I have absolutely loved working with Brie, Charlie and Ronan and would recommend Second City Real Estate to any of my friends who are looking to buy a multi-unit property. Each showing was educational, with Brie and Charlie giving their input as investors. The team is very professional and provides property analysis to help make the decision for putting in an offer. We'll definitely be working with them again for our next investment!

Brie, Charlie, and I’m sure the rest of the team are all amazing. They’re investors at heart and want each of their clients to be successful and get a great deal. They never pressure and are happy to answer any questions you have. They work with investors at the beginning of their career all the way through to the most seasoned folks. Most of their clientele is repeat clientele as far as I can see, and I definitely plan to fit that mold with future investment properties (we just closed on our first one). Their services are solid, their recommendations for vendors are great, and you’ll definitely want them as part of your team as you expand your portfolio.

Tom Shallcross, our agent, was amazing throughout the entire home buying process. We felt extremely supported throughout the entire process and were always confident that Tom was looking out for our best interest. He provided great advice throughout the offer, negotiation, inspection, attorney review, and closing processes and was with us every step of the way. He is extremely knowledgeable while also providing responses in a very personable light. We look forward to our continued work with him.

Brie is simply amazing! I was a first-time investor and she worked with me through the whole process. When I felt like other realtors were trying to convince me to just buy a place so they could get a commission, Brie would be blunt and tell me not to buy properties and explained her reasons why. She also had valuable input for reasons to purchase a property. She's a very accomplished investor herself. I've recommended her to several friends!

Charles Vergara was a great realtor, really helpful and enthusiastic. He helped me find an apartment to rent in downtown Chicago in 2021, and also helped me buy a condo an hour north of Chicago in the suburs just recently.

I worked with JayR who was phenomenal!

Having heard Brie tell her story on Bigger Pockets podcast #78, I felt that I had found someone who could guide me to achieve my goals. Brie’s story was proof that my goal of “retiring” young and wealthy through real estate was achievable. In August, 2014, I connected with her on BP, met her in person at her Investor MeetUp, and quickly identified that she was the one who was capable of helping me find the right house hacking investment. Fortunately, she was willing and we got to work. A few days after meeting her, I had a spreadsheet in my inbox with multifamily properties with asking prices, current rents, market rents, and current & market rent 2% rule ratios. Astute at cash flow analysis from personal experience, she not only aggregated the data but screened properties prior to sharing with me. This saved a ton of time and streamlined evaluations since properties presented had a reasonable expectation of positive cash flow. It was still up to me to do my diligence, but Brie trained me on how to determine market rents, how to estimate operating expenses, some repair costs, and how to evaluate cap rates in the North Side of Chicago. This wasn’t just a building for me to live in, it was for both me and my then fiancé. As such, the process of finding the right combination of location, quality, safety, and cash flow potential made for a grueling shopping process. We ended up under contract four times, the first three of which were fraught with black mold infestations, major renovation projects, and dishonest and belligerent sellers (one got in a shouting match confrontation with my inspector!). Through many weekend viewings, phone conversations, text messages, and late night email exchanges, Brie guided me, kept me grounded, and focused on the investment objective. I picked Brie not only because she has walked the very path I wish to journey, but because her primary income is sourced from her multifamily portfolio and she wouldn’t rely on commission from my purchase to survive. Indeed, she was patient and steadfast that I find the right fit; even cautioning me regarding some ambitious undertakings. We walked through over fifty three and four flat buildings (~175 units) in seven months before finding the building I ultimately closed on and in which my fiance and I now live for free and cash flow positive! Mission accomplished – with lots of credit to Brie Schmidt. Even after closing, Brie has been there for me as a sounding board for maintenance decisions, tenant screening, tenant management, and beyond. She exceeds the duties of a mere broker, generously making herself available for help, sharing knowledge, and serving as a mentor. I’m grateful for having found a sharp, professional RE investor to learn from and grow with as I strive toward retiring young and wealthy.

Brie was absolutely essential to have on my team as I went through the process of buying my first property. She’s knowledgeable, proactive, and to-the-point, and her wealth of first-hand experience truly distinguishes her from the traditional real estate agent. I would happily work with Brie in the future and would easily recommend her to anyone looking for an agent.

