Martello Realty Group Puts Personal Touch on Real Estate

Oak Forest is sometimes criticized for not having a lot of businesses. You've heard the rubs: you have to leave town to buy this or buy that. But Patch discovered a local business that most other towns can't lay claim to. A business that is dedicated to providing boutique-style real estate service for local residents.

The company is called Martello Realty Group, and the managing broker is Brian Martello. He is the grandson of Maime Beechy (the matriarch of the Beechy family, owners of the Beechwood Oaks building, and before it, The Ten Pin Lounge).

Martello's career in real estate began when he was serving as the director of finance for a mortgage company. The owner offered him the opportunity to be a managing mortgage broker. This gave Martello his first taste of working with people in the field, and it was a good fit.

"I was a CPA, not much of a field guy," Brian said, "but I really enjoyed working with people more."

The mortgage company closed in 2007 after the start of the financial crisis, and Brian decided to go full boar into the real estate business. He opened shop in Chicago, but he knew he wanted to end up in the suburbs. Oak Forest was a natural fit.

"My family has a long history here," he said, "and I noticed few brokers had planted a flag here."

So in 2007 he set up shop in his family's building.

Martello Realty Group is now one of the few brick and mortar real estate companies in Oak Forest. While most agents are coming from other towns, Martello is completely vested in the city. 

"We're here to serve the people of Oak Forest," Martello said.  "Our goal is to be more local. We think this town is a hidden gem.

"Oak Forest High School is ranked with Sandburg and Andrew in ISAT scores, and the school is half the size," he said.  "Kids can get lost in a big school.  I don't think that happens there.

"The inventories are very low, which means properties are moving. The average home is selling within six months. That's better than Tinley or Orland Park. The foreclosure rate is at the national average. These things are all good for the Oak Forest sellers."

Martello Group has four brokers, including Martello, and their approach with their clients is very personal. While most brokers simply throw a lockbox on the door and let buyer agents handle the showings, they like to be there to show the homes they have listed.

"The owner and the listing agent know the house best, so we like to be at the showings to present the house in its best light," said Brian. 

The company values quality over quantity. They are not a large company with dozens of listings, but they take very good care of the listings they have.

They also use more technology than most listing agents. 

"We use wide-angle digital photography," he said, "which I like to supervise myself.  Everything is online now. The days of someone driving down the street, spotting a house, and calling the listing agent are over, so we put our listings on 50 different websites.

"I'm happy being a smaller broker, and doing most of the work myself," he said.  "It has been a good transition for me. I really love what I do. This is one of the few businesses where you feel like you're helping someone, especially in this tough market."

Martello Realty Group is located at 5119 W 159th St.  They can be reached by phone at (708) 535-9640.  They can be found on the web, at www.martellorealtygroup.com.