Ryan Parks

Senior Broker
Related Realty

Although the Internet puts facts and figures at users’ fingertips, too many facts can lead to an information overload that makes it difficult to understand exactly what they mean. When it comes to explaining the most complex real estate concepts to clients, Related Realty’s Ryan Parks is batting a thousand. “Obtaining information is one thing, but educating a client to use it to their competitive advantage is a whole different ballgame,” says the former varsity baseball player for the Fighting Illini at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. So, as he is helping people buy or sell property throughout Chicago’s wonderful neighborhoods, Parks is well able to both explain the plethora of real estate market data available in cyberspace and, more importantly, what these statistics mean for each client’s unique circumstances.

Parks previously taught high school grammar and math, so educating clients is second nature. He launched his broker career as a way to pursue his entrepreneurial aspirations and soon realized the thrill that he also derived from helping others fulfill their real estate dreams. His unflappable disposition and listening ear have earned clients’ respect over the 12 years that he has been in the industry. “Some people have pointed out my ability to keep calm in stressful situations, which allows me to truly understand the other side’s point of view,” says Parks. “My expertise is also first listening to what my clients have to say and then presenting them with answers and options that position them to make an informed decision. This approach also helps with Realtor relationships during negotiations,” he adds.

In addition to appearing on HGTV’s “House Hunters” in 2014, Chicago magazine has recognized Parks as a Five Star Professional while Zillow.com has named him a 5-Star Agent and the Chicago Association of Realtors perennially ranks him among its top producers. These accolades make it easy to understand why his business thrives thanks to client referrals, which he says mean more to him than any award or honor.

Characterizing himself as “candid” and “to the point,” Parks makes clear that his clients can and should ask him anything with the expectation that his reply will be based on market conditions, transaction logistics and the services he offers so that they know what to anticipate from the outset of their collaboration. “I’m going to give it to them straight,” he remarks. “They’re putting a lot of trust and faith in my expertise as their Realtor, so they deserve my best efforts in return.” And with that kind of attitude and commitment, it’s no wonder how and why Parks scores a homerun every time.