I found Brie on Bigger Pockets after knowing I wanted to start investing in real estate but wasn’t sure where to start. I knew I needed to find the right agent who was used to helping investors and I definitely came to the right person with Brie. Like others have mentioned, one of the greatest benefits you get from Brie is her honesty. Many people have the knowledge about investing, but they may be looking out for themselves and aren’t always looking out for your interests. Brie was the exact opposite. She knew everything about the industry but also supplied you with that information in order for you to know exactly what decisions you were making and be as informed as possible. Another huge benefit of working with Brie is that she goes above and beyond what her job description is of being a real estate agent for her clients. She doesn’t just help you purchase a property and then leave you fumbling as you start this new “job” as a landlord. She was there for every call, every text, every email and saved me a huge amount of time if I had to figure out this new landlord position myself. She has not led me wrong and always been a champion of my success in this new endeavor. If you’re interested in purchasing a property to get started in multi-family real estate investing, do yourself a favor and contact Brie. It can seem like a scary process, but Brie will help you over every hurdle along the way.

I found Brie through her Bigger Pockets Podcast episodes and wanted to work with her because of her honesty. She has the other qualities mentioned on this site too like being extremely knowledgable and really responsive with email/phone. But, I think the most rare and valuable thing is someone who will be honest with you and won’t fill your head with B.S. about the garbage deal you have fallen in love with. Similarly, Brie isn’t going to tell you that you can rehab this 4 flat with five grand and your brother-in-law. She’ll give you a good idea of how long it will take, how much it will cost, and how much you will cry if you take this project on. She is a great realtor in a bunch of ways (going above and beyond for her clients, Awesome data driven approach), but I just wanted to highlight something that other people probably won’t talk about as much. I, also, want to add figures on the deal we did with Brie. We bought a place in Logan Square (6 blocks west of the Logan Square Blue Line) for $595,000. It was rehabbed and pretty ready to go. We are living in the first floor and the basement/2nd floor are covering the mortgage. A pretty great deal, in my opinion. I am definitely going to work with Brie when I am ready to buy my next property.

I found Brie on the Bigger Pockets forum and BP Podcast episodes and wanted to work with her as she is an absolute expert in this industry. Brie and her team are incredibly knowledgeable and are eager to help you get started. Unlike other agents, Brie is completely honest and won’t just tell you what you want to hear. She is brutally honest and will give you all the information you need on a property to make a good decision. Along with Brie, her team Ronan and Charlie are reflections of her. I worked with Ronan to settle my first multiunit property and couldn’t be happier with the support Ronan has given me. Still today he continues to reach out to make sure everything is going well, and if I have questions about anything. I’m grateful to have worked with Second City for my first multifamily unit, and they will be the only brokerage I buy from as I continue to grow my portfolio!

I came across Brie on BiggerPockets in 2016 and started listening to her podcasts. When I was ready to start looking for my first multi family I was lucky enough to have her take me on as a client. This woman literally knows EVERYTHING about the Chicago market. She is not only a wealth of knowledge but has the patience of a saint. I knew buying a place would be stressful, and if I didn’t have her help every step of the way I probably would have thrown in the towel and bought a condo. She’s extremely quick to respond despite being extremely busy and in demand, and her help truly does not end after you close. I don’t quite know how she does it all, but I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her and will be searching for my next multi family through her as well.

I worked with Brie on finding and purchasing a multi unit property in Chicago to rehab and rent out. Not only was it my first home purchase but first investment property as well. From the very beginning she went above and beyond not only helping with the search and answering any of my many questions along the way, but also providing financial analysis guidance prior to the purchase so I could be an educated and well informed buyer / investor. I wouldn’t work with anyone else in the Chicagoland area if the opportunity comes to buy another multi-unit property. She’s been a huge help and resource well after the transaction was finished and a typical agent or broker would be done offering their help.

Brie is great! I can't really say enough great things about her - she's willing to go above and beyond what is expected of an agent. She's resourceful and will help with any question you have. If she doesn't know she will find out or find someone who does. Brie helped me purchase a 4 flat in 2018 after about 1.5 years of looking. She was able to leverage her connections and find an off market deal. Without her, I'd never have found the place I currently live in. I can't recommend Brie enough!

Brie is exceptional at analyzing and providing constructive, as well as market-relevant, feedback for each multi-family 2-4 flat during our search throughout the Chicago market. Beyond the analysis, she’s proven to be an invaluable resource, adviser, and ‘sounding board’ for each phase of my Real Estate investing career. I can’t recommend her enough.

If you’re looking for a company that has a great team, very knowledgeable and gives their clients the attention they need, then look no further. Second City Real Estate is what you’re looking for all in one place!

