Meet Maria Payne
Nearly fifteen years into living in Chicago, Maria still finds the most joy in the same simple pleasure she loved from the start: long walks.
Walking began as a way for Maria to experience the diverse neighborhoods, enjoy the lakefront, and feel the energetic city life. She came to Chicago shortly after graduating from Miami University in Ohio. On her walks, she got to know Chicago.
Fast-forward several years later, one walk in particular quietly changed her life. She passed by a newly installed “For Sale” sign. This sign was tacked onto the fence of a 150-year-old home in Lincoln Park, which would then became her family home with her husband and two sons. The rumors are true; a 150-year-old home needs a lot of time and attention!
That walk, however, was only the beginning of Maria’s real estate story. She went on to purchase multi-family properties throughout Lincoln Park. Walking, as it turns out, is not only great exercise. It’s a wonderful way to spot real estate opportunities that may just be one phone call away.
As a real estate agent, Maria pours her time and attention into clients purchasing a primary home or leveraging capital to invest in multi-family properties. Her hands-on experience building and redeveloping her own portfolio of multi-family properties in Lincoln Park, with a focus on increasing long-term value, gives her a distinct edge in today’s market. Maria understands what’s behind the walls, knows where opportunities exist, and brings deep investment and renovation insight to help her clients make confident, well-informed real estate decisions.
A Few Quick Questions for Maria
What’s your favorite part of the listing process?
My favorite part of the listing process is seeing the home come to life within our amazing listing photography. Our team has a great eye for capturing the style, tone, and feel of a space that looks incredible! We show the value of our client’s home to the potential pool of buyers in a digital instant to maximize our sellers’ returns.
What’s your favorite part of the purchase process?
The final walk through is by far my favorite part of the purchase process. It is a representation of the trust built between the client and me in this milestone moment to purchase their home. You can feel the “we did it!” excitement, which is such a high to share with our worthy clients.
Tell us about your home!
My family and I proudly own a home in the Fremont Row House District, which are masonry-built homes established after the Great Chicago Fire. Inside, we have changed the interior from the way of living in 1875 to a traditional-transitional home of modern days. I adore the original elements like our fireplace, tin ceilings, and plaster moldings.
What does your perfect Saturday look like?
Every Saturday our family starts the day together with breakfast and our boys will draw some artwork! Shortly after, I usually meet with clients for showings getting them one step closer to their dream home. On fair weather days, I love to end the day with a family walk around the neighborhood.
How would your clients describe you?
An empathetic listener and transparent communicator.
Kind Words for Maria
