James Barclay

Many people, when they think of realtors, imagine one of the characters from "Glengarry Glen Ross". There is Jack Lemon's character: out of touch, desperate to make a sale for his own survival, pathetic. There is Al Pacino's character: arrogant to the point of revulsion, out to make as much money as possible with little regard for anyone but himself. Then there is Alec Baldwin's character: just an a**hole.

Him? He does not fit into any of those stereotypes. He is just a regular guy. And a nice guy to boot.

His job, and he take it very seriously, is to help people. Usually that means assisting them in buying or selling a home. It often involves educating them to the way the process works and informing them of all their options. It frequently includes explaining the current market conditions and referring them to an attorney, lender, home inspector or moving company whom he trust. Sometimes it even means telling them now is not the time for them to buy or sell and helping them construct a long-term plan to achieve their goals.

He began in the industry in 2005 and have seen his business grow steadily each year--despite the current market challenges. By serving both buyers and sellers, he gains valuable insight to the needs and motivations of each. That, in turn, allows him to negotiate for his clients strategically and effectively--getting them the best possible deal for their money.

In addition to working with sellers and "move up" buyers, he particularly enjoy helping first time home buyers realize their goal of home ownership. He is the organizer of the First Time Chicago Home Buyer's Group on Meetup.com and he host a series of regular workshops designed specifically for first time home buyers.

His background is atypical for a realtor. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas and for ten years he made his living solely as a professional drummer. He has recorded, performed, and toured throughout the US and Europe. Many people are surprised to learn this but for him the path to success in both careers has been the same: demanding work, honesty, and integrity. Most importantly, when given the opportunity to perform — on stage or as an advocate for a buyer or seller — he does the best job he can and completely exceed expectations.

By doing so, he has been able to build his business on the referrals of past clients who appreciate the work that he did for them. Do not just take his word for it. Read for yourself what people are saying about him in their testimonials and on Yelp.com.

...and yes, he still does perform on the drums as time allows. It is a thrill to invite his clients to a club gig or a theater show he is in and let them see the "other" him.