Without naming names, I can honestly tell you that I could have negotiated a better real estate deal myself as opposed to my agent at Urban Domain. At 23 years of age. In a dark alley. Drunk. And knocked unconcious. When making an offer, I wanted to offer approx 5 percent less than the asking price. My agent told me "oh no, we don't want to insult them." Excuse me, who are you reprsenting!? Also, on my final walk through...she was annoyed that I caught a few things that had NOT been repaired according to the sales contract. Luckily my real estate attorney forced the sellers to escrow the money for repairs at closing, so I did not get screwe over...but had it been up to my agent I'd have just shut my mouth and closed the deal so she could get the comission. My agent was so...unambitious, unassertive, un real estate agent-like. I kept asking around at how much experience she had, thinking she MUST BE new. No dice, she had 10 years of experience and still had no answers to my questions, and constantly having to get back to me after she talked with the boss. It's like, how do you not know these things!? Or...anything for that matter!? Needless to say, I will do much more research when I find my next agent. I chalk it up to naivete and youth, and I will not make the same mistake again. They do have a nice office...but that's the only positive I can think of. read more

This is very terrible property management company I have ever met from China to America which is across more than half of the earth. The agency, named Sarah, often hang up my phone while most of the time she won't reply my message, phone and email. And the attitude is rude, tough and impolite. I don't know why. Maybe because my nationality? When I can't get what she says and ask her speak slower, her attitude is arrogant and teasing me with one to one word which sounds ambiguous. I know there is gap between different country. But I have been staying in kind of western countries for many years. I can feel, I can distinguish that This kind of attitude is discrimination to me, disgraceful and hurt my Chinese self-respect. There comes another agency named Adam. I thought I saw the hope to get reasonable treatment and respectful attitude. When I ask for release for more than one month ago, after many times of Sarah' insult attitude and I turned to connect with Adam. At first I tried many times and spend a lot of time to get the final definite procedure to do the sublease, which you know the whole thing is really torturing me: I seldom could contact with Adam and get stuck in everyday' waiting. After the sublease guy's the application online and paid the charge,I waited for 11 days to get Adam'reply that the guy's application online is approved but what never told me is that I should wait for the other people who rent the house' agreement! And then I have to get stuck in another time' waiting and I don't know how long should I wait. Because I can not get Adam' reply any more. Really torturing me a long time. I just don't know why the simple things become so complex. In other property management, it is quick that let the previous tenant and future tenant sit together with the agency and sign the contract on the spot and solve the problem. What make me feel really suffering is I seldom get the agency 'reply. I really can't stand this.Because my nationality, language, female, student, that I get such treatment? I think America is a fair country. This is housing discrimination which is against the law Fair Housing Act of 1968. I really feel desperate for the thing. read more

Good Day fellow Yelpers. I moved to Chicago last year and had no idea where to live. I was hooked up with Michael Baber from Urban Domain and he did a wonderful job. Michael listened and fulfilled my needs. He patiently took me around to many different locations in many different neighborhoods. I finally settled in an amazing apartment in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Michael did a wonderful job and I would recommend him to everyone who needs a realtor. Kate L. read more

I happened to find Michael by accident online and I am blessed I did. I was working with another realtor that was very incompetent. I found a property online that I wanted to see and Michael happened to be the realtor for that property. The minute I requested information on that property, he got back to me right away. He has been by my side every step through my property search. He is extremely flexible and makes things happen ASAP.. Not only is he knowledgeable about the neighborhoods and the properties he shows you, but he advises you on why and why you should stay away from certain properties. I am a first time buyer, and he got me in contact with my inspector, real estate attorney and contractors. I highly recommend Michael to anyone searching to buy or sell their property. Unfortunately, because Michael sets the bar up so high, no one else measures up. Find your own real estate attorney, inspector, and contractors. read more

