Page 61 - May 2017 Newsletter

“I wanted to stand up”
Broker focuses on unique needs of first responders
n BY MARTHA SMITH
As the daughter and sister of Chicago Police Officers — and the wife of a Chicago firefighter — real estate broker Tricia Konrath has a first-hand understanding of first responders. In this Q&A, she shares insights for officers in the Chicago housing market and the inspira- tion for creating her new website.
What real estate needs are unique to Chicago police officers?
Sometimes it’s hard for them because they have to reside in the city. There are high taxes in certain areas, and they have to look out for that because it limits where they can live on a Police Officer’s sal- ary. A lot of it hinges around schools, too — gaining access to quality public education.
What’s the most important thing to know about an officer as a client?
Trust is key for Police Officers. And officers deserve to have good people in their corner. You know, I get so mad about how the police are portrayed in the media! As a broker, I wanted to stand up and let them know that many people appreciate and are thankful for their sacrifice. That’s why on FirstResponderProperties.com, I created a trustworthy network of professionals to help them with one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
Are there Chicago neighborhoods that police prefer? What do these offer an officer and his/her family?
I’d say a majority of officers are on the Northwest and Southwest sides. Cops gravitate toward places that have a big sense of com- munity: softball leagues, hatchetball, Little League, and their kids’ school sports. Even when police officers are off duty, they hang out together — they understand each other’s stress, so who better to blow off steam with? Cops work holidays, birthdays and graduation days, and that’s why they need the support of a tight-knit commu-
Tricia Konrath, center, with her immediate and extended family, has a life- long connection to the First Responder community.
nity and family. As a daughter in a CPD family, I grew up in West Beverly, and everything was about West Beverly and Mt. Greenwood and that community. In fact, when I was a kid, I thought everyone was Irish Catholic.
What’s the best tip you have for officers buying a home? What about officers selling a property?
My best tip for buyers is be careful not to overimprove, because a majority of police officers want to leave the city when they retire or downsize. You’ve got to think about what the maximum value could be in the time between buying your home and retirement. For sell- ers, I’d say price it right. Listen to your agent and what he or she says about [Comparative Market Analysis]. Really, pricing is everything! Any other advice for police officers?
Get a trusted real estate broker, a really good lawyer, a good loan officer and a thorough home inspector. If you have those four peo- ple on your team, you will make a wise investment on real estate in the city of Chicago.d
If you’re interested in buying, selling or renting in Chicago, contact Konrath’s team at 773-573-7741 or email Tricia@ChicagoHome.com.
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