I came across Brie here on Biggerpockets.com, and I reached out to her to find a multi-unit property in Chicago. Since then, everything changed in a good way. Brie helped us find our first multiunit home in Chicago. Throughout, Brie was a tremendous resource in every step of the process. Whenever I had a question or an issue she always had an answer. Also, even before I realized something would be an issue, Brie would point it out and provide several options for us to choose from. And I never felt pressure to purchase a property with Brie. We could always rely on Brie to give us an honest and objective opinion on any matter. Even after closing, Brie is continuing to provide advice on how to manage our new property efficiently. Brie is unlike any other real estate agent. She is an investor at heart, and it's immensely helpful to have another investor who is so knowledgeable on our side when we are looking at these deals. I will be working with Brie on my next investment properties too!

After 1 year, 50 showings, 10 offers, 3 offers over list, I FINALLY went under contract on a GRAND SLAM property in Jefferson Park. This was a vacant property 4 unit property with a bonus 5th unit. With all 5 units the Monthly Rent was at $6,500 a month on a $500K property. Finding a rehabbed building over the 1% rule is impossible in Chicago. We ended up starting an Airbnb business in this building which made my revenues go more then $11K a month. After 1 year of buying my first property I ended up putting my notice at my Corporate job as Financial Manager to run my own Airbnb business. This is all thanks to Brie. Without her getting me into this none of it would happen. I cant thank her enough for it. I learned so much with her about the Chicago market and she is a complete expert in her trade. She is honest, reliable, and takes initiative. When anyone asks me how do I get into real estate investing, i always have a quick response and say... Talk to Brie

Brie clearly has a passion for real estate investing and is extremely knowledgeable. She is always full of great advice and is extremely helpful. Brie organizes a monthly meetup in the NW Chicago area. That meetup is hands down my favorite in the Chicagoland area. She recently helped me evaluate 4 flat that I was thinking of buying as a house hack deal. I'm so glad that I talked to her first. I learned a lot more about the 203k loan and house hacking in general. Anyone thinking of doing a house hacking deal in Chicago, I would highly recommend working w/ Brie. Thank you Brie!

We contacted Brie after hearing her podcast and she has been phenomenal to work with. Incredibly responsive, aggressive about getting appointments, but not pushy on merely making a sale. She is full of solid advice and we found her to be super helpful. She really works with you as a team, and we look forward to working with her more!

Having heard Brie tell her story on Bigger Pockets podcast #78, I felt that I had found someone who could guide me to achieve my goals. Brie’s story was proof that my goal of “retiring” young and wealthy through real estate was achievable. In August, 2014, I connected with her on BP, met her in person at her Investor MeetUp, and quickly identified that she was the one who was capable of helping me find the right house hacking investment. Fortunately, she was willing and we got to work. A few days after meeting her, I had a spreadsheet in my inbox with multifamily properties with asking prices, current rents, market rents, and current & market rent 2% rule ratios. Astute at cash flow analysis from personal experience, she not only aggregated the data but screened properties prior to sharing with me. This saved a ton of time and streamlined evaluations since properties presented had a reasonable expectation of positive cash flow. It was still up to me to do my diligence, but Brie trained me on how to determine market rents, how to estimate operating expenses, some repair costs, and how to evaluate cap rates in the North Side of Chicago. This wasn’t just a building for me to live in, it was for both me and my then fiancé. As such, the process of finding the right combination of location, quality, safety, and cash flow potential made for a grueling shopping process. We ended up under contract four times, the first three of which were fraught with black mold infestations, major renovation projects, and dishonest and belligerent sellers (one got in a shouting match confrontation with my inspector!). Through many weekend viewings, phone conversations, text messages, and late night email exchanges, Brie guided me, kept me grounded, and focused on the investment objective. I picked Brie not only because she has walked the very path I wish to journey, but because her primary income is sourced from her multifamily portfolio and she wouldn’t rely on commission from my purchase to survive. Indeed, she was patient and steadfast that I find the right fit; even cautioning me regarding some ambitious undertakings. We walked through over fifty three and four flat buildings (~175 units) in seven months before finding the building I ultimately closed on and in which my fiance and I now live for free and cash flow positive! Mission accomplished – with lots of credit to Brie Schmidt. Even after closing, Brie has been there for me as a sounding board for maintenance decisions, tenant screening, tenant management, and beyond. She exceeds the duties of a mere broker, generously making herself available for help, sharing knowledge, and serving as a mentor. I’m grateful for having found a sharp, professional RE investor to learn from and grow with as I strive toward retiring young and wealthy.

