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2009–2020 Top Producer, Awarded by the Chicago Association of Realtors
As founder of the Riz Gilani & Associates team at Dream Town Realty, Riz brings to the table a wealth of real estate experience coupled with a great knowledge of Chicago’s various neighborhoods. Shortly after graduating college in Texas, Riz agreed to move to Chicago on a friend's suggestion, even though he had never been to the city previously. Things couldn't have worked out more perfectly and Riz has now called Chicago home for over twenty years.
After working in and around the Chicago real estate industry for many years, transitioning to a career in residential sales in late 2005 was not only a natural progression for Riz, but also a great fit. In 2006, his first full year in the business, Riz was recognized for his sales volume by his prior brokerage. In 2009, he was designated as a "Top Producer" by the Chicago Association of Realtors, and has been in the top 10% of Chicagoland Realtors ever since, earning a top 1% designation in 2020.
Riz has lived in several different areas in Chicago and has a first-hand knowledge of the uniqueness and diversity of the city’s many great neighborhoods. Riz combines his expertise of the city and his sales success with a keen ability to relate to his clients. It's this combination that allows Riz to be a truly great Realtor. Riz is extremely focused on providing unrivaled customer service to his clients. Day or night, he is truly available to his clients, not just during a transaction, but long after.
Riz’s business runs the gamut from single-unit investors to high-end luxury buyers and sellers. Still, he holds a special affinity for first-time buyers. Riz loves walking a first-time buyer through every step of the complex process of becoming a home owner. Seeing the smile on a new home owner's face after closing is truly a rewarding end to a long journey. Riz maintains a very loyal client base and over the last year, over 90% of his business was from prior clients and their referrals. He truly appreciates the faith his clients put in him and treats all referrals with the utmost level of service.
Riz resides on the border of North Center and Roscoe Village, two of Chicago’s most vibrant neighborhoods. In his free time, he loves to cook and also enjoys dining out at Chicago's many amazing restaurants. If there's a new restaurant in his neighborhood, Riz is sure to be one of the first to try it out.
There is no better realty team in Chicago than Riz Gilani's team. We have worked with them multiple times, most recently in the sale of our West Bucktown home and the purchase of our new (amazing!) East Lakeview home. Riz and his team are honest, knowledgeable, timely, friendly, responsive and professional. While the sale and purchase of homes on a single day requires a lot of planning to execute, Riz's team made us feel comfortable and reassured that we were in the best hands throughout the process. Riz and his team made everything come together seamlessly and kept us informed as the process moved forward. I can't imagine recommending anyone else for realty services in the Chicagoland area! You absolutely won't be disappointed.
Riz and his team are the best! They went above and beyond to help us sell our investment property as we were simultaneously moving overseas. They took a lot of the stress associated with selling a property off of our plates, for which we are forever grateful. Riz is an incredibly knowledgeable agent and he offered us sound, realistic advice that allowed us to sell our condo in a difficult market. We highly recommend Riz and his colleagues!
This review is long overdue. It's been difficult for us to put into words how appreciative we are for all that Riz has done for us. We closed on our house in 2017 and Riz did an amazing job helping us find a home fitting our checklist and budget in a market that had limited inventory. We loved spending time with Riz looking at homes. He made the experience fun and enjoyable. We finally found our dream home and to no fault of Riz's, experienced a number of issues with the contractor. Riz was with us every step of the way ensuring our home was everything we had hoped it could be and more. Riz used his vast experience and knowledge to steer us through issues that arose and helped us stay positive and laugh throughout the process. Ultimately the issues were ironed out and we couldn't be happier with being first time home buyers raising our new baby in a place that truly feels like home. We couldn't have achieved this without Riz as our realtor. While we believe this is our forever home, if we ever decide to move, Riz will be our first phone call. If you are ever in the market to buy or sell a home, we can't recommend Riz highly enough!
Where do we begin!? Our experience with Riz Gilani was SO positive and we could NOT provide a strong enough recommendation. At the onset of our sale experience, we found Riz to be extremely well researched (e.g. he came well prepared with comps) and a large amount of experience from which to draw. As we interviewed various candidates, Riz was never pushy and respected our timing. Even when our sale process hit a few bumps in the road, Riz frequently had a prior, similar experience from which to leverage unique strategies or ideas. As such, Riz was excellent at anticipating next steps and potential hurdles and was proactive about getting in FRONT of these hurdles. Riz was such a hard worker that he even handled arranging and being present for many of the necessary repairs to our home to ensure these repairs were done properly and to keep the sale process moving along smoothly. Another extremely valuable attribute to recognize is his responsiveness. On many occasions, even when we texted/emailed at odd hours, Riz responded always within the hour and often within minutes. This responsiveness and thoroughness of communication confirmed Riz was always on top of everything. It is also worth mentioning Riz was very respectful of COVID precautions (we listed in April), which was particularly appreciated as we were 7-9 months pregnant during the sale process. While working with Riz, we experienced nothing but the utmost professionalism. Even still, we feel that we made a friend in the process as Riz is just such a wonderful person to work with. For any and every single home purchase/sale in the Chicagoland area, we will absolutely be using Riz.
Riz Gilani was recommended to us by a mutual friend and we could not have been happier with the experience he provided. Riz was friendly, thorough, and expert. It was a joy working with him as we found and then purchased our first home. If you want to work with an agent who truly cares, and who will value your time and energy, Riz Gilani is sure to be a terrific fit. We are so appreciative of all he did for us, and recommend him with our highest endorsement.
Riz was absolutely wonderful. He was referred to me by 2 of my former colleagues who bought/sold in the area where I ended up purchasing a condo I love! I am a first time homeowner and he was patient, courteous and took time to explain each step thoroughly. His correspondence was also superb. We even joked about how quickly we each respond to emails. A delightful experience and I will recommend him and the Dreamtown team to anyone who is looking to purchase. Thank you, Riz!!! You and your team are simply fantastic.
Riz is exceptional. He was our realtor for the sale of an elderly aunt's condominium in Chicago. We live in Boston, and thus needed someone who could help us with this responsibility from afar. He was patient, responsive, honest, hardworking and kind. He felt like a member of our family. I would not hesitate to recommend him to other customers.
Riz was a professional from the first phone call. Such a treat to sell my condo through him. I was an out of state seller and basically had nothing to do except answer a few phone calls and emails. Riz and his team took care of everything. Riz knows the market well and had contacts to take care of all issues that came up during the sale. I would 100% recommend him to any of my family and friends. He's a winner in my book.
I wish I could hire a version of Riz for every job. Riz the accountant. Riz the landscaper. Riz the ice sculpture artist. Unfortunately there's only one. But fortunately, he has chosen a profession where it is imperative to hire the best person for the job. One that requires incredible patience, people skills, business acumen, thoroughness, and so on. He's always on time. Texts are responded to promptly. He'll always give you an honest opinion. He's got a whole crew of contacts to help with every part of the process. And on top of it all, he's a great guy! We might just buy another house so that we have an excuse to start hanging out with Riz again regularly.
Riz is simply amazing! Riz made my home shopping experience and eventually, home purchase process seamless. He is a source of great knowledge on all that entails purchasing home. And believe me there is much to do when purchasing a home. So having Riz as your agent is all that you need. Because of his vast knowledge and understanding, he guides you through every step. Riz has a naturally calm and laidback persona, so working with him was so easy. He handle everything that my family and I threw his way with ease and care. Riz is honest and trustworthy! I felt like he was an extension of my family, as he looked out for my families best interest. Words can express the gratitude that have for Riz Gilani. If you are looking for the best in Chicago, your search is over it is hands down Riz Gilani.
I can't say strongly enough how amazing Riz and his team were. I was selling at an extremely hectic time in my life and they provided excellent advice and hands-on assistance. From working with the condo management company to securing contractors. Followed by a super fast sale and closing.
