Chicago Veteran Realtors

Veteran-Owned & Operated

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Our team of Chicago veteran Realtors specializes in seamless PCS moves and VA home-buying throughout Chicago and surrounding communities.

Chicago Veteran & Military-Spouse Realtors
Military Homebuyer Specialists
Military Home Selling Experts
Trusted VA Loan Officers

Find a Chicago Military Realtor Browse PCS Homes Marketplace

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Home at 821 Wicklow Rd, Baltimore, MD 21229

VA ASSUMABLE7.14%

Veteran-Owned Agent-Listed

1 / 10

For Sale

$240,000

821 Wicklow Rd

Baltimore, MD 21229

Nearby BaseFort George G. Meade. Another closer, though smaller, military installation is the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, which is about 9 miles away.

Home at 425 Oswego Court, Greenville, SC 29607

VA ASSUMABLE5.63%

Military-Owned Agent-Listed

1 / 12

For Sale

$685,000

425 Oswego Court

Greenville, SC 29607

Home at 4210 W Pine Cliff Dr, Spokane, WA 99208

Veteran-Owned Agent-Listed

1 / 12

For Sale

$799,000

4210 W Pine Cliff Dr

Spokane, WA 99208

Nearby BaseFairchild AFB

Open marketplace slot

Your PCS listing could be next

Promote a sale, rental, or VA assumable opportunity to military families planning their next move.

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Local Military Real Estate Experts

Meet Our Chicago Veteran Realtors

Helping military families buy, sell, and PCS throughout Chicago, the North Shore, and Lake County.

Sarai Acevedo-Schwocher

Realtor ☆ Army Veteran

Bio:

Sarai Acevedo-Schwocher is an Army Veteran and REALTOR® specializing in VA home loans, VA loan... More...

PCS JOES Verified Local Expert

About Sarai

Sarai Acevedo-Schwocher is a Great Lakes Military Realtor, Army veteran, and Military Relocation Professional (MRP) helping service members, veterans, and military families buy and sell homes near Naval Station Great Lakes and throughout Northeastern Illinois. With 25+ years of real estate experience and more than 1,000 families served, Sarai understands the challenges of PCS moves and provides experienced, responsive guidance for military buyers and sellers.

Sarai specializes in VA homebuyers, VA loan assumptions, PCS relocations, and military home sellers. Whether you’re PCSing to Great Lakes, purchasing a home with a VA loan, exploring a VA assumable mortgage, or selling before your next assignment, she combines local market knowledge, skilled negotiation, and veteran-to-veteran understanding to help you move with confidence.

Vetted PCS JOES Partner

Local Chicago Expert

Military Community Focused

Communities Sarai Serves Near Chicago

Antioch

Berwyn

Elmhurst

Gurnee

Palatine

Park Ridge

Plainfield

Round Lake

Schaumburg

Tinley Park

Military Bases Sarai Serves Near Chicago

Fort Sheridan

NS Great Lakes

Don't see your area? This agent serves additional communities beyond those listed. Reach out directly to confirm coverage and get expert local guidance.

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Why Heroes Prefer Our Chicago Veteran Realtors

We connect you with veteran and military-spouse Realtors who understand PCS life, VA loans, and what matters most to your family.

Veteran & Mil-Spouse Realtors

Work with professionals who understand military timelines, transitions, and family priorities.
VA Home Loan Experience

Navigate VA financing, appraisals, and property requirements with informed local guidance.
Local Area Knowledge

Compare communities, schools, and commute options throughout Chicago.
Exclusive Heroes Bonus*

Receive up to 10% of your Realtor’s commission toward eligible closing costs. Restrictions apply.
Free Marketing Analysis

Review Chicago pricing, market competition, and sale readiness before listing your home.
Military Homebuyer Support

Plan tours, offers, inspections, and closing around orders and reporting dates.
Remote PCS Support

Tour homes virtually and coordinate your Chicago move before you arrive.
Military Home Selling Experts

Prepare, price, and market your home around PCS orders and military timelines.

