steven Rapoport, both when I purchased my investment property and during the subsequent leasing process for a vacant storefront. He represented both sides of the leasing transaction. Not only did he introduce me to a well-qualified lessee, he did an amazing job closing the deal with terms under which we were both thrilled.
Chip Eggleton, Owner of Apex Investment Corp
Steven Rapoport listens. I told him I needed to be in downtown Chicago and the idea of what I had in my head, knowing nothing about price, location, etc. Steven lined up multiple properties to visit in a matter of days, took me on the most fun “shopping” experience I could’ve had, and asked my opinion after every visit, while at the same time being brutally honest about his thoughts and how it would affect my business. I absolutely fell in love with a location and Steven quickly helped me finalize the deal at a great price. He made the experience easy and fun, something I never expected, and I would recommend and have recommended his services to any of my clients.
Joshua B. Smith, CPA, MAS, President at JBS Life Chartered
I thoroughly recommend Steve for your next real estate deal. I had interviewed several brokers to list a property that I owned for 31 years; I am happy that I choose Steve. Throughout the process, I found him to possess deep market knowledge, strong analytic skills, and be well versed in problem-solving. He ensured the sales transaction and closing were flawless. Would I hire Steve again? Absolutely! I have just listed another property with him. Do yourself a favor and go with Steve.
Ray Naegele, Seller Wrigleyville Apartment Building
Receivership Case Studies
Some of our Institutional Clients
Partial Institutional Client List
About CRER
CRER (Chicago Real Estate Resources Inc.) is a full-service, commercial real estate firm licensed in Illinois and Indiana, devoted to providing exceptional service for your every real estate need. From new regulations to emerging technologies, the commercial real estate market is constantly changing. It’s our job to simplify that complexity and empower you with clear information so you can make the best decisions for your investment portfolio. Our extensive experience, personalized attention, reliability and market knowledge are just a few of the characteristics that set us apart from other real estate firms.
Founded in 2004 by Chicago real estate veteran Eric Janssen, CRER specializes in a multitude of services including investment real estate sales, retail, office and industrial leasing, tenant representation, receivership services and property management. CRER President Eric Janssen, has been appointed receiver in Illinois and Indiana State and Federal courts in over 1,800 cases for the past 20+ years involving assets valued in excess of $2 billion. Collectively, our team has sold more than $3 billion in commercial real estate assets.
At Chicago Real Estate Resources, we understand the unique needs of each individual or business involved in the buying/selling or leasing process. With such a comprehensive understanding of each step of a real estate transaction, our team can deliver results while exceeding our customers’ expectations. By recognizing opportunities and developing effective strategies to satisfy your unique needs, CRER delivers results no matter how difficult the assignment. We take pride in providing our clients with the level of service that we would expect to receive ourselves.
Mark Krzysztofiak
Mark Krzysztofiak is in charge of general operations, property management, and construction. After graduating from University of Illinois in Chicago with a degree in economics and working in the restaurant business for several years, Mark moved into the exciting world of real estate and has been with CRER since early 2004. Growing along with the company, Mark has worked his way up within CRER by being able to complete any task at hand.
Showing his versatility, Mark has worked in the administrative and accounting departments, as well as on the property management team. His current duties include directing the property-management staff on day-to-day operations, construction, budgeting and client relations. Also, over the years, Mark has been the representative of the court appointed Receiver in hundreds of foreclosure cases in the Illinois and Indiana State and Federal courts.
Mark has managed many construction assignments, including various major multi-million dollar projects. He has helped clients resolve building violations, lead hazards, and he has managed several major facade restorations and unfinished development projects, involving property types ranging from single-unit condos to high-rise properties.
Eric Janssen
Eric Janssen was born and raised in the Netherlands and has a world of experience–literally. After college, Eric moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, before charting a course for Chicago to live out a new adventure. After a stint in the restaurant management industry, he ventured into the world of real estate, obtaining his broker’s license in 1988. Eric quickly achieved a string of successes in management at three major real estate firms: Equity Office Management LLC, Berger Financial Services and Holsten Management Corp. During his tenure at Holsten, he started working with national financial institutions, assisting them with the management of foreclosed commercial properties. During this time, he also gained experience as an investment real estate broker.