If only every real estate transaction could be as smooth and thoughtful as the one I had Dreamtown! It was such an organized and smooth operation, and everyone I worked with was efficient and kind, and truly interested in quality customer service. I'd recommend this company to anyone and everyone.
Working with Riz was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Riz came highly recommended by a co-worker and we are so happy that we took the recommendation. He was the ultimate professional throughout the process, was always organized, on-time, and prompt with his responses, and his insights were invaluable. One thing that truly impressed my wife and I was the consistent balance between listening, reacting, and proactively providing advice that Riz was able to perfectly strike. Riz quickly became a trusted adviser and remains one today (as well as someone we truly consider a friend). I've already strongly recommended Riz to my Chicago-based friends who are looking to buy a home relatively soon and we will almost certainly utilize Riz as our agent when we eventually sell our current home. Riz is an absolute star - 10 out of 10!
Working with Riz Gilani was a pleasure especially because i was a seller that was out of state and could not be there for the transaction. He and his team made things simple and easy for me, came to me with solutions instead of problems, and were very communicative. I'd definitely work with Riz again if given the opportunity to do so. Thanks again!
Riz was great to work with. He made selling my place as simple as possible, especially considering I was out of state, and quickly found solutions to a number of unexpected hurdles that popped up during inspection and financing.
Riz is an absolute star. His professionalism, attention to detail and marketing savvy are unmatched. We have worked with him on the purchase and sale of our new home. He always focused on our needs and delivered exceptional service and commitment. His understanding of the market conditions is up-to-the minute and he's a trusted counselor. Thank you Riz for the amazing experience!
Riz is the absolute best at his work. The way he handles every step of the process made us feel like selling/buying a home was the easiest thing to do. His work ethic, attention to detail and knowledge of the Chicago area is the best. His team is also the best.
Working with Riz and his team was a pure pleasure! Riz has an incredible ability to listen and watch as we viewed properties so the next ones we would see were closer and closer to what we truly were after. Riz's extreme knowledge of the marketplace and the 'lingo' made us feel VERY comfortable and like he had our backs the entire time. We could not be happier with how this experience went and would HIGHLY recommend Riz and team to any buyer/seller looking for a quality agent that really does care about you and the transaction.
We had a great experience with Riz. Professional and intuitive with our needs and wants with a home. His knowledge and experience were huge pluses for us when looking. We will definitely recommend Riz to anyone in the future who is looking for a home in Chicagoland.
Working with Riz was a pleasure. Such a knowledge of the market and impeccable timing. We got the most out of both our sale and new purchase thanks to your expertise. Highly recommended!
We were so lucky to have Riz as our realtor. He really makes a point to understand what your dream home is and then he helps you find it! Also, I felt totally educated throughout the whole process. Any question I had was answered. Riz went out of his way to find us a new place when the first condo we went under contract with had problems and we couldn't get financing. Riz is always available if you need him and his staff is all super helpful and friendly. I will HIGHLY recommend Riz to anyone I know that needs a realtor in the city.
Riz was the best! We were first time buyers without much of a clue, and he hand held us through every step. I felt that he always gave us a very honest opinion, and wasn't afraid to tell us the drawbacks of any home. His support gave us a lot of needed confidence in our purchase. In the end he found us a premarket opportunity - can't thank him enough!
We had a very positive experience working with Riz when we sold our condo in 2007. In 2015, we decided to look for a new home and, remembering his attention to detail, responsiveness and knowledge, we turned to Riz to help us with our new home search and the sale of our existing home. Riz helped us find a wonderful new home and negotiate with the sellers. His advice was objective and useful. In addition, within a week of listing our then-current home we had an offer, and we closed a month later. Riz helps create a positive relationship between buyers and sellers that gets results but is collaborative, not confrontational. We are glad we decided to come back and work with him again.
Couldn't have had a better experience, and with Riz was able to sell our condo in a seamless time-line prior to moving into our new home
Riz came highly recommended to us by a friend. We couldn't be more happy with his service and all his efforts. Riz truly loves his job and it shows. His communication is beyond reproach. I can't recall an email or phone call to him that went unanswered for more than 30 minutes, even very late in the evening. Riz's insight into the market and knowledge of what we needed to do to sell our condo fast were spot on. His attention to detail and diligence in his communications and follow-through are off the charts. He also provided a very cost-effective vendor to replace our carpet for showings and even helped us pick out a new couch that helped the condo show even better. When we received an offer and all the paperwork involved, Riz was very patient and took the time to explain everything, help us understand the process and the buyers and negotiated very effectively on our behalf. We are beyond words to describe how extremely happy we are with Riz and I'm certain you will be to! Stop wasting your time looking for the best Realtor to sell your property. You've found Riz!
Riz was so wonderful! Honestly, I would have never felt comfortable with buying my first place without Riz. He was extremely calm, extremely understanding and always reachable. He explained everything extensively and was so knowledgable. He kept calm, even through all of the problems we had with the seller and was always even tempered. (Even when I wanted to scream.). I cannot say enough good things about him!
Riz was exceptional. We were first time home buyers and he walked us through the process, step-by-step. He always encouraged us to ask questions and pointed things out we may not have been aware of ourselves. He went above and beyond the call of duty, especially during and after we bought our house. If we ever sell, we'll definitely be working with Riz again, and we highly recommend him!
Riz was an outstanding agent. He was extremely insightful and provided solid advice. I constantly reached out to him via email with questions, concerns and feedback throughout the process of buying my home. His quick responses were very much appreciated, and greatly reduced my stress. I would recommend him to a friend or co-worker in a heart beat.
Riz was quite simply amazing--he totally transformed the experience of house-buying for us first-time buyers on a budget from something alien and frustrating, to something accessible, reassuring, and even fun! Riz goes the extra mile in every way possible. He not only advocated for us in a bidding war such that we won the bid, against all odds, and answered our hundreds of questions with patience and thoroughness, but guided use through the many issues that arose afterwards, from the closing to the inspection to finding reliable contractors after we moved in. We trust Riz absolutely, and consider him a friend, something we never expected of a real estate agent. Riz is a wonderful agent and wonderful human being. You'll feel lucky you found him.
I can't praise Riz enough. I had been dreading the whole process of selling my condo, especially since I spend most of my time in the house I bought in Michigan. But as soon as I met Riz, I felt better because of his expertise, friendliness and patience. He arranged for the contractors I needed to prepare my place, communicated with me through texts, email and phone calls, and even had me e-sign the documents for the sale, so I didn't have to drive in from Michigan. I had expected it to take months to sell my place but after the first (only) open house I got multiple offers at full asking price. I can honestly say that the entire experience working with Riz was enjoyable. I highly recommend him.
First, Riz is outstanding. A sincere and genuine person who takes time for all situations that arise with clients. He is not only professional but he becomes your friend through the process. I have used his services to purchase my first home and my second home. I refer him to any one looking to purchase and will never choose another realtor. Riz is a class act and a great realtor.
Riz went way above and beyond. We were first time home buyers and hired him based on a recommendation. We looked for several months and never lost his attention. He is very honest and let us know when a place was not worth putting an offer on and educated us about the process. He even attended a permit violation hearing, we knowingly inherited, to help us out. He is knowledgeable in many aspects including short sales and he has a guy for everything. We even used his recommended broker after comparing the offers. I would recommend him to anyone and everyone looking to buy in Chicago. He is honest, knowledgeable, and has a pleasant demeanor.
We were so appreciative of all the help and expertise that Riz could offer us in the sale of our condo. He coordinated all the details of getting it ready for sale and kept our hassles to a minimum. His advice was invaluable and it sold very quickly and he negotiated a fast closing. He represented us very well through out the sale and the closing! He is a true professional and a joy to work with! We couldn't have completed this sale, this smoothly, with any other agent.
