About Chicago Condo Finder · Chicago
Chicago Condo Finder (chicagocondofinder.com) is a Chicago-based residential real estate team specializing in the buying and selling of condominiums throughout Chicago's most sought-after neighborhoods. Founded in 2012 by Helaine Cohen, the firm operates under the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago umbrella and is based at 980 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 700, in the heart of the Gold Coast / Magnificent Mile corridor. The team focuses on luxury condo, loft, and townhome properties, with deep expertise in downtown high-rises along the lakefront.
Chicago Condo Finder was launched in January 2012 by Helaine Cohen, a licensed real estate broker in Illinois and Florida, and a Top 1% producer in Illinois within the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network. Cohen holds a BSBA in Marketing from Boston University and an MBA from Babson College, and previously built a successful sales career in the technology industry before pivoting to residential real estate. The website was designed as a dedicated, condo-focused resource to help buyers and sellers navigate Chicago's condo market with neighborhood-specific insight, building-level data, and dynamic marketing plans that leverage the latest tech tools. Over the years, the firm has grown into a multi-agent team operating as part of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago, headquartered at 980 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 700. The team includes Senior Broker Michael J. Kearney, who brings more than 20 years of sales experience and previously managed a 500+ client base and a $60 million new-construction sell-out. Chicago Condo Finder serves buyers, sellers, and relocations across Chicago's most prestigious neighborhoods — including the Gold Coast, South Loop, Lake View, River North, Streeterville, and the New Eastside — with specialty focus on iconic buildings such as 4 E. Elm, the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, 30 W. Oak, and 50 E. Chestnut. Helaine Cohen has been recognized as a Top Producer by the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, and the firm carries a 4.0-star rating on Yelp across ten reviews praising its first-time buyer guidance, honest communication, and persistence in touring properties citywide.
- In business
- Founded January 2012 (approximately 13 years)
- Owner
- Helaine Cohen — Founder and Team Lead
- Serves
- Chicago, Illinois — primary focus on the Gold Coast, South Loop, Lake View, River North, Streeterville, New Eastside, Lincoln Park, and other downtown / lakefront neighborhoods
- Rating
- 4.0 (10 Yelp reviews)
About Chicago Condo Finder
Chicago Condo Finder was founded in January 2012 by Helaine Cohen as a condo-focused resource for the Chicago market. The site combines deep neighborhood and building-level knowledge with advanced MLS search technology to help buyers and sellers navigate condo transactions. The firm operates under the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago umbrella and is based at 980 N. Michigan Avenue in the heart of the Magnificent Mile / Gold Coast area.
- Founded January 2012 by Helaine Cohen
- Affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago
- Headquarters: 980 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60611
- Main phone: 312-953-0961
- Founder email: [email protected]
Founder & Team Leadership
Helaine Cohen, the founder and team lead, is a licensed real estate broker in Illinois and Florida and has been consistently recognized among the Top 1% of brokers in Illinois. She earned a BSBA in Marketing from Boston University and an MBA from Babson College, and previously had a successful sales career in the technology industry before transitioning to residential real estate. Cohen continues to recruit and manage a team of full-time licensed brokers with backgrounds in residential and commercial property, mortgage lending, brokerage management, condo conversion, and lifestyle marketing.
- Helaine Cohen — Founder, Team Lead; Licensed in IL and FL
- Michael J. Kearney — Senior Broker; 20+ years of sales experience
- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago brokerage
- Team members bring backgrounds in technology, mortgage lending, and property management
Services for Buyers
Chicago Condo Finder represents buyers across the city, with a particular specialty in luxury downtown and lakefront properties. Buyers can register on chicagocondofinder.com for free access to detailed MLS listing data, set up custom search alerts, and sign up for free weekly market reports. The team guides clients through every step from pre-approval through attorney review and closing.
- Advanced MLS search for condos, lofts, townhomes, and single-family homes
- Free registration for listing alerts and saved searches
- Free weekly Chicago market reports
- Mortgage pre-approval guidance (recommended gross income 3x housing costs; 5-10% deposit)
- Tours throughout the city including first-time buyer education
- Attorney review and contract negotiation support
Services for Sellers
For condo sellers, Chicago Condo Finder provides dynamic, tech-driven marketing plans designed to maximize exposure of listed units. The team markets properties across MLS, the chicagocondofinder.com site, and the broader Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network, with positioning tailored to specific buildings and neighborhoods.