New challenges soon followed. In 1995, Eric joined a Chicago based real estate firm as vice president, eventually becoming senior vice president. Here, he assisted lenders with receivership services, management and the disposition of real estate-owned property. As a commercial broker, he continued to help Chicago buyers, sellers and investors. Cementing his position in the area real estate industry were three top commercial sales awards he earned in 1999, 2001 and 2002 from the Chicago Association of Realtors. To date, he has sold more than $500 million in real estate assets.
While busy with a variety of projects, Eric founded Dutch Development Inc. in 1997. In addition to condo conversions, Dutch Development specializes in purchasing and rehabilitating apartment buildings and mixed-use properties. Thus far, they have renovated over 500 units in the Rogers Park, Lincoln Park and Lakeview Chicago neighborhoods. The company has been honored by the Chicago Association of Realtors with three “Good Neighbor Awards” for outstanding rehab and neighborhood development.
In April of 2004, Eric founded Chicago Real Estate Resources Inc. (CRER), a full service commercial real estate firm. Collectively, the CRER team has been involved in commercial sales & leasing transactions in excess of $3 billion. Eric has been appointed receiver in Illinois and Indiana in more than 1,800 foreclosure cases involving assets valued over $2 billion.
In 2015, Eric founded 235 Insurance Ltd. with Keith Murphy, CLCS. The agency specializes in all matters of real estate insurance, representing more than 20 direct carriers. 235 Acts as a preferred vendor for numerous real estate lenders and real estate professionals writing over 1,200 new policies each year, not including thousands of renewals. As Managing Partner of 235 Insurance, Eric provides executive leadership to the agency and communicates our niche capabilities in special assets insurance throughout his banking and real estate industry network.
Eric joined his brother in April of 2019 as a partner in the development company Balance d’eau, founded in 2014 by Olaf Janssen in Delft, The Netherlands. Balance d’eau has developed a unique building system that makes it possible to build floating homes onsite at any location. The company has proven itself with its unique knowledge and network, as the specialist in developing and construction on water. The company is developing several projects throughout The Netherlands. The homes have a small carbon footprint due to the use of solar panels for electricity and heat exchangers for heating and cooling. Also, with all the issues of climate change, these homes provide opportunities to build in areas that may not be suitable for traditional housing.
Putting Your World in Balance
235 Insurance was founded in 2014 by Keith Murphy in partnership with Eric Janssen, CRER. The agency specializes in all matters of real estate insurance and business liability, and acts as a preferred vendor for many real estate lenders and service professionals.
The company’s service motto is “do not leave for tomorrow, what can be done today.” The 235 Insurance team develops customer loyalty through intelligent and highly responsive service. Please visit our office at 800 W Diversey, or contact us online via 235insurance.com.
Trust, Probate Court & Bankruptcy
CRER has been appointed in the Circuit Court of Cook County to manage and sell real estate assets involved in probate court procedures. Additionally, we have been involved in leasing and sales transactions of properties held in trust by financial institutions. CRER is frequently retained by bankruptcy trustees appointed in the United States Bankruptcy Court to manage and sell real estate assets involved in bankruptcy procedures. We also provide evaluations on real estate assets to determine if there is sufficient equity in the property(ies) involved in order to the pay the creditors should the assets sell.
Receiver Services
As a banker or an attorney representing a financial institution, you can be sure that Chicago Real Estate Resources (CRER) is able to handle your collateral property as receiver or manager for the mortgagee in possession, professionally and effectively.
