For Riz Gilani, no task is ever too big or too small. “Our clients are busy people and they have jobs, so we try to take as much as we can off of their plates,” says Gilani, founder of Riz Gilani & Associates at Dream Town Realty. “My team truly puts the ‘service’ in full-service real estate.”
A longtime Chicago resident, Gilani has been active in the city’s real estate industry for the last 25 years, though he switched his focus to residential sales in 2005. “So many people spend their whole lives clocking in at a job that doesn’t make them happy,” says Gilani. “I’m incredibly lucky to do something that I absolutely love.”
Specializing in all of Chicago’s neighborhoods, from the South Loop through Rogers Park, as well as the Evanston, Skokie and Oak Park markets, Gilani works with buyers, sellers and investors from all backgrounds. Within the last two years, 90 percent of his business has come from past clients and referrals, rather than farmed or purchased leads — an accomplishment he attributes in part to his responsiveness and devotion to giving his clients his undivided attention. “The growth has truly been organic,” he says. “I’m very proud of the excellent service that I provide my clients, which is the reason why they come back to me year after year.”
The Chicago Association of Realtors has consistently named Gilani a top producer every year since 2009, and he has also ranked as a Five Star Service Professional since 2011. “I’m very thankful to Dream Town Realty for providing such an amazingly supportive and collaborative environment that allows my business to thrive,” he says, adding that his team members, Amy Davis and Tessa Kamberos, are instrumental to his career advancement.
Gilani is a dedicated Realtor member and designates a portion of every commission check to support Coat Angels, among other organizations. Outside of work, Gilani loves to travel and cook, and he frequently invites clients over for dinner. “Sharing a meal with a client in your own home is such a great way to make a special connection,” Gilani says.
