Bergren Kreuser Team

This team helped me sell my condo on the northside of Chicago in 2008, just at the beginning of the economic downturn. My vintage condo was small, and although I loved it, it was not as lucrative as the many high-end houses that the team was selling. However, Holly (who served as the primary realtor on this sale) gave me so much attention and so much of her time that I felt I had the nicest and most expensive property in Chicago. She and Michael held open houses many weekends. They were always very professional and very positive and very responsive. They also gave good advice about getting my condo ready for the market. I put the condo up for sale in March, and the team sold it by July. The negotiation process was difficult for me -- and at times, I felt stubborn. However, Holly negotiated me through the process with grace and good will. I never felt as though she slighted my concerns, but at the same time, she was able to keep me on track -- and I am so glad she did. If I had waited, I probably would not have been able to sell. Two other condos in that complex were for sale at the same time as I was selling mine: they still have not sold. All things considered, I got an excellent price and was able to move on to buy my new home in a difficult market. I trust this team and recommend them whole-heartedly.Joyce G., Rogers Park

Joyce G.

Rogers Park

Holly has been my agent for multiple sales and purchases in Chicago over the past 10 years. She has extensive market knowledge that would be beneficial for both a first time or a seasoned buyer/seller. On more than one occasion we met some unexpected obstacles but she handled them with ease which I found very reassuring. I've always found her approach to be very consultative and felt she has guided me in the direction that serves my best interest. She is always very responsive no matter how busy she is. I assumed all agents would be but based on feedback from friends who have used other agents that is not always the case. Without hesitation I would highly recommend Holly for any of your real estate needs.Elizabeth M., Albany Park

Elizabeth M.

Albany Park

I have sold two condos with Holly's assistance, and bought two. She was extremely helpful in setting appropriate sale prices when I sold and in negotiating great purchase prices when I bought. When selling, she gave good advice for how to present my condo, and she worked well with my pets, who were always in the home when it was shown. When purchasing, she gave me great advice about those things that seemed too good to be true and those that weren't good enough. I feel very confident that I've made great purchases with Holly's guidance. Over the years, I have referred at least 5 friends and co-workers to her, all of whom bought homes with her assistance. The next time I sell/buy, I'm definitely getting in touch with Holly!Jennifer R. – Rogers Park

Jennifer R.

Rogers Park

We met Holly in 2004 when we sold our downtown loft because we were moving overseas. Holly is extremely professional, knowledgeable, organized, and very friendly. We sold our place in two months. She gave us great feedback and guidance through the whole process. Three years later we were returning to Chicago and without a doubt contacted Holly to help us buy a place. She was very detailed in our search and provided great perspective and advice. Her previous experience as a lawyer enhances her understanding of negotiation and process when buying or selling a home. We have recommended Holly to our friends and will continue to do so. You could do no better.John and Yasmin D., Lincoln Park

John and Yasmin D.

Lincoln Park

Holly was our real estate with 2 different homes. During our first experience, she was able to find exactly what we were looking for in one week! She was completely knowledgeable about the neighborhood and held our hand through every step of our first home buying process. She was pleasant, easy to get along with, and a perfect person to work with. The second time we worked with her, she was just as great as the first time. She assisted us in buying our second home, and again, helped us with the ins and outs of the whole process. I really could not recommend her enough!Sarah H., Wildwood

Sarah H.

Wildwood

Holly and Michael listed our house in Chicago and did an amazing job. We received timely status updates on our listing with suggestions about how to change staging and pricing. When we did have to change the listing price Holly decided the magic number. Once the price was changed our house had an amazing amount of showings. We wound up with 3 concurrent offers. Ultimately we did sell our house for above our target price and above our expected price. Holly and Michael share a lot of the credit for that happening in what was a weak market period for sellers. I would most definitely recommend Holly and Michael to anyone who would need to buy or sell a house in the Chicago area.Morgan C., Logan Square

Morgan C.

Logan Square

Michael was recommended to me by a friend and my experience with him was everything I could hope for. He made himself available for several unit visits during a short time span and never tried to push a sale. The real estate purchasing experience can be a stressful one and it made me feel much more comfortable to have Michael to rely on. After I made my purchase and heard some of the horror stories that others experienced in the Chicago area market, I feel even more lucky to have worked with Michael. If I purchase a property in the area again, I will definitely be giving Michael a call.

Rob P.