How PCS JOES Supports Your Chicago Move

Whether you are buying before arrival, selling around PCS orders, or comparing commute options near Chicago, PCS JOES helps connect you with a vetted local Realtor who understands military moves. Your Realtor can coordinate virtual tours, explain neighborhood and school considerations, help you prepare for VA financing, and keep the transaction aligned with your reporting timeline.

Connect With a Chicago Military Realtor

Nationwide VA Loan Support

Meet Our VA Loan Officers Serving Chicago

Get expert guidance on VA loan preapproval, eligibility requirements, VA mortgage rates, and financing options tailored to your homebuying goals.

Matt Elliott

VA Loan Officer

Illinois VA Home Loan Lender Bio:

Matt Elliott is a Marine Corps veteran and Veteran Mortgage Loan Originator with the Veteran... More...

Local Illinois VA Home Loan Support

VA Loan Guidance for Chicago

Matt Elliott is a Marine Corps combat veteran and trusted VA Home Loan Lender who helps service members, veterans, and military families nationwide navigate the VA home loan process with clarity and confidence. For homebuyers moving to Chicago, Illinois, Matt provides guidance on VA preapproval, eligible financing costs, and preparing a competitive offer for the local market. Support is available for PCS homebuyers moving near Naval Station Great Lakes.

Illinois VA Home Loan Guidance

VA Preapproval Support

Military and Veteran Homebuyer Focused

VA Loan Support Near Chicago Military Bases

Naval Station Great Lakes

Contact Matt to discuss VA loan options for your move to Chicago, Illinois.

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Bryant Mateus

VA Loan Officer

Illinois VA Home Loan Lender Bio:

Bryant Mateus is a United States Air Force Academy graduate, Air Force Reserve Major, and... More...

Local Illinois VA Home Loan Support

VA Loan Guidance for Chicago

Bryant Mateus is a United States Air Force Academy graduate, Air Force Reserve Major, and experienced VA Home Loan Lender dedicated to helping veterans, active-duty service members, and military families navigate the VA loan process with confidence. For homebuyers moving to Chicago, Illinois, Bryant provides guidance on VA preapproval, eligible financing costs, and preparing a competitive offer for the local market. Support is available for PCS homebuyers moving near Naval Station Great Lakes.

Illinois VA Home Loan Guidance

VA Preapproval Support

Military and Veteran Homebuyer Focused

VA Loan Support Near Chicago Military Bases

Naval Station Great Lakes

Contact Bryant to discuss VA loan options for your move to Chicago, Illinois.

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Ready For Your Next Move?

PCSing to Chicago? We've Got Your Six.

Connect with a vetted Chicago military Realtor who knows the local market.

GET MATCHED WITH A CHICAGO MILITARY REALTOR Browse Homes

Live Near Chicago Military Installations

Popular Communities Near Military Bases in Chicago

Military families PCSing to the Chicago area can choose from neighborhoods near Naval Station Great Lakes and Fort Sheridan and surrounding communities with different commute, school, lifestyle, and housing options. Our local Chicago veteran realtors can help you compare each location before your next move.

City living with regional access to the North Shore

Chicago

Chicago offers condos, townhomes, historic neighborhoods, and broad employment and transit access. Military households considering the city should test rush-hour travel to the assigned installation, compare parking and property taxes, and evaluate the tradeoff between urban amenities and a longer daily commute.

Closest city to Naval Station Great Lakes

North Chicago

North Chicago offers some of the shortest routes to Naval Station Great Lakes and a mix of established homes, rentals, and multifamily properties. Buyers should compare individual blocks, school boundaries, property condition, taxes, and the route to the gate they expect to use.

Larger Lake County market north of Great Lakes

Waukegan

Waukegan offers established neighborhoods, condos, lakefront access, and a broader inventory than many nearby North Shore communities. Military families should compare flood and insurance considerations, property taxes, school assignments, and commute patterns.

Suburban community west of Naval Station Great Lakes

Gurnee

Gurnee combines suburban neighborhoods with extensive shopping, services, and access to major roads. Buyers often compare traffic, tolls, school boundaries, property taxes, and the daily drive to Naval Station Great Lakes.

Established downtown and suburban neighborhoods

Libertyville

Libertyville offers an established downtown, varied housing, parks, and commuter-rail access. Military households should compare home prices, property taxes, school assignments, and drive times to Naval Station Great Lakes and Fort Sheridan.

