Chicago Apartment Finders

Apartment Finders Inc.

need company logo
Industry	Real Estate, Apartment Rentals
Founder(s)	Justin Elliott Andy Ahitow
Headquarters	Chicago, United States
Area served	Chicago
Website	chicagoapartmentfinders.com

Chicago Apartment Finders [1] (CAF), is an apartment locating service based in Chicago, Illinois. Their mission is: “We specialize in matching people with apartments.” ^[1]. CAF was co- founded by friends Justin Elliott and Andy Ahitow in 2002. Opening its doors with just two employees, CAF has since, according to Inc Magazine [2], become one of the 35 fastest growing companies in Chicago as of 2008 ^[2]. CAF currently employs 150 people and operates out of four locations: Edgewater (1114 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.), Lakeview (906 W. Belmont Ave.), Gold Coast (818 N. State St.), and Hyde Park (1504 E. 53rd St.).

Renters

CAF is a free service for renters looking for an apartment. Typically, the first step for a prospective client is to go to one of CAF’s leasing centers where s/he will be assigned a Licensed Leasing Agent. After discussing preferences, price range, and neighborhood options, the agent will recommend 6-8 apartments from the CAF database that meet the renter’s specifications. At this point, the agent will take the renter on a 2-4 hour excursion to visit the selected units. Agents will answer questions and solicit feedback from the renter in order to make adjustments to the properties being shown. If an apartment is not chosen during this first outing, CAF will take the renter out as many times as it takes to match him/her with the ideal unit.

Landlords

CAF earns its revenue from landlords in return for renting out the landlord’s property. The fee is one month’s rent if the property is rented out and the landlord approves the potential tenant.

Programs

CAF’s Condo Management Programs helps landlords with management issues and tenant relations, especially if they do not have ample time to manage or do not live near the unit(s) they own. CAF also has developed a Rent-to-Own program, allowing property owners to earn revenue on their property investment during a time when many properties are simply sitting on the market waiting to sell. For renters the benefit is that part of their rent will go towards the down payment if the renter should later choose to purchase the unit.

References

^{[3] [4] [5]}

1. ^ http://www.chicagoapartmentfinders.com
2. ^ http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2008/company-profile.html?id=200841220
3. ^ http://searchchicago.suntimes.com/homes/news/1878253,rookie_landlords-111109.article
4. ^ http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/business/1868179,5_1_WA06_SEVERINSEN_S1-091106.article
5. ^ http://media.www.depauliaonline.com/media/storage/paper1414/news/2009/06/05/Focus/Apartment.Finders.Beware-3752890.shtml