- Comparative market analyses (price-per-square-foot, recent comps)
- Listing presentation and pricing strategy
- Premium online exposure on chicagocondofinder.com and BHHS network
- Coordination of building document review with buyer attorneys
Gold Coast Neighborhood Expertise
The Gold Coast is one of the firm's signature coverage areas. Chicago Condo Finder maintains a detailed Gold Coast condo building directory that lets buyers drill into specific addresses and view only listings at those buildings. The team highlights historic mansions on Astor Street and Dearborn Parkway, high-rise condo buildings along Lake Shore Drive with lake views, and the area's dining and shopping scene along the Magnificent Mile, Oak Street, and Rush Street.
- Featured buildings: 4 E. Elm, The Waldorf Astoria Chicago, 30 W. Oak, 50 E. Chestnut
- Gold Coast Condo Building Directory by address
- Coverage of co-ops, condos, brownstones, and townhomes
- Smaller one-bedrooms from ~$250,000; luxury and lake-facing units exceed $2,000,000
- Walkable to Oak Street Beach, Lincoln Park, and Magnificent Mile
Other Chicago Neighborhoods Served
Beyond the Gold Coast, Chicago Condo Finder searches cover downtown high-rise and loft districts as well as popular residential neighborhoods with strong condo inventories. Listings include both vintage walk-ups and newer luxury towers.
- South Loop
- Lake View
- River North
- Streeterville
- New Eastside
- Lincoln Park
- Lofts and conversions throughout the city
- Trump Tower and Aqua condo listings
Condo Buying Guide & Education
The firm publishes a detailed condo-buying guide on its site covering the full purchase process. Topics include selecting a building (amenities, parking, assessments, views, storage), understanding HOA documents (reserves, special assessments, owner-occupancy percentages — usually required to be under 51% rentals for financing), and conducting due diligence (inspections, mortgage contingency clauses, bank appraisals).
- Selecting a building: amenities, parking, monthly assessments, view, storage
- Owner-occupancy ratio considerations for financing
- Monthly assessments: doormen, management, utilities, insurance, internet
- Condo association reserves and special assessments
- Pet policy and rental bylaws
- Bank appraisal and mortgage contingency
- 5–7 business day inspection / due-diligence period
- Mortgage pre-approval best practices
Recognition & Reputation
Chicago Condo Finder has earned recognition as a top-producing team within both the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network. Helaine Cohen has been repeatedly named among the Top 1% of Illinois brokers, and the firm has been awarded Top Producer (Volume) status by the Chicago Association of REALTORS®.
- Top Producer Volume — Chicago Association of REALTORS®
- Top 1% of brokers in Illinois (Helaine Cohen)
- Top broker in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network
- Member of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (representing 16,000+ members since 1883)
Client Reviews
Public reviews on Yelp (4.0 stars across 10 reviews) and MapQuest highlight Helaine Cohen's honesty, responsiveness, and ability to advocate for buyers — particularly first-time purchasers. Multiple reviewers note that Helaine toured units across many neighborhoods before helping them find the right fit.
- Juli P. (9/3/2015): first-time buyer praised Helaine's responsiveness on a Saturday showing
- Sibel O. (8/26/2016): described Helaine as 'extremely hard-working, punctual, and a supportive ally'
- Kristina C. (1/5/2016): 'I would not use any other broker, Helaine is amazing in every aspect'
- Carla N. (11/1/2016): 'Helaine was extremely honest and helpful during the touring process'
How to Get Started
Prospective clients are encouraged to call the team directly, register on the website for free MLS access, or sign up for the firm's weekly market reports. The team works with both buyers and sellers across Chicago and is licensed in Illinois and Florida.
- Call or text: (312) 953-0961
- Office: 980 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60611
- Register at chicagocondofinder.com for free listing alerts
- Subscribe to free weekly Chicago market reports
- Licensed to serve clients in Illinois and Florida