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 city's 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
Business Operations Manager
Marketing Manager
Customer Care Specialist
Kate Russell
Kate came to Chicago from Cincinnati after graduating from Miami University in 2006. She enjoys the amazing city of Chicago, all things food, good music, and spending time with friends. Kate is dedicated to providing the absolute best customer service to each and every client. She loves helping others and seeing people happy, and will make sure that it is reflected in her work everyday!
Director of First Impressions
Katie Anderson
Katie has been in Chicago for 10 years since she came from St. Louis to attend DePaul University. She enjoys juicy celebrity gossip, reality tv, and good Chicago shopping with friends. As the Director of First Impressions, Katie’s smile is the first thing you’ll see when you come to Homescout. Her friendly and warm personality will make you feel at home the second you walk in the door.
Brokerage Manager
Joel Holland
Joel is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Whether 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."
Real Estate Consultants
Adam Friedberg
Adam is a graduate of the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. He enjoys playing basketball and football and is very energetic. Adam says “My goal is to go above and beyond the clients expectations and to relentlessly work to find them a property that they are proud to call home.”
Bonnie Brattain, Team Leader
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, Team Leader
Brad is very energetic and enjoys playing golf and hockey in his free time. He graduated from the Eli Broad School of Business at 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."
Chrissy Dizon
Chrissy graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in Economics. She loves to travel, meet new people, and especially loves Chicago in the summertime. Having played basketball in college her biggest hobby is still to play competitively. She is committed to helping her clients find the perfect home and is dedicated to make the process as stress free as possible.
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!"
Dan Crocker
A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Dan is originally from Mt. Vernon, IL, and has lived in Chicago for 4 years. He enjoys music, snowboarding, golf, the St. Louis Cardinals, and traveling anywhere. Dan says, "I am dedicated to always putting myself in my client's shoes and listening to their needs to ensure that I find them their next home."
Elliot Small, Team Leader
Elliot graduated from Indiana University's Kelly School of Business. 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."
Erin Levy
Erin is originally from Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Indiana University. Erin enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling and loves live music! Erin loves the city of Chicago and is passionate and excited about finding her clients the perfect home that they can be proud of.
Greg Brouman
Greg was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. After attending the University of Colorado in Boulder, he took an opportunity to head to San Diego, California. Being back in Chicago for 2 years now, he really enjoys exploring new parts of the city. He is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to find you the home you are searching for and that is shown in his passion and dedication to the job.
Jacquelyn Loerop
Jacquelyn is a graduate of Calvin College and has lived in Chicago for the past 5 years. She enjoys the summer more than anything else, whether it's going to the beach, enjoying Chicago festivals, or attending baseball games. She also loves to travel and stay active within the community. She is very passionate about her job and says “my goals with my clients are to find them a place to live that fit their needs, I put myself in my clients shoes and make the process as smooth and stress-free as I can.”
Jessica Fricke
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."
Joe Porritt
Since Joe joined the Homescout Team after Graduating from Michigan State University’s Business School in May of 2006, he has played a pivotal role in the company’s continued success. He quickly earned a reputation as a tireless worker who would go above and beyond his clients’ expectations. In a city-wide leasing competition put together by one of the Chicago’s largest management companies, Joe ranked 1st out of over 500 agents in gross revenues. “The odds keep getting better and better,” Joe says, “…that one of our agents helped you or a friend find their home in Chicago.”
Justin Dunwiddie
Justin graduated from college in 2006 from Wisconsin. After Leaving the Midwest for a few years he relocated back to Chicago in January 2010 to be closer to his family and friends. In his free time he enjoys working out, hanging with friends, and playing sports. His promise to his clients is to treat them with the upmost respect and is dedicated to helping them in any way he can.
Lauren Dicken
Lauren is originally from Louisville, KY and is a graduate from Indiana University. She enjoys Cubs baseball, live music, and summer street festivals around Chicago. She says, "My commitment to all of my clients is focus, dedication, and of course fun while finding them the perfect home!"
Mike Wulff, Team Leader
Mike played baseball at his alma mater, the University of Missouri St. Louis, 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."
Sarah Celeski
Sarah graduated from Indiana University and is originally from the Detroit, Michigan area. In addition to spending time golfing, reading, and hanging out with friends, Sarah loves the city of Chicago. Sarah shares her energetic attitude and passion for the city with all of her clients. She is committed to helping her clients find the perfect home in which they feel extremely comfortable and excited in.
Tony Zobro
Tony Zobro graduated from the Eli Broad Business College at Michigan State University. He is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tony is a loyal MSU basketball fan who enjoys college football and basketball. His goal is to make your experience easy and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Landlord Relations Specialists
Erica Burgos
Erica is a junior at DePaul University with a major in Communications. She loves to travel, learn new languages, write, and the outdoors. She has a new-found interest in soccer and hopes to watch a game live one day in Europe. Erica believes in the Golden Rule and says, "I treat others the way I would want to be treated and thus I am committed to making my clients feel as comfortable and as appreciated as possible and will strive to serve them to the best of my ability."
Josh Plaggemars, Landlord Relations Manager
Josh is a graduate of Michigan State University. Originally from Holland, Michigan, he has loved living in Chicago for the past couple years. Josh is a Chicago sports fan (Go Cubs), but his biggest passion is following his beloved Spartans. He also enjoys outdoor sports such as football, snowboarding and stand up jet skiing. Josh says, "I am dedicated to building strong relationships with all of my clients and helping them with any of their real estate needs."
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."
Equal Housing Opportunity