The Homescout Team
Our professional, licensed agents come from many different backgrounds and have widely varying interests, but they all share a common goal: to go above and beyond what you would expect and provide you with a dramatically better real estate experience.
About The Owners
Jeff Ellman and Michael Krasman are two entrepreneurs who have impacted the lives of thousands of people in Chicago. They have helped thousands of people rent and buy homes, hundreds of professionals find jobs, and continue to throw many of the cities most well known networking events.
Finding the perfect home, getting the ideal job, and meeting new people are some of the many challenges that people face in Chicago. Since 1999 their business has thrived and has become a great resource for anyone that is going through those challenges. Their forty person company continues to grow at a rapid pace and they plan to take this unique business model from coast to coast.
Jeff and Michael are the founders of:
Homescout Realty - a free service that helps customers rent apartments and buy homes
Humatal Recruiting - a firm that specializes in helping people find jobs
Launch Events - a company that runs business networking and social events
Leasing Manager
Joe Porritt
Joe is an active sports enthusiast that loves trying new and exciting things. He has been skydiving, base jumping, rafting in class 6 rapids, SCUBA diving with reef sharks, and bungee jumping, to name a few. Joe says, “It is a different type of feeling, but I get the same level of excitement out of helping someone find their new home.”
Real Estate Consultants
Ali O'Hara
Ali is very energetic and has enjoyed playing soccer since she was 4 years old. She graduated from Miami University with a degree in Mass Communications. She also enjoys shopping, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She says, "I will work my hardest to find a home that is perfect for my clients. I will go the extra mile, put in the extra work, and not stop until I find you the best place to call home."
Bonnie Brattain
Bonnie is a graduate of Indiana University and enjoys playing soccer and salsa dancing in her free time. She also loves to travel and is currently studying Italian. She is committed to helping her clients find a place to call their own. She says, "'Home' is really important to me," and is confident she can find an apartment or condo for anyone to feel passionate about.
Brad Jaffe
Brad is very energetic and enjoys playing golf and hockey in his free time. He graduated from Michigan State University and says the following about how he can help you: "I will listen to all of your needs and to help you find your perfect home. I want to make sure I am exceeding your every expectation."
Brad Robbins
Brad is a Miami University grad who enjoys playing golf, hockey, and basketball. When he is not playing sports, you can catch him flying his remote control helicopter or beating his colleagues in Mario Cart for Nintendo Wii. Brad pledges, “Every client that I work with will know that they have an agent that will go the extra mile for them.”
Chloe Glass
Chloe is a UW-Madison graduate and a lifelong Chicago resident. She knows the city inside and out, and can help you find the perfect apartment in the perfect location. She is committed to helping her clients and says, "The best part of my day is when I find someone exactly what they’re looking for.” She also has a puppy, and loves helping dog owners find apartments because she knows how tough it can be!
Clayton Hines
Clayton is a Purdue grad and is a huge Cubs fan (as well as a Purdue football fan). Some of his favorite things include gyros, board games, and a good snowfall. He remarks: "I'm here to create a positive environment, attitude, and of course the best customer service I can. I feel they go hand in hand!"
Elliot Small
Elliot graduated from Indiana University's Kelly School of Business in 2008. He is an avid backpacker, climber and outdoor enthusiast. Here's what he has to say about his work: "I am driven to go above and beyond to find the exact property characteristics that will make a new place feel like home."
Greg Pekarsky
Greg graduated from Michigan State University. Playing sports and sharing a good laugh with friends are just some of the things he likes to do in his free time. His trademark phrase has always been "I am not satisfied until my clients are happy with my services."
Jessica Fricke, Team Leader
Jessica graduated from the University of Michigan. She enjoys traveling, reading, and meeting new people. This is her pledge to you: "I am always willing to go the extra mile to make sure my clients find their dream home, whether that means a 1 year lease or a first time home purchase, and I promise to do the same for you."
Joel Holland, Associate Broker
Joel is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Whethere it's going to the gym, or being with friends, he's always able to stay active in Chicago. Joel is passionate about his job and says "My goal is to work with you, not just for you...in order to establish a network of success."