I see some negative reviews on here and I can only tell you what my experience has been. I first used UD back in 2004. Oliver was my agent and he was great, nothing was too much trouble and I ended up with a place that I lived in for 4 years. My wife and I used UD again and this time our agent was Meredith Voegtle. She was fantastic. Listened to what we wanted, what our budget was, and all the places we saw were exactly what we were hoping for. We settled on a great town house and stayed there until we moved out of the country. We moved back a couple of months ago after two years away and keeping with the pattern, we contacted UD and requested Meredith. Again, couldn't have asked for more. Not only did she work with us at a difficult time of the month for renting, but found very good options. Now, and this is where it truly is incredible, she not only researched properties but she also drove round with us to see places.....while in a cast with a broken foot! This really went way, way above and beyond what any broker would have done for us. She roped in a driver and spent a good few hours and a couple of days, hobbling round to help us get a place. Of course, we did and her follow up was first rate too. A couple of weeks after we had moved in Meredith brought round a very nice bottle of wine for us! I can't fault UD and certainly not Meredith Voegtle. I have used UD 3 times and Meredith twice. Every time they have delivered and the personal service afforded us by Meredith was second to none. I would HIGHLY recommend UD and if you go there, INSIST on Meredith Voegtle. read more

I would NOT recommend this group to anyone after just spending two months working with an agent, who swore I was a priority, however I was barely getting any appointments and spent my weekends digging on craigslist and going on my own to look for a place. In the beginning I had to keep reminding her what my requirements were, and continued to get listings of places out of the areas I wanted, out of my price range and missing key must haves from my list. Then I'd find several listings that did meet my requirements and send them over and by the time she'd call, all were gone. She continued to use the competitive market as her excuse, but clearly other people were renting everything that was going so fast, so how were they getting in touch with the listing agents on the places I wanted to see but she couldn't? Or was she not really making it a priority? I get it, if you are slammed, but ask for help, don't tell someone you are working to find them a home and then leave them in the lurch. My lease is up in less than two months now and I am left to work on my own as this group was unable to do their job and lacked any effort in helping me find a roof over my head. Disappointing to say the least. Go elsewhere if you need assistance finding a home. read more

Patricia helped me in my apartment search while I was here for less than 72 hours. She really dedicated her time and energy towards not only showing me properties, but really trying to get to know what my needs are. There was no way she could have been a better agent. Highly, highly recommended! read more

Lorena Jaimes with UD helped me find my last 2 apartments: I just randomly stumbled on the Urban Domain website while searching the internet for listings in the Chicago area. Shortly thereafter, Lorena contacted me. Having at that time just relocated from NYC, I was accustomed to working with brokers who were pushy, untruthful, and who behaved as though they were doing you a favor by taking your money. Lorena was a breath of fresh air. She was helpful, responsive to the criteria that were important to me, and flexible in her availability. I always got the sense she was interested in making sure I found the right place for me. She NEVER pushed or made me feel pressured, and was always quick to respond to any messages I sent. The process was seamless and pain-free both times I worked with her. I will definitely be contacting her again if the need arises, and have already given her name to friends looking for help in finding places for themselves. Lorena is a great choice in helping you locate your next home, and in making the transition simple! read more

I had found Michael Baber (Urban Domain Realty) via internet search for representing me as buyer agent. I regret the moment. Since I was first time homebuyer, I was dependent on his input. I soon realized, that he was good for nothing. He did not do any thing, did not review the contract, did not provide any input representing the buyer. Since I was first time homebuyer, I was dependent on his input, but he did not do his job. He kept on saying if you like it if you have to pay more, and suggested to offer more than $5,000 than the asking price. Also he did not guide me about the real estate taxes. Due to this I lost more than $4,000.00 in real estate taxes after purchase, and then I discovered material defects. It appeared that he wanted to me to offer more, and close the deal, and he can get his commission. Thus it shows how poor he his in his job and inexperienced. After I got notice about the property taxes a, I contacted Michael Baber, his reply was worthless. Thus I suggest, please avoid this agent Michael Baber from Urban Domain. read more

