Service Areas
Addison, ILBartlett, ILBatavia, ILBloomingdale, ILElgin, ILElk Grove Village, ILGeneva, ILGlen Ellyn, ILGlendale Heights, ILHanover Park, ILHoffman Estates, ILItasca, ILLafox, ILNaperville, ILOak Brook, ILRoselle, ILSaint Charles, ILSchaumburg, ILSouth Elgin, ILStreamwood, ILWasco, ILWayne, ILWheaton, ILWinfield, IL
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About MARIO GRADO
I'm Mario Grado, a REALTORA(R) with Coldwell Banker Realty, helping buyers, sellers, and renters throughout Chicago's western and northwestern suburbs.
Having lived in Illinois for more than 25 years and grown up in Geneva, I bring a personal understanding of the communities I serve, including Bartlett, South Elgin, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Batavia, and surrounding areas.
Before entering real estate, I spent nearly a decade owning and operating a wine bar and cheese shop in Kane County. That experience taught me the importance of communication, attention to detail, and earning people's trust through dependable service.
Whether you're buying your first home, preparing to sell, relocating, or searching for a rental, my approach is straightforward: listen carefully, communicate clearly, and help you make informed decisions without unnecessary pressure.
I'm proud to work with Coldwell Banker Realty and bring the resources of an established brokerage together with the personal attention of a local REALTORA(R).
I'd welcome the opportunity to help with your next move.
OTHER LANGUAGES
English
Community Involvement
As a longtime resident of Chicago's western suburbs and former small business owner in Kane County, I value supporting local businesses and staying connected to the communities I serve. I enjoy attending local events, exploring neighborhood attractions, and helping people discover what makes each community unique.
HOBBIES/INTEREST
Outside of real estate, I enjoy cooking, exploring different foods and restaurants, collecting baseball cards, and getting outdoors for long walks. I'm also a dog lover and enjoy spending time with my pug, Winston. I appreciate good food, good company, and finding ways to make the most of my free time.
FAMILY
I'm lucky to have a family that's supportive enough to keep up with my career changes, new ideas, and whatever adventure I decide to take on next. They've learned to expect the unexpected, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Read More About MARIO
Credentials
LICENSE
Real Estate - Illinois - # 475220099
Specialties
- Buyer's Agent
- First Time Home Buyers
- First-Time Sellers
- Home Buyers
- Home Sellers
- Investment Properties
- Listing Agent
- Rentals
- Residential Real Estate
- Single-Family Homes
FAQ
My biggest advice is to get comfortable with your budget before you fall in love with a house. Understand what you can afford, including property taxes, insurance, and ongoing expenses, and get pre-approved so you're ready when the right opportunity comes along.
Beyond that, keep an open mind. Your wish list is important, but sometimes the right home checks boxes you hadn't considered. Take your time understanding the neighborhoods, ask plenty of questions, and don't feel pressured into making a decision you're not comfortable with.
Buying a home is a major financial commitment. Having someone who communicates clearly, explains your options, and looks out for your interests can make the entire process much easier.
My biggest advice is to approach selling your home with a strategy, not just a price in mind. Understanding what comparable homes are actually selling for, how much competition you're facing, and what buyers expect in your market can make a significant difference.
First impressions matter, but that doesn't mean you need to spend thousands on renovations. Sometimes a thorough cleaning, decluttering, fresh paint, and a few small improvements can have a greater impact than expensive upgrades.
Most importantly, be realistic about pricing from the beginning. An overpriced home can sit on the market and lose momentum, while a well-priced, well-presented home has a better opportunity to attract serious buyers.
Every home and situation is different. I believe sellers deserve straightforward advice, a clear marketing plan, and honest communication throughout the process.
I work with buyers, sellers, and renters throughout Chicago's western and northwestern suburbs. My focus includes first-time homebuyers, people relocating to the area, homeowners preparing to sell, and individuals or families looking for their next rental home.
I understand that everyone's circumstances are different. Some clients are just beginning to explore their options, while others are ready to make a move. Regardless of where someone is in the process, my goal is to provide clear information, honest guidance, and personal attention without unnecessary pressure.
One recent transaction that stands out involved helping a family relocate from out of state after purchasing a business in the Chicago suburbs.
Because they could only make short visits to the area, we spent a lot of time communicating by phone and making the most of every opportunity to tour homes in person.
They eventually found a home they loved, but before they could complete the rental application, the property received an offer to purchase. Rather than wait and hope, we quickly shifted gears and toured several other options.
Then came an unexpected turn: the purchase fell through, and the home became available again. We moved quickly to get their rental application submitted, stayed on top of the process, and ultimately secured their approval.
They're moving in this weekend!
What makes this one memorable is how many moving pieces we had to navigate, especially with the family living out of state. It was a great reminder of how much communication, flexibility, and quick follow-through matter in real estate.
My path into real estate wasn't exactly a straight line. Before becoming a REALTOR®, I spent nearly ten years owning and operating a wine bar and cheese shop in Kane County. Running my own business gave me a real appreciation for building relationships, solving problems, negotiating, and helping people make important decisions.
When it came time for a new chapter, real estate felt like a natural fit. I've lived in Illinois for more than 25 years, grew up in Geneva, and have always enjoyed getting to know the communities around me.
I also knew I wanted a career where I could build something of my own again, work directly with people, and put my experience in customer service and business ownership to good use.
Joining Coldwell Banker Realty gave me the opportunity to make that transition with the support and resources of an established brokerage. It's a new chapter, but one that draws on a lot of what I've learned along the way.
In addition to completing the education and licensing requirements to become an Illinois REALTOR®, I bring nearly a decade of hands-on experience owning and operating a business in Kane County.
That experience gave me a strong foundation in customer service, negotiation, financial decision-making, and managing situations where attention to detail and clear communication really matter.
As a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty, I also have access to professional training, market research, technology, and the guidance of experienced agents within my brokerage.
I believe education doesn't stop when you earn your license. Real estate markets, regulations, and industry practices continue to evolve, so staying informed and knowing when to draw on the expertise of others is an important part of serving my clients well.
Contact Information
Location
1212 South Naper Boulevard #122 Naperville, IL, 60540