West Loop

I have worked with Holly Bergren for over 7 years during which I made two purchases and one sell. I have referred her enthusiastically to everyone I know. She has helped at least a half dozen of my friends and colleagues find their dream homes. I met Holly when I was moving to Chicago from Atlanta. I interviewed at least 6 real estate agents. I chose Holly because she was straight forward, no non-nonsense, and demonstrated a willingness to acquire and provide complete disclosure about the properties we were viewing. I obviously knew nothing about Chicago when I bought my first home with Holly. She was wonderful about getting a true feel for the vision that I had of "home." She has a very good intuition and right away she gets a feel for her client's style, and the type of home and neighborhood they are looking for. She showed me every neighborhood, walked me through the pros and cons of each, and she never showed me a property that wasn't a good fit. She never wasted my time. I believe Holly's most valuable and RARE skill is her intuition and ability to really listen and carefully select properties that fit her clients’ needs and desires. I have bought homes before with agents that really never "got it." They just showed me everything - including awful places that didn't fit my personality or life style at all. This quality of being able to "hone in" on her client's vision significantly reduces the frustration and exhaustion of finding a home and keeps it fun. Holly was also an expert at negotiating on my behalf and protecting my interests. She asked all of the questions that I never thought of asking, and she educated me about the process. Also, as stated before, she was always willing to tactfully ask the hard questions. She also has the ability to maintain civility with the opposing real estate agents and attorneys during the negotiation process and keep the process smooth and civil. All in all, this is a wonderful team. They have helped at least six of my friends and professional colleagues make the transition into Chicago from out of state. All of them found the right neighborhood, and found their dream home. I have bought two homes with Holly and if I ever buy (or sell) another one, this Team is the first one I will call!Heather S., Edgewater

Heather S.

Edgewater

Michael was recommended to me back in 2008 when I was looking to purchase my first condo in Chicago. I was a bit overwhelmed with the idea of making such a big purchase, but Michael sat down with me and explained the process and the real estate terminology. Throughout the entire process he took the time to explain each step to me so that I understood completely. As a first time homeowner, having a realtor with patience is key! I looked at a number of properties and at no time did I feel pressured into making a decision. I've lived in my condo for almost four years now, and have been very happy with my purchase. I would definitely recommend Michael and Holly and in fact, I have! One of my closest friends had an excellent experience working with them a year after me!Christina J., Old Town

Christina J.

Old Town

Michael Kreuser helped me buy my first home and a few years later, sell my first home just as the housing market tanked. I would describe him as honest, forthright and extremely helpful, especially to a first time buyer and seller. I have recommended him to many friends who have been equally happy with his services. If you want professional, friendly, no nonsense real estate agent who knows the Chicago market, I highly recommend Michael and Holly for your real estate needs.Kelly H., Ravenswood

Kelly H.

Ravenswood

As a first time homebuyer, I was completely lost in where to begin my condo search in Chicago. With so many things to consider that hadn't even crossed my mind, Michael was incredibly patient as he guided me through the process. He gave open and honest opinions and went out of his way to accommodate my changing needs vs. wants. As a very indecisive homebuyer, especially on such a large purchase, he helped me evaluate and re-evaluate my options. Plus, he didn't waste my time showing me anything that he knew wasn't practical. Honestly, Michael made my job easy - the process was smooth, his knowledge about the market and details about condo-owning were invaluable, and his friendly, honest, and relaxed personality made him a great realtor to work with and highly recommended!Juli J., Old Town

Juli J.

Old Town

We worked with Holly on the purchase of a two-flat in Irving Park. She was great. We were buying in a fairly low price range, where the market is very competitive and we put in a lot of offers before we finally got something. Holly managed to stay simultaneously realistic and optimistic about what properties we stood a chance at being able to win in a multiple offer situation (they were all multiple offer situations). Soon after we started looking, it became clear that we needed to get in to see houses as soon as they came on the market and that we needed to put in an offer right away if we were interested. Holly was very available to look at properties with us and when we eventually started the process of buying a short sale she was good about staying in touch and informing us about our options while we waited for approval (bank approval ended up taking a couple months). One last thing that I appreciate about Holly is that she was generally careful about not pushing us toward or away from putting in an offer on a property, except for in a few instances where she felt strongly that something was a a really bad or good deal. I put four stars rather than five for "process expertise". I did this because we were buying with an FHA loan, which is a type of financing that Holly didn't have a lot of experience with when we started out. So there were several things that she learned along with us. That being said, Holly was very open about it when she didn't know the facts about something related to our financing--I think this is the only healthy way to deal with that scenario. When we first started thinking about buying a house we talked to a couple of mortgage counselors at local banks about FHA loans who had extremely negative views on FHA financing. We soon found out from people who knew more about FHA that much of what we had been told at these banks was either false or highly misleading. I think the situation was simply that these mortgage advisers didn't understand FHA, but rather than admit to that they became defensive and discouraging. This is a long way of saying that Holly did not do that and that I'm very grateful to have worked with an agent who would simply be forthright when she needs to ask someone else for more facts on an issue.

