← Back to The Boulevard Group
← Back to The Boulevard Group
Nearly 1,000 rental transactions closed, backed by Fulton Grace, one of Chicago's top rental brokerages by number of transactions, with 1,200+ managed properties. We have access to the MLS, private listings, and the large Chicago property owners who never post on the MLS at all. Here's how the process works with us, including a straight answer on how we get paid.
Tell us your move date, budget, neighborhoods, and non-negotiables (in-unit laundry? parking? pet-friendly?). We've closed nearly 1,000 rental transactions, we'll tell you what your budget gets in each neighborhood.
Before we tour, Illinois practice (and our policy) requires a signed representation agreement. It spells out exactly what we do for you, how compensation works, and that we're working for you, not the property owner. The whole agreement is explained in everyday words right here in this guide.
We send you listings that match, from the MLS, private off-market listings, Fulton Grace's 1,200+ managed properties, and the large Chicago property owners who don't post on the MLS at all. Fulton Grace is technology-driven, so alerts and applications move at the market's speed, good units in Chicago go in days.
We schedule and guide the tours, point out what photos hide (water stains, train noise, that 'cozy' bedroom that won't fit a bed), and help you compare.
When you find it, speed and a complete application win. We'll have your documents staged in advance so you can apply the same day, often the difference between getting the unit and getting the 'sorry, it's taken' email.
We review the lease terms with you, confirm move-in costs and dates, and make sure keys, utilities, and move-in logistics are squared away.
Real estate service isn't free, and we'd rather be clear than clever about it. Before we tour together, you'll sign a representation agreement, it makes us your advocate and puts our compensation in writing.
In most Chicago rentals, we work to have the property owner or listing brokerage pay our fee, and that's the outcome we pursue on every property we show you. If a particular property owner doesn't offer compensation, we'll tell you before you tour it, so you always know exactly where you stand before you fall in love with a place.
Illinois practice (and our policy) requires a written agreement between you and your broker before we tour together. Ours is signed electronically through fultongrace.com, and the signed copy lives in your Fulton Grace account afterward. Here is what it says, in everyday words.
It makes us your advocate. The agreement names your Boulevard Group agent as yours, working for you and not for the property owner, and it defines our duties to you in writing.
It puts how we are paid in writing, up front. In most Chicago rentals the property owner or the listing brokerage pays our fee. When a particular owner does not offer one, a fee may fall to you, and we tell you which situation applies before you tour, in writing, so nothing is left to memory and there are no surprises at lease signing.
It comes before the first tour, not after. Five minutes of paperwork buys you an advisor who is legally on your side for the whole search. Questions about any line in it? Ask before you sign, that is exactly what we are for.
Buying instead? The buyer version is walked through line by line in the buyers guide.
The full list, with the official city sources linked, lives at the Chicago renters FAQ; it is the page we send people after a first conversation.
Straight answer: real estate service isn't free, someone always pays for it. In most Chicago rentals, the property owner or listing brokerage pays our fee, and we always pursue that first. Before you tour any property, our representation agreement spells out our compensation; if a particular property owner doesn't offer to cover it, we'll tell you before the tour so you can decide with full information, no surprises at lease signing.
It's required practice, and it's good for you. The agreement makes us *your* advocate (not the property owner's), defines our duties, and puts compensation in writing up front. Five minutes of paperwork buys you an advisor who's legally on your side. The full explanation: the representation agreement, explained.
Most Chicago property owners typically look for gross income of 3.5× the monthly rent and a credit score around 650 or better. Thinner credit or income isn't fatal, co-signers/guarantors, extra months upfront, or the right building can all work. Tell us your situation and we'll aim you at properties where you'll be approved.
Photo ID, last 2–3 pay stubs (or offer letter for a new job), sometimes bank statements or tax returns for self-employed renters, and property owner references. Have them in one folder before touring, same-day applications win units.
Budget for: first month's rent, a security deposit or (more common now) a non-refundable move-in fee, possibly the application fee ($50–75 per adult typically), and any building move-in charges. Chicago's RLTO governs how true security deposits must be handled, many property owners use move-in fees instead.
For a typical lease: start seriously touring 30–45 days before your move date, inventory turns over fast and most listings post within 60 days of availability. Luxury buildings and 2–4 flats sometimes list earlier.
Yes, pet policies, breed and weight limits, and pet rent/fees vary building to building. Tell us up front and we'll only show you places where your pet is welcome.
That's our favorite kind of renter. We'll place you in the right rental now and, when you're ready, the same team walks you into ownership, see our Buyer's Guide. Many of our buyers started as our renters. Curious where the line is for you? Our rent vs. buy calculator takes your rent, a price you have in mind, the taxes and assessments, and the years you would stay, and shows which comes out ahead.
Renting is the year you learn the city. These two pages shorten it: the things locals forget to mention, and the parks that will decide which neighborhood you fall for.
Tell us your move date and must-haves, with nearly 1,000 rentals closed, we know exactly where to look.
Talk to Our Rental Team