When it comes to finding the perfect real estate match for their clients, Hinsdale realtors Chris Pequet and Cathy Condon have the skill and knowledge to make the best connections.
Chris Pequet and CathyCondon—realtors at Premier Partners at Crawford Group Sotheby’s International Realty—are truly a dynamic duo when it comes to real estate. “As a professional partnership, we’ve always gotten along so well, and we do work very well together,” Chris says. “It’s a very nice match for us.” The two women began working together on various real estate projects in the 1980s, but became a full-time “team” in 2001. Since then, they have never looked back. “I think it’s very notable when two women remain career partners for over 10 years!” Cathy says with a laugh.
Aside from being the best professional match for each other, Chris and Cathy are also experienced experts who find the ideal real estate matches for their buyers and sellers. In fact, they were once known as “The Matchmakers” for this reason. “I think the most exciting part of this job is when you find a perfect match for someone—it’s just so rewarding,” Chris says. “It reminds you of why you’re doing this.”
Chris and Cathy, both current residents of Hinsdale, started their “matchmaking” days at Sotheby’s when it came to Chicago in 2005. By 2006, the branch in Hinsdale was opened, and the two ladies began working with clients in the western suburbs. Throughout the years, they have teamed up with a combination of sellers and buyers, and have modified their services to conform to the changing needs of their clients. “Currently, there has been a pretty good push on rentals—to satisfy people before they purchase—so we’ve adapted to that as well,” Cathy explains.
When working with sellers, in particular, Chris and Cathy’s main goal is to make sure that each home is put on the market at the best price and in the best condition. “We have an entire Rolodex of different stagers, vendors, painters, and floor companies—so we can help our sellers get their home ready,” Chris says. “We believe it’s a team effort to get the home in perfect shape.” Chris and Cathy also educate their clients on the current market prices, ensuring that they ask an accurate price for their home.
Buyers also find successful home matches when they work with Chris and Cathy. Because prices have come down in the real estate market (across the country and locally), the Hinsdale area has a bevy of great deals for buyers now—even for those who haven’t been able to buy in the past. “We run into some buyers who couldn’t afford to buy in Hinsdale before, and they’re really excited because they can finally buy a starter home in the area,” Chris says.
In fact, Cathy moved into her own Hinsdale starter home with her husband in 1966. “We lived at 218 East Hickory—the childhood home of L. Frank Baum, who wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” Cathy says. Chris has also been in Hinsdale since she was married in 1976, so both women have a deep personal and professional knowledge of the town and the surrounding area. In addition, Chris and Cathy are involved in a variety of community activities: Chris is on the Board of Directors at the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce and sits on the RML Specialty Hospital Advisory Board; Cathy is very involved at her church and active in the condominium association where she lives. For both women, their personal lives reflect their professional ones—requiring a lot of hard work, dedication, and a good sense of humor.
Premier Partners at Crawford Group Sotheby’s International Realty is located at 40 East Hinsdale Avenue, Suite 200, in Hinsdale. For more information, call 630-325-1200, or visit premierhomepartners.com or sothebysrealty.com.
—Jenna Schubert
