Chris garvey

Title: Proud founder of Garvey Residential Team and GrtHomes.com, and manager of EXP Realty, located at 1010 Lake St. in downtown Oak Park, IL.

Born and raised in Oak Park and River Forest. Chris Garvey invites you to get to know the people, businesses, the parks and activities of Oak Park, River Forest and the Greater Chicago area with an interactive experience that will reward you in your adventure to find your home.

I created GrtHomes.com so that people can have a fun, interactive experience in getting to know all about our Oak Park and River Forest homes, community, and everything that makes this area such a great place to live. The website is interactive and you can share your home searches and homes you “Like” with your friends and family. You can also make and share comments on homes or ask me questions about homes or neighborhood amenities.

Explore and get a true picture of what these beautiful sister villages are like through the great content pages describing Oak Park and River Forest. My goal is to share with you my lifelong experience with the incredible variety of homes, the nuances of these neighborhoods, walk-ability and the amenities that make up this richly diverse community. When you are ready, I invite you to tour homes for sale with me and my HGTV style of showing homes. Find out everything you need to know about buying these beautiful, but often times 100+ year old homes and condos. Explore the new kitchens and baths or let me share my experience on what it takes and costs to update a home to make it your own!

As a child growing up in Oak Park I remember the first time I jumped off the high dive at Rehm Pool. It’s not there anymore, but it used to be like 20 feet high. I think I was around five years old. We lived in a tiny bungalow just south of the expressway on Gunderson.

There are six children in my family and I went to Whittier grade school in North Oak Park, but my older brothers and sisters went to Irving grade school in South Oak Park. My dad is a Fenwick grad (Oak Park’s now co-ed Catholic High School) and grew up in the Austin neighborhood on Menard, but moved to Oak Park the year I was born. Back then our family did not fit into a nice, but very small three bedroom bungalow. Four boys slept in one bedroom and my two sisters in the other. Lucky for me my dad finally figured out we needed a bigger house and we moved to 618 N. Elmwood in North Oak Park. I was five then.

It was a beautiful American foursquare home with a sleeping porch that kept us cool at night before the days of air-conditioning. It had a beautiful sunroom and I loved sleeping on the cushions above the radiators on cold winter nights as a child. It had a fireplace and I got to share my bedroom with my little brother instead of all four of us. We had a giant Maple tree in the back yard with a sand-box. Friends would come over to build castles and back then “kick-the-can” was the most popular alley sport.

Five years later we moved two houses down the block to 424 Iowa. It is a big corner lot, big enough to play whiffle-ball in with four bases and a pitchers mound. Everyone in the neighborhood would come to play ball, sit on the front porch and enjoy the summer. I remember the day that we moved-in there. The plan was for my mom and dad and the six kids to just carry everything over our neighbors yard, down the ridge to our new home, but we had a big snow that day. Dad was determined to get it done though, and the next thing you know we were pushing things over with sleds. About an hour into the move people from up and down the block started joining in and the next thing you know it was quite a party. People were bringing food and hot chocolate.

We slid the furniture down down hill on sleds with the help of about 10 of our neighbors. Friends, many new, came from up and down the block and a few brought over food, hot chocolate and I believe some wine that one of them made in their cellar. The neighbors stayed late drinking hot chocolate by the fire they made in our family room fireplace. I was 10 years old and it is a great memory that I get to replay again and again as I drive down the streets past my old house.

Oak Park is an amazing village. It was, and is, a great way to grow up!

Watching my youngest son graduate from OPRF high school, (the gift I was given) it truly dawned on me what a beautiful environment I was given to be a family here. When my grandfather brought my father here, it was purposeful and it was to raise him with this idea that people from all over the world would come here and create a place like no other. Now it may have been that he just got lucky, but whatever he did, he found the right answer.

As I get older and I watch my children manage their way through today’s world, I’ve come even more to realize how beautiful it is to see how they grew up with friends, family from all parts of the world.

