Chicago skyline and lakefront at sunset
STRAIGHT-A REALTY

Sell Your Chicago Property Your Way.

Need to sell quickly? Tap into our network of active cash and investor buyers. Want maximum market exposure? List with our experienced brokerage team. One conversation gives you two paths.

One Conversation. Two Ways To Sell.

You don’t have to decide before reaching out. Tell us about the property and your goals, and we’ll help you understand which path — or both — makes sense.

Counting cash from a property sale
STRAIGHT-A PROPERTIES
Sell Fast

Explore an investor / cash buyer sale.

As-Is • Fewer Hassles • Flexible Closing • No Repairs
Family in front of their Chicago bungalow
STRAIGHT-A REALTY
Maximize Your Value

List with Straight-A Realty.

Maximum Exposure • MLS Marketing • Professional Representation
Not sure which option is right? Let’s compare both.
GET MY HOME VALUE

Why Chicago Property Owners Choose Straight-A

Experience
Experienced Chicagoland real estate professionals familiar with sales, leasing, investment real estate and property management.
Performance
A results-oriented approach focused on execution and communication.
Resources
A network that includes buyers, investors, contractors, lenders, inspectors, attorneys and other real estate professionals.
Customer Service
Clear communication throughout the transaction.
Integrity
Transparent explanations of the advantages and tradeoffs of each selling option.
Education
Real estate professionals who understand transactions from multiple perspectives.
STRAIGHT-A PROPERTIES

We Already Know Buyers Looking For Chicagoland Properties.

Straight-A has developed an extensive network of investors, landlords, rehabbers and buyers actively looking for properties throughout Chicagoland — single-family homes, two-flats, three-flats, multi-unit buildings, distressed properties and other value-add opportunities. Straight-A Properties, our investment operation, also actively evaluates properties for acquisition.

Before assuming you need months of preparation, repairs and showings, talk with us. There may already be a buyer in our network looking for a property like yours.

Not every property will receive an investor offer, and offers generally reflect the property’s condition, required renovation, holding costs and resale potential — an investor sale may be below what a property could achieve on the open market. We’ll be upfront with you about that tradeoff.

SEE IF MY PROPERTY FITS
Investor handing cash payment across the table

Compare Both Paths

SELL FAST
LIST FOR MAXIMUM EXPOSURE
Primary Goal
Speed & convenience
Maximum market exposure
Property Condition
Can often sell as-is
Preparation may improve results
Repairs
Often unnecessary
May be recommended
Showings
Limited or potentially none
Traditional buyer showings
Marketing
Direct investor/buyer network
MLS + full marketing campaign
Timeline
Potentially faster
Market dependent
Buyer
Investor / cash / investment buyer
Open retail marketplace
Pricing
Convenience-oriented investor pricing
Market-driven competitive pricing
Best For
Sellers prioritizing certainty & speed
Sellers prioritizing market exposure

You don’t have to guess. We’ll help you compare the potential advantages and tradeoffs of both approaches.

The Property Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect.

We’ve worked in real estate long enough to understand that not every sale starts with a perfectly staged home. Tell us what’s going on. We’ll help determine the most practical path forward.

Property Needs Repairs
City Violations
Back Taxes Or Liens
Inherited Property
Vacant Property
Tired Landlord
Problem Tenants
Need To Sell Quickly
Deferred Maintenance
Failed Previous Listing
Row of classic Chicago brick bungalows on a residential street
STRAIGHT-A REALTY
When Maximum Market Exposure Matters, Put The Full Market To Work.

Sellers who have the time and whose property is appropriate for a traditional sale can benefit from professional representation and a comprehensive marketing strategy designed to position your property to compete for maximum market value.

✓ Pricing and positioning strategy
✓ Comparative market analysis
✓ Property preparation recommendations
✓ Professional photography
✓ MLS exposure and major real estate website syndication
✓ Database, social media and direct buyer/investor outreach
✓ Open houses and broker outreach
✓ Showing coordination
✓ Offer analysis and contract negotiation
✓ Inspection, appraisal and closing management

How The Process Works

No two sellers have exactly the same priorities. Our job is to give you information and options so you can make an informed decision.

1
Tell Us About Your Property
Submit basic property information and your selling goals.
2
We Review Your Options
We evaluate the property, condition, market and timeline.
3
Compare Your Paths
When applicable, compare an investor-sale strategy with a traditional market listing strategy.
4
Choose What Works For You
You decide which path better matches your priorities.

One Company, Two Real Estate Capabilities

STRAIGHT-A REALTY
A full-service, licensed real estate brokerage. When you list with Straight-A Realty, we represent you as your broker in a traditional sale to the open market.
STRAIGHT-A PROPERTIES
Our affiliated real estate investment and acquisition operation. Straight-A Properties may itself evaluate and purchase properties as a principal buyer — a different role than a brokerage representing you.

This combination allows sellers to explore both a traditional brokerage strategy and potential investor opportunities through the Straight-A network with a single conversation. When Straight-A Properties or an affiliated investment entity has a potential ownership or purchasing interest in a property, that will be disclosed to you. In an investor transaction, Straight-A Realty, Straight-A Properties and other third-party investors in our network are not all the same party, and the role each plays — brokerage representative versus principal buyer — will always be made clear before you're asked to make a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my Chicago house as-is?
In many cases, yes. Whether an as-is investor sale makes sense depends on the property and your goals — that's exactly what a conversation with us helps determine.
Do I need to make repairs before selling?
Not necessarily. If you're exploring an investor sale, repairs are often unnecessary. If you're listing for maximum market exposure, some preparation may improve results, but it isn't required to have a conversation with us first.
How quickly can I sell my property?
It depends on the property, the path you choose, and market conditions. Investor sales can sometimes close in approximately 30 days or less when circumstances allow, but we can't guarantee a timeline until we understand your specific situation.
Will Straight-A Realty buy my house?
Straight-A Realty is a licensed brokerage and does not purchase homes directly. Straight-A Properties, our affiliated investment operation, and third-party investors in our network may be interested in purchasing, depending on the property.
How does an investor offer compare with listing on the MLS?
An investor offer generally reflects convenience, condition, required renovation, and resale risk, so it may be below what a property could achieve on the open market. A retail listing generally takes more time and preparation but exposes the property to a broader pool of buyers. We can help you weigh both.
Can you help if the property has violations or back taxes?
Yes — this is a common situation we work with. Tell us the details and we'll help you understand what's realistic.
Do you buy multi-unit properties?
Our investor network is regularly looking for single-family homes, two-flats, three-flats and other multi-unit properties, though not every property will fit every buyer's criteria.
Can you help sell a tenant-occupied rental property?
Yes. Occupied rental properties, including those with difficult tenants, are situations we regularly help owners navigate.
What if I inherited the property?
Inherited and probate properties are common situations for both paths — we can help you think through the options once we understand where things stand.
What if I don't know which selling option is best?
That's the most common starting point. Call us and we'll ask a few questions about the property and your goals, then help you understand which path — or both — makes sense.
Real Estate Applegate logoSell with Real Estate Applegate, Michael Applegate's personal real estate brand at Straight-A Realty.
Not Sure How You Should Sell?
That’s Exactly Why You Should Talk To Us.

Whether you need to move quickly, want to avoid repairs, have a difficult property situation, or want to expose your property to the full market, start with a conversation. We'll learn about the property and your goals and help you understand the available options.

Prefer to talk it through first? Call 630-288-2446.