Answers from the Field

Brian is licensed in both Illinois and Michigan. He serves the Chicago metro, with deep familiarity in neighborhoods including Edgewater, Andersonville, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, and Rogers Park, as well as the Southwest Michigan lakeshore, covering Saugatuck, Douglas, New Buffalo, Union Pier, St. Joseph, and surrounding communities.

Both. Brian represents buyers and sellers across Chicago and Southwest Michigan. He also works with investors evaluating income-producing properties and vacation homes, including short-term rental acquisitions on the Michigan lakeshore.

Before real estate, Brian spent two decades in Big-Four consulting at PwC, Northern Trust, and Deloitte, building the analytical and project-management discipline that most agents simply don't have. That background shows up in how he researches markets, structures negotiations, and manages transactions. You get someone who treats your real estate decision the way a trusted advisor treats a major business decision: with rigor, clarity, and your long-term interest first.

The easiest first step is a conversation. Use the contact form on the homepage, call or text Brian directly at (773) 220-0419, or email brianelmore@atproperties.com. No obligation, just a chance to talk through what you're trying to accomplish and whether Brian is the right fit.

Chicago is a city of micro-markets. Well-priced, move-in-ready homes in high-demand neighborhoods like Andersonville, Lakeview, and Edgewater regularly attract multiple offers and sell above asking, sometimes within days. Other pockets, particularly the condo market, offer more negotiating room. The most important thing is knowing which situation you're walking into before you make an offer. That's where local experience matters most.

The process shares the same core steps in both states: pre-approval, offer, inspection, attorney review, appraisal, and closing. The specifics differ, though. Illinois uses a standard attorney review period that provides important protections for buyers and sellers. Michigan does not require attorney involvement in the same way, though it's advisable for complex transactions. Timelines, earnest money norms, and title and closing practices also vary. Brian will walk you through exactly what to expect in whichever market you're purchasing.

The answer depends on your price point and current inventory in your specific neighborhood, but the universal principle is reducing friction for buyers. That means addressing deferred maintenance, decluttering aggressively, and ensuring the home photographs well. In Chicago's condo market, clean and updated units in buildings with healthy reserves and low assessments consistently outperform. For single-family homes in Edgewater, Andersonville, and similar neighborhoods, outdoor space, kitchen condition, and smart-home features have become meaningful value drivers. Brian will give you a frank, room-by-room assessment of where your prep dollars are best spent before you list.

Southwest Michigan is a genuine four-season market, not just a summer destination. The lakeshore communities of Saugatuck, Douglas, New Buffalo, and Union Pier attract buyers from Chicago, Detroit, and beyond. A few things to understand going in: property taxes and insurance near the lake differ significantly from city norms; short-term rental regulations vary by township and have been changing rapidly; and seasonality affects both carrying costs and rental income projections. Whether you're buying a personal retreat or an income-producing property, those factors belong in your analysis before you fall in love with a specific home.

It can be, but it requires careful due diligence. The West Michigan lakeshore is one of the most active STR markets in the Midwest, driven by proximity to Chicago and strong seasonal demand. However, the regulatory environment is shifting. Several townships have enacted or tightened STR ordinances in recent years, and that affects both which properties qualify and how much revenue you can realistically project. Brian maintains a regularly updated regulatory snapshot covering the major West Michigan lakeshore counties. You can find it in the Resources section.