Bringing 25 years of experience, CRER principal, Eric Janssen has been appointed receiver in more than 1,800 cases involving real estate assets, collectively valued at over $2B. CRER is currently handling numerous receivership and bank owned (REO) properties, ranging from small residential multi-family buildings to downtown high-rise properties. Eric also has been appointed in several cases involving failed condominium projects in which CRER completed the construction and sold the remaining units.
CRER has the expertise required to handle a variety of distressed situations including the management, leasing and/or redevelopment of under-performing real estate. After the completion of the foreclosure, we can fee manage the property, lease and improve the building as needed and finally list and sell it for the best possible price. During this process, our team will investigate the property’s position in the marketplace and make recommendations to enhance its value to get the greatest return for our client. Alternatively, we can market and sell the property during the receivership period.
Our receivership services include:
- Review the order appointing receiver to ensure it will be sufficient in its scope and authority
- Stabilizing the property operations and ensuring tenant retention
- Preparing required court reports and attending court hearings in Federal, State, Housing and Eviction court
- Providing monthly financial reports to the client which can be securely accessed on our website
- Overseeing on-site property management
- Development and implementation of a strategic plan for the property with input from the client
- Evaluation and creation of marketing, advertising, leasing and exit strategies
CRER is a one-stop shop for our institutional clients. We can handle the court proceedings, the day-to-day property management, and any construction that needs to be completed. Our professional broker team will be able to lease any vacant space and market and sell the finished product. We have 5 commercial brokers specializing in retail leasing on our CRER broker team, 4 of which hold a CCIM designation. Collectively, our team has sold more than $2.5 billion in commercial real estate assets.
Exceptional Professionals
CRER’s Property Management professionals create value by maintaining effective property operations. Daily conditions are monitored for maximum efficiencies, ensuring all cost saving measures are followed. Proactive policies are implemented to maintain good tenant relations and a high retention rate.
Additionally, marketing, leasing and advertising programs are executed to guarantee the property is receiving the ultimate exposure on the market. At CRER, we have a team of experienced licensed real estate brokers that will be able to professionally market any vacant retail, industrial or office space.
Our strategic partner, Fulton Grace Realty will handle all leasing of available apartment units. All vacancies will be listed on the MLS and all other available listing services.
Property Management
We will streamline the process so you can properly maintain and protect your investment and maximize your rental income. CRER is committed to providing exceptional service and quality property management services to our clients and tenants. CRER will work closely with investors to develop a comprehensive plan for maintaining and enhancing the value of the asset, compatible with the owner’s objectives. We are currently managing numerous properties that range in size from small multi-family apartment buildings to downtown high-rise properties. CRER Management is a long-term partner that will be at your side to handle all aspects of the management of your property. Attention to detail, reliable response rate, and specialized services are the key to satisfied tenants and to maximize profitability. We treat the asset as if it was our own.
CRER will create customized management plans to fit the client’s needs and expectations. We make sure not only the property is up to code, but it is pleasant and comfortable to live or work in. A well-maintained property produces the highest returns for owners. Utilizing our experienced, insured and friendly in-house contractors and maintenance professionals, we are dedicated to solving your property’s maintenance issues timely and efficiently. We provide services for all asset types, including multifamily, retail, industrial and office properties in the City of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. Reliable service and careful attention to the individual needs of our clients and residents is what sets us apart.
Our skilled professional staff that is equipped to handle:
- Rent Collection
- Leasing and Renewals
- Tenant Screening, HAP Management
- Property Maintenance, Operations and Repairs
- Risk Management
- Budgeting and Financial Reporting
- 24/7 Emergency Maintenance
- Property Inspections
- Communications with Tenants
- Delinquency Procedures
- Parking Issues and Enforcement
- and More
Trusted Commercial Expertise
For many real estate investors, Chicago Real Estate Resources (CRER) has risen to be the premier commercial brokerage firm of choice. CRER offers professional service and representation for commercial real estate investors, tenants and lenders. As an independent commercial real estate firm, it is our mission to offer our clientele a personalized approach. With attentiveness, effective communication, experience and market knowledge, we deliver results.