North Shore village close to Great Lakes

Lake Bluff

Lake Bluff offers a smaller North Shore setting with proximity to Lake Michigan and Naval Station Great Lakes. Inventory can be limited, so buyers should compare price, taxes, renovation needs, school boundaries, and timing carefully.

North Shore community near Fort Sheridan

Lake Forest

Lake Forest features established neighborhoods, historic homes, lakefront access, and proximity to Fort Sheridan. Buyers should evaluate higher purchase costs and property taxes, renovation requirements, and commute routes to both supported military locations.

North Shore community surrounding Fort Sheridan

Highland Park

Highland Park offers varied housing, Metra access, parks, and direct proximity to the Fort Sheridan area. Military families should compare total ownership costs, school boundaries, traffic, and the longer trip north to Naval Station Great Lakes.

Local PCS Planning

Resources For Your PCS to Chicago

Explore trusted VA loan, PCS move, and military homeownership resources for service members, veterans, and military families.

VA LOAN GUIDANCE

VA Home Loan Education

VA loan education covering eligibility to closing, and every step in between. Get started now.

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Military family meeting with a VA loan expert to review homebuying options and VA home loan benefits

FREE DOWNLOAD

Military Homebuyer Guide

A step-by-step VA loan and PCS home buying guide designed for active-duty service members and veterans.

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MILITARY ONESOURCE

PCS Move Checklist

Plan your next PCS with military moving resources, relocation checklists, and Military OneSource planning tools.

Learn More

Real PCS JOES Experiences

Trusted By Military Families Nationwide

★★★★★

We could not be more satisfied with our experience working with Kyle! From our very first interaction...If you're looking for someone who provides expert guidance, timely responses, and gets it right every single time, Kyle is your guy. He made what could have been a stressful process feel smooth and confident. Highly recommend!

★★★★★

I bought a home near Nellis AFB. I used Matt Elliott Mortgage Loan Originator, a Marine Veteran as my Lender, and Air force Veteran Jonny Cosca as my realtor. They made the process quick, simple. and easy. Jonny and Matt are an outstanding team and I highly recommend using them to help purchase a home near Nellis and Creech AFB!!

★★★★★

I worked with Mortgage Loan Originator and Marine Veteran Matt Elliott for a year before I PCS’ed to Fort Hood...bought a home and the process was made easy! I highly recommend Mortgage Matt Elliott and PCS JOES for all your PCS home buying needs.

Questions Before Your Move

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Every PCS JOES realtor goes through a strict vetting process before being accepted into our network. All agents are prior-service veterans or military spouses and must demonstrate proven experience working with military families, PCS timelines, and VA home loans. We also evaluate their local market expertise, communication standards, and track record of ethical, client-first service. This ensures every PCS JOES realtor understands military life and is equipped to guide you through a smooth, informed move.

No. PCS JOES does not sell advertising or charge agents to be listed on our platform. Our partner agents are carefully vetted veterans and military spouses selected for their experience, professionalism, and commitment to serving military families. When a military member chooses to work with one of our partners, PCS JOES may receive a referral fee after closing. A portion of that fee is reserved to support our PCS JOES military bonus, where permitted by state law, while the remainder allows us to provide our PCS concierge service at no cost to military members and their families.

Yes. As a result of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement reached on March 15, 2024, real estate agents who use the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to share property information are required to enter into written agreements with buyers before touring a home in person or virtually. For detailed information, please visit the official NAR settlement fact page.

PCS JOES began as a military-focused blog and was converted into a national referral network in 2021 while we were stationed at Lackland AFB. For several years, we maintained a large internal spreadsheet of vetted partner agents, allowing us to personally connect service members with trusted military realtors nationwide. Since starting retirement SkillBridge leave in late 2025, we’ve been transitioning that system onto the website by building base-specific landing pages and publishing PCS JOES realtor profiles so military families can browse agents and connect directly online. New locations are added weekly. While automation is helping speed up this process, every PCS JOES customer is still personally tracked and supported throughout their real estate journey. If you don’t see a landing page for your area yet, simply submit an inquiry on our homepage and we will personally connect you with the appropriate PCS JOES partner agent. Our goal is to have the system fully online by the end of 2026.

