About Nancy

NANCY'S FIVE STAR AGENT RATING Nancy Gardner is extremely professional and knows how to sell Chicagoland residential real estate in a fashion that exceeds her clients' expectations on a consistent basis. She is very hard-working and detail oriented. Nancy is always focused on her client's goal whether it be from purchasing a one bedroom condominium to selling a multi-million dollar home. She has an excellent reputation in the brokerage community and is known for being the glue to make "things happen," ensuring smooth transactions for her clients. Nancy is first rate and earns the five star agent rating time after time. EDUCATION AND TRAINING -Colby Sawyer College, A.A. Degree -Boston University, B.S. Degree -DePaul University, MBA Program AWARDS AND DESIGNATIONS -Website presence since April 1998 -Among the top 10% of real estate agents nationwide -1998 Coldwell Banker Rookie of the Year for producing $7.2 million in sales volume -Member of Coldwell Banker's President's Club -Member of The National Association of Realtors -Member of The Illinois Association of Realtors -Member of The Chicago Association of Realtors -Featured in real estate articles for: Crain's Chicago Business, Chicago Social, Chicago Sun Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal -Interviewed on the local CBS weekend edition morning news -Interviewed on the local weekly NBC morning news -Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) designation -Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation (among only 4% realtors nationwide) -Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation -Certified Cartus Relocation specialist -Premier Service Certified (PSC) AREAS OF EXPERTISE -Luxury specialist -Leasing specialist -Corporate relocation specialist -Buyer representation -Seller representation -Superior marketing strategy skills -Outstanding negotiation skills -Professional selling style -Expertise in downtown Chicago neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs NANCY'S COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Nancy strongly believes in helping her Chicago community, and has served as a leader for several non-for-profit organizations that include: Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois, the American Cancer Society, the Junior League of Chicago, Friends of the Chicago River, Chicago Maritime Society, Horizon Hospice, Jane Addams Hull House Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity. For instance, she helped build a home in Honduras in 2003 and served on a mission trip to Cuba in 2006. COMMUNITIES OF EXPERTISE Nancy knows Chicago's residential real estate as far north as Loyola University on Sheridan Road to as far south as The University of Chicago. She is an expert when it comes to selling in Lincoln Park (including Old Town, DePaul), the Gold Coast, Streeterville, River North, Lakeview (including Wrigleyville, Roscoe Village, West Lakeview), Bucktown, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Andersonville, Edgewater, West Loop, South Loop, Roger's Park, Uptown and more. Nancy is also familiar with neighboring Chicago suburbs and recently sold a four bedroom single family home in Evanston (twice), a million dollar three bedroom condominium in Evanston, two bedroom townhome in Naperville and two single family homes in Wilmette, Illinois. NANCY'S BACKGROUND Originally from the East Coast, Nancy has lived in Chicago for over 35 years. Born in New York, she grew up in Connecticut before attending Boston University. Upon graduation, she began her real estate career as a property manager by managing several apartment buildings in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts. A few years later, she seized an opportunity to move to Chicago where she has lived ever since. During her first ten years in Chicago, Nancy enjoyed a second career in the training and development field, specializing in software course development and computer training. During that time, she renovated two Chicago residences. Realizing her ongoing passion for real estate, she returned to her first career by working for the global corporate real estate firm, LaSalle Partners, now known as Jones Lang LaSalle. During her tenure, highly visible management assignments included General Manager of the Chicago Symphony renovation project and Administration Manager of the 1.2 million square foot LaSalle Bank Building. Nancy has brought to her career in residential real estate a natural talent for gathering and directing resources towards her clients’ goals. Her organizational skills, attention to detail, and sincere interest in helping people meet their housing goals, make people trust her. She strongly believes in helping her Chicago community as well, and has served as a leader for several non-for-profit organizations that include: Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois, the American Cancer Society, the Junior League of Chicago, Friends of the Chicago River, Chicago Maritime Society, Horizon Hospice, and Habitat for Humanity. During her first year of business, Nancy was honored by Coldwell Banker with the Rookie of the Year award for producing $7.2 million sales volume. She is an admired leader who has proven to be among the top 10% sales producers nationwide by listening, and communicating effectively to help people fulfill their specific needs. Buyers and sellers like working with Nancy because of her ability to focus on their needs, and follow-through each step of the entire sales process. Perhaps you have read about her. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Social, and most recently in The New York Times. In addition, Nancy was interviewed on CBS when she discussed a current trend in Chicago real estate: Parents buying condos for their children who are enrolled in downtown colleges and universities. Nancy was also interviewed by the NBC Morning News as part of a Real Estate series focusing on Chicago’s strong buyers’ market, and the role of the Internet in the home buying process. She was featured again on the NBC Morning News when she discussed the current pricing for deeded parking spaces in downtown Chicago. Lastly Nancy was featured again on the CBS Evening News explaining the positive benefits of the Zip Car concept during our economic times. BUYER TESTIMONIALS "Nancy is an exceptionally fine Realtor who is a tireless advocate for her clients. She is bright, hard-working, and has the highest level of integrity. I work with many outstanding Realtors, but when I purchased my own home I chose Nancy as my Realtor. That is the highest compliment I can pay her! She is outstanding!” ~ Art M., Mortgage Banker "Nancy is an expert when it comes to real estate. I highly recommend her services to anyone looking for a real estate agent (buyer or seller). She is actively engaged with all of her clients, and continues to work with them until they are 100% satisfied (even after her services are completed).” ~ Joe G. “Nancy Gardner is super-professional. She helped us with the purchase of our condo seven years ago and has now handled its sale. Nancy goes out of her way to get the job done when promised, and is always available to answer even the simplest questions. We refer her to our neighbors and friends without hesitation. She even makes us cupcakes.” ~ Ron S. and Julia F. "We just love the house ... thank you for finding the perfect place! We have and will continue to recommend you to our friends and associates. We tell everyone you are the best!" ~ Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. "I cannot thank you enough for your help and advice in choosing my new apartment. I really enjoyed working with you, and I appreciate all of your efforts to help me speed my move along. I am enjoying the Gold Coast life, and I look forward to a warm and sunny summer on the beach! Thanks again for everything." ~ Colleen T. "Please keep in touch. We'll be in touch with you if we consider either a new location or an investment. You're really great at your job and it makes it a delight working with you." ~ Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. SELLER TESTIMONIALS “Nancy is a top flight realtor. She has handled several transactions for us. She is a pleasure to work with. Nancy goes the extra mile for her clients. She kept us fully informed of all showings and the progress of the transactions. She is a wonderful communicator, knows the market extremely well and we have the utmost confidence in her abilities. We have recommended Nancy to numerous friends and everyone has been delighted with her high quality service, professionalism and ability to timely close transactions.” ~Liz and Jeff S. “Nancy did a great job selling our home. It was obvious that she understood the market well, gave us advice about pricing our home, generated lots of marketing materials, chased down leads, and made herself relentlessly available for showings. When we got three offers on our home, She expertly guided us through the issues in considering the offers and making the right choice. She was a pleasure to work with and we believe she was instrumental in helping us to sell our home for an excellent price.” ~Laurence and Sarah S. “Nancy did an outstanding and professional job of assessing the value, developing a marketing plan, showing the home and finally, negotiating the sale price of my home. Her management of all the facets of the sale helped significantly ease my move to Europe. She even picked up my mail when the post office didn’t properly transfer it! I highly recommend Nancy to my friends.” ~John M. “Nancy was extremely professional. It’s refreshing to work with someone so knowledgeable. If it weren’t for Nancy, my unit might have been sold at a much lower price. I am very grateful for her advice.” ~Leslie L. “Nancy got the job done professionally, efficiently, and painlessly, especially considering that we were moving to Washington, D.C. and under a bit of a time crunch. She is excellent with follow-up, and keeps all the parts of a real estate sale moving. She works very hard to make thanks happen.” ~Amy H. and Howard D. “Nancy did a superior job of promoting my property which ultimately resulted in an outstanding transaction. She was extremely well organized and professional throughout the sales process. If you or a friend is in the market of selling a home, hire Nancy. She will get the job done beyond your expectations.” ~Nell F.