Our award-winning team of Commercial Real Estate Brokers is proficient with most commercial transactions. Our areas of expertise include but are not limited to:
- Multi-Family
- Retail
- Office
- Land
- Industrial
- Retail and Office Leasing
- Tenant representation
- Hospitality
With more than 200 years of combined experience, and over $3B in transaction volume, our Brokerage Team can offer unmatched regional market advice. Our competitive edge ensures we will find the perfect investment property that adds value to your portfolio or that you will be able to sell or lease your property for the best possible price. CRER Brokers have instant access to all the leading property listing services, marketing and research tools available such as; LoopNet, CoStar, Lexis Nexis, Crexi, Constant Contact and more. We also have a dedicated marketing team to assist our Brokers with the design and execution of marketing materials and with the marketing campaign for our listed properties.
Contact us today to find out how to get started with listing your investment property, or to start your real estate search by emailing us at info@crer.com or call us at (773) 327-9300.
Jerry Goldner
Over the past four decades, Jerry has established a reputation as an ethical and accomplished advisor with sales in excess of $275 million. His clients include international developers-investors, institutional funds, high net worth individuals and neighborhood property owners. Jerry’s clients also benefit from his 200-market strong TCN Worldwide network, with offices in Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
The vast majority of Jerry’s transactions have been off-market and confidential opportunities. Some high-profile transactions include; the largest deal in SVN history: Walton on the Park (201 Apts.) & One West Walton Site (No. 9 Walton Condos), Cityfront Center Chicago Phase III (Aston or Optima Chicago Center), 250-acre confidential industrial development, 300-330 West Huron (Verso River North), 951-55 W. Huron (Huron Place), 1855-1921 West Diversey (Diversey Condos), 50-acre Galewood Rail Yard (Galewood Crossings’ & ‘Galewood Enclave), Willow Hill Executive Center (Northfield IL.) and 14 courtyard multifamily buildings in Evanston, Oak Park & Chicago.
Jerry’s real estate education began in high school working with his father Irv, a master carpenter. He spent his summers learning building maintenance and leasing units at apartment buildings. After graduating from college, he expanded his knowledge of property management before starting his brokerage career. In addition, as Director of Acquisitions at Arthur Goldner & Associates, he completed numerous transactions including the Meidinger Tower in Louisville and the Hartford Plaza Shopping Center in Wisconsin. Prior to joining CRER, Jerry was a Vice-President with SVN Chicago Commercial.
Jerry pays it forward as a wildlife photographer and has donated over 200 images to non-profits. He was honored by the Chicago Audubon Society with their “Protector of the Environment” award. His critically acclaimed “Owls of Illinois” photography & video exhibit showed at The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum & FPDCC. He also curated and participated in their Micole Bird Walk & Birds of Chicago permanent exhibits and donated an exhibit to The Lurie Children’s Hospital Oncology Floor. He was a winner of the Chicago Park District & FPDCC photo contests and a regular contributor to WTTW’s Chicago Tonight, Field Museum, Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald.
Real Estate Note Sales
Chicago Real Estate Resources (CRER) is often asked by banks and other lending institutions to market performing and non-performing notes. With great diligence, CRER will assess the available notes and work to match them to the most appropriate buyer. In the quest to find a fitting match, CRER’s team uses a combination of in-depth market research and a well-established business network for finding the right buyer. This detailed process ensures that the final outcome is beneficial to all parties involved.
What is a Real Estate Note?
A real estate note is the contract between two parties that sets out the terms of the loan allowing one party to borrow the capital needed to purchase a property. The party providing the capital owns the real estate note and will receive payments on the loan. Real estate notes can be created in a variety of ways including promissory notes, land sale contracts, mortgages, or contracts. These contain the terms of repayment between the two parties.
Ashley Dillard, CCIM
Ashley has an extensive knowledge of the Chicago commercial real estate market. After graduating from University of Kansas with a degree in architectural studies, she worked in Kansas City as a commercial leasing agent at a 2.1 million square foot office park. While working for an institutional owner, she learned valuable skills such as client reporting, communication and accountability.