Tax Returns: Your VA loan officer needs to get the full story of your financial situation to provide an accurate preapproval. Generally, they want to see 2 years worth of tax returns to ensure your annual income is consistent with your reported earnings through pay stubs. You will likely need to sign a Form 4506-T to allow your lender to request copies of your certified tax returns from the IRS
Pay Stubs, W-2s, or Other Proof of Income: Lenders will want to see your most recent pay stubs to get a clear idea of your overall financial health. If you're self-employed or have other income sources (such as VA disability pay or child support), you may need to show proof through 1099 forms, direct deposits, or other mean.
Bank Statements & Other Assets: These items help your lender appropriately asses your risk profile.
Credit History: Credit reports are often necessary to assess your risk level. Be prepared to write a statement that explains any negative items--one-time unavoidable circumstances may be viewed differently than habitual delinquencies.
Gift Letters: You will need to provide a written confirmation of any money gifted to you to help you buy your home. This letter should include their relationship to you as the amount received.
Photo ID: A copy of your ID will be required to prove you are who you're claiming to be.

As soon as you receive your assignment notification. Many military families contact us 6–9 months before their PCS, even before orders are in hand. This early timeframe is ideal because it allows our VA loan officers to identify and resolve potential issues well in advance. Think of our PCS JOES lender partners as your personal financial coach—no matter your situation, they can build an action plan to strengthen your credit profile and position you for the best possible rate by the time you complete your PCS. We also regularly help service members with last-minute PCS moves in the 30–60 day window. While most home purchases close in 30–45 days once under contract, we’ve successfully completed closings in as little as 26 days.

Naval Station Great Lakes

PCS planning for Naval Station Great Lakes housing, schools, access, lodging, BAH, and nearby Chicago North Shore communities.

PCS to Naval Station Great Lakes

Our Chicago military realtors help PCS families plan a move to Naval Station Great Lakes. Naval Station Great Lakes is in North Chicago, between Chicago and Milwaukee, and is the Navy’s only boot camp. North Chicago, Waukegan, Gurnee, Libertyville, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Highland Park, and Chicago offer different housing, school, tax, transit, and commute tradeoffs.

Popular Nearby Communities

North Chicago - closest city to the installation
Waukegan and Gurnee - larger Lake County markets north and west of the base
Libertyville and Lake Bluff - established communities west and south of the installation
Lake Forest and Highland Park - North Shore communities near Fort Sheridan
Chicago - urban option with a substantially longer commute

Schools & Student Support

School assignment depends on the exact residence and current district boundaries.
Use GreatSchools as a research starting point, then verify attendance boundaries, enrollment, transportation, transfer rules, and special programs directly with the applicable district and installation School Liaison.

Gates & Installation Access

Naval Station Great Lakes is a secure installation; confirm current visitor, sponsor, identification, and vehicle requirements before arrival.
Gate hours and access procedures can change due to operations, construction, holidays, or security conditions.
Follow sponsor and gaining-command directions for the correct reporting location.

On-Base & Off-Base Housing

Contact the Naval Station Great Lakes Housing Service Center for current government and community housing guidance.
Ask about eligibility, waitlists, application timing, privatized housing, pet policies, and rental referrals.
Compare rent or purchase costs with Illinois property taxes, utilities, insurance, tolls, transportation, and the route to the assigned gate.

In-Processing

Review the official active-duty check-in instructions and coordinate with the sponsor before travel.
Keep orders, amendments, identification, travel receipts, personnel records, medical documents, and housing paperwork accessible.
Reporting procedures vary by command and arrival time, so use current command instructions rather than relying only on general online guidance.

Temporary Lodging & TLE

Reserve temporary lodging early and confirm current eligibility, room type, pet policies, cancellation requirements, and any non-availability documentation.
Keep confirmations and itemized receipts and verify reimbursement rules with the servicing travel or finance office.

BAH & Cost of Living

Use the official DoD BAH tool for the applicable Chicago-area military housing area and current calendar year.
Rates vary by pay grade and dependency status and are not tied to the price of a specific home.
Budget for property taxes, utilities, insurance, deposits, tolls, transportation, and maintenance.

