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How long he’s been at it: A total 15 years in real estate, originally based out of Wrigleyville and the West Loop out to, most recently, Park Ridge and the northwest suburbs.

Always be closing: Matt closed on a total of 40 houses in 2020. Although his focus is the Park Ridge area, he has seamlessly represented clients from Chicago to Glenview, Niles and Mt. Prospect.

Park Ridge is such a great community to raise a family. … I feel like I always knew I was going to come back. I never imagined myself being anywhere else.

A family connection to Park Ridge: Matt met his wife, Megan, back in grammar school at Mary, Seat of Wisdom here in Park Ridge. She would eventually head off college at Dayton, and Matt to NIU, where he played baseball, but they reconnected and began dating when they both lived in Chicago in their 20s. Park Ridge beckoned in 2012 when it was time to start a family, and they now have three children, ages 6, 4 and 2.

Matt’s grandparents arrived in Park Ridge in the early 1960s, and most of his extended family, as well as Megan’s entire immediate family, still call Park Ridge home. His kids are third-generation students at Mary, Seat of Wisdom, where his grandmother, Harriett Preston, was a science teacher in the ’60s and ’70s.

Some of the fondest memories he has involve youth sports and activities in town like night baseball games at Hinkley Park, Falcon football games, Wilderness Scout campouts, Christmas tree sales, Memorial Day parades, sledding at Centennial hill, Candy Cane Lane and 4^th of July fireworks at Maine East.

“I feel like I always knew I was going to come back,” Matt says. “I never imagined myself being anywhere else. … Park Ridge is such a great community to raise a family. The parks, schools, organizations and location — it is tough to beat.”

A true sense of community, honesty and responsiveness are what help create successful realtor/client relationships.

Important character traits for a realtor: “Growing up in Park Ridge and raising my family here has helped me develop a true sense of community — and this definitely helps me when working with clients. Honesty and responsiveness are some additional traits that help create successful realtor/client relationships.”

Market trends: “The area’s real estate market is extremely active right now. The combination of historically low interest rates and an inventory shortage has created a great seller’s market.”

Tips for preparing to sell a house: “Declutter the best you can. You want your home to photograph and show its best the day it goes live on the market. A good cleanout and some organization before you go on the market will definitely help get you top dollar for your home.”

First-time buyers should always… “get pre-approved before you start the process. I always recommend that any buyers I’m working with get pre-approved by one of our great local lenders.”