During her past 15 years in the industry, she has represented buyers and sellers of virtually every asset class including retail centers, industrial and office buildings, hotels, development and agricultural land, golf courses, multi-family properties, commercial condominiums, mineral rights and notes throughout the United States. She has executed sales for such clients as Prudential, Huntington Bank, Dow Chemical, Markle Bank, Ambit Funding, Citizens Bank and Private Bank and represented individuals and private equity groups in the purchase of property and notes. Her accelerated disposition marketing background and fine-tuned negotiation skills ensure that she facilitates the most favorable transaction terms possible in the shortest amount of time for her clients.
She is a licensed Real Estate Broker in Illinois and Missouri and holds a Certified Commercial Investment Member Designation, CCIM Institute, Chicago. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Illinois Association of Realtors (IAR), Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR), Real Estate Investment Association (REIA) and Rogers Park Builders Group (RPBG).
Michael Weaver
Michael Weaver has registered over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry and joined Chicago Real Estate Resources with a wealth of knowledge pertaining to commercial sales.
As a 1985 graduate of Texas A&M, Mike has brokered and leased properties with a value in excess of over $400,000,000. He has worked with a variety of professional and retail organizations, such as American International Group, Northern Trust Bank, Dunkin Donuts, and Payless Shoe Source.
One of Mike’s proudest moments came with the sale of a large development then known as 601 West Chicago Avenue. 601 West Chicago was a 250,000 square foot loft building owned by Montgomery Ward that operated as part of the company’s catalog operations. This Chicago landmark is now a luxury condominium development located near the Chicago River. This sale was the first of the Montgomery Ward properties to sell as part of the Master Plan for the redevelopment of over three million square feet of commercial space and 23 acres of land.
Mike is a very personable, client-focused broker who has shown his knowledge and expertise in negotiating for his many clients. He is delighted to continue to service these clients at Chicago Real Estate Resources as well as build his client base.
Timothy Keenan
After studying business at Penn State University and University of Illinois at Chicago, Timothy spent five years in restaurant management where he honed his professional and people skills. Timothy always had a love for real estate and decided to pursue as a full time career. Timothy set his sights on commercial real estate. Seeking out niche-orientated opportunities within the industry, he joined with Eric Janssen, founding principle of Chicago Real Estate Resources. CRER has a unique market position in receivership services and is a boutique operation where Timothy felt that he had great growth potential.
Timothy’s transactional experiences include multi-family, mixed-use, retail, fractured condo developments, industrial, commercial and land sales. He also oversees more complex deals such as REO auctions, note purchases, portfolio note purchases, and portfolio REO. This wide range of knowledge has made him an asset to many of his clients. Timothy prides himself on working on many challenging deals for his clients and seeing them through from start to finish.
Timothy participates in many charity causes, which includes having raised $275,000 through a college dance marathon for kids with cancer. He continues work on his mission of helping those in need by working closely with Chicago’s Toys for Tots charity, hosting an annual Toy for Tots event for the past nine years.
Timothy’s professional affiliations include the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), The Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR), The Young Professional Network (YPN) and The West Central Association Chamber of Commerce (WCA).
Tuyen Nguyen, CCIM
Tuyen Nguyen is a highly experienced commercial real estate broker with over 20 years of industry expertise. Throughout her career, Tuyen has established a reputation for providing exceptional service and creative solutions to her client’s real estate needs. She specializes in the sales and leasing of retail, office, industrial, and multifamily properties, as well as consulting start-up businesses. Tuyen is also an expert in the sales and leasing of businesses in sectors such as nail salons, restaurants, franchised tea/coffee shops, and daycare centers. With a strong entrepreneurial mindset and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in owning and operating her own businesses, Tuyen is a trusted advisor who takes a service-oriented approach to help her clients achieve their real estate goals.