Jason I.

Irving Park

Holly was great! From start to finish she was there with me every step of the way, answering all my questions and providing reassurances when needed. She came highly recommended from a friend and lived up to the recommendation.Heather S., Ravenswood

Heather S.

Ravenswood

Holly was my realtor when I sold both condos. One was a regular sale and the other, a short sale. She also helped me with the purchase of my second condo. Holly was extremely professional and expedited the entire buying and selling process. I appreciated this especially with the short sale. When selling, she suggested many helpful ways to stage my home to encourage more offers. She also was extremely honest when it to setting the asking price. When I was a buyer, Holly was able to find several condos to fit my wishlist in my price range and desired neighborhood. Holly was always accessible, and immediately returned my emails or phone calls. I am very happy to recommend Holly as a real estate professional.Tina T., Edgewater

Tina T.

Edgewater

I have bought and sold multiple properties with Holly and Michael. I can't say enough good things about working with them. They are super responsive and knowledgable. They really are great at providing advice on how to handle various situations, negotiations, value of properties, etc... I love our home that they found for us most recently-- we couldn't be happier with the services they provided from understanding what we were looking for, making recommendations, sending listings, showing us various properties, making offer, negotiating deal and closing! From A to Z, they are really top notch!Dana E., Bucktown

Dana E.

Bucktown

Dina and I would highly recommend Holly and Michael. Holly and Michael work incredibly well as a team. Holly initially helped us purchase our condo and based on our positive experience, we decided to work with Holly and Michael to sell our condo. What stands out about Holly and Michael to us would be their patience and professionalism. There was a very noticeable genuineness about them. They were always incredibly prompt for appointments and presented themselves as professionals. We felt that we were being represented extremely well! Holly and Michael worked very hard to sell our condo. They hosted an open house and scheduled many walkthroughs. They were able to sell our condo in just over 2 months at a price that we were very pleased with. Their communication was excellent and they went above and beyond what we expected. Holly even let us know that we had over-paid our real estate taxes and could file for a refund. Our overall experience with Holly and Michael was very positive and we would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a professional approach from beginning to end.Dina and Tripp C., Bucktown

Dina and Tripp C.

Bucktown

I can't speak more highly of Michael Kreuser and the quality of his work and his character as he assisted me and Kate in the purchase of our new home. We started the process with a certain aesthetic and specific set of features in mind, but were undecided on what type of dwelling we wanted (condo, single family, etc). Michael very quickly picked up on exactly what we were looking for, which focused our search and the time we spent walking through the various options. When we just missed having a bid considered for "the house", he spent considerable time on the phone with the seller to understand and assess the situation, and then conclude that we may hear back from the seller based on the quality of the 1st offer. His assessment was spot on as we did hear back a few weeks later and Michael responded quickly by sitting down to guide me in the process of submitting an offer, which was accepted within 8 hours. From that point on, Michael was accessible and worked very closely with us to close on the home within 5 weeks of the offer. I share this story as a testimonial to anyone seeking an experienced, thoughtful, attentive and caring realtor to guide them in the sale or purchase of a home, and I highly recommend you give Michael a call. I was delighted to have Michael and Holly over for our housewarming and consider them both dear friends after such an amazing experience. Thank you Michael!Matt K., Avondale

Matt K.