Katie Bommarito, Team Leader
Katie graduated from the University of Michigan. She is especially enthusiastic about Michigan football, Detroit Basketball, and, of course, the Chicago Bears. Here's what she says about her clients: "I look forward to building long term relationships with all of my clients and helping them with all of their housing needs for years to come!"
Kaylin Goldstein
Kaylin holds a degree in marketing from the University of Iowa. She enjoys shopping, hanging out with friends, and being out and about in Chicago. She has this to say about her work: "I strive to find the perfect place for my clients and meet their needs. I love helping people!"
Mallory Hoobler
Mallory graduated from Illinois State University. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family and taking advantage of all the great restaurants and entertainment available in Chicago! She says, "I am committed to listen to the needs of my clients and find them the best home possible while making the entire process very smooth and stress-free!"
Margaret Grumley
Margaret is a huge all-around sports fan. This UIC grad loves playing beach volleyball and softball. You can always find her wearing a Cubs or Red Sox hat on her days off. Margaret is committed to make finding an apartment fun and exciting. She says, "Together we are going to find you the perfect place to call home."
Matt Wilkinson
Matt holds a degree from the University of Loyola Chicago, and loves any and all sports, especially teams from Wisconsin. Matt promises this: "I provide my clients with my full attention, a positive attitude, and the ability to find them their dream place of residence."
Melissa Meter
Melissa spends her free time snowboarding, wakeboarding, and traveling (her favorite place is Italy). She graduated from Michigan State University. She remarks, "I strive to find the perfect place for each client...I love what I do and it shows!"
Mike Wulff
Mike played baseball at his alma mater, the University of Missouri, and still plays competitively. He is a big Cardinals and Missouri Tigers fan and enjoys going to the beach and barbecuing with friends. Mike is determined to find you the perfect place to live and will make the process "as easy, fun, and stress-free as possible."
Roxie Ransom
Roxie is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University. She loves spending time at the beach and summer in Chicago. She pledges to find her clients the best place "by listening to each individual's needs and tailoring my search to match those needs. My job is done once my clients are 100% satisfied."
Sandi Kronzek
Originally from Pittsburgh, Sandi showed her first property when she was 18 and fell in love with the career. She holds a degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She promises, "I will approach each client with dedication, enthusiasm and tenacity. I look forward to meeting you and helping you find your ideal home!"
Stephanie Konow
Stephanie is a graduate of Indiana University. She grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and is proud to know the city inside and out. She loves working at Homescout because it allows her to meet great people. She asserts, "Nothing brings me greater joy and satisfaction than finding my clients the perfect home!"
Stephanie Sapp
Stephanie is an energetic person who likes meeting new people, trying new things, and spending time with friends and family. She holds a degree from Indiana University. She "[finds] it incredibly gratifying to assist [her] clients in finding the perfect place to live."
Steve Rapoport
Born and raised in Chicago, Steven enjoys working in his hometown. In the winter, he likes to travel west to snowboard. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa, and says this about his clients: "I am committed to helping each and every one of my clients find the perfect place to live."
Tara Nebe
Tara attended Columbia College Chicago and fell in love with Chicago when she moved here 8 years ago. She enjoys politics, sports, traveling, and learning about other people and cultures. Tara is an expert on the many different unique neighborhoods in the Chicago. She says, "I love the feeling of being able to inform my clients about all this great city has to offer and finding them the perfect neighborhood and apartment to fit their needs and personality!"
Whitney Moss
Whitney is an upbeat person with a passion for cooking, traveling and the food network. She is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio. She says, "There is nothing more satisfying than to see the look on a client's face as they are signing the lease to their dream apartment!"
Landlord Relations Specialists
Matt Henry
Matt currently attends Roosevelt University and enjoys playing division 2 national paintball. He also likes to play golf and listen to music in his free time. He admits that his obsession with the History Channel is borderline unhealthy. He says, "It is my personal goal to make certain every person I speak to approves of my services and dedication."
Steve Holm
Steve is a graduate of Western Michigan University, so naturally he has an obsession with Michigan football, the Detroit Lions, and the Detroit Red Wings. This is what he says of his work: "I take pride in taking the time to work with each one of my clients on an individual basis."
Equal Housing Opportunity