PHONE A FRIEND

The rental market in Chicago encompasses every sort of residence, from Gold Coast penthouses with room service to studios in up-and-coming neighborhoods. Somewhere in the middle is likely where new grads want to be. Moving to the city to live and work after college is a natural progression for young people who grew up taking the train into Chicago several times a year. After a few years, they might look to buy a Hinsdale or Oak Brook home, but in the beginning, when people are focusing on baseball games and street fairs, promotions at work, and hard to score dinner reservations, it’s best to find a great rental, furnish it with finds, and enjoy life.

Easier said than done unless you’re working with someone with great style, connections, and inside knowledge. Maddie McMahon is that person. She grew up in Hinsdale, where she graduated from St. Isaac Jogues and Hinsdale Central and was lucky to be lifelong family friends with real estate powerhouse Dawn Mckenna. During college, Maddie interned with the Dawn McKenna Group (DMG), and fell in love with real estate. She officially joined the firm in 2021. “I love being a part of the team, everyone is smart, dedicated, and energetic. It’s the ideal place for me,” she says.

The goal of every DMG team member is to help clients achieve their goals and Maddie has thrown herself into mix, providing excellent service. Skilled in many areas of the business, Maddie is especially accomplished with rentals. It’s a time saving gift to work with someone who understands what a professional is looking for in a place. “Dawn encourages us to be more knowledgeable about our markets than any other agent and that’s my approach,” McMahon says, adding, “I’ve lived the Hinsdale to college to living and working in Chicago progression and learned things every step of the way. I’m here to help new graduates—or anyone who wants to explore a place in the city—find a spot that’s perfect.”

Dawn McKenna, founder of the Dawn McKenna Group explains, “Our agents are real people with interesting lives, stories to share, and valuable experience in the field. Our clients get to know a friend, not just a sales representative. At DMG our agents know their territories and the lifestyles they offer because they live there and live those lives. They connect on a personal level and Maddie is an incredible example of this.”

Working with an agent cuts down on touring flats that will never work. It also frees the searcher from the tedium of calling endless numbers posted on the side of buildings and rarely receiving a call back to schedule a viewing or even find out the rent. In the post-college years, when everything changes in life, it’s smart to ask for help.

“I’ve known Maddie her whole life and have watched her grown into an amazing person. I truly believe in her and what she can do for our clients,” Dawn says.

Maddie McMahon is a licensed real estate broker and client services expert. Find her in the Dawn McKenna Group’s Chicago office, 696 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3010, 312.981.5500. dawnmckennagroup.com/chicago