Official Planning Resources

Need help comparing communities or planning a home purchase near Naval Station Great Lakes?

Connect With a Chicago Military Realtor

Fort Sheridan

Housing, school, access, BAH, and relocation planning near the current Sheridan Army Reserve Center and historic Fort Sheridan area.

PCS to Fort Sheridan

Our Chicago veteran realtors help PCS families plan a move to Fort Sheridan. The former traditional Fort Sheridan installation closed in 2005. The area now includes the Sheridan Army Reserve Center and other remaining federal uses alongside residential neighborhoods in Highland Park and Lake Forest. Assigned personnel should confirm their exact duty location and reporting instructions with their unit.

Popular Nearby Communities

Highland Park - community surrounding the Fort Sheridan area
Lake Forest - North Shore option immediately north of Fort Sheridan
Lake Bluff and Libertyville - nearby alternatives with different pricing and commute patterns
North Chicago, Waukegan, and Gurnee - Lake County options closer to Naval Station Great Lakes
Chicago - urban option with a longer commute

Schools & Student Support

School assignment depends on the exact residence and current district boundaries.
Use GreatSchools as a research starting point, then verify attendance boundaries, enrollment, transportation, transfer rules, and special programs directly with the applicable district and installation School Liaison.

Gates & Installation Access

Fort Sheridan is not a conventional active-duty installation with general public base services.
Use current unit instructions for access, visitor procedures, parking, and the correct reporting address.
Do not rely on historic Fort Sheridan gate information or outdated mapping entries.

On-Base & Off-Base Housing

The surrounding Fort Sheridan area includes private residential neighborhoods in Highland Park and Lake Forest.
Some military-connected housing and support may be coordinated through Naval Station Great Lakes; verify current eligibility and procedures directly.
Compare property taxes, HOA rules, insurance, commuting costs, and total monthly ownership expenses.

In-Processing

Coordinate directly with the gaining unit or sponsor before travel.
Confirm whether the report location is the Sheridan Army Reserve Center, Naval Station Great Lakes, or another regional facility.
Keep orders, amendments, identification, travel receipts, personnel records, and housing documents accessible.

Temporary Lodging & TLE

Confirm temporary lodging options with the gaining unit or current regional lodging provider.
Reserve early and verify reimbursement, pet, cancellation, and non-availability requirements.

BAH & Cost of Living

Use the official DoD BAH lookup for the duty-location ZIP code and current calendar year.
Rates vary by pay grade and dependency status and are not tied to a particular home.
North Shore property taxes and housing costs can be significant, so compare the complete monthly budget.

Official Planning Resources

Need help comparing communities or planning a home purchase near Fort Sheridan?

Connect With a Chicago Veteran Realtor

Ready to get started?

Training Matters. Experience Matters More.

MRP Training + Real Military Experience

An MRP-certified agent has completed specialized military relocation training, including foundational education about VA financing. It is a valuable credential—but it is not the only measure of whether an agent understands your move.

Some PCS JOES Realtors are MRP certified. We do not require the designation because all PCS JOES Realtors are veterans or military spouses with firsthand experience navigating military life, PCS timelines, and the realities facing military families.

A certification provides foundational training. PCS JOES adds lived military experience, local real estate expertise, and veteran VA loan officers whose work is focused primarily on VA borrowers.

Why That Matters for Your PCS

Military Relocation Professional training for Chicago military homebuyers

Military relocation knowledge

Guidance shaped around orders, reporting dates, deployments, and remote home searches.

Veteran VA loan officers serving Chicago military homebuyers

Veteran VA loan experts

Our veteran loan officers primarily process VA loans and understand VA eligibility, appraisals, property requirements, benefits, and closing from the inside out.

Veteran and military spouse Realtors with firsthand PCS experience in Chicago

Firsthand understanding

An agent who understands military family priorities because they have lived the lifestyle.

Local military housing and duty station guidance for Chicago

Local market guidance

Help comparing neighborhoods, schools, commute times, and access to your installation.

Local experience: Our Chicago military Realtors help families compare communities and commute options around Chicago.