I have enjoyed a lifetime of experience here and now as a real estate agent I am gaining an even greater perspective, yet only beginning to grasp how the people before us, the village planners before now stepped way ahead of today’s realities and by doing so have had so much effect on how we live, work and even school at home today.

Oak Park’s plan to place the parks where they are, with the thought that the home lots would be just 50 feet wide so that it would not be too far a distant to walk to the train, the permitting of the multiunit buildings with their high density of people from all over, amongst the grand homes with an unending architectural variety that has not only stood the test of time, it set a benchmark.

My three children are the fourth-generation to see this perspective, see the world through this lens of well-planned diversity. Where the fabric of the village was designed to gather together people from rich and poor, from all different countries and of all colors and backgrounds, all within easy walking distance from each other.

I hope you enjoy this GRT Homes.com site. It is more than just a real estate site. It is created in a way that is meant to help you get to know the history of the villages and hopefully, after you have spent some time enjoying the site, you will come to enjoy the villages as much as I have.

Client Testimonials

			
			Chris worked with us for well over a year in our single family home search in the Oak Park area,... read moreChris worked with us for well over a year in our single family home search in the Oak Park area, and additionally, sold our Chicago condo.  We appreciated his no pressure, low stress approach to the house hunting phase as we explored neighborhoods in Oak Park, but when we decided it was "time", he was all-in with us.  His knowledge of the area was extremely helpful to us, and appreciated his timely response to questions and advice about the local market.  From beginning to end, it was a sincere pleasure working with him. read less		
kristin s.9/06/2016

			Chris was absolutely fantastic! He was so knowledgeable of the area, and knew exactly what we were looking for. He... read moreChris was absolutely fantastic! He was so knowledgeable of the area, and knew exactly what we were looking for. He really helped guide our decision making and was so patient as we saw over 30+ houses with our two young children in tow. We trusted him implicitly and would absolutely recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a house! After dealing with a number of realtors over the years, Chris was absolutely the best and we will definitely work with him again if the need presents itself. read less		
karencorcoran0016/06/2019

			From the work done properly pricing our home, the actual advertising campaign, the open houses held and the final negotiations... read moreFrom the work done properly pricing our home, the actual advertising campaign, the open houses held and the final negotiations between buyer and seller; I couldn't ask for anything more. We got the price he said we would and in a reasonable amount of time: That was very important to us. read less		
mauryg5610/10/2016

			
			Chris was an invaluable asset for purchasing my first ever multi-unit investment property.  His knowledge of building codes and... read moreChris was an invaluable asset for purchasing my first ever multi-unit investment property.  His knowledge of building codes and ability to spot both serious problems in a home and point out potential value-adding aspects sellers aren't highlighting is very useful, and if he doesn't know it, he knows somebody who does.  He has a Rolodex of real estate lawyers, mortgage originators, inspectors, contractors, and pretty much anyone you could possibly need to purchase and improve your home. 

We toured over 15 properties, ranging in value from $700,000 to $1,300,000 in Wicker Park, Bucktown, River West, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park.  He was always able to work within my schedule and never wasted my time (Unlike some of the Chicago realtors I've worked with before).  I'm confident that the purchase I made will be a great investment.  After some minor renovation I see no reason why it shouldn't cap out over 6.5%!

Compared to the standard Chicago realtor who doesn't know anything about the properties they are showing and are just in it for the commission, I couldn't recommend Chris more.  I look forward to using him again to find new renters and my next property purchase. read less		
ncg15898/19/2017

			My husband and I were referred to Chris by a friend of ours, and we are so ecstatic for i!... read moreMy husband and I were referred to Chris by a friend of ours, and we are so ecstatic for i! We began working with Chris in a more exploratory phase, thinking we would not purchase a home for a few more months. Chris did not place any pressure on us at all, even knowing (or so we thought) that we weren't quite ready to buy a home. He is truly knowledgeable about the community he serves. Chris' insight led us to see a fabulous home, one that we might not have otherwise decided to look at, that we can now call our own! He also is incredibly smart when it comes to home repairs and design. Chris was very strategic when it came time to putting in an offer on our home, which led to us getting an AMAZING price with no negotiations! We had a fabulous business relationship with Chris, and truly feel we gained a friend for life in buying our home! read less		
jamiersharma2/05/2018

