What Baird and Warner's Owner Taught Us About Selling Your Home the Right Way

We just watched our company's owner, Steve Baird, sit down for a long interview. He runs Baird and Warner, and what he said lines up with exactly how we try to treat every client here in the western suburbs. The short version? Trust and doing right by people still beat every fancy tool out there. Here is what stuck with us.

Want to hear it straight from him? You can watch the full interview here.

A Company That Has Lasted 170 Years

Baird and Warner started in 1855. That makes it the oldest real estate company in the country, and Steve is the fifth generation of his family to run it. The company has lived through wars, the Great Chicago Fire, and every market crash you can name. It is still here, and it is still family owned.

Why should that matter to you? Because a home sale has a lot of moving parts, and you want a company that is not going anywhere in the middle of your deal. When you list with us, you are backed by a brokerage that has handled good markets and scary ones for almost two centuries. That kind of steady hand is hard to find.

Why Showing Your Home to the Whole Market Gets You More Money

Here is the part we loved most. Steve talked about a trend where some companies push sellers to list their home in a small private group instead of the open market. It sounds special. It is not good for you.

His point was simple. If only a handful of people see your home, how do you know you got the best price? You do not. The buyer who pays the most is often someone you never expected, and they find your home because it was out there for everyone to see. He asks sellers one question, "How do you know you got the best price?"

There is a fairness side too. Steve's father fought years ago to make sure homes were open to every buyer, not just a chosen few. Tucking a home into a private group quietly cuts people out. Full, open marketing is better for your wallet and better for everyone.

We Take the Complicated Parts Off Your Plate

Steve had a great way to explain another one of his goals. Years ago, buying a car was a pain. You went to a bank for the loan, someone else for the extras, and you pieced it all together yourself. Now you drive in, the dealer handles everything while you wait, and you drive out in your new car.

He thinks buying or selling a home should feel that simple. Most people do not want to juggle lenders, attorneys, title, and a pile of paperwork. They just want to buy or sell their home without the stress. That is what we aim for. Through Baird and Warner, we can line up trusted help for the mortgage, the title, and the closing in one place, so you are not chasing five companies on your own. We also watch for problems early, so nothing catches you off guard at the closing table.

What This Means for Sellers in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, and Plainfield

In our market, homes still sell well when they are priced right and seen by everyone. So that is how we do it. We use a tool called Zenlist to build early interest and alert buyers the moment the right home hits the market. Then your home goes to the full market, never a hidden list. You can search the same live listings we see on Zenlist.

Steve also said something every seller should hear. There is the home you live in, and there is the home you sell. Buyers fall for a feeling. So before we list, we help you clear out extra clutter, brighten rooms, and set the home up so a buyer walks in and feels at home right away. We dug into this more in our guide on how to price your home to start a bidding war. Small moves like these are why homes in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, and Plainfield, Illinois sell faster and for more.

Why We Are Proud to Be Part of This Team

Steve's motto for the whole company is three words. Do the right thing. That is the same reason Julia Corkey and Vickie Schoenfeld built Team Elite Realtors at Baird and Warner the way we did. We would rather tell you the truth and earn your trust than chase a quick sale. Steve also said something we see all the time. Buyers and sellers pick the person they trust, not the flashiest name. We have built our whole business on exactly that.

He also said real estate will always be a people business, and AI will not replace the one on one. We feel that every day. About 70 percent of our business comes from past clients and the people they send our way. Folks come back to us years later when it is time to move again, and that means more to us than any award. You can read what they say in our Google reviews.

If you want a team that does right by you and gets your home in front of the whole market, book a quick consultation or find out what your home is worth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the best Realtors near me in Naperville, Illinois?
If you are looking for a Realtor in Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, or Plainfield, we would love to help. We are Julia Corkey and Vickie Schoenfeld with Team Elite Realtors at Baird and Warner. We have worked in the western suburbs for over 20 years. Call or text us at 630-286-9777 or visit www.homesbyteamelite.com.

Is it better to sell my home on the open market or in a private group?
The open market is almost always better for your bottom line. When every buyer can see your home, you get more interest and a better shot at top dollar. A private group limits who sees it, which can leave money on the table.

How long has Baird and Warner been in business?
Baird and Warner started in 1855, which makes it the oldest real estate company in the country. It is still family owned and run by the fifth generation. We are proud to hang our license there.

Will AI replace real estate agents?
No. AI can help with searches and paperwork behind the scenes, but it cannot replace the trust and guidance that come from a real person. As our owner put it, the vast majority of buyers and sellers still choose to work with an agent, and that is not changing.

Ready to sell your home the right way, with the whole market seeing it and a team that puts you first? Let's talk. Reach out to Team Elite Realtors at Baird and Warner today, and you can always start your home search on Zenlist.

Ready to Make Your Next Move?

We are here to help you every step of the way, whether you are buying, selling, or just exploring your options. Reach out to Julia Corkey and Vickie Schoenfeld, Team Elite Realtors at Baird and Warner.

Call or text 630-286-9777, email [email protected], or visit www.homesbyteamelite.com.

Book a consultation, get your home value, or search homes on Zenlist.

Licensed REALTORS proudly serving Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, Plainfield and the western Chicago suburbs.