Michael Baber at Urban Domain is great!! I knew what I wanted, was pretty sure what areas I wanted and what price point. He showed me exactly that and never wasted my time showing me things that were the wrong price point, amenities or location. I hate moving and was not looking forward to this move. Michael made finding a new place as pleasant as possible, and I'd be happy to recommend him to anyone. No, check that - I do recommend him, wholeheartedly. Trust me on this. read more

I recently relocated back to the Chicago area after a 5 year absence. Previously I had lived in the southwest suburbs but wanted to live near to downtown. I had friends that lived in the Lincoln Park area and knew the area fairly well but wasn't sure what specific areas were best for my specific needs. I went on the web and searched for real estate companies and came across Urban Domain by accident...but I am sure glad I did. Their site assigned me to Michael Baber and shortly thereafter we began communicating about what I was looking for in a new place. I had alot of wants and needs and a budget as well and wanted to consider my 5 year old son in the place I chose so I could enjoy the area with a feeling of safety, family and fun. Michael sent me dozens of places to consider with a variety of amenities in various areas near to the loop. We communicated several times over a 2 week period before I came out to Chicago and settled on about 10 places to see. Michael was very friendly, polite, professional, honest, enthusiastic and even listened to my personal stories of my journey to and from Chicago so he could get to know me and what I was looking for in a home and not just a place to rent! Once I chose the place I now call home I really felt great and had Michael to thank for his advice, patience and understanding. We have since become friends and I have referred friends to him hoping they will find their new place as easy as Michael helped me find mine. The personal touch and attention of Michael and Urban Domain is something that I truly appreciate as I too am in sales and recognize the benefit of working with someone who believes in what they are selling and does it with passion and enthusiasm! I will continue to reccomend Michael and Urban Domain and plan to have Michael find me a home to buy in the near future!! Eric H. read more

Unfortunately some people have had bad experiences with this realty company, nevertheless, I can only say good things about it. I have worked with two different agents in two different occasions and I have been very pleased with the results. The first time we worked with Sara Arana and she was just a great agent with amazing people skills and a ton of expertise. The second time we were referred by Sara to Meredith Voegtle and she was also fantastic. Both of them were very professional, always on time for our showings and understood very clearly what we were looking for. When it comes to Meredith, all I can say is that we are very grateful for her patience and tenacity as it took us almost five months to find the right place. At the end, we were very happy with the results and with her level of service. If you are looking for a good agent in the Chicago area I would definitely recommend Meredith Voegtle from Urban Domain. read more

I worked with Lois at Urban Domain to find my current apartment, which I really, love. I had been looking for awhile, and I won't lie, it really sucked having so many agents saturate the market, posting and re-posting the same units on Craigslist and trying to show you other units when you were really only interested in a specific one... Lois was great because she would continue to forward me units that were not yet posted on Craigslist and, despite my long wish list, kept looking for me until we found a fit. I'd recommend her to anyone! read more

Urban Domain Realty has a rental department that cruises craigslist ads and contacts apartment listers directly that have asked to not be contacted with commercial service offers. They waste the time of legitimate property owners with unwanted solicitations while costing renters money because of inflated rents. That's right, if you are using a service you are paying more that you should, because the landlords inflate rents offered through services. DO NOT PATRONIZE!!! The name of the agent who contacted me is Long Barnes. Stay away from this company - they have no respect for others. read more

When it came time for my boyfriend and I to look for a place to rent in the city Lorena was there to help us out, making the whole process stress free and easy! I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The apartment hunt went smoothly and we found a great place in no time. Lorena was attentive, helpful and readily available at our beck and call! She was a pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a place! read more

I worked with Lorena Jaimes at Urban Domain Realty and could not have been happier. I had tried to make contact with several other apartment finders but my phone calls and emails were rarely returned. Lorena was quick to respond to my emails and found me a beautiful Lakeview condo that fit my wishlist. On top of that Lorena was fun to work with. I have already recommended Lorena to a friend and he was also very impressed with her. read more