Brie was absolutely essential to have on my team as I went through the process of buying my first property. She’s knowledgeable, proactive, and to-the-point, and her wealth of first-hand experience truly distinguishes her from the traditional real estate agent. I would happily work with Brie in the future and would easily recommend her to anyone looking for an agent.

I found Brie on Bigger Pockets after knowing I wanted to start investing in real estate but wasn’t sure where to start. I knew I needed to find the right agent who was used to helping investors and I definitely came to the right person with Brie. Like others have mentioned, one of the greatest benefits you get from Brie is her honesty. Many people have the knowledge about investing, but they may be looking out for themselves and aren’t always looking out for your interests. Brie was the exact opposite. She knew everything about the industry but also supplied you with that information in order for you to know exactly what decisions you were making and be as informed as possible. Another huge benefit of working with Brie is that she goes above and beyond what her job description is of being a real estate agent for her clients. She doesn’t just help you purchase a property and then leave you fumbling as you start this new “job” as a landlord. She was there for every call, every text, every email and saved me a huge amount of time if I had to figure out this new landlord position myself. She has not led me wrong and always been a champion of my success in this new endeavor. If you’re interested in purchasing a property to get started in multi-family real estate investing, do yourself a favor and contact Brie. It can seem like a scary process, but Brie will help you over every hurdle along the way.

I found Brie through her Bigger Pockets Podcast episodes and wanted to work with her because of her honesty. She has the other qualities mentioned on this site too like being extremely knowledgable and really responsive with email/phone. But, I think the most rare and valuable thing is someone who will be honest with you and won’t fill your head with B.S. about the garbage deal you have fallen in love with. Similarly, Brie isn’t going to tell you that you can rehab this 4 flat with five grand and your brother-in-law. She’ll give you a good idea of how long it will take, how much it will cost, and how much you will cry if you take this project on. She is a great realtor in a bunch of ways (going above and beyond for her clients, Awesome data driven approach), but I just wanted to highlight something that other people probably won’t talk about as much. I, also, want to add figures on the deal we did with Brie. We bought a place in Logan Square (6 blocks west of the Logan Square Blue Line) for $595,000. It was rehabbed and pretty ready to go. We are living in the first floor and the basement/2nd floor are covering the mortgage. A pretty great deal, in my opinion. I am definitely going to work with Brie when I am ready to buy my next property.

I found Brie on the Bigger Pockets forum and BP Podcast episodes and wanted to work with her as she is an absolute expert in this industry. Brie and her team are incredibly knowledgeable and are eager to help you get started. Unlike other agents, Brie is completely honest and won’t just tell you what you want to hear. She is brutally honest and will give you all the information you need on a property to make a good decision. Along with Brie, her team Ronan and Charlie are reflections of her. I worked with Ronan to settle my first multiunit property and couldn’t be happier with the support Ronan has given me. Still today he continues to reach out to make sure everything is going well, and if I have questions about anything. I’m grateful to have worked with Second City for my first multifamily unit, and they will be the only brokerage I buy from as I continue to grow my portfolio!

I came across Brie on BiggerPockets in 2016 and started listening to her podcasts. When I was ready to start looking for my first multi family I was lucky enough to have her take me on as a client. This woman literally knows EVERYTHING about the Chicago market. She is not only a wealth of knowledge but has the patience of a saint. I knew buying a place would be stressful, and if I didn’t have her help every step of the way I probably would have thrown in the towel and bought a condo. She’s extremely quick to respond despite being extremely busy and in demand, and her help truly does not end after you close. I don’t quite know how she does it all, but I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her and will be searching for my next multi family through her as well.

I worked with Brie on finding and purchasing a multi unit property in Chicago to rehab and rent out. Not only was it my first home purchase but first investment property as well. From the very beginning she went above and beyond not only helping with the search and answering any of my many questions along the way, but also providing financial analysis guidance prior to the purchase so I could be an educated and well informed buyer / investor. I wouldn’t work with anyone else in the Chicagoland area if the opportunity comes to buy another multi-unit property. She’s been a huge help and resource well after the transaction was finished and a typical agent or broker would be done offering their help.

Brie is great! I can't really say enough great things about her - she's willing to go above and beyond what is expected of an agent. She's resourceful and will help with any question you have. If she doesn't know she will find out or find someone who does. Brie helped me purchase a 4 flat in 2018 after about 1.5 years of looking. She was able to leverage her connections and find an off market deal. Without her, I'd never have found the place I currently live in. I can't recommend Brie enough!