			As first time home buyers my husband and I didn't know anything about real estate (or even mortgages for that... read moreAs first time home buyers my husband and I didn't know anything about real estate (or even mortgages for that matter), but wow did Chris make the entire home buying process so painless and even fun! He really listened to what my husband and I were interested in, never rushed us, and was so on top of everything all the time it was just...the best experience! He found us our perfect home and I am so thankful we were able to get it - thank you Chris!! read less		
zuser2017060618053089610/16/2018

			
			Chris, where do I start.. You ARE the best realtor in Oak Park by far. We're so grateful to have... read moreChris, where do I start.. You ARE the best realtor in Oak Park by far. We're so grateful to have your help and knowledge in buying our first home. I'm even a little sad that we won't get to look at houses together anymore, but very happy to have our new home. Thank you so very much for your kindness and patience and generosity. We were so very lucky to have you. 

Kelly and Dave read less		
kelly K.1/08/2020

			Absolutely lovely. This was our first home buying experience and Caroline made it bearable. She drove far and wide for... read moreAbsolutely lovely. This was our first home buying experience and Caroline made it bearable. She drove far and wide for us and arranged viewings in a way that made sense for us. When our lender and lawyer were not communicating she helped us smooth out the kinks and we closed on time. At the beginning of the process we knew next to nothing about buying a home, but by the end Caroline had walked us through from start to finish and left us with the ability to do it again easier if necessary. read less		
drice0089/18/2019

			Great, Patient,  respectful , always on time, helpful, complete knowledge  of the city, he sold my apartment and... read moreGreat, Patient,  respectful , always on time, helpful, complete knowledge  of the city, he sold my apartment and found also a new one for me in one week. He gave us lots of advice and was very clever in helping me with the appraisal of my sell. read less		
user9551324910/04/2017

			
			Chris is absolutely the best! We bought and sold a house using his team, after a year passed he was... read moreChris is absolutely the best! We bought and sold a house using his team, after a year passed he was still there for me helping me to solve random things and supporting in other requests! His service goes away beyond the post sale... read less		
Carlos A.3/19/2019

			Chris listed and sold our home in just a few short weeks. The whole process went without a hitch. We... read moreChris listed and sold our home in just a few short weeks. The whole process went without a hitch. We highly recommend Chris to others looking to buy or sell. read less		
Kevin S.12/21/2017

			Chris is the definition of true professionalism. His knowledge of the real estate industry is vast and it shows through... read moreChris is the definition of true professionalism. His knowledge of the real estate industry is vast and it shows through his work during the entire process. He is honest and transparent; he makes you well aware of what options you have and what you are getting into. Chris is extremely flexible and is always available to meet or talk and due to the amount of years of experience, he has multiple resources and contacts that a home buyer might need for any questions, issues or concerns that come up! It was a pleasure working with Chris and I would definitely recommend him to my family and friends. read less		
a c.11/05/2019

			
			My wife and I started looking at homes in Winter of 2015.  We had a low level of urgency,... read moreMy wife and I started looking at homes in Winter of 2015.  We had a low level of urgency, and started off just wanting to explore available options in our desired area (Oak Park).  Working with Chris was great early on, because he was willing to work with us as casually as we wanted at that time.  He was willing to look at homes with us whenever we wanted, and was well aware of changes in the local market that related to our preferences.  It was low pressure, informative, and highly enjoyable.

In the Spring, we got more serious, and wanted to go look at houses more frequently and in a wider area--we had decided that we wanted to look in Naperville and Downers Grove as well as Oak Park.  Chris was more than accommodating, and very knowledgeable of all the areas in which we were looking. 

