The Domos Report Vol. 11
THE DOMOS REPORT
The Domos Report | eleventh Edition | 07/2026
1201 S Prairie Ave #1703 — $995,000
Building the Team
Buying or selling a house is never merely a transaction—it's an exercise in assembling the right people to make an inherently stressful process bearable. That's what I do. Here's what the team looks like.
Stagers and Organizers: Not every house needs this kind of help, but many do. Getting a home into neat, clean, minimally furnished condition is a project unto itself—especially for empty-nester clients who've lived in the same house for decades and accumulated the evidence to prove it. I work with teams who can walk in and, within days, have a home looking its best. I'm not a natural believer in staging; done badly, it leaves a house feeling like a soulless furniture showroom that's lost the will to live. But a modest rearrangement of what's already there can make an outsized difference.
Painters: A fresh coat of paint works minor miracles when a home is headed to market. Cracked paint, scuffed walls, dated colors—all of it has to go. My painter understands that he's prepping a house for sale, not producing museum-quality decorative work, and his prices reflect exactly that distinction.
Inspectors: Any home you buy should be inspected, no exceptions. I work with inspectors who know old houses and new ones equally well, and who aren't in the business of killing deals or rubber-stamping them. They'll give you an honest read on a property's condition and tell you precisely where the bodies are buried. Sellers sometimes ask about a pre-listing inspection—that's fine, but understand that whatever surfaces, and something usually does, will need to be disclosed or addressed.
Appraisal: If you're financing, the bank selects the appraiser. But if you're not—say, in the case of a divorce—and still need an appraisal, I have the right people to send your way.
Attorney: In Illinois, you need an attorney to close, and the attorney-approval period that follows a signed contract is one of the most consequential stretches of the entire transaction. Please don't hire your uncle the divorce lawyer, or a friend who practices tax law, for a residential real estate deal—it rarely ends well. I have strong recommendations and can match personality and style to each client. I look for collaborative attorneys, not deal killers, and after this many years in the business, I know most of the legal players in the market. The goal is to reach the finish line, not to watch the lawyer become the obstacle course.
Mortgage: If you're financing and don't already have a lender, I can connect you with excellent mortgage brokers and steer you toward the right person for your particular loan. Several of the lenders I work with are especially creative with buyers whose finances are complicated—which, these days, describes most of us.
Movers: I've worked with movers of every stripe over the years, for long-distance relocations and moves across the street alike. They can pack your art, move your piano, and store your antiques while your new home is being renovated.
Contractors and Trades: My list of reliable tradespeople is long and deep—carpenters, electricians, plumbers, general contractors. I know who the excellent ones are, and, more to the point, the ones to avoid.
Architects and Interior Designers: Many of my clients take on significant renovation work that calls for design or architectural help. Over the years I've built a portfolio of design professionals that I can recommend at every price point and across a range of design sensibilities.
Cleaning Crew: And yes, if you sell, you'll need to leave the property in broom-clean condition—not quite a surgical operating room, but close enough. Buyers, for their part, usually want to clean the space again anyway, especially if they're doing work. I have excellent move-out and move-in crews who will leave the home sparkling.
My real estate code of ethics prohibits me from accepting any financial kickbacks from these providers—I could lose my license if I did, and I'm rather attached to it. These recommendations exist in service of one thing: getting the deal done, and minimizing your stress during a genuinely difficult transition. I build the team and the structure around the transaction so that, in the end, you're a happy client. Please reach out if you need help in any of these areas. I will happily open my contact list.
Contact me at suzanne@suzannegignilliat.com or (773) 394-4717.
Featured Properties
What Her Clients Are Saying:
“Suzanne and Joelle were very professional/knowledgeable. They sold our place the first day for full asking price—you couldn’t really ask for more! They were lovely to work with, and they helped me every step of the way. I would definitely recommend them to anyone seeking a real estate agent.”
-L.K. in Lincoln Park