Riz is the best. Truly. From the very beginning, he was so engaged and motivated to help us sell our condo. His knowledge and experience are evident and he's very responsive and professional. Riz was so easy to work with and always had our best interest at heart. He got us the best price possible in this market (even more than we anticipated!) and he sold our place quickly. The marketing at Dream Town is so impressive and the photos of our place were amazing. DreamTown and Riz were so great, we would recommend Riz to anyone in need of a smart, motivated and experienced agent!!!
Riz Gilani is very good at his job. I needed to find a home within a very short time frame. He arranged showings according to my busy schedule, provided excellent advice and guidance and through it all was very pleasant to deal with. He even answered my calls and emails when he was on vacation. Riz knows the business of real estate and he knows Chicago. This made all the difference. Since my purchase I have recommended Riz to several friends. Overall, he made my buying experience easier and less stressful than it would otherwise have been.
Working with Riz Gilani was absolutely a wonderful experience. We were making a major move with two small children within a short time-frame, and Riz not only acted proactively, professionally, and with our best interest, he did so with a pleasant, informed, and helpful manner that helped allay our worries. I would most highly recommend Riz Gilani to anyone of my friends or family members. He is honest, clear, accessible, and will go the extra mile for his clients. We were extremely fortunate to have his support.
Riz was simply a dream to work with. I'm not the most patient client but Riz took the time to explain everything in a clear and concise fashion. He was easy to get in contact with and would respond to my inquiries late into the evenings. We established a trustworthy relationship and he truly has your best interest in mind. I will highly recommend him to my friends when they begin the home buying process.
To say that Riz went the extra mile to help sell our property is an understatement. We were out of town owners trying to sell a rental, in the middle of winter, with the added pressure of having already purchased our next home and a 2nd baby that just arrived. Riz helped us take care of everything big and small that needed to get done to sell the place, even dealing with scheduling appointments and showings around our tenants' schedules. He is very knowledgeable about the market and despite an initial low offer, knew exactly what price we would be able to get for our unit and he was right! We couldn't be happier or more satisfied with our experience working with Riz.
I had an excellent experience working Riz and his team at Dreamtown(Tessa and Amy). They provided exceptional customer service- I always felt like they were working hard for me and getting me the best deal possible. They were very proactive and communicative. I have worked with Riz twice now and honestly feel like he is the best realtor in Chicago. You won't have any regrets if you select him for your real estate needs. I can't give a high enough praise.
Riz Gilani helped me find my new home, and without bias I can say, he is the best out there. As a first-time home buyer, I was unsure of a lot of things - where to start, how to proceed, how to navigate, what are the logical steps from property viewing to closing to moving. Riz helped me every step of the way. He was very friendly, cordial and respectful in all his transactions. I have heard horror stories about real estate agents, but Riz is one step up, he is always very respectful, flexible and on-time for the appointments. He also always gave his honest inputs. He did not force me into buying a place that would not suit my taste and requirements. And even when I was in a dilemma in some places, he would tell me the Pros and Cons and leave it to my decision. His inputs were valuable to make my decision. When we found a place that I liked, he would voluntarily help in all steps and never leave me (the buyer) alone even for one step. I can honestly say, Riz goes above and beyond in ensuring his customers are getting the best service and the best place. I had so many questions, many of those are not even related to the property, like the things that I should have known or things I should do on my own. I never hesitated to ask Riz and he would always give me the answer, or point me in the right direction. Knowing Riz and doing business transactions for a few months now, I can say - he does not look for short term gains. He values what he does and ensures that his customer gets the best place they can get. If you are a new buyer or trying to buy/sell a place, please ask for Riz Gilani - you will not be disappointed.
Riz went above and beyond in helping me to purchase my first condo! He put in the extra time to pick me up before showings, to meet me when I wanted to look again, and even to swing by a Starbucks before closing! He also recommended to me an excellent contractor to do work in my kitchen, and was able to help me decode the closing process. All-in-all by the time the keys were in my hand I felt confident that everything was in line because Riz made sure every detail was as it should have been!
I had a very frustrating experience with another agent and then found Riz. He got me into a great condo in a very tough market. He intuited what i wanted before i even knew! He is the best!
Riz went above and beyond our expectations of an agent. He was professional, responsive, and thoughtful. As first-time home buyers, he guided us through every step of the process and helped minimze stress, making the experience enjoyable. If we were to go through the process again, we would certainly not hestitate to work with Riz again.
If I could give 10 stars I would!! I have had the pleasure to know and partner with Riz on 4 different condos, in 4 different neighborhoods in the 9 years my family has lived in Chicago. Each place that Riz has found has felt like home the moment we stepped foot on the property. He has a great instinct on what I vs. my husband want in a home and has nailed it every time! I recommend Riz to anyone who is seeking a kind, patient, dedicated and hard working real estate agent.
Riz is amazing! I would definitely recommend Riz to anyone and everyone looking to buy! (and even those looking to rent)!! We could not be happier with our new place...Riz really listened to us and understood what we wanted in a condo and found us the perfect place to call home. Very quick response to emails, calls, etc. and extremely sensitive and understanding to the stresses of first time buyers...Wouldn't ask for anyone else to be our realtor!
Riz did a great job helping us purchase our first home. He was very helpful with every step of the process and answered all of our questions. Riz knows a great deal about the home buying process and real estate markets and his knowledge was extremely valuable. We highly recommend him for anyone looking to purchase a home!
Riz was great throughout the whole process!
Riz was a pleasure to work with throughout the process of buying our first place. He was very knowledgeable about the markets we were interested in. He responded to our emails very quickly and was always on time when looking at new places. He approached our search in a very professional manner. We will definitely go with him when we're ready to get our next place.
Riz was a dream find for us. He was fast, smart, thoughtful, honest, dedicated and energetic from start to finish. He sold our house quickly and followed through on every tiny last detail. He kept calm and focused even during difficult negotiations. In the end, we sold a house but gained a friend.
We were first time home owners and couldn't have asked for a better agent than Riz. He was informative, patient and extremely helpful. We definitely will use him again and recommend him!!
My experience with Riz was great, I could not have asked for a better realtor. We had been looking at condos for months, he was never pushy and when a deal fell through he was back at it looking up more properties and opening my eyes to different assets. This was my first home so I was determined that the "almost perfect" home was out there for me and Riz found it! As soon as we saw it I was ready to make an offer and he was right there with the paperwork ready for me to sign. He also helped me answer all of my questions and each step throughout the whole process no matter how minute. I look forward to working with him again in the future (but not too soon, unless I win the lottery!). I love coming home every day and couldn't have had a more pleasant outcome.
We had a great experience with Riz. From the beginning to the end he was attentive, thorough and professional. He always responded to my texts/emails in a very timely manner. I recommended him to my brother and sister in law, and they have been very happy with him as well. As a first time home buyer, we could not have asked for a better agent.
Riz was excellent! Highly recommended.
Riz was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He listened, got to know us and was persistent and driven to help us find the perfect home. He found our dream home and I credit him with negotiating the best possible deal for us possible. We would highly recommend (which I have) Riz to friends looking for a property in the greater Chicago area.
Fantastic, you went above and beyond. I appreciate your stellar service and patience to get this done. You worked hard. Jeff Parkhill - Parkhill Development.
To refer to Riz as my realtor is just not enough. Riz is an expert, a professional, and above all a trusted friend. In 2012, I moved to Chicago knowing nothing about the real estate market or even quite where I wanted to live. Nor did I know Riz, he contacted me after I submitted an inquiry through the Dreamtown website. Riz showed me many options in different neighborhoods. I knew from the very beginning that he would be a phenomenal realtor, when he went above and beyond the neighborhoods I suggested we look, and took me to see some properties in West Loop. At the time, that neighborhood wasn't even on my radar, but I quickly fell in love with a place there and he put together an offer! Day or night, somehow Riz was always available to answer my questions or patiently explain next steps in the process. Fast forward four years later, when I was ready to sell my condo and move to a larger space, Riz was ready at my first call. I needed to fix up some things in the condo I was selling, and working full time on weekdays I was dreading dealing with contractors, painters, and construction. Always rising to take care of his clients first, Riz literally handled the entire operation. He found contractors who he knew we could trust and had good relationships with, he arranged to meet them at the condo, be there to oversee major decisions, and even went to pick up the tile for the bathroom floor himself! This is why I said at the beginning: Riz is much, much more than a realtor, he is a partner in your home purchase or sale. Look no further, you will not find a more capable and devoted partner than Riz.
Riz was a pleasure to work with. He is extremely knowledgeable about the housing market and was very patient with us. He really went the extra mile to make sure we were happy with our purchase.
Riz helped us find and purchase our first home. While purchasing a home always has its hurdles, Riz made the process as smooth as possible. We never felt pressure making an offer or settling for a place that did not meet our expectations. He also went out of his way in helping us select finishes for our new construction home and selecting the appropriate financing. Even after the close on our condo, Riz was instrumental in helping us get our punch list completed by the developer. When we do decide to sell our place, we will use Riz as our Realtor. We also would recommend him to our friends and family without hesitation. Thank you Riz for helping us make our dreams come true of finally becoming homeowners. Seth, Jessica and Josie, West Loop
We would highly recommend Riz to anyone looking to deal with a hardworking, knowledgeable, and ethical real estate professional. We were impressed with Riz's reliability and respected his advice. He went the extra mile and was able to get the deal closed with our best interests in mind. It was a great experience working with Riz in what is sometimes a pretty challenging process. We'll continue to recommend Riz to any of our friends looking for a Realtor. Terry and Carrie, Uptown
I would recommend Riz to anyone buying a house or condo in a heartbeat. Riz helped me purchase my first condo and he was a pleasure to work with during the entire process. He did not waste any of my time and always put my interests in front of his. Riz is extremely professional and knows the Chicago real estate market very well. I also relied on him when it was time to find an inspector and lender. Needless to say, I was more than happy with both recommendations and I was able to close on my condo without any issues. David, Lincoln Park
Riz = EXTRAordinary. The service and effort we received from Riz could not be surpassed. He's a true professional with a personal touch that we greatly appreciated. He was knowledgeable of current market conditions and keenly aware on how to proceed with a purchase of a foreclosure. Mostly though, he was exactly the Realtor we needed; patient, caring and Uber responsive. He provided updates and returned calls at every hour of the day or night, putting us at ease and making it a wonderful experience. Thank you! Riz is the man you want on the job, guaranteed! Lisa and Ginger
Riz helped us get our dream home. He's an expert on housing, the Chicago area, property values, resources, and an all around great guy. He's the best! Tim & Sharon, Lakeview
We will recommend Riz to all our friends--and especially those looking to buy a short sale. As first time buyers who were looking for a short sale, we were not the easiest customers. Riz showed such positivity and patience; he was always willing to explain whatever issues arose in the process. He worked very hard to find us a home--he responded to all of our calls and emails promptly, and was responsive as our desires evolved. He negotiated the short sale process like a true pro--he really knew the process inside and out, which gave us a lot of confidence. We are thrilled with our new home!
Due to an unfortunate combination of circumstances, my condo sale and purchase was a challenging one, to say the least! Riz never let me lose heart and he had a constant stream of proactive new ideas for making the deals happen. He really stuck by me -- and in the end, his creativity and tireless negotiating landed me in a much better place than I ever imagined was possible. I feel very lucky to have him as my advocate. Michael, Uptown
Riz Gilani helped my husband and me purchase our first home! As first timers, there was a lot we didn't know, and Riz gave us nothing but the best advice. He listened to our wants and needs, and there wasn't a single property he chose with which we wouldn't have been happy. Riz is trustworthy, professional and a lot of fun to boot. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a new home! We can't thank you enough, Riz! Cara & Wil, Logan Square
We are so thankful to have found not only the best realtor in town but such a wonderful person. As a first time home buyer, there are so many things that run through your mind like the right house, the best financing and those special programs available to only first time buyers. As much as you try to prepare on your own, there is always that doubt that you did not do something right. The search with my first realtor went well at the beginning but I started to notice a decrease in interest with my search as it was taking a while to find the right property and also I was not a fast close. When I met Riz the first time I felt he really wanted to help me find the right home for me and my family. During my search, we went through so many properties and still Riz never lost interest in my home search. I never felt pressured by Riz on putting an offer on a home. He would always recommend and take me to see a home twice to make sure I was making the right decision - what realtor does that? Only a realtor that truly cares about his clients and their best interest. Riz always went the extra mile no matter what. From picking me up at work, to seeing a property, to sitting down with me and going over the finance on the mortgage. During the closing Riz explained and helped answer any questions or doubts that I had. He held my hand throughout the entire process and I felt that I not only had a realtor but a friend. I purchased my home in February 2011 and love it! I can honestly say that I would have never done this without Riz. Thank you so much Riz. <br/><br/>Lucy, West Ridge
I mentioned to a friend that I was considering selling my condo in Andersonville and looking for a new home in Uptown or Rogers Park. She mentioned Riz's name and the rest was history! He was amazing — very conscientious, thorough and responsive to my needs on both sides of the selling and buying process. I'm completely happy with the results and would wholeheartedly recommend Riz to anyone who is on the market to buy or sell! Gerri, Rogers Park
As with most first-time home buyers, my condo is the largest purchase that I've made in my life to date. The last thing that I wanted to do was put myself in a horrible financial position or choose the wrong neighborhood because I did not understand how to approach the process from search to close. With his extensive knowledge of Chicago, Riz consistently showed me great property after great property, always refining his search based on my experiences. When I found the property for me, Riz was extremely helpful with walking me through all of the agreements and pivotal decisions so that I thoroughly understood the commitments that I was making throughout the process. Buying a home is quite an undertaking so when plunging in for the first time, it was great to have such a supportive and knowledgeable Realtor like Riz as a guide throughout the process. Brad, Wicker Park
As a first time home buyer, as much as I researched, I was still pretty green to the process. With Riz as my agent it was so easy and exciting. I had no hesitations during the entire process. I've always heard comments about signing the final agreement to be very frightening and nerve racking, but I can honestly say I was completely at ease and never once did I have any doubts as Riz made me feel very confident and certain I was making a smart decision! Lynn, South Loop
I would like to express my great satisfaction with the experience I had working with Riz Gilani in the sale of my home. This was the first time I had sold real estate, I was living in another state with a tenant leasing the property, and I was uncertain and anxious about the process; however, Riz helped me through every step with good information and advice, so that I was able to feel confident in my decisions. He worked quickly to get my property listed, made certain that it always looked its best and was quick to respond to my calls and emails, handling every aspect of the sale with the utmost professionalism. And, despite the slow market, I was thrilled to sell my property in much less time than I had anticipated, saving me a great deal of additional expense. It is without reservation that I would recommend Riz to anyone looking for a Realtor. David, Uptown
I highly recommend Riz as he went beyond everything I would have ever expected from a Realtor and made my first home buying experience a great success! Not only did he find me the perfect home in just 2 days of working with him (after having been in the market by myself looking for several weeks), but he also: managed a difficult bank situation (right amidst the housing bubble), helped me deal with the seller's "not-so-pleasant-lawyer," and even oversaw the installation of a brand new water tank for my new home when I was unable to oversee it due to business travel. Overall, I highly recommend him and his number is definitely one of the few that I actually keep saved in my rolodex for future reference. - Enrique M. October 2009 happy first time home buyer! Enrique, Buena Park
Riz represented us in the sale of our condo and provided excellent (and incredibly responsive) service and thoughtful advice. At the time, we had already moved and were a little anxious about the sale process, given the down market. Riz was a calm, reassuring presence and helped us sell our condo quickly and at a very good price. We recommend Riz without reservation to anyone who is considering buying or selling a home in the city. Doug and Jen, Uptown
I had used Riz 8 years ago to buy my first condo so it was a no-brainstorming that I would use him again to sell. My experience with the Riz Gilani Team at Dreamtown was amazing. Riz, Amy and Tessa are prompt with their responses, patient and always pleasant to work with. On top of all the pleasantries, they are top of their game as far as knowing and understanding the market and all the ins and outs of getting deals done. Even when hiccups arise, the team is on it and they will take care of it and you! I would highly recommend this group, you canâ??t find a better real estate group In Chicago.
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There is no better realty team in Chicago than Riz Gilani's team. We have worked with them multiple times, most recently in the sale of our West Bucktown home and the purchase of our new (amazing!) East Lakeview home. Riz and his team are honest, knowledgeable, timely, friendly, responsive and professional. While the sale and purchase of homes on a single day requires a lot of planning to execute, Riz's team made us feel comfortable and reassured that we were in the best hands throughout the process. Riz and his team made everything come together seamlessly and kept us informed as the process moved forward. I can't imagine recommending anyone else for realty services in the Chicagoland area! You absolutely won't be disappointed.
Riz and his team are the best! They went above and beyond to help us sell our investment property as we were simultaneously moving overseas. They took a lot of the stress associated with selling a property off of our plates, for which we are forever grateful. Riz is an incredibly knowledgeable agent and he offered us sound, realistic advice that allowed us to sell our condo in a difficult market. We highly recommend Riz and his colleagues!
This review is long overdue. It's been difficult for us to put into words how appreciative we are for all that Riz has done for us. We closed on our house in 2017 and Riz did an amazing job helping us find a home fitting our checklist and budget in a market that had limited inventory. We loved spending time with Riz looking at homes. He made the experience fun and enjoyable. We finally found our dream home and to no fault of Riz's, experienced a number of issues with the contractor. Riz was with us every step of the way ensuring our home was everything we had hoped it could be and more. Riz used his vast experience and knowledge to steer us through issues that arose and helped us stay positive and laugh throughout the process. Ultimately the issues were ironed out and we couldn't be happier with being first time home buyers raising our new baby in a place that truly feels like home. We couldn't have achieved this without Riz as our realtor. While we believe this is our forever home, if we ever decide to move, Riz will be our first phone call. If you are ever in the market to buy or sell a home, we can't recommend Riz highly enough!
Where do we begin!? Our experience with Riz Gilani was SO positive and we could NOT provide a strong enough recommendation. At the onset of our sale experience, we found Riz to be extremely well researched (e.g. he came well prepared with comps) and a large amount of experience from which to draw. As we interviewed various candidates, Riz was never pushy and respected our timing. Even when our sale process hit a few bumps in the road, Riz frequently had a prior, similar experience from which to leverage unique strategies or ideas. As such, Riz was excellent at anticipating next steps and potential hurdles and was proactive about getting in FRONT of these hurdles. Riz was such a hard worker that he even handled arranging and being present for many of the necessary repairs to our home to ensure these repairs were done properly and to keep the sale process moving along smoothly. Another extremely valuable attribute to recognize is his responsiveness. On many occasions, even when we texted/emailed at odd hours, Riz responded always within the hour and often within minutes. This responsiveness and thoroughness of communication confirmed Riz was always on top of everything. It is also worth mentioning Riz was very respectful of COVID precautions (we listed in April), which was particularly appreciated as we were 7-9 months pregnant during the sale process. While working with Riz, we experienced nothing but the utmost professionalism. Even still, we feel that we made a friend in the process as Riz is just such a wonderful person to work with. For any and every single home purchase/sale in the Chicagoland area, we will absolutely be using Riz.
Riz Gilani was recommended to us by a mutual friend and we could not have been happier with the experience he provided. Riz was friendly, thorough, and expert. It was a joy working with him as we found and then purchased our first home. If you want to work with an agent who truly cares, and who will value your time and energy, Riz Gilani is sure to be a terrific fit. We are so appreciative of all he did for us, and recommend him with our highest endorsement.
Riz was absolutely wonderful. He was referred to me by 2 of my former colleagues who bought/sold in the area where I ended up purchasing a condo I love! I am a first time homeowner and he was patient, courteous and took time to explain each step thoroughly. His correspondence was also superb. We even joked about how quickly we each respond to emails. A delightful experience and I will recommend him and the Dreamtown team to anyone who is looking to purchase. Thank you, Riz!!! You and your team are simply fantastic.
Riz is exceptional. He was our realtor for the sale of an elderly aunt's condominium in Chicago. We live in Boston, and thus needed someone who could help us with this responsibility from afar. He was patient, responsive, honest, hardworking and kind. He felt like a member of our family. I would not hesitate to recommend him to other customers.
Riz was a professional from the first phone call. Such a treat to sell my condo through him. I was an out of state seller and basically had nothing to do except answer a few phone calls and emails. Riz and his team took care of everything. Riz knows the market well and had contacts to take care of all issues that came up during the sale. I would 100% recommend him to any of my family and friends. He's a winner in my book.
I wish I could hire a version of Riz for every job. Riz the accountant. Riz the landscaper. Riz the ice sculpture artist. Unfortunately there's only one. But fortunately, he has chosen a profession where it is imperative to hire the best person for the job. One that requires incredible patience, people skills, business acumen, thoroughness, and so on. He's always on time. Texts are responded to promptly. He'll always give you an honest opinion. He's got a whole crew of contacts to help with every part of the process. And on top of it all, he's a great guy! We might just buy another house so that we have an excuse to start hanging out with Riz again regularly.
Riz is simply amazing! Riz made my home shopping experience and eventually, home purchase process seamless. He is a source of great knowledge on all that entails purchasing home. And believe me there is much to do when purchasing a home. So having Riz as your agent is all that you need. Because of his vast knowledge and understanding, he guides you through every step. Riz has a naturally calm and laidback persona, so working with him was so easy. He handle everything that my family and I threw his way with ease and care. Riz is honest and trustworthy! I felt like he was an extension of my family, as he looked out for my families best interest. Words can express the gratitude that have for Riz Gilani. If you are looking for the best in Chicago, your search is over it is hands down Riz Gilani.
I can't say strongly enough how amazing Riz and his team were. I was selling at an extremely hectic time in my life and they provided excellent advice and hands-on assistance. From working with the condo management company to securing contractors. Followed by a super fast sale and closing.
If only every real estate transaction could be as smooth and thoughtful as the one I had Dreamtown! It was such an organized and smooth operation, and everyone I worked with was efficient and kind, and truly interested in quality customer service. I'd recommend this company to anyone and everyone.
Working with Riz was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Riz came highly recommended by a co-worker and we are so happy that we took the recommendation. He was the ultimate professional throughout the process, was always organized, on-time, and prompt with his responses, and his insights were invaluable. One thing that truly impressed my wife and I was the consistent balance between listening, reacting, and proactively providing advice that Riz was able to perfectly strike. Riz quickly became a trusted adviser and remains one today (as well as someone we truly consider a friend). I've already strongly recommended Riz to my Chicago-based friends who are looking to buy a home relatively soon and we will almost certainly utilize Riz as our agent when we eventually sell our current home. Riz is an absolute star - 10 out of 10!
Working with Riz Gilani was a pleasure especially because i was a seller that was out of state and could not be there for the transaction. He and his team made things simple and easy for me, came to me with solutions instead of problems, and were very communicative. I'd definitely work with Riz again if given the opportunity to do so. Thanks again!
Riz was great to work with. He made selling my place as simple as possible, especially considering I was out of state, and quickly found solutions to a number of unexpected hurdles that popped up during inspection and financing.
Riz is an absolute star. His professionalism, attention to detail and marketing savvy are unmatched. We have worked with him on the purchase and sale of our new home. He always focused on our needs and delivered exceptional service and commitment. His understanding of the market conditions is up-to-the minute and he's a trusted counselor. Thank you Riz for the amazing experience!
Riz is the absolute best at his work. The way he handles every step of the process made us feel like selling/buying a home was the easiest thing to do. His work ethic, attention to detail and knowledge of the Chicago area is the best. His team is also the best.
Working with Riz and his team was a pure pleasure! Riz has an incredible ability to listen and watch as we viewed properties so the next ones we would see were closer and closer to what we truly were after. Riz's extreme knowledge of the marketplace and the 'lingo' made us feel VERY comfortable and like he had our backs the entire time. We could not be happier with how this experience went and would HIGHLY recommend Riz and team to any buyer/seller looking for a quality agent that really does care about you and the transaction.
We had a great experience with Riz. Professional and intuitive with our needs and wants with a home. His knowledge and experience were huge pluses for us when looking. We will definitely recommend Riz to anyone in the future who is looking for a home in Chicagoland.
Working with Riz was a pleasure. Such a knowledge of the market and impeccable timing. We got the most out of both our sale and new purchase thanks to your expertise. Highly recommended!
We were so lucky to have Riz as our realtor. He really makes a point to understand what your dream home is and then he helps you find it! Also, I felt totally educated throughout the whole process. Any question I had was answered. Riz went out of his way to find us a new place when the first condo we went under contract with had problems and we couldn't get financing. Riz is always available if you need him and his staff is all super helpful and friendly. I will HIGHLY recommend Riz to anyone I know that needs a realtor in the city.
Riz was the best! We were first time buyers without much of a clue, and he hand held us through every step. I felt that he always gave us a very honest opinion, and wasn't afraid to tell us the drawbacks of any home. His support gave us a lot of needed confidence in our purchase. In the end he found us a premarket opportunity - can't thank him enough!
We had a very positive experience working with Riz when we sold our condo in 2007. In 2015, we decided to look for a new home and, remembering his attention to detail, responsiveness and knowledge, we turned to Riz to help us with our new home search and the sale of our existing home. Riz helped us find a wonderful new home and negotiate with the sellers. His advice was objective and useful. In addition, within a week of listing our then-current home we had an offer, and we closed a month later. Riz helps create a positive relationship between buyers and sellers that gets results but is collaborative, not confrontational. We are glad we decided to come back and work with him again.
Couldn't have had a better experience, and with Riz was able to sell our condo in a seamless time-line prior to moving into our new home
Riz came highly recommended to us by a friend. We couldn't be more happy with his service and all his efforts. Riz truly loves his job and it shows. His communication is beyond reproach. I can't recall an email or phone call to him that went unanswered for more than 30 minutes, even very late in the evening. Riz's insight into the market and knowledge of what we needed to do to sell our condo fast were spot on. His attention to detail and diligence in his communications and follow-through are off the charts. He also provided a very cost-effective vendor to replace our carpet for showings and even helped us pick out a new couch that helped the condo show even better. When we received an offer and all the paperwork involved, Riz was very patient and took the time to explain everything, help us understand the process and the buyers and negotiated very effectively on our behalf. We are beyond words to describe how extremely happy we are with Riz and I'm certain you will be to! Stop wasting your time looking for the best Realtor to sell your property. You've found Riz!
Riz was so wonderful! Honestly, I would have never felt comfortable with buying my first place without Riz. He was extremely calm, extremely understanding and always reachable. He explained everything extensively and was so knowledgable. He kept calm, even through all of the problems we had with the seller and was always even tempered. (Even when I wanted to scream.). I cannot say enough good things about him!
Riz was exceptional. We were first time home buyers and he walked us through the process, step-by-step. He always encouraged us to ask questions and pointed things out we may not have been aware of ourselves. He went above and beyond the call of duty, especially during and after we bought our house. If we ever sell, we'll definitely be working with Riz again, and we highly recommend him!
Riz was an outstanding agent. He was extremely insightful and provided solid advice. I constantly reached out to him via email with questions, concerns and feedback throughout the process of buying my home. His quick responses were very much appreciated, and greatly reduced my stress. I would recommend him to a friend or co-worker in a heart beat.
Riz was quite simply amazing--he totally transformed the experience of house-buying for us first-time buyers on a budget from something alien and frustrating, to something accessible, reassuring, and even fun! Riz goes the extra mile in every way possible. He not only advocated for us in a bidding war such that we won the bid, against all odds, and answered our hundreds of questions with patience and thoroughness, but guided use through the many issues that arose afterwards, from the closing to the inspection to finding reliable contractors after we moved in. We trust Riz absolutely, and consider him a friend, something we never expected of a real estate agent. Riz is a wonderful agent and wonderful human being. You'll feel lucky you found him.
I can't praise Riz enough. I had been dreading the whole process of selling my condo, especially since I spend most of my time in the house I bought in Michigan. But as soon as I met Riz, I felt better because of his expertise, friendliness and patience. He arranged for the contractors I needed to prepare my place, communicated with me through texts, email and phone calls, and even had me e-sign the documents for the sale, so I didn't have to drive in from Michigan. I had expected it to take months to sell my place but after the first (only) open house I got multiple offers at full asking price. I can honestly say that the entire experience working with Riz was enjoyable. I highly recommend him.
First, Riz is outstanding. A sincere and genuine person who takes time for all situations that arise with clients. He is not only professional but he becomes your friend through the process. I have used his services to purchase my first home and my second home. I refer him to any one looking to purchase and will never choose another realtor. Riz is a class act and a great realtor.
Riz went way above and beyond. We were first time home buyers and hired him based on a recommendation. We looked for several months and never lost his attention. He is very honest and let us know when a place was not worth putting an offer on and educated us about the process. He even attended a permit violation hearing, we knowingly inherited, to help us out. He is knowledgeable in many aspects including short sales and he has a guy for everything. We even used his recommended broker after comparing the offers. I would recommend him to anyone and everyone looking to buy in Chicago. He is honest, knowledgeable, and has a pleasant demeanor.
We were so appreciative of all the help and expertise that Riz could offer us in the sale of our condo. He coordinated all the details of getting it ready for sale and kept our hassles to a minimum. His advice was invaluable and it sold very quickly and he negotiated a fast closing. He represented us very well through out the sale and the closing! He is a true professional and a joy to work with! We couldn't have completed this sale, this smoothly, with any other agent.
Riz is the best. Truly. From the very beginning, he was so engaged and motivated to help us sell our condo. His knowledge and experience are evident and he's very responsive and professional. Riz was so easy to work with and always had our best interest at heart. He got us the best price possible in this market (even more than we anticipated!) and he sold our place quickly. The marketing at Dream Town is so impressive and the photos of our place were amazing. DreamTown and Riz were so great, we would recommend Riz to anyone in need of a smart, motivated and experienced agent!!!
Riz Gilani is very good at his job. I needed to find a home within a very short time frame. He arranged showings according to my busy schedule, provided excellent advice and guidance and through it all was very pleasant to deal with. He even answered my calls and emails when he was on vacation. Riz knows the business of real estate and he knows Chicago. This made all the difference. Since my purchase I have recommended Riz to several friends. Overall, he made my buying experience easier and less stressful than it would otherwise have been.
Working with Riz Gilani was absolutely a wonderful experience. We were making a major move with two small children within a short time-frame, and Riz not only acted proactively, professionally, and with our best interest, he did so with a pleasant, informed, and helpful manner that helped allay our worries. I would most highly recommend Riz Gilani to anyone of my friends or family members. He is honest, clear, accessible, and will go the extra mile for his clients. We were extremely fortunate to have his support.
Riz was simply a dream to work with. I'm not the most patient client but Riz took the time to explain everything in a clear and concise fashion. He was easy to get in contact with and would respond to my inquiries late into the evenings. We established a trustworthy relationship and he truly has your best interest in mind. I will highly recommend him to my friends when they begin the home buying process.
To say that Riz went the extra mile to help sell our property is an understatement. We were out of town owners trying to sell a rental, in the middle of winter, with the added pressure of having already purchased our next home and a 2nd baby that just arrived. Riz helped us take care of everything big and small that needed to get done to sell the place, even dealing with scheduling appointments and showings around our tenants' schedules. He is very knowledgeable about the market and despite an initial low offer, knew exactly what price we would be able to get for our unit and he was right! We couldn't be happier or more satisfied with our experience working with Riz.
I had an excellent experience working Riz and his team at Dreamtown(Tessa and Amy). They provided exceptional customer service- I always felt like they were working hard for me and getting me the best deal possible. They were very proactive and communicative. I have worked with Riz twice now and honestly feel like he is the best realtor in Chicago. You won't have any regrets if you select him for your real estate needs. I can't give a high enough praise.
Riz Gilani helped me find my new home, and without bias I can say, he is the best out there. As a first-time home buyer, I was unsure of a lot of things - where to start, how to proceed, how to navigate, what are the logical steps from property viewing to closing to moving. Riz helped me every step of the way. He was very friendly, cordial and respectful in all his transactions. I have heard horror stories about real estate agents, but Riz is one step up, he is always very respectful, flexible and on-time for the appointments. He also always gave his honest inputs. He did not force me into buying a place that would not suit my taste and requirements. And even when I was in a dilemma in some places, he would tell me the Pros and Cons and leave it to my decision. His inputs were valuable to make my decision. When we found a place that I liked, he would voluntarily help in all steps and never leave me (the buyer) alone even for one step. I can honestly say, Riz goes above and beyond in ensuring his customers are getting the best service and the best place. I had so many questions, many of those are not even related to the property, like the things that I should have known or things I should do on my own. I never hesitated to ask Riz and he would always give me the answer, or point me in the right direction. Knowing Riz and doing business transactions for a few months now, I can say - he does not look for short term gains. He values what he does and ensures that his customer gets the best place they can get. If you are a new buyer or trying to buy/sell a place, please ask for Riz Gilani - you will not be disappointed.
Riz went above and beyond in helping me to purchase my first condo! He put in the extra time to pick me up before showings, to meet me when I wanted to look again, and even to swing by a Starbucks before closing! He also recommended to me an excellent contractor to do work in my kitchen, and was able to help me decode the closing process. All-in-all by the time the keys were in my hand I felt confident that everything was in line because Riz made sure every detail was as it should have been!
I had a very frustrating experience with another agent and then found Riz. He got me into a great condo in a very tough market. He intuited what i wanted before i even knew! He is the best!
Riz went above and beyond our expectations of an agent. He was professional, responsive, and thoughtful. As first-time home buyers, he guided us through every step of the process and helped minimze stress, making the experience enjoyable. If we were to go through the process again, we would certainly not hestitate to work with Riz again.
If I could give 10 stars I would!! I have had the pleasure to know and partner with Riz on 4 different condos, in 4 different neighborhoods in the 9 years my family has lived in Chicago. Each place that Riz has found has felt like home the moment we stepped foot on the property. He has a great instinct on what I vs. my husband want in a home and has nailed it every time! I recommend Riz to anyone who is seeking a kind, patient, dedicated and hard working real estate agent.
Riz is amazing! I would definitely recommend Riz to anyone and everyone looking to buy! (and even those looking to rent)!! We could not be happier with our new place...Riz really listened to us and understood what we wanted in a condo and found us the perfect place to call home. Very quick response to emails, calls, etc. and extremely sensitive and understanding to the stresses of first time buyers...Wouldn't ask for anyone else to be our realtor!
Riz did a great job helping us purchase our first home. He was very helpful with every step of the process and answered all of our questions. Riz knows a great deal about the home buying process and real estate markets and his knowledge was extremely valuable. We highly recommend him for anyone looking to purchase a home!
Riz was great throughout the whole process!
Riz was a pleasure to work with throughout the process of buying our first place. He was very knowledgeable about the markets we were interested in. He responded to our emails very quickly and was always on time when looking at new places. He approached our search in a very professional manner. We will definitely go with him when we're ready to get our next place.
Riz was a dream find for us. He was fast, smart, thoughtful, honest, dedicated and energetic from start to finish. He sold our house quickly and followed through on every tiny last detail. He kept calm and focused even during difficult negotiations. In the end, we sold a house but gained a friend.
We were first time home owners and couldn't have asked for a better agent than Riz. He was informative, patient and extremely helpful. We definitely will use him again and recommend him!!
My experience with Riz was great, I could not have asked for a better realtor. We had been looking at condos for months, he was never pushy and when a deal fell through he was back at it looking up more properties and opening my eyes to different assets. This was my first home so I was determined that the "almost perfect" home was out there for me and Riz found it! As soon as we saw it I was ready to make an offer and he was right there with the paperwork ready for me to sign. He also helped me answer all of my questions and each step throughout the whole process no matter how minute. I look forward to working with him again in the future (but not too soon, unless I win the lottery!). I love coming home every day and couldn't have had a more pleasant outcome.
We had a great experience with Riz. From the beginning to the end he was attentive, thorough and professional. He always responded to my texts/emails in a very timely manner. I recommended him to my brother and sister in law, and they have been very happy with him as well. As a first time home buyer, we could not have asked for a better agent.
Riz was excellent! Highly recommended.
Riz was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He listened, got to know us and was persistent and driven to help us find the perfect home. He found our dream home and I credit him with negotiating the best possible deal for us possible. We would highly recommend (which I have) Riz to friends looking for a property in the greater Chicago area.
Fantastic, you went above and beyond. I appreciate your stellar service and patience to get this done. You worked hard. Jeff Parkhill - Parkhill Development.
To refer to Riz as my realtor is just not enough. Riz is an expert, a professional, and above all a trusted friend. In 2012, I moved to Chicago knowing nothing about the real estate market or even quite where I wanted to live. Nor did I know Riz, he contacted me after I submitted an inquiry through the Dreamtown website. Riz showed me many options in different neighborhoods. I knew from the very beginning that he would be a phenomenal realtor, when he went above and beyond the neighborhoods I suggested we look, and took me to see some properties in West Loop. At the time, that neighborhood wasn't even on my radar, but I quickly fell in love with a place there and he put together an offer! Day or night, somehow Riz was always available to answer my questions or patiently explain next steps in the process. Fast forward four years later, when I was ready to sell my condo and move to a larger space, Riz was ready at my first call. I needed to fix up some things in the condo I was selling, and working full time on weekdays I was dreading dealing with contractors, painters, and construction. Always rising to take care of his clients first, Riz literally handled the entire operation. He found contractors who he knew we could trust and had good relationships with, he arranged to meet them at the condo, be there to oversee major decisions, and even went to pick up the tile for the bathroom floor himself! This is why I said at the beginning: Riz is much, much more than a realtor, he is a partner in your home purchase or sale. Look no further, you will not find a more capable and devoted partner than Riz.
Riz was a pleasure to work with. He is extremely knowledgeable about the housing market and was very patient with us. He really went the extra mile to make sure we were happy with our purchase.
Riz helped us find and purchase our first home. While purchasing a home always has its hurdles, Riz made the process as smooth as possible. We never felt pressure making an offer or settling for a place that did not meet our expectations. He also went out of his way in helping us select finishes for our new construction home and selecting the appropriate financing. Even after the close on our condo, Riz was instrumental in helping us get our punch list completed by the developer. When we do decide to sell our place, we will use Riz as our Realtor. We also would recommend him to our friends and family without hesitation. Thank you Riz for helping us make our dreams come true of finally becoming homeowners. Seth, Jessica and Josie, West Loop
We would highly recommend Riz to anyone looking to deal with a hardworking, knowledgeable, and ethical real estate professional. We were impressed with Riz's reliability and respected his advice. He went the extra mile and was able to get the deal closed with our best interests in mind. It was a great experience working with Riz in what is sometimes a pretty challenging process. We'll continue to recommend Riz to any of our friends looking for a Realtor. Terry and Carrie, Uptown
I would recommend Riz to anyone buying a house or condo in a heartbeat. Riz helped me purchase my first condo and he was a pleasure to work with during the entire process. He did not waste any of my time and always put my interests in front of his. Riz is extremely professional and knows the Chicago real estate market very well. I also relied on him when it was time to find an inspector and lender. Needless to say, I was more than happy with both recommendations and I was able to close on my condo without any issues. David, Lincoln Park
Riz = EXTRAordinary. The service and effort we received from Riz could not be surpassed. He's a true professional with a personal touch that we greatly appreciated. He was knowledgeable of current market conditions and keenly aware on how to proceed with a purchase of a foreclosure. Mostly though, he was exactly the Realtor we needed; patient, caring and Uber responsive. He provided updates and returned calls at every hour of the day or night, putting us at ease and making it a wonderful experience. Thank you! Riz is the man you want on the job, guaranteed! Lisa and Ginger
Riz helped us get our dream home. He's an expert on housing, the Chicago area, property values, resources, and an all around great guy. He's the best! Tim & Sharon, Lakeview
We will recommend Riz to all our friends--and especially those looking to buy a short sale. As first time buyers who were looking for a short sale, we were not the easiest customers. Riz showed such positivity and patience; he was always willing to explain whatever issues arose in the process. He worked very hard to find us a home--he responded to all of our calls and emails promptly, and was responsive as our desires evolved. He negotiated the short sale process like a true pro--he really knew the process inside and out, which gave us a lot of confidence. We are thrilled with our new home!
Due to an unfortunate combination of circumstances, my condo sale and purchase was a challenging one, to say the least! Riz never let me lose heart and he had a constant stream of proactive new ideas for making the deals happen. He really stuck by me -- and in the end, his creativity and tireless negotiating landed me in a much better place than I ever imagined was possible. I feel very lucky to have him as my advocate. Michael, Uptown
Riz Gilani helped my husband and me purchase our first home! As first timers, there was a lot we didn't know, and Riz gave us nothing but the best advice. He listened to our wants and needs, and there wasn't a single property he chose with which we wouldn't have been happy. Riz is trustworthy, professional and a lot of fun to boot. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a new home! We can't thank you enough, Riz! Cara & Wil, Logan Square
We are so thankful to have found not only the best realtor in town but such a wonderful person. As a first time home buyer, there are so many things that run through your mind like the right house, the best financing and those special programs available to only first time buyers. As much as you try to prepare on your own, there is always that doubt that you did not do something right. The search with my first realtor went well at the beginning but I started to notice a decrease in interest with my search as it was taking a while to find the right property and also I was not a fast close. When I met Riz the first time I felt he really wanted to help me find the right home for me and my family. During my search, we went through so many properties and still Riz never lost interest in my home search. I never felt pressured by Riz on putting an offer on a home. He would always recommend and take me to see a home twice to make sure I was making the right decision - what realtor does that? Only a realtor that truly cares about his clients and their best interest. Riz always went the extra mile no matter what. From picking me up at work, to seeing a property, to sitting down with me and going over the finance on the mortgage. During the closing Riz explained and helped answer any questions or doubts that I had. He held my hand throughout the entire process and I felt that I not only had a realtor but a friend. I purchased my home in February 2011 and love it! I can honestly say that I would have never done this without Riz. Thank you so much Riz. <br/><br/>Lucy, West Ridge
I mentioned to a friend that I was considering selling my condo in Andersonville and looking for a new home in Uptown or Rogers Park. She mentioned Riz's name and the rest was history! He was amazing — very conscientious, thorough and responsive to my needs on both sides of the selling and buying process. I'm completely happy with the results and would wholeheartedly recommend Riz to anyone who is on the market to buy or sell! Gerri, Rogers Park
As with most first-time home buyers, my condo is the largest purchase that I've made in my life to date. The last thing that I wanted to do was put myself in a horrible financial position or choose the wrong neighborhood because I did not understand how to approach the process from search to close. With his extensive knowledge of Chicago, Riz consistently showed me great property after great property, always refining his search based on my experiences. When I found the property for me, Riz was extremely helpful with walking me through all of the agreements and pivotal decisions so that I thoroughly understood the commitments that I was making throughout the process. Buying a home is quite an undertaking so when plunging in for the first time, it was great to have such a supportive and knowledgeable Realtor like Riz as a guide throughout the process. Brad, Wicker Park
As a first time home buyer, as much as I researched, I was still pretty green to the process. With Riz as my agent it was so easy and exciting. I had no hesitations during the entire process. I've always heard comments about signing the final agreement to be very frightening and nerve racking, but I can honestly say I was completely at ease and never once did I have any doubts as Riz made me feel very confident and certain I was making a smart decision! Lynn, South Loop
I would like to express my great satisfaction with the experience I had working with Riz Gilani in the sale of my home. This was the first time I had sold real estate, I was living in another state with a tenant leasing the property, and I was uncertain and anxious about the process; however, Riz helped me through every step with good information and advice, so that I was able to feel confident in my decisions. He worked quickly to get my property listed, made certain that it always looked its best and was quick to respond to my calls and emails, handling every aspect of the sale with the utmost professionalism. And, despite the slow market, I was thrilled to sell my property in much less time than I had anticipated, saving me a great deal of additional expense. It is without reservation that I would recommend Riz to anyone looking for a Realtor. David, Uptown
I highly recommend Riz as he went beyond everything I would have ever expected from a Realtor and made my first home buying experience a great success! Not only did he find me the perfect home in just 2 days of working with him (after having been in the market by myself looking for several weeks), but he also: managed a difficult bank situation (right amidst the housing bubble), helped me deal with the seller's "not-so-pleasant-lawyer," and even oversaw the installation of a brand new water tank for my new home when I was unable to oversee it due to business travel. Overall, I highly recommend him and his number is definitely one of the few that I actually keep saved in my rolodex for future reference. - Enrique M. October 2009 happy first time home buyer! Enrique, Buena Park
Riz represented us in the sale of our condo and provided excellent (and incredibly responsive) service and thoughtful advice. At the time, we had already moved and were a little anxious about the sale process, given the down market. Riz was a calm, reassuring presence and helped us sell our condo quickly and at a very good price. We recommend Riz without reservation to anyone who is considering buying or selling a home in the city. Doug and Jen, Uptown
I had used Riz 8 years ago to buy my first condo so it was a no-brainstorming that I would use him again to sell. My experience with the Riz Gilani Team at Dreamtown was amazing. Riz, Amy and Tessa are prompt with their responses, patient and always pleasant to work with. On top of all the pleasantries, they are top of their game as far as knowing and understanding the market and all the ins and outs of getting deals done. Even when hiccups arise, the team is on it and they will take care of it and you! I would highly recommend this group, you canâ??t find a better real estate group In Chicago.