In the end, we decided that we wanted to buy a house in Naperville that needed some short-term work, and Chris was very helpful through the finance-securing process to make sure that the decision made sense for us, which we really appreciated.  We would probably not be in the house we bought if not for Chris' thoughtful, informative, and low-pressure approach.  

Chris has lived in, renovated, and sold many of his own homes, so his knowledge base extends beyond "basic" real estate know-how.  He has a strong understanding of the true value of the homes he tours, as well as the potential issues that a buyer may run into.  It was great to have his foresight working on our behalf.

Not only was Chris helpful, knowledgeable, and honest, but he was also fun to spend time with.  I grew to look forward to house hunting on weekends.  We could not be happier with the experience.  Thanks Chris! read less		
tylerjmiller187/05/2016

			Chris has been a blessing to us! He is beyond amazing! His experience on the filed makes your house-hunting process... read moreChris has been a blessing to us! He is beyond amazing! His experience on the filed makes your house-hunting process fun and enjoyable. He is honest, always available and very charismatic. I recommend him 100%! read less		
nathaliemantilla06/07/2019

			Chris has been a great help and a pleasure to work with for the sale of our condo and the... read moreChris has been a great help and a pleasure to work with for the sale of our condo and the purchase of our house. He was always available, very responsive and thorough in his evaluation of properties. 

We can definitely recommend Chris to anyone looking for a smooth and turnkey selling and buying process. read less		
emma l.10/05/2017

			
			Chris Garvey was prompt, clear, and respectful from beginning to end. I couldn't recommend him higher. For the sale of... read moreChris Garvey was prompt, clear, and respectful from beginning to end. I couldn't recommend him higher. For the sale of our condo, our communication was fluid, he was consistently available for calls, and he made my part very easy. He explained what needed to be explained and handled things accordingly.

I highly recommend working with him. read less		
zuser201610051433159772/25/2020

			Chris Garvey is FANTASTIC!After employing him for both a sale of a condo in Oak Park, a purchase of a... read moreChris Garvey is FANTASTIC!After employing him for both a sale of a condo in Oak Park, a purchase of a three-story home in Forest Park, and the sale of two condos in Evanston, Illinois, we can’t say enough wonderful things about him! He and his Team hit a grand slam every single time! We kept hiring him because he’s the right guy for the job!He absolutely loves what he does. He loves his communities. He takes the care, the time, and the resources needed for each task involved in the process, and he pays the attention to detail that is necessary to get the sale and/or purchase done right and done quickly. He has knowledge about Oak Park real estate and history and the surrounding Chicago areas, like no other. His accessibility is unparalleled. Chris Garvey exceeded our expectations every time, in every way. He has obviously devoted his life to this stuff! It is his passion and an experience he loves ... with each individual client, with each of his families, and each of his neighborhoods.Unlike all the others realtors out there (whether local, regional, or national), his knowledge extends to all of the other stuff that you need to know about before and after (and, of course, throughout) the sale/purchase process, e.g., he knows the best contractors, developers, and lawyers, and he has an unmatched working knowledge relative to local and state ordinances and laws and construction, engineering, remodeling, decorating, and design. If he doesn’t, he makes sure to acquire the knowledge and information for you, so that you don’t have to do the work. ... so that you do not have to worry.In short, you get so much more than a realtor when you hire Chris Garvey and his Team!You absolutely won’t be disappointed. We promise!CHRIS GARVEY IS YOUR GUY!Jennifer & David(We have not in any way been paid by Chris to say the above. In fact, please contact Chris if you would like to speak to us about our experience. We believe in him and his Team so much that we are willing to give our time to share our wonderful experiences with him.) read less		
Jennifer C.3/19/2019

			Chris has been much more than a regular agent. He was always available and willing to help. For foreigners like... read moreChris has been much more than a regular agent. He was always available and willing to help. For foreigners like us (we are from Brazil), he was very patient and after the closing, he also helped us to settle down with other aspects, becoming a friend of the family. read less		
carlosadmoura4/12/2016