GC Realty & Development LLC

Serves Morton Grove, IL

35244

Hired 35 times

60 employees

22 years in business

Free on-site estimate

4.3

This pro accepts payments via Cash and Zelle.

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Credentials

Background Check

Mark Ainley
Completed on 3/11/2025

Introduction

PRICE IS WHAT YOU PAY BUT VALUE IS WHAT YOU GET!! After being a real estate investor and Property Manager for over 20 years we have seen it all and made all the mistakes. (I often joke and say we have made 1000, $1000 mistakes) This allows us to lead our clients with confidence and see what is around the corner. The real estate investing landscape is way different these days with many pitfalls for Landlords such as frequent local law changes, issues around fraudulent tenants or squatters, and the changing expectations residents have. We are on top of it all, including utilizing AI to be able to run back office operations more efficiently so we can do what really counts, which is be human to human with all our residents, clients, and vendors. We are 100% local in the Chicagoland market with our office centrally in Roselle. We have an in-house maintenance team so we can control resident experience and more importantly client costs, especially since material and labor has been on the rise since 2020. We want to run a tight maintenance schedule. We encourage you to talk to multiple companies when deciding the right Property Manager to hire but let us be one of those firms. Not all Property Management firms are equal, even though all of our pricing is pretty close. If anything, be sure to check out our podcast Straight Up Chicago Investor which focuses on the local real estate investor and all their needs. Mark Ainley Partner/Founder

Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

Our pricing system is quite simple and the range is based on the gross rent and/or number of units under management by a particular owner. 5-10% - Residential Units (10% on Chicago Southside) 4-6% - Retail / Industrial / Office

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

We make the process for new customers of our Property Management or Brokerage services to begin working with our firm quite simple! We send all agreements electronically for signatures and explain each step of the process thoroughly. We believe in always keeping the lines of communication open, so should their be any questions, we are always available to answer them in a timely manner.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

Every two years our agents are required to complete their State of Illinois licensing continuing education requirements, however, our agents and employees are trained way beyond these requirements. We conduct weekly mandatory staff meetings where we review the progress that each department is making. We review the newest laws & procedures at each meeting and discuss any new items that are fitting to our profession. This ensures that every stays on top of the newest market trends.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

GCR&D has always worked with a lot of investors in buying various assets and early on our clients were always asking if we can manage their properties but we always said no. Then one day we decided to manage one unit, then a few more, then 15, then 50, and so on. Recently in 2013, after getting to the point of managing over 300 units, we then recognized the market and need for good property managers in our area and we made the goal to focus on the growth and service for our company to become one of the best in the area.

What types of customers have you worked with?

For our Property Management clients, we guide an owner on what to do to get a property on the market, leased for in the shortest time frame, and for the highest amount of money that local market will allow. We can handle the actual turnover work to get a property on the market for owners. We are also good at helping new clients get out of a current bad tenant situation they now need help on. In regard to our Brokerage Services, we are continually assisting our clients in finding that perfect home or commercial space. We also assist clients who are looking to lease residential or commercial properties.

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

We are proud of the way that we have worked closely with the City of Chicago in the rehabilitation of some of the city's toughest neighborhoods. We bring a sense of stability and community to each neighborhood we renovate homes in. The tenants that we have often thank us for providing such quality homes for them when other Landlords may have turned their backs. We have a very low turnover rate because of tenants stay in our properties. We have been working very closely with the City of Chicago for many years now and have built some great relationships.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

We would advise any customer to do their homework! Whether you are planning on hiring us for our Management or Leasing Services, take the time to obtain information from all of the companies you are interested in hiring. Take the time to check their online reputation, current listing inventory, or other properties that they may manage near yours.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

There are a lot of moving parts in Property Management that all effect each other somehow. The goal as a a landlord/manager is to stay on the fine line of providing the best customer service, while being financially efficient, but never sacrificing safety.