Zak Herman

Real estate decisions deserve to be clear, strategic, and centered on your goals, not clouded by outdated systems and inflated costs. Yet the traditional model has been slow to evolve, often leaving buyers and sellers exposed to confusion, unnecessary risk, and a process that serves the industry before the consumer.

With 15 years of experience serving buyers, sellers, and investors across Chicago including River North, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, West Town, and the West Loop, as well as the surrounding suburbs, my role is to put you firmly in control by simplifying each step, shaping strategy around your unique personal situation, and protecting your time, equity, and leverage. By removing what doesn't add value, I help clients move forward with clarity and confidence.

My advisory approach serves clients at every stage, from first-time purchasers to move-up buyers and downsizers. Drawing on my background in house flipping and education in finance, I bring particular expertise for real estate investors and out-of-town buyers relocating to Chicago, where collaborative technology platforms simplify the process and allow informed decisions regardless of location.

For sellers, that means pricing strategies informed by buyer psychology and marketing designed to generate serious offers, not just clicks. For buyers, it means access to private inventory, real-time market intelligence, and advance planning that strengthens your position at the negotiating table. Because the process is streamlined, I return savings directly to you through reduced commissions for sellers and closing cost credits for buyers.

Whether it's a first purchase, a portfolio addition, or a high-value sale, I serve as strategist and advocate, ensuring your priorities come first, your privacy is respected, and your autonomy is preserved. Every listing benefits from industry-leading presentation, including 3-D tours and laser-measured floor plans, so your property stands out where it matters most: on the MLS and across online platforms.

As a licensed Chicago REALTOR® with experience representing buyers and sellers in transactions ranging from under $100K to over $1 million, I founded The Pareto Group in 2024 to bring a client-first model to real estate, anchored by simplicity, safety, transparency, privacy, and autonomy. Maintaining consistently five-star reviews on Google and Zillow, I operate through Real Broker, a global, tech-forward brokerage of more than 30,000 agents, which I joined in 2024 after 13 years with a leading local brokerage, enabling greater flexibility in how I serve clients.

My work has been featured on HGTV's House Hunters and in the Chicago Sun-Times for my experience restoring classic Chicago bungalows. I live in West Town with my husband and our dog, Fritz, and enjoy Chicago's restaurant scene and CrossFit community.

At The Pareto Group, we go beyond transactions. We empower clients with the tools, knowledge, and structure to make confident real estate decisions and walk away with both clarity and stronger financial outcomes.