Brie is exceptional at analyzing and providing constructive, as well as market-relevant, feedback for each multi-family 2-4 flat during our search throughout the Chicago market. Beyond the analysis, she’s proven to be an invaluable resource, adviser, and ‘sounding board’ for each phase of my Real Estate investing career. I can’t recommend her enough.

If you’re looking for a company that has a great team, very knowledgeable and gives their clients the attention they need, then look no further. Second City Real Estate is what you’re looking for all in one place!

I came across Brie here on Biggerpockets.com, and I reached out to her to find a multi-unit property in Chicago. Since then, everything changed in a good way. Brie helped us find our first multiunit home in Chicago. Throughout, Brie was a tremendous resource in every step of the process. Whenever I had a question or an issue she always had an answer. Also, even before I realized something would be an issue, Brie would point it out and provide several options for us to choose from. And I never felt pressure to purchase a property with Brie. We could always rely on Brie to give us an honest and objective opinion on any matter. Even after closing, Brie is continuing to provide advice on how to manage our new property efficiently. Brie is unlike any other real estate agent. She is an investor at heart, and it's immensely helpful to have another investor who is so knowledgeable on our side when we are looking at these deals. I will be working with Brie on my next investment properties too!

After 1 year, 50 showings, 10 offers, 3 offers over list, I FINALLY went under contract on a GRAND SLAM property in Jefferson Park. This was a vacant property 4 unit property with a bonus 5th unit. With all 5 units the Monthly Rent was at $6,500 a month on a $500K property. Finding a rehabbed building over the 1% rule is impossible in Chicago. We ended up starting an Airbnb business in this building which made my revenues go more then $11K a month. After 1 year of buying my first property I ended up putting my notice at my Corporate job as Financial Manager to run my own Airbnb business. This is all thanks to Brie. Without her getting me into this none of it would happen. I cant thank her enough for it. I learned so much with her about the Chicago market and she is a complete expert in her trade. She is honest, reliable, and takes initiative. When anyone asks me how do I get into real estate investing, i always have a quick response and say... Talk to Brie

Brie clearly has a passion for real estate investing and is extremely knowledgeable. She is always full of great advice and is extremely helpful. Brie organizes a monthly meetup in the NW Chicago area. That meetup is hands down my favorite in the Chicagoland area. She recently helped me evaluate 4 flat that I was thinking of buying as a house hack deal. I'm so glad that I talked to her first. I learned a lot more about the 203k loan and house hacking in general. Anyone thinking of doing a house hacking deal in Chicago, I would highly recommend working w/ Brie. Thank you Brie!

We contacted Brie after hearing her podcast and she has been phenomenal to work with. Incredibly responsive, aggressive about getting appointments, but not pushy on merely making a sale. She is full of solid advice and we found her to be super helpful. She really works with you as a team, and we look forward to working with her more!

I have absolutely loved working with Brie, Charlie and Ronan and would recommend Second City Real Estate to any of my friends who are looking to buy a multi-unit property. Each showing was educational, with Brie and Charlie giving their input as investors. The team is very professional and provides property analysis to help make the decision for putting in an offer. We'll definitely be working with them again for our next investment!

Brie, Charlie, and I’m sure the rest of the team are all amazing. They’re investors at heart and want each of their clients to be successful and get a great deal. They never pressure and are happy to answer any questions you have. They work with investors at the beginning of their career all the way through to the most seasoned folks. Most of their clientele is repeat clientele as far as I can see, and I definitely plan to fit that mold with future investment properties (we just closed on our first one). Their services are solid, their recommendations for vendors are great, and you’ll definitely want them as part of your team as you expand your portfolio.

Tom Shallcross, our agent, was amazing throughout the entire home buying process. We felt extremely supported throughout the entire process and were always confident that Tom was looking out for our best interest. He provided great advice throughout the offer, negotiation, inspection, attorney review, and closing processes and was with us every step of the way. He is extremely knowledgeable while also providing responses in a very personable light. We look forward to our continued work with him.

Brie is simply amazing! I was a first-time investor and she worked with me through the whole process. When I felt like other realtors were trying to convince me to just buy a place so they could get a commission, Brie would be blunt and tell me not to buy properties and explained her reasons why. She also had valuable input for reasons to purchase a property. She's a very accomplished investor herself. I've recommended her to several friends!

Charles Vergara was a great realtor, really helpful and enthusiastic. He helped me find an apartment to rent in downtown Chicago in 2021, and also helped me buy a condo an hour north of Chicago in the suburs just recently.

I worked with JayR who was phenomenal!