Tuyen is a trusted advisor who believes every client can achieve their real estate goals with the right support and resources. With a B.S. in Computer Information Technology, she leverages her analytical and technical skills to develop marketing strategies and manage portfolios. As a North Side Chicago native and fluent Vietnamese speaker, Tuyen possesses diverse knowledge of the local real estate market and is extensively involved with the Asian-American community. She served as President of the Asian Real Estate Association of America from 2019-2020 and has also served on several boards including AREAA’s National Commercial Board, CAR Global Council, and CAR Commercial Forum. Tuyen was also named a top producer by the Chicago Association of Realtors’ 2022 CommercialForum.
Sean Mason
In six years with CRER, Sean has focused primarily on multifamily and industrial investment sales as well as ground up development projects. He is also in charge of all leasing for a one million square foot industrial portfolio in Chicago. He sets himself apart with his exceptional client service record in delivering honest and straightforward guidance through all aspects of portfolio ownership and management.
He came to CRER after 15 years working in capital markets and he brings a deep understanding of financial analysis and risk management principles to assist clients interested in expanding and diversifying their investment property portfolios. Sean was born and raised in Chicago and graduated cum laude from Harvard in 2000. He lives in Burr Ridge with his wife and kids. In his spare time, Sean coached high school baseball for twenty years, most recently as the Head Coach at Saint Ignatius College Prep, his alma mater, from 2011-2020. In 2018, Sean was named the Coach of the Year in Illinois by the Illinois High School Athletic Association.
Steven Rapoport, CCIM
As a broker with Chicago Real Estate Resources and lifelong resident of the Chicago area, Steven has completed over 250 real estate sales and leasing transactions since 2010. His primary focus is listing mid-market investment properties in the City of Chicago ranging in value from $500,000 to $5,000,000.
In 2016 Steven was designated a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). The CCIM designation is the industry’s most prestigious Commercial Real Estate certification with a high caliber curriculum and experience requirement that has been met by only 6% of commercial practitioners nationwide. As a testament to the exclusivity of this designation within a 20-mile radius of downtown Chicago, there are currently only 55 commercial Real Estate Brokers holding the CCIM designation. CCIM members successfully complete thousands of transactions annually, representing more than $200 billion in value.
Steven over the term of his sales career has been recognized as a top producer, earning eight sales awards from the CommercialForum a division of the Chicago Association of Realtors. There are over 2,700 members eligible for these awards and only 2% are able to produce the high volume of sales to rank as one of the best Chicagoland Commercial Brokers for the year.
Early in his career, Steven worked as a licensed real estate appraiser where he appraised multi-family, commercial, industrial, office, mixed-use, retail, vacant land, and residential properties throughout the Chicago area. The insights and connections obtained by his time as a real estate appraiser have proven a valuable resource in helping his commercial brokerage clients achieve their goals.
Prior to his career in real estate, Steven earned his BA degree from the University of Iowa. Steven maintains active memberships with CCIM, The National Association of Realtors, and The Chicago Association of Realtors.
Nate Gautsche, CCIM
Since 2009, Nate has demonstrated remarkable versatility as a broker in the Chicago market. He has been the lead broker in more than 250 transactions including selling 1,300+ apartment units, development sites contributing over 650 new construction apartments and has sold and/or leased more than 750,000 SF of retail and commercial space.
Nate has represented a wide range of clients including international investment groups, lending institutions, international fast-food brands, Michelin star chefs, retail and multifamily developers, non-profits, 1031 Exchange buyers and local portfolio investors. In the competitive and continuously evolving commercial real estate market, Nate gets deals done.
Nate has been honored with several commercial sales awards from the CommercialForum including, but not limited to, 1st place for most multi-family units sold in 2013 out of over 11,500 members of the Chicago Association of Realtors and 3rd place in retail sales volume in 2012 and 2015.
Nate is a CCIM Designee and a member of the Chicagoland Apartment Association (CAA), National Apartment Association (NAA), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Urban Land Institute (ULI).