Connect by Real is a dedicated team of real estate professionals who take client care to the next level. Serving Illinois Metro-East for over a decade, we have helped hundreds of families buy and sell homes. We'd love to talk to you about your journey.
Agents in Illinois trust us. Thousands of qualified buyers in our database know us. That's why it makes sense to partner with us.
Homes Sold
Sold Real Estate
Agents Featured
When I was ten, the kid down the street set me on fire. I survived. A few years later, I was in a terrible car accident, thrown from a rolling truck with a broken neck.
I had a lot of time to read and think about life at a young age, and I took up the hobby of creative writing. So the plan was to be a bestselling novelist who wrote every day. You know, a guy with a big, oak desk wearing a knit sweater as I pondered the universe. Thinking doesn't pay the bills. I worked as a Program Analyst for the Department of Defense. My job was to take a process, break it down, and improve it. I had a lot of dreams and ideas and energy locked up inside a cubicle.
Every big idea I ever had would suffocate inside that cubicle. Then, my wife and I bought our first house in 2006, and I knew I wanted to be a real estate agent someday. That urge truly took flight in 2009, when we sold that home. I saw ways to improve all the processes involved in real estate. I asked common sense questions asking about services and ideas that didn't exist. I wrote my own listing copy, trying to tell the story of the home instead of just describing it.
As I approached 20 years of government service and the "halftime" of my career, something changed. Maybe because I was also approaching forty. I was a father. I had realized some success as a novelist, landing the big New York book deal I dreamed about as a kid.
I was tired of those cubicle walls. I saw people who had endured them for forty years or more, and saw myself. What would it feel like on my deathbed? I would have regretted not breaking out, not taking a chance on my own skills and ideas.
People still asked me about homes and financing. They trusted me. All the books I had read, all the writing and communicating. The creativity and ability to break down a process. A mind bursting with ideas. A craving to help people one-on-one with the biggest decision of their lives. A way to control the impact I could have on the Common Good. A chance to run my own business, to write more, to spend more time with my family. I couldn't wait any longer and got my license in less than three weeks, and had an agent ready to follow my lead from day one.
Taking the plunge was one of the best decisions of my life. Since then, I’ve helped dozens of clients just like you level up their homes with ease and confidence.
Sure, real estate is a good investment, and it is, but your home is something more. A home is a symbol of your success. It's a key part of your family's identity. A new home moves you forward. I take immense pride in leading this journey for you. Because I know what those big breakthroughs feel like. Because I know how to handle a challenge. Because I've seen the tears of pure joy when a family gets handed the keys to a house they never dreamed was possible.
Every path is different, so I'll never be a one-size-fits-all "commodity" agent. Get ready for a real estate experience you never thought was possible, a bespoke experience that removes the hassle and honors your time. I don't want to find your "move-up" house. I want you to find your trophy home, the crown jewel of your life's real estate journey. I'll help you honor the memories in your current house as you pursue a home that fills you with excitement and awe every time you pull into the driveway.
And nothing says we can't have some fun along the way!
For more than a decade, we've helped more than 500+ buyers, sellers, developers, and investors achieve success in the [Area] area, no matter the market conditions. C'mon—you're next.
Get access to off-market properties. And submit a compelling, strategic offer that gets you into the home you want.
We invest in professional photographers, videographers, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more to promote your home everywhere.
Fred was incredibly helpful during the house buying process. He not only viewed houses for us when we were remote but gave us honest feedback, even if it meant we wouldn't put an offer down. He created videos for us to walk us through the contracts, which helped us understand exactly what we were signing. He went the extra mile to make sure we were confident in our choice and comfortable with the buying process. If you are in the St. Louis Metro East area, definitely get in contact with him!
I cannot say enough good things about Fred! I am sure I'll forget some instances in the journey to finding my new home. Fred was there from the first house I looked at, he got me a showing with short notice for the next day (this became norm in our hunt). He fit me in during evenings, weekends & even a holiday! Always responded to my texts or calls quickly. (Once from Disney World!) He gave me honest feedback on each house & often the first to point out cons of the property. He got a feel for what my needs were quickly & I valued his opinion on each property. We ended up finding a fantastic deal! The Closing Agent even commented on what a great deal I got! In the crazy housing market at this time, I got an incredible home that I am going to love as my "Forever Home". Fred was so great, I am having him list my parents home. He came in and gave great advice on what needed to be done to get the best appraisal. I would recommend Fred to anyone looking to buy or sell their home.
Where to start with Fred? We THANKFULLY met Fred through another referral agency because we needed to sell our home quickly so that we could relocate to another state for work. We interviewed SEVERAL agents and he immediately made us feel confident that he could sell our log cabin. Fred understood that our property was unique and even though that may have been a challenge for for other agents, he quickly developed a pre-marketing plan. His plan generated a one-weekend sale with 20+ showings and THREE offers that were all above our listed price. We've bought and sold MANY homes and this was by BY FAR the best experience that we've had to date. Fred worked to sell our home like it was his own and what more could you ask for? Call him.
Fred is the best realtor I have every encountered. His knowledge of the market, his marketing approach, and his attentiveness to or needs lead to a very successful sale above asking price. We are so glad he was our real estate broker.
I have nothing but great things to say about Fred! He made the process of selling my home easy and as painless as possible. He was very responsive and was willing to work around my schedule and contact preferences. He was extremely knowledgeable about the process and had excellent contacts, plus my home sold in less than a day so I really couldn't be happier!
Fred is amazing! He made the whole process of buying a house so easy! I would recommend Fred to family and friends! He was available throughout the whole process.
Whether you want to buy now or months from now, it's a smart idea to make a plan. Just tell us a bit about yourself, and a team member will reach out shortly.
We'll get in touch with you soon.
