How We Did It | Property Spotlight: 1721 N Fern

1721 Fern is a case study on why I love selling real estate. An exquisite property. Wonderful clients. Great broker collaboration. The importance of network.
 
I had the good fortune of meeting my clients through the personal recommendation of my managing broker. They were relocating from Seattle to Chicago for a career opportunity, returning to their midwestern roots. Their Sotheby’s agent, Cindy Paur, contacted our Lincoln Park office, seeking a seasoned broker with knowledge and experience in the neighborhood and personality traits that would complement her clients’.
 
Our initial introduction occurred on Zoom, where we discussed their current neighborhood and home and how they wanted to embrace their new lifestyle in Chicago. The conversation guided us to a search for Single-Family Homes in Lincoln Park and Old Town with character that offered green space for gardening and plenty of room to host their children and grandchildren. Their timetable was immediate.
 
A plane ride later, we embarked on a weekend filled with showings and personally guided tours of local eateries, shops, stores, parks and cafes. Among the homes visited was 1721 Fern in Old Town. Originally a stable from the early 1900s, the property was reimagined into a Single-Family residence with an extraordinary garden designed by the acclaimed landscape architect Hoerr Schaudt. The home’s interior was equally alluring, preserving original details such as iron hooks used to fasten horses as the carriages were prepared. Exposed brick walls and vaulted ceilings, cast against custom cabinetry, a de Giulio kitchen with honed marble and other designer appointments. It is obvious why the property was featured in Better Homes & Garden magazine and the “2023 HGTV Ultimate House Hunt Awards.” 
 
The owners had just legally separated this property from a neighboring parcel, drawing newfound interest and producing a multiple-offer situation. I had the pleasure of working with the seller’s agent, a top-notch broker, on several previous occasions. We have formed a nice friendship over the years, which helped finesse a productive contract negotiation and closing.
 
This is the type of experience we yearn for. Great people coming together. The opportunity to help a delightful couple find their perfect home. Forging new friendships along the way. I wonder if it is too presumptuous to claim a guest room off the garden.