Avondale

When the time came to sell my condo, I set out to interview potential realtors. Within minutes of meeting Holly and Michael, it was clear that they were my first choice. Both are wryly funny and warm…professional without even a hint of "slick". I felt instantly comfortable and thoroughly convinced I was in good hands. By pure coincidence, my next door neighbor decided to sell at exactly the same time that I did. This gave me the ability to compare the work that my realtor was doing with the work of theirs. Holly and Michael smoked them at every turn. Starting with the marketing materials. The photos of my condo looked like they came straight from the pages of Elle Decor...while my neighbor's looked like the interior of a creepy transient hotel. The showings started almost immediately. Holly gave me priceless advice on preparation, timely advance on each showing, and either she or Michael was present for every single one. These are not just "key lock box" on the front door kind of realtors. The place was under contract with less than 10 days on the market. Then the unthinkable happened: the buyer's financing fell through two weeks before we were scheduled to close…the result of complete mishandling by their realtor and lender. I was heartbroken…and TERRIFIED because I had already purchased another property. Holly and Michael were unflappable. They gave me good counsel, sober reassurance, and displayed complete determination…we were back on the market in a matter of hours. To make an (already) long story short, they sold my condo (for the second time) to the very next person that looked at it…FOR MORE MONEY!!!! WHAAAAAAT????? Crazier still, my condo sold for $20k more than the condo next door!! If you feel compelled to interview a bunch of real estate professionals before choosing the one that's best, then by all means do that. But you could also save yourself a lot of time and trouble and simply enlist the help of Holly and Michael. Pretty darned positive you would never regret that decision.Rich W., Rogers Park

Rich W.

Rogers Park

I've worked with Michael directly (and Holly indirectly) on a purchase of one condo and the sale of the same condo. They are extremely detail-oriented and very knowledgeable about Chicago real estate. They will walk you through the entire process, which can become quite onerous at times, but working with them makes it easy. My last place sold in a very short time, and I think that has very much to do with Michael and Holly's efforts. Sometimes real estate agents can be a mixed bag, but if you work with Michael and Holly you'll know you're getting top-notch representation from people who truly do care. It sounds cliche, but they really do go the extra mile for their clients. Cannot recommend them highly enough.Todd B., Streeterville

Todd B.

Streeterville

My wife and I have been privileged to work with Holly and Michael on multiple transactions, the last of which involved the sale of our Lakeview condo and the purchase of a home in the north shore. Because of Holly, what could have been a time-consuming, tedious process of buying and selling to make more room for our growing family became quick and easy. Holly understands the Chicago area markets on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis. She listens carefully to her clients, pays attention to details, anticipates problems, analyzes carefully, responds quickly, provides valuable and practical insight, and clearly enjoys her profession. We held Holly and Michael to a high standard and without question, they delivered.Sam and Shelby C., Lakeview

Sam and Shelby C.

Lakeview

We worked with Holly to find our current home in East Rogers Park. Holly impressed us with her acute listening skills, her patience with us (we learned that we are "long lookers" and our timeline for buying was indeterminate), and her extraordinary knowledge of all the neighborhoods we were interested in. Her attentiveness and responsiveness to us made us feel that we were her favorite clients--an impression I'm sure she makes on everyone. Most important of all, she found us our new home and helped us to buy it for a price that we were really happy with, both because she helped us to negotiate effectively and because in the months that we worked with her she educated us about the market. We have already recommended her services to our good friends and were thrilled when they went under contract in only a few weeks. We endorse her services without reservation.Elissa F., Rogers Park

Elissa F.

Rogers Park

My partner and I had a marvelous home-buying experience with Holly Bergren. We are new to Chicago and we knew we liked the area of Edgewater, Andersonville, and Rogers Park. Holly quickly zeroed in on the kinds of properties we were interested in: vintage (1900-1930), lots of space (1800+ sq. ft.), close to train and restaurants. As we looked at more and more properties (I'd guess we looked at a couple of dozen), Holly as able to find several prospects that we could seriously consider. Our budget didn't make this easy. In the end, we decided on a property that was quite close to the lake and less than a 5-minute walk to our daughter's school. Finally, Holly was candid about the negotiating process and we were confident as we began to consider the offer we would make to the seller. We love our new home and we recommended Holly to another couple who was in the market. They also quickly found a home.Jay B., Rogers Park

Jay B.

Rogers Park

I worked with Holly (and Michael) to sell my condo in Buena Park/Uptown and it was a great experience. Holly was unlike a couple of realtors I had worked in the past - she was easy to talk to, very responsive, explained each step of the process, and available 24/7. My condo was only on the market for two weeks (Jan 2014) before I accepted an offer. I would highly recommend this team to anyone selling their place in Chicago!Kelly M., Lakeview

Kelly M.

Lakeview

Holly and Michael listed my condo in Chicago last year. It was rented and I lived 2,000 miles away. They went out of their way to work with the tenants on showings and took care of everything I could not do. Their service is fantastic. Not to mention, they recommended the exact right listing price. Highly recommended.Kristine S., Ukrainian Village

Kristine S.

Ukrainian Village

I expected the home buying process in Chicago to be quite difficult and stressful. Not only did I have a very difficult work schedule, but I was very picky about what I wanted in a time when the market was suffering from low inventory. Holly was fantastic at accommodating my schedule and navigating me to properties that best met my criteria. On occasion I had the opportunity to work with her partner, Michael, who was also very knowledgeable and quite helpful. I cannot recommend them highly enough! They were simply the best!Will S., Ravenswood

Will S.

Ravenswood

This was our third real estate transaction with Holly and we would give her our highest recommendation. Having worked with her as both a buying and selling agent, we found her to be an effective, reliable, dedicated, professional advocate, helping us to get the price we wanted each time. Holly has an uncommon ability in the field of Chicago real estate to be a firm negotiator for her clients without pressuring them to spend more or sell for less than they are comfortable; plus, she's an incredibly kind person and was truly a pleasure to work with. She is extremely knowledgeable about the Chicago area and did plenty of research to help us find the right property to buy or the appropriate listing price. Holly was always available by phone or email when I had questions, which was invaluable during a few complex negotiations. If I ever plan to come back to the Chicago area, Holly will be the first person I'll call to help me find a place to live.Cory S., Streeterville

Cory S.

Streeterville

We learned of Holly and Michael from a friend who employed Holly's expertise while he was overseas. Holly and Michael are professional, adaptable, creative, and dedicated to the best interests of their clients. My fiance and I had only a budget and one requirement (a garage) on our wish list, which was probably harder to deal with than someone who has a long list of demands and a specific neighborhood. She dealt with our quirky ideas of "home" with a great sense of humor and a lot of patience. She made the process fun, exciting, and easy. We eventually found the perfect home and have fallen in love with the house and the neighborhood. Thank you, Holly and Michael, for making our house hunt exciting and interesting!Sheila and Dan, Mayfair

Sheila and Dan

Mayfair

Over the past 15 years I have sold two homes, purchased four homes and rented properties through Holly Bergren and Michael Kreuser. They are both intelligent, incredibly responsive and know the market. Holly pays amazing attention to every detail and gives appropriate guidance when needed. She has always provided excellent referrals for legal and mortgage brokers as well and works very professionally with both. Holly and Michael are also ALWAYS on time! I could not recommend them higher. They are both wonderful to do business with.Karen V., Ukrainian Village

Karen V.

Ukrainian Village

Holly and Michael have helped me buy two homes in the last 8 years with great success as well as helped me rent my condo twice to great renters! I have also referred my friends to them because they are extremely helpful, fast, and were able to get exactly what I wanted. I would highly recommend them for buying, selling or renting.Kathy A., Big Oaks

Kathy A.

Big Oaks

Michael Kreuser was extremely helpful in selling our home in one week! Michael is very professional and gives you honest information. He has excellent communications skills and was very flexible around our busy schedule.Jeff D., Avondale

Jeff D.

Avondale

I was completed converted from a skeptic to a believer when it comes to the importance if hiring a good agent. Holly's knowledge of condo regulations, lending guidelines, and more was critical to getting my place sold quickly and at the asking price. I cannot imagine an agent being more responsive than Holly to my inquiries. I won't even consider using anyone else when I buy or sell a home in the future. This is the perfect real estate agent.Kenny Z., Albany Park

Kenny Z

Albany Park

I come from a family of 7 children. Our brother who lives in Peterson Woods had passed away this spring. When it was time to sell his home, we not only needed someone from the area who would help us to come up with the best price for his home, but we also needed a team who would help us through this sensitive process. When you are dealing with an Estate you are dealing with a lot of emotions. We had those emotions times 7 (with our mom). Michael and Holly were very professional on giving us a very thorough Market Analysis. Which made it very clear and easy coming up with the right price. They also helped us stage his home. So that it still showed well while we were sorting through personal things. Their Marketing strategy was very hands on and high end. They were always there for showings in order to answer any questions the buyers might have. They know that area! They also helped us with scheduling and meeting vendors for appointments. Which really helped us out since none of us were from the immediate area. My siblings loved getting immediate feedback after each showing. That was very important to them. His home sold in just a few weeks at a great price. We couldn't have picked a better team.Tracy B., Peterson Park